The platform groaned.
When the six enormous bandage swords behind Hokushin Ichiteru fully unfurled, the entire silver-white metal "stage" began to shudder violently. This was not a physical vibration, but resonance caused by an overload of sword intent-the pressure woven by six entirely different sword intents existing at once had exceeded the limits of this artificial structure.
Cracks spread madly like spiderwebs, with Hokushin Ichiteru at their center!
"Now that's more like it."
A rare warmth colored Hawk-Eye's voice.
He gripped the Black Blade, Yoru, with both hands.
Right hand forward, left hand behind: a standard two-handed sword grip. Because one hand could not bear the slash to come.
He slowly lowered his center of gravity, bringing the raised Black Blade, Yoru, level, its tip pointing at a spot in the air three inches behind the center of Hokushin Ichiteru's brow.
That was no aiming error.
It was anticipation.
He had anticipated every possible path his opponent might dodge along, bringing every possibility within range of his slash.
"Eight Desolations: Opening Stance-"
The six swords behind Hokushin Ichiteru began to rotate.
The six enormous swords traced six differently colored trails of Sword Aura through the air-scarlet, indigo, jet-black, moon-white, deep purple, and dark gold. The six colors intertwined, forming a net of sword intent that covered the sky above the platform!
"First form: Heaven's Cover!"
Hokushin Ichiteru himself did not move, but the scarlet greatsword behind him, representing "heavy sword intent," crashed down!
Not at Hawk-Eye, but at the platform!
Boom!!
The greatsword plunged into the metal platform, pouring its terrifying weight and Sword Aura into it! Centered on its tip, the platform's surface surged like the sea, raising enormous metal waves dozens of meters high! Countless pieces of alloy were blasted into the air by that strike, becoming billions