Half-Sage Body Catches Up to Ice Release's Extreme Speed

The first senbon struck the shaft of the spear. The second had already passed Chiba's shoulder, and Haku stepped on a newly formed layer of ice to circle behind him.

The silver-white spear swept low, shattering only a string of ice shards left on the bridge.

"You can't keep up with me."

The voice came from the right, but the senbon fell from the left, its tip slipping through a seam in Chiba's armor beside his waist.

Metal Wood immediately sealed the gap, but Haku had already stepped onto the bridge railing and changed direction again with the help of thin ice.

"Even outside the Demonic Mirror, you're still using ice to change your landing points."

"Seeing it doesn't mean you can stop me."

"Then I'll try a few more times."

Chiba thrust his spear repeatedly. The first two strikes drove away the senbon, while the third sealed off the angle between the railing and the bridge deck.

The instant Haku's toes touched down, silver-white roots burst up from beneath the ice.

Haku pressed the senbon downward, freezing the joints of the roots with cold air. He skimmed over their tips, his palm already nearing Chiba's chest.

"Too slow."

The thin needle stabbed toward his heart.

The butt of the spear flipped up from beneath Chiba's ribs and blocked the needle. Haku turned his wrist with the motion, driving two more senbon into the back of Chiba's hand.

"Close enough this time."

Chiba did not retreat. His five fingers clenched around the spear shaft with the senbon still embedded in them, and his shoulder slammed into Haku's chest.

Haku was pushed off the ground, but ice at his waist immediately supported him, and his feet landed again on the outer edge of the bridge railing.

"Trading injury for distance?"

"As