"Because I never back down." Lorne clenched his right fist, golden lightning flickering faintly over it. "Whether it's Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, or that hunk of iron in the sky, it makes no difference before my fists."
"But this time is different..." Kuina still wanted to persuade him.
"There's nothing different about it," Lorne interrupted her. "If even I back down, who else can protect the people on the ground? Do you want me to watch them get vaporized?"
Kuina looked at Lorne's resolute face and opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew Lorne was fiercely protective of his own. Anyone who dared hurt his companions would be utterly crushed by him. And now, that thing in the sky was threatening everything he protected.
"I understand, Captain." Kuina gritted her teeth and finally relented. She sheathed Wado Ichimonji and bowed deeply to Lorne. "Please make sure you come back safely."
"Don't worry. I haven't led you all to overthrow the Celestial Dragons yet. How could I possibly die here?" A confident smile appeared on Lorne's face.
Ryan jumped up at that moment as well, his face grave. "Captain, all the defensive barriers have been deployed. But if that beam comes down, I'm afraid even the shock waves will cause tremendous destruction on the ground."
"I'll stop it in midair." Lorne's voice brimmed with arrogance and confidence. "You just need to handle the defenses on the ground. Leave the rest to me."
"Yes, Captain!" Ryan gave a crisp military salute without another word. He knew the only thing he could do now was trust Lorne absolutely.
Ryan and Kuina leaped down from Tenshu Castle and returned to the defensive lines on the ground.
Kuina stood below Tenshu Castle, gazing at Lorne's broad back. She remembered her training in Shimotsuki