As Hanakaiin Rintaro's figure vanished, Front Ogre let out a furious roar. Blood-red flames burst from his entire body as he swung the vajra axe in his hand down in a savage chop.
The black bear was named Iron Mountain. His fur and muscles were as solid as gold and iron. Rising to his feet, he gave his body a shake and transformed into a towering thirty-foot form, then swung a millstone-sized palm and slapped the vajra axe aside.
Electric light flickered over Thunder Tiger's body. Amid crackling snaps, his figure vanished, only to reappear behind Front Ogre.
Lightning flickered across his sharp claws as, in a flash of sparks, he clawed toward Front Ogre's lower back.
Clang!
Borrowing the force of Iron Mountain's blow against the vajra axe, Front Ogre spun around, and the vajra axe slashed swiftly at Thunder Tiger's claws.
The vajra horn in his other hand jabbed toward the black bear's other incoming palm.
While Iron Mountain, the black bear, and Thunder Tiger joined forces against Front Ogre, Mystic Crane let out a cry and charged toward Kamo Haruto.
A biting gale formed into a slash between its wings and flew out ahead of it.
Kamo Haruto watched Front Ogre's battle with utter composure. Rear Ogre behind him tipped the water bottle in his hand, sending out a stream that transformed into a watery barrier in midair.
The fierce slash struck the rippling water barrier. Though it cut two openings into it, it also lost its force and turned into a gust of clear wind that swept past.
Taking the opportunity, Mystic Crane transformed into a streak of Black and White Profound Light and slashed straight through the two openings at Kamo Haruto.
Yet when its sharp claws touched Kamo Haruto, they found no purchase whatsoever.