Apponia, Chiyou

"Mei, do you really not need me to go down with you?"

"No need, Elysia. The Sea of Quanta isn't as dangerous as you imagine. Besides, only by experiencing it firsthand can I figure out what these so-called precepts really are."

"Then I won't stop you. I hope you find the answer you seek."

Having said that, Elysia watched Mei walk toward the Sea of Quanta.

After she came out, Mei gathered everyone together.

"Well, did you gain anything?" Elysia asked Mei.

"Mm... the precepts truly are a dangerous ability. They aren't merely simple psychological suggestion."

"They can even change a person from the inside out, both in thought and behavior."

"Boss, what does that mean?"

Pardo was a little confused and quietly asked Yoshikage Kira.

"Simply put, a single sentence from her could turn Yoshikage Kira into someone with a personality like Elysia's."

Before Yoshikage Kira could speak, Mobius answered.

Imagining Yoshikage Kira greeting everyone as warmly as Elysia did, Pardo vigorously shook her head, as if trying to fling that image out of her mind.

It's better if Boss keeps favoring me like he does now. Thinking this, Pardo grinned foolishly at Yoshikage Kira.

"That leads to another matter. Apponia mentioned Yoshikage Kira several times and claimed that the precepts had no effect on him."

Everyone's gazes immediately converged on Yoshikage Kira.

Yoshikage Kira nodded.

"My Stand blocked it for me."

After thinking for a moment, Mei stopped dwelling on Apponia's remarks about Yoshikage Kira.

"The main reason I gathered everyone is that I believe Apponia and Chiyou are rare and valuable fighting forces. I wanted to ask what everyone thinks."

No one had any objections.

"Then let's go meet our new members."

"Hi, are you called Chiyou?"

"Get lost."

"Mm... it seems this new friend isn't very friendly... But we're here to invite you to join us. Would you consider it?"

"Join you? Heh... Hahaha! That woman ran all over Twilight Town killing people and destroyed my temporary shelter. Was that supposed to be an invitation? How ridiculous."

"Please mind your manners, Chiyou. That was not Miss Sakura's intention."

"Stay out of my business, Apponia. You're not my guardian! You and that woman are both a bunch of hypocrites."

Having said that, Chiyou turned around and faced away from everyone.

"This won't work, Boss. This hotheaded guy won't listen to a word we say."

Yoshikage Kira reached out and touched the bars imprisoning Chiyou, made of some unknown material.

Killer Queen

The bars were destroyed by an explosion, and Yoshikage Kira walked inside.

Chiyou suddenly sprang up and threw a punch at Yoshikage Kira's face.

Yoshikage Kira raised a hand and casually caught Chiyou's punch.

"Come outside and fight me. If I win, you'll join us."

"Oh? And if you lose?"

"Don't worry. I won't lose."

"Heh, interesting. Come on, then. I'll burn you to ashes."

Yoshikage Kira led Chiyou outside. As they passed the others, he told them to negotiate with Apponia first.

"Be careful, Yoshikage Kira. Don't beat Chiyou to death," Elysia reminded him.

Yoshikage Kira nodded, only feeling Chiyou's fury grow stronger.

"Hehe, I'm going to watch the show."

"Hua, let's go too." Seeing Pardo run off, Carole suggested it to Hua.

"Come on, come on. We can leave the negotiations to Sister Elysia. There's no need for us to get involved." Seeing Hua was somewhat tempted, Carole directly grabbed her and ran off.

"Then I'll... forget it. I'd better stay with Mei."

"Thank you, Kevin."

"I heard the conversation just now. I'm willing to join you. Chiyou is very strong, so we should probably go outside and check on Mr. Yoshikage Kira."

"Oh? In that case, let's hurry out and take a look." Elysia clapped her hands and said with a smile.

"Go, Boss! Teach this rude guy a good lesson!" Pardo shouted loudly, cheering Yoshikage Kira on.

Hearing Pardo's words, Chiyou shot her a fierce glare. Pardo ducked behind Elysia and shouted again.

"Boss, he glared at me! Hurry up and teach him a lesson."

The others also cheered Yoshikage Kira on.

"What, aren't we starting yet?" Chiyou said impatiently.

"Ahem, then... three, two, one, start!" Elysia waved a little flag and announced the beginning of the duel.

"Haha, let me—"

Chiyou pushed off with his right foot and charged at Yoshikage Kira. Before he could finish speaking, the world spun around him, and he found himself lying on the ground.

"Boss is amazing! Woohoo!"

"What incredible speed. Sakura, did you see his movements clearly?" Kevin was shocked by Yoshikage Kira's speed and asked Sakura.

"No..." Sakura shook her head as well.

"Hahaha! Good, very good! Only a battle like this is interesting. Let us fight to the death!"

"Hahaha, again! Again!"

"Is that all the strength you have? I can keep fighting."

"Again! Again!"

After fighting who knew how many times, Yoshikage Kira spoke to the battered Chiyou across from him. "That's enough, isn't it? If this continues, you'll die."

"Heh, why should I fear death? Let us fight until neither of us remains!"

"What meaning is there in dying here?"

"...What if there is no meaning? What counts as meaningful, anyway?"

Yoshikage Kira slowly walked toward Chiyou and held out his hand.

"Take my hand, then join us."

Chiyou stared into Yoshikage Kira's eyes and fell silent for a moment.

"I lost. I'll join you."

With that, he turned and left, preparing to head for the Sea of Quanta.

Yoshikage Kira withdrew his hand from the air.

"We'll arrange a place for you to stay. You don't need to return to the Sea of Quanta."

"Think of this place as your... third home."

At those words, Chiyou suddenly turned back and stared hard at Yoshikage Kira, who merely stood there calmly.

Just as always.

"Tch."

His clenched fist loosened again.

"Whatever."

Is this... tsundere? Yoshikage Kira wondered as he watched Chiyou's retreating back.