The four spread out, forming two distinct one-on-one matchups.
"Do you think I'm an easy target?" Facing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka alone, Tsukishiro Tokinari still wore an unruffled smile.
"No matter who my opponent is, this has to end here." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze sharpened. "Here I come."
As the battle began by the beach, Shiraishi Makoto and Utsunomiya Riku also engaged Yagami Takuya.
After exposing Yagami Takuya's false façade, Utsunomiya Riku held nothing back. Although his raw ability fell short of Yagami Takuya's, who had distinguished himself in the White Room, Shiraishi Makoto was there to keep him occupied as well.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could defeat either Tsukishiro Tokinari or Sima Kedian in about a minute, but against the two together, even he needed to stay calm and look for an opening.
Shiraishi Makoto could do more than run away. He had learned quite a few offensive moves from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but he had not practiced them as thoroughly as his defensive techniques and worried about leaving himself open. With Utsunomiya Riku assisting him, however, he could attack without hesitation.
Utsunomiya Riku's fist whistled straight toward Yagami Takuya's face. Yagami Takuya sidestepped it, not expecting the punch to be a feint-Utsunomiya Riku's left hand was already reaching for his collar.
"You're too naïve." Yagami Takuya saw through Utsunomiya Riku's move and caught his wrist, intending to use his momentum to throw him. But just as he applied force, Shiraishi Makoto drove a precise knee strike into the outside of his thigh.
"Tch." Pain made Yagami Takuya loosen his grip. Noticing Shiraishi Makoto trying to seize his right hand, he shoved Utsunomiya Riku away and retreated several steps, escaping their pincer attack.
Neither opponent was weak. Fighting two against one put him at a clear disadvantage.
Realizing a drawn-out fight would work against him,