The peaceful town atmosphere shattered in seconds.
The sky darkened. Winds twisted violently above the rooftops. Clouds rotated into a spiral, creating a massive storm-eye directly above the marketplace.
Ryosen stepped forward immediately. "This pressure is not normal. Everyone stay alert."
A deafening crack split the sky. Lightning slammed into the town center, blowing apart the stone fountain. Debris scattered in every direction.
The explosion sent shockwaves across the plaza. Dust shot into the air. Several buildings cracked under the force.
Including.. the wall Kentarō had admired earlier.
It crumbled instantly into rubble.
Kentarō stared at it with horror. "No… not the wall… That was the only thing in this world that never betrayed me."
Shichiro shouted, "Kentarō, move!"
Kentarō sniffed dramatically. "I will avenge you, Wall-senpai."
Rokuro muttered, "He's actually mourning a wall."
Katsou groaned, "This is what happens when he gets attached."
When the smoke cleared, a massive figure stood in the crater.
White hair. Blackened skin marked with storm patterns. Eyes glowing cold blue.
Typhon, Elite Grade Heartless, Rank 1.
Heart of Tempest.
Shichiro felt the air tighten around him. "Everyone move civilians to safety now."
Kentarō rushed into the crowds, pulling people out of collapsing stalls. Rokuro froze debris midair to stop it from crushing fleeing families. Ryosen raised protective barriers to hold back the winds.
Katsu watched Typhon step forward at a slow, deliberate pace.
Typhon's voice rumbled. "Legendary Hearts detected. You will be eliminated."
Shichiro drew Solar Flare. "Not today."
But before he could engage, Katsu stepped ahead of him.
"Katsu," Shichiro called sharply, "that is the strongest Elite in existence. We fight together."
Katsu didn't turn around. "I know. But if we keep letting these monsters walk all over us, we will never get stronger. I am done running."
His brass knuckles glowed silver.
Typhon raised his head slightly, acknowledging him. "Your heart beats fast. Fear mixed with resolve. Interesting."
Lightning coiled around Typhon's hand.
Katsu charged.
Typhon struck.
The impact shattered the entire street. Katsu was thrown across the plaza, smashing through a wooden cart. He rolled, pushed himself upright, and wiped the blood from his lip.
"Time stop."
Silence hit the world. Everything froze: wind, dust, lightning.
Only Katsu moved.
He stepped toward Typhon slowly, each movement controlled.
He punched Typhon across the face. A clean hit. Then another. Then a full combination: ribs, jaw, chest, temple.
Each strike echoed through the frozen world.
"Katsu!" Shichiro yelled from the frozen background, unable to move.
Katsu stepped back. "This is it. Time resumes."
The world snapped back.
Typhon slid half a step to the side. A scratch ran across his cheek.
He touched it with two fingers.
"A human marking me. Unexpected."
Katsu's eyes widened. Typhon had shifted. During time stop.
"That is impossible," Katsu whispered.
Typhon lowered his hand. "Your time manipulation is imperfect. Your heart hesitates. And hesitation is weakness."
The storm surged.
A colossal blast of wind hurled Katsu through three stone walls. He coughed blood and fell to one knee, vision blurred.
Shichiro ran toward him. "Katsu, get back. You cannot win this."
Katsu forced himself up, shaking violently. "I can still move. I can still fight."
Typhon appeared behind him instantly.
"You cannot."
He raised his arm. Lightning gathered.
Katsu's instincts screamed.
He ran.
Typhon did not chase. He simply watched.
"You run with purpose. Good. Grow stronger, boy. I will return when your heart stops trembling."
Then Typhon vanished into a pillar of stormlight.
The winds died. The sky returned to normal. The civilians alive, terrified slowly emerged from hiding.
Shichiro helped Katsu stand. "You should not have fought him alone."
Katsu clenched his fists. His voice was low, shaken. "Shichiro… he moved. During time stop. He moved one finger."
Rokuro stopped in his tracks. "No one can move in your time stop."
Katsu looked at the cracked street where Typhon vanished.
"Typhon can."