Naruko and the group were walking through the corridor on the 3rd floor. So far, they haven't encountered any Shadow after returning from the 8th floor. But until they managed to return to the real world safely, it might be better for her to keep holding the silver Katana in her left hand.
"Uzumaki-san, if I may ask, can you explain your power to us in greater details?" Yu suddenly asked her when they walked down the stair leading to the 2nd floor.
"That's right, now that I think about it, I never told you guys," said Naruko. "It's been a year since I last summoned my Persona. Many things happened, and I suddenly lost my power. But, I was given this blade to compensate for the loss of my ability."
"That blade… Is not an ordinary one, is it?"
"How perceptive of you, Narukami-san. Indeed, this is no mere Katana. It cannot be broken and it has special properties unlike any others. With it, I can strike down any Shadow regardless of their resistance. I can also resist any kind of attack aimed at me."
"So that's how you protected Chie back then…" Yosuke murmured. "But your arm… How did you got wounded despite having such power?"
"Unfortunately, my power is not absolute," Naruko smiled. "If I was by myself, I can completely nullify an attack no matter how potent it is. But depending on the number of people I was guarding, the effect is reduced to a certain extent. I'm also vulnerable to a certain type of damage."
"So, Uzumaki-san got hurt because of me, huh… Come to think of it, my reckless attitude also got Yu and Yosuke in trouble yesterday…"
"Don't blame yourself too hard, Satonaka-san… Weren't we able to save Amagi-san because of your unwavering determination and persistence?" Naruko comforted her.
"Yeah, but still…"
"You should be happy to be able to rescue your friend in time. Who knows what will happen if you guys waited any longer than you should."
Naruko's words, while not entirely enough to comfort Chie, are sufficient to make her smile again.
"I suppose so… Thanks again, Uzu—"
But when they're about to open the door leading to the 1st floor, they were surprised by the sudden arrival of another large Shadow coming from beyond the door. It was the Avenger Knight, the same Shadow that gave them a hard fight just yesterday.
Yu and Teddie, who were the closest when the Shadow bashed the door open, were sent flying across the room. The Knight then charges at Chie who was unable to do anything because she was still supporting Yukiko at the time. Instead, Naruko pushed them out of the way, withstanding the full brunt of the attack merely with her Katana.
"Yu! Teddie! Are you okay?!" Yosuke yelled at them.
"Don't mind us! Focus on the Shadow in front of you, Yosuke!"
Naruko was careless. If it weren't for her injured arm, she can defeat the Shadow with no problem. But right now, they got two more wounded person. Chie is out of the fight because she had her hands full with defending the unconscious Yukiko and Yosuke is already exhausted from their grueling battle earlier. None of them is able to fight at full strength right now.
"Hanamura-kun, listen to me. When I give you the signal, grab Narukami-san and Teddie then run for the exit. Satonaka-san should follow you from behind along with Amagi-san. I'll hold it here."
"That's impossible! We won't leave you behind!"
"I'll make it somehow with my ability… But I can't fight with you guys around, it's too dangerous. Please go ahead and run without me."
Naruko knows this is a risky option. Just by observing the earlier attack, it is obvious that she will never be able to outrun the Shadow. Worst-case scenario, the Shadow will follow her to the entrance and destroyed the TV set Teddie had left behind, leaving her trapped in that world forever.
But before she can give the signal to Yosuke, the Avenger Knight suddenly charges again with its lance aimed at her. Naruko prepared herself to defend against the attack, expecting her blade to clash against the mighty weapon.
However, the Shadow never managed to hit her as it was suddenly attacked by a powerful blow coming from its blind spot. The force of the impact is strong enough to push the large creature back several meters away. But the attack wasn't from Naruko nor was it from Yosuke.
It was from Haruto, who struck the Shadow with a devastating punch.
"Haruto-kun!"
Haruto, however, did not respond. His eyes are fixed at the opponent standing before him. Although his expression remained as stoic as ever, it's easy to know what he feels.
It wasn't the feeling of relieve or panic that he showed to them. It was wrath.
He walked at the Avenger Knight slowly but surely. His eyes are burning with vengeance, as if wanting to cause as much pain as he could to his enemy. The sound of his footstep gradually changes until its frequency multiplies.
Something came out of Haruto. Something that is similar to him in both appearance and expression. It was Shadow Haruto, clad in its jet-black aura.
The manifestation of his Shadow shocked not only Yu, Yosuke and Chie, but also Naruko. It was nothing like Shadow Yukiko with the exception of that dark aura it emanates. It was far more tranquil, and yet was also far more terrifying.
The Avenger Knight roared in anger after receiving the sudden attack. It retaliated by charging at Haruto and his Shadow, trying to skewer them together at once. The duo easily dodged the lance, with Haruto side-stepping the attack and his Shadow vanishes before the attack even connects.
*Crack*
Shadow Haruto suddenly reappeared from behind the Knight and twisted its head violently in a swift movement. The brutal sight in front of them causes the surrounding spectators to look away in horror.
Despite its badly damaged neck, the Avenger Knight miraculously managed to survive although it can no longer move on its own. Shadow Haruto then disappear completely in thin air, leaving Haruto with his disabled enemy.
Haruto slammed the Knight's steed onto the floor hard before holding it from moving with his leg. He then grabbed the Knight's right shoulder with his left hand, before stabbing his right hand deep inside its chest and clawing its heart out. Blood-like substance poured out from the gaping hole on its chest. What was once a fearsome Shadow is now reduced to a helpless creature. The Avenger Knight and its steed finally disappeared after Haruto crushed its heart.
The battle only lasted a mere minute after Haruto's arrival, but it had definitely left a long lasting terror deep inside the hearts of the surrounding people.
"Haruto-kun...? Why are you here…?"
It was Naruko who asked him that question. The boy, however, still did not respond to her question. Instead, he walked closer to Naruko before putting his hand gently on her burn scar, completely healing it in a bright blue light.
Naruko is amazed by the scale of his healing power. Not even Diarahan was enough to completely heal such wound within seconds. Even using her powerful regenerative ability, it would still takes her hours to achieve the same result.
"Thank you, Haruto-kun… Is it possible for you to heal the others?"
Haruto nodded. He then heals everyone with his power, restoring them back to health.
"Uzumaki-san, what just happened…?" Yu who recovered first asked her in secret. "What did Namikaze-san just do?"
"To be honest, I really don't know…" Naruko whispered to him. "But Hanamura-san and Satonaka-san seem to be afraid of him. If it's possible, can you discuss this with them? Haruto is a good person, I don't want them to fear him"
"It's true, Namikaze-san did save us. But don't you think what he did to that Shadow is terrible? Especially his Shadow…"
"I know, but please…"
Her plea is not without reason. It would be unfair to hate Haruto after he just saved their life. But it's not like she can't understand them for fearing Haruto after what he had done.
"I understand… You risked your life too to protect us. I will do my best to convince them"
"Thank you, Narukami-san… I owe you one."
"Don't mention it."