Rooftop, Head-to-Head! Master of Balance Uesugi Tetsu! On the Eve of White Brahma's Promotion in the Seed Battle Qualifiers!

On the rooftop.

At some point, a white-robed figure over eight shaku tall landed beside Uesugi Tetsu and instead clasped his hand in her enormous, soft palm.

Maintaining her Eight-Shaku Form, Two-Shaku-Sama stared blankly upward. Only after gazing for quite some time at the winding, dazzling Star River in the sky did she get drawn to the voice of the girl who was too low to be seen without looking down.

Two-Shaku-Sama lowered her head and saw that the girl she had once called the "Great Demon King" was holding Uesugi Tetsu's Kaga Kiyomitsu.

Lowering her head further, she could see the Ksitigarbha statue placed in front of Uesugi Tetsu.

After a moment of thought, she understood what had happened.

Two-Shaku-Sama then tightened her grip on the hand in her palm. As her fingers restlessly rubbed against it beneath the visible covering from outside, she said with a beaming smile,

"Thank you for protecting Lord Tetsu for so long, Miss Ririko."

No longer addressing Ririko as the "Great Demon King" in a tone of awe and fear, Two-Shaku-Sama considered her current strength to be on par with hers.

After withdrawing her gaze, Ririko looked up and calmly met the eyes of the enormous Two-Shaku-Sama.

Uesugi Tetsu was just about to speak when he felt waves of invisible, hostile chill spreading from the point where their gazes collided.

At a time like this, he felt it would be better not to say too much.

After a long while, the girl said flatly,

"Long time no see, Two-Shaku."

Two-Shaku-Sama had already prepared a whole pile of responses, but this greeting left her stunned.

After hesitating for a moment, she answered in kind,

"Long time no see, Miss Ririko."

"Regardless, it's good that neither of you is hurt."

Displaying tremendous composure, Ririko casually