The smoke gradually cleared...
Everyone saw that a mass of tree stems covered the center of the courtyard, binding the Five-Headed Dragon tightly and holding it fast.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Opposite the dragon, the Serpent and Love Hashira were safely sheltered beneath a wooden dome formed by the stems. Neither had suffered so much as a scratch!
Everyone cried out in disbelief:
Gyomei: "A miracle?!"
Muichiro: "He's way too strong!"
Kyojuro: "Impossible! Someone this powerful actually exists in this world!"
Tengen: "Wonderful! Humanity is saved! Demons, Muzan, get your necks ready for the chopping block! Hahaha..."
Shinobu Kocho: "Sister, this time I'll avenge you for sure!"
Sanemi clenched his fists. "Masachika, Genya, we have hope!"
"Now that's a true Hashira!" The moment Tomioka said it, Sanemi and Obanai turned to stare at him.
Obanai swept a cold glance over Tomioka before finally recovering and composing himself.
"Let's go. We lost this fight." Mitsuri patted her chest, relieved to have survived, and waved to Hiruzen.
"You're very strong. I hope you'll join us in wiping out the demons for good!"
Hiruzen released his ninjutsu and quietly replied, "We will."
"Can you announce the result now?" Tetsuhiro asked with a smile from the seat of honor.
Seemingly sensing that the two were unharmed, Kagaya relaxed and announced gently, "We lost. Obanai, Mitsuri, come back. I'm glad you're both safe."
"Thank you for saving them, sir. Would you like to continue?"
"Let's continue. Dawn and Toneri haven't had their turn yet. A friendly word of advice: don't underestimate them because they're young. They're much stronger than Hiruzen and Danzo~"
Even stronger? It seems I really must consider our future. Secretly stunned, Kagaya ordered the Stone Hashira to step forward.
Hearing this, Hiruzen undid the staff's transformation, and Tetsuhiro withdrew his Wood Release.
Only