Suddenly, Uchiha Madara discovered that there was actually a person inside that enormous urn!
That person's appearance was one he knew very well... that face!
The goddess Athena—it was the goddess Athena!
Athena's purple hair spilled messily over the outside of the urn. Her body was contained within it, and dark red blood had nearly dyed the entire urn crimson.
"Could it be that what this urn contains is Athena's blood?!" Uchiha Madara's fury became impossible to contain. He rushed to the urn's side and shouted, "Athena! Athena!"
But Athena showed no reaction whatsoever. It was as though she could neither hear nor feel anything!
Uchiha Madara roared angrily, "This urn actually absorbs blood! If Athena's blood is drained away, won't she die?"
Uchiha Madara raised the blade in his hand and slashed down. Yet his blade rebounded violently against him, cutting a bloody gash into his own body instead. Uchiha Madara hastily retreated several steps, staring at the urn before him in shock. "What is this? How can it be so hard?"
Richard said, "Mr. Uchiha Madara, how about letting me try?"
Uchiha Madara nodded and gave Richard room to attack. Richard gathered all his strength and shouted, "Witness Alan Richard's ultimate technique—Cherry Blossom Crescent Moon!"
Several cherry blossom petals drifted down over the beautiful Elysion. Like a moon hanging at the edge of the sky, his sword thrust out and swept upward!
Clang!
Richard's sword snapped in two!
"Impossible!" Richard cried. "My sword, my sword... that was..."
Uchiha Madara grabbed Richard's hand, shook his head, and said, "I'm sorry, Colonel Richard. My misjudgment made you lose your precious sword..."
Richard shook his head. "This isn't your fault. I can only blame my own lack of skill."
Richard looked at the broken sword in his hand, his heart hardening.