On the tree beside him, the Sound Pillar, Tengen Uzui, waited quietly.
Kyojuro Rengoku stood in the clearing at the center.
Under his gaze, Tetsu no Sosuke gradually came into everyone's view.
He was drenched in blood, utterly battered.
Shinobu Kocho unconsciously rubbed her nose, feeling a sting.
This man... always seemed to have a knack for leaving himself in such a miserable state, didn't he?
This was clearly a battle that required coordination and cooperation, yet he insisted on pushing himself so desperately all alone... sometimes, he really was infuriating.
But he had his own reasons, leaving her unable to argue with him.
"Flame Pillar."
By the time Shinobu Kocho came to her senses, Tetsu no Sosuke was already standing opposite Kyojuro Rengoku. "I'm here. If possible, please stand three steps behind me."
Kyojuro Rengoku fell silent for a moment, then stepped back three paces, taking a position diagonally behind him.
Tetsu no Sosuke grinned. "Get ready. Tonight's real main course is about to arrive."
The demons brought here, Akaza, or anything else—none of them mattered...
The only enemy who truly required everyone to work together and unite against him was Kokushibo.
In the limited time he had, Tetsu no Sosuke did his best to regulate his breathing.
Three steps should be just right. Too close, and he would hinder the speed of my swing. Too far, and he wouldn't make it in time. Three steps was the perfect distance.
His eyes narrowed, and in an instant, Tetsu no Sosuke took stock of everyone's movements. Then he looked at Shinobu Kocho and made a hand signal.
It was a coded signal.
Shinobu Kocho silently slipped away from her original position.
At the same time, Tetsu no Sosuke looked up at Tengen Uzui in the tree and used a different