Nine figures stepped out of the gate.
The very moment their feet touched the ground, Parenta shot forward like a lightning bolt, landing atop the announcer's platform. She raised her voice with absolute authority:
— "Anyone below the rank of Shoki… leave the island. Now!"
And suddenly—
the broadcast cut out.
Yakuro scanned the area sharply.
— "Who shut it down?"
Torashi, the leader of the nine, stepped forward with a chilling calm:
— "I did. Is there a problem?"
Yakuro smirked narrowly.
— "No… because I don't want the audience to see your corpse."
Torashi didn't respond. He placed both hands on his ears and commanded:
— "Begin the mission."
The other eight: "Yes, sir."
Without a moment of warning, one of them lunged toward Falen—who lay collapsed after his previous battle, too exhausted to lift even his head. The sword's edge descended before his eyes… he shut them.
When he opened them again, someone was standing over him—blocking the strike with his own blade.
Falen, breathing weakly:
— "Who… are you?"
— "It's me…"
It was Rento.
But Falen couldn't say another word—he passed out immediately.
Rento roared at the attacker:
— "Coward! You strike a man who can't even stand? Fight a swordsman—fight me!"
Kanshi, the attacker, laughed:
— "I only wanted to finish him off… let's have some fun."
Rento:
— "Oh, you'll have fun. Trust me."
---
On the other side, Torashi noticed Yakuro… quietly digging into the ground.
Torashi, baffled:
— "Are we fighting or not? Why are you digging?"
Yakuro lifted his head and brushed dirt off his hands, speaking with terrifying coldness:
— "Finally… I'm done. Want to know what I'm digging? Your grave."
For the first time, Torashi felt a shiver of fear.
Yakuro shouted:
— "First Form: Detonation Wires!"
The ground beneath Torashi erupted—one blast cutting a wound beneath his eye.
What is this strength? he thought, struggling to keep his balance.
He fights like a walking calamity…
Torashi:
— "Don't think that—"
His voice was cut off.
Yakuro:
— "Second Form: Chain Bomb."
Torashi appeared behind Yakuro to counterattack:
— "That shallow trick won't—"
Yakuro snapped his fingers:
— "What about now?"
Torashi exploded mid-air.
He screamed, blood spilling from his mouth and stomach:
— "Aaaah—it hurts!"
Yakuro, with a killer's elegance:
— "Focus on fighting me… entertain me. Save the mission for later."
---
Elsewhere, Rento and Kanshi faced each other.
Rento:
— "Do you wield stone-force?"
Kanshi:
— "No. I hate using stones."
Rento gave a dangerous grin:
— "Hmph… my favorite type of opponent."
They clashed—sparks bursting into the air.
— "Do you want me to kill you, or let you live?" Rento asked.
Kanshi laughed:
— "You can't kill me. My Biko mastery surpasses yours."
— "To what level can you use it?"
— "Enough to wipe out your entire clan with it."
Rento's heart trembled with rage.
He shouted:
— "First Form: Serpent's Dance!"
He vanished—moving so fast Kanshi's strikes sliced nothing but empty air.
Kanshi thought:
First hit… my knee. Predictable… but too fast to fully block…
Second, the chest… third, the leg… fourth—
The neck! I need to use it now!
— "Fourth Form: Scattered Perfume!!"
---
Elsewhere, Zankiro confronted Nanibo.
Zankiro:
— "Come on. Our comrades are fighting. Don't bore me."
Nanibo yawned:
— "Go away. I only fight strong people… I'm sleepy."
Zankiro, irritated:
— "Then judge my strength. Tenth Form: Thornblade!"
His arms turned into piercing spikes—striking Nanibo.
Zankiro thought:
His movements… savage. He's using a strong stone.
Nanibo answered lazily:
— "Fine… Eighth Form: Wooden Giant!"
A massive wooden titan stomped Zankiro into the ground.
---
Parenta meanwhile rushed the announcer and staff toward the helicopter.
— "Move! Hurry!"
But she saw one of the nine attacking an elderly crew member—
She launched herself at him.
— "Do you know who I am?! I'm Parenta, Hero of the People! Touch a single citizen… and I'll kill you!"
Tharyn grinned darkly:
— "Show me."
He killed the old man in front of her.
Parenta screamed—rage mixing with horror:
— "Ninth Form… Sunlight!!"
In an instant, Tharyn's hand was severed, and his foot burned to charcoal.
He shrieked:
— "Aaaaagh!!"
Inside the helicopter, Nakimi called out:
— "Anyone wounded—come now!"
A dangerous plan shone in her eyes.
Nakimi:
— "Ninth Form: Healing Spire!"
A wave of power surged outward—healing several fighters.
Zankiro:
— "Thank you, Nakimi!"
— "You're welcome," she replied calmly.
Near her, Rashiro stepped forward:
— "I'll do something useful… but I can't use my stone today. Seventh Form: Mountain Hardening!"
Iron rose around the entire island, sealing it off except for a small opening for the helicopter.
Rashiro:
— "Enjoy the battle…"
He fell asleep instantly.
---
At that moment, Falen's consciousness returned.
I… feel stronger. Someone used herbs on me…? Why are they all fighting?
He opened his eyes and saw Rento panting beside him.
— "He's strong… Falen, I need you this time."
Falen coldly:
— "Apologize first."
Rento:
— "I don't have time for—"
Kanshi shouted:
— "Second Form: Cut of Senses!"
The sword swung toward Rento's leg—but Rento suddenly shot upward, pushed by Falen's water. Kanshi's strike missed—and Rento severed one of his fingers.
Kanshi smiled eerily:
— "It doesn't hurt…"
Raizen appeared behind him:
— "Mind if I join?"
Kanshi laughed wildly:
— "Fight me all at once!"
Falen thought:
When I fought Raizen before, the water boiled… I was angry. But now—if I calm down… I can make it freezing.
Rento:
— "Let's go!"
Raizen:
— "Second Form: Lightning Orbs!"
Kanshi dodged gracefully.
Rento:
— "First Form: Serpent's Dance!"
— "Second Form: Sequential Severing!"
At the decisive moment—Falen appeared before Kanshi.
Remember your worst memories… the last moment… the man in the black cloak… shattered… shattered…
Falen roared:
— "Second Form: Scalding Water Punch!!"
Kanshi flew back screaming:
— "H-hot! Boiling water!"
His abdomen revealed a strange purple burn.
Falen:
— "Let's synchronize our attacks."
Falen moved to Kanshi's left.
Raizen to his right.
Rento above.
Falen:
— "Second Form: Cold Water Punch!"
Raizen:
— "Third Form: Thunder Fist!"
Rento:
— "Third Form: Dragon Strike!"
Kanshi couldn't block any of them.
Falen shouted:
— "Raizen! Rento! Sync with me!"
— "Got it!"
— "Got it!"
Falen:
— "First Form: Water Basin!"
Raizen:
— "Second Form: Lightning Orb!"
(The lightning collided with the water swirling around Kanshi.)
Rento leapt high:
— "Fourth Form: Blood Sever!"
Kanshi convulsed—fully electrocuted—losing all the fingers on his right hand.
Torashi shouted:
— "Retreat! Mission over!"
But Kanshi screamed:
— "Not yet! I'll show them their place!
BIIIIKO!"
The entire island trembled.
But before he could unleash it—a gate opened behind him.
Torashi stepped out—striking Kanshi's neck violently.
— "They do not deserve to witness your true power."
And the nine vanished into the gate.
Everyone stood frozen.
Nakimi:
— "Do you think they attacked us to kill us… or to measure our strength?"
Suddenly—
Scientist Levan appeared, pale and trembling.
— "There is… devastating news."