Suddenly, Kokushibo froze. He sensed Akaza's presence vanish, then change.
"Akaza, you have now reached a higher realm. Can you escape that man's control and influence? How strong have you become?"
"I can hardly wait."
"Try this, you old bastard!" Genya roared as he pulled the trigger. At the same time, he flicked his left hand, hurling a brilliant flare right in front of Kokushibo.
Dazzling white light burst out instantly, illuminating the entire corridor like a miniature sun. A needle-sharp pain pierced all six of Kokushibo's eyes, and his vision turned into a white blur.
"Shit!"
But the burning sensation of sunlight he expected never came. There was only excruciating pain in his eyes and a slight discomfort throughout his body.
The flare produced only bright light, not ultraviolet rays. It was still worlds apart from sunlight.
"Is that all you've got?" Although Kokushibo had squeezed all six eyes shut and his strength had diminished, he was confident he could handle the three of them through scent and instinct.
He swung Kokushibo's Blade fiercely, unleashing Moon Breathing, Fifth Form: Moon-Sickle Vortex in an instant. An enormous vortex of crescent slashes hurtled straight at Genya.
The special glass shook continuously.
"I won't let you get away with that so easily!" Sanemi shouted, swinging Hurricane.
Muichiro lunged forward with a swift thrust.
The two pressed their advantage, seizing every moment to gang up on Kokushibo.
For a time, they actually managed to suppress him.
"What?!"
"This shouldn't be happening. The flare should have worked, according to my plan!" Genya simply couldn't understand it. Weren't demons afraid of light? Why had it only blinded him briefly...?
Watching his brother and Muichiro hold Kokushibo down in the hall, Genya refused to accept it and secretly prepared another shot.
Kokushibo struggled under their combined