The battered Asauchi had barely landed in Bai Zhu's hand when the roar of engines came from overhead.
An unregistered airship smashed through the Smoke Prison and bore down on the harbor district above the city. Every searchlight on the East defense line swung toward it, and several anti-aircraft guns rose in unison.
The military commander grabbed his communicator.
"Final warning! Submit your identification code immediately, or—"
"Not very old, but quite the temper."
An aged voice drowned out the military channel.
The airship stopped above the harbor, and its cabin doors opened to either side.
Netero stood at the edge, took off his coat, and casually tossed it back into the cabin.
"Youngsters, what are you still hesitating for?"
"Go to the ruins. Leave this place to me."
Bai Zhu craned his neck, looking up at Netero aboard the airship.
Netero brought his palms together before his chest.
Nen descended from the airship and swept past the breakwater. The sea surface sank inward, and several warships in the harbor slid toward the center. Their anchors dragged across the seabed while their cables snapped one after another.
Bai Zhu's shoulders sank.
"This old man..."
Piyu crouched beside the railing and raised a hand to hold down her rabbit-ear hairband.
"You still have time to talk?"
"If I don't say something now, my tongue might get pressed into my stomach later."
Morel braced both hands against his pipe stem. The Smoke Prison outside the city had already been affected. Several Smoke Walls leaned inward, yet he had no free hand to adjust them.
"Chairman! Hold back a little!"
"Don't worry."
Netero separated his palms.
"100-Type Guanyin Bodhisattva."
Golden Nen light shoved the clouds apart.
A Guanyin stood behind the airship, hundreds of arms spread out in rows, palms facing the sea