The Bone Whips lashed toward him, as fast as black lightning.
Giyu Tomioka could even smell the nauseating stench of blood coming from them.
I can't dodge them.
The thought flashed through his mind.
But he did not panic in the slightest, nor did he have even the faintest thought of putting down the person in his arms. At that moment, his gaze became utterly calm, like the sea before a storm.
I have to protect him.
A simple, pure thought became the sole principle guiding his actions.
Without hesitation, Giyu Tomioka turned around, presenting his back to the dozens of deadly Bone Whips. With all his strength, he held Sasuke tightly against him, like a lone wolf shielding its cub from wind and snow with its body.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm."
With the last breath in his core, he unleashed the strongest defensive sword form he had created.
The air around him seemed to freeze in an instant. An invisible domain of absolute calm unfolded behind him. As the speeding Bone Whips entered the range of Dead Calm, they abruptly slowed, their trajectories shifting almost imperceptibly.
Yet this was, after all, the Demon Progenitor's full-force strike.
And Giyu Tomioka was already at the end of his strength.
Squelch! Squelch! Splurch!
Dead Calm's defensive domain held for less than half a second before the savage force tore it apart completely.
Though it deflected several Bone Whips aimed at his vital points, the remaining dozen or so still mercilessly pierced deep into Giyu Tomioka's back.
"Urgh!"
Giyu Tomioka gave a muffled groan, his body shuddering violently.
Pain that pierced to the marrow instantly spread through every part of his body. He could clearly feel those poisoned barbs savagely destroying his internal organs. Warm blood gushed from his wounds, instantly