Facing Kokushibo, who had already entered his second phase.
The pressure the three men present felt rose another notch.
They simply could not imagine how Xia Xi back then.
Had managed to hold his own against him for so long on his own... with help from Uzui and the Combat Puppet.
Even though Tokito and Tanjuro both possessed the Transparent World.
The ferocious Sword Aura that nearly drowned their entire field of vision still made their scalps prickle.
As for Shinjuro, who was holding his ground with his Bright Red Nichirin Blade, his situation was even worse.
Under Kokushibo's masterful, relentless, wide-ranging slashes, every one of them lethal.
Shinjuro was the first to reach his limit.
With a low roar, he instantly activated his [Earth War Mark].
Crimson-gold flame patterns rapidly spread across his left arm.
It was as though a string of blazing fireworks had been lit on his hand.
[Energy Level: 620 (Physique 260, Technique 211, Mind 149)]
With the dual amplification of his war mark and Total Concentration.
Big Owl, whose peak energy level had already surpassed 1,600, immediately felt the pressure ease considerably.
And the Bright Red Nichirin Blade in his hands, which he had barely managed to maintain, began operating smoothly as his physique improved.
Tanjuro, whose stats were even weaker, was no exception.
The spot on his forehead that had originally been a birthmark was rapidly covered by a mark resembling the light of dawn.
The accompanying surge in strength and speed.
Immediately eased much of the tremendous pressure on the Charcoal Seller as well.
When they had first devised the plan to intercept Kokushibo, the second member of the Nine Hashira selected had been the [Sun Hashira], Tanjuro Kamado.
Although his stats had only just surpassed 600.
His three energy-level attributes