Ryu moved forward without slowing.
Every step he took erased something from the world—homes crushed beneath invisible pressure, streets collapsing into deep craters, bodies scattered like broken dolls. The sky above was stained a bruised crimson, choked with smoke and drifting ash. Flames devoured the ruins endlessly, and the earth groaned beneath the weight of his presence.
"Just a little more…" Ryu muttered, dark energy rippling around him like a living storm.
"Just a little farther… then I'll reach that damn palace."
His lips curled into a cruel grin.
"Khronos is waiting."
The ground ahead trembled.
Two figures stood in his path, unmoving despite the chaos screaming around them. The wind howled violently, carrying ash, blood, and the stench of destruction.
Kaizen stepped forward, planting his feet firmly into the cracked earth.
"You've come too far," he said, forcing steadiness into his voice.
"This is your limit."
Beside him, Hima glanced sideways, concern flickering across her bruised face.
"Are you sure about fighting… Kai?"
Kaizen didn't look at her.
"We can't let our comrades die and hide just because we're only Zetsu," he said.
"We'll buy time. Time for our superiors—who aren't here yet."
Hima inhaled slowly, then nodded.
"…Alright," she said.
"Then I'll be your shield."
She stepped in front of him, aura flickering weakly but resolutely.
"And I'll protect you with my life."
Ryu stopped.
He stared at them in silence for a moment, then clicked his tongue.
"Two more…"
"How irritating."
Dark energy exploded outward as he raised his arm.
"Kenshi — 3rd Stage: Shock Release."
The impact detonated.
The ground shattered violently, shockwaves ripping through the battlefield like a tidal wave. Stone was torn apart, trees uprooted and hurled through the air. Entire sections of land collapsed inward.
Kaizen twisted his body at the last second, barely avoiding the full force—
—but Hima was caught directly.
The shockwave slammed into her, sending her flying across broken terrain. She skidded violently before crashing into rubble, blood spraying from her mouth.
"HIMAA!" Kaizen screamed.
Hima coughed, pain ripping through her body, but she forced herself upright.
"I—I'm alright," she gasped.
Her fists clenched.
"Kenshi — 2nd Stage: Penetration Force."
She charged.
Her punch bypassed Ryu's defenses completely, passing through armor and resistance alike. The force detonated inside him, internal damage spreading violently through his body.
Ryu staggered back, eyes widening.
"…She's skilled."
Shadows twisted unnaturally around his arm.
"Shadow Magic — Dark Energy: Instant Punch."
The strike landed instantly.
Hima's body crumpled.
Bones cracked. Blood spilled freely as she collapsed to the ground, barely conscious.
"Hima!" Kaizen roared, rage tearing through him.
"Damn you, demon!"
His stance shifted instantly.
"Samurai — 2nd Stage: Motion."
His footwork became flawless—no wasted movement, no hesitation. To Ryu, Kaizen's presence felt delayed, as if his body moved before his image could catch up.
Steel flashed.
Ryu was struck, blood spraying as a deep wound carved across his side.
"How in the world—?!" Ryu snarled.
But Kaizen wasn't looking at him anymore.
He dropped to his knees beside Hima.
"No… no… no…" Kaizen whispered, shaking.
"Hima… Hima… Hima…"
He grabbed her shoulders desperately.
"No… no… NO!"
"You can't die! You told me—you told me you'd do anything for me!"
"I'm saying it now—you can't die!"
"I'm saying—can't die—I'm saying you can't die!"
Tears streamed freely down his face.
"God damn it!"
Ryu raised his hand, dark energy gathering violently.
"Then now…"
"You'll die with her."
He charged forward, killing intent erupting—
—and was stopped instantly.
A blade blocked his path.
The collision sent shockwaves ripping through the ruins.
Ryu froze.
Standing before him was a woman whose presence felt immovable.
Suzume Zeki.
"You're lucky," she said coldly.
"Tomioka's disciple… to get saved every time."
She didn't look back.
"Take her to the medics," Suzume ordered.
"Hurry."
Kaizen didn't hesitate again.
He lifted Hima into his arms and ran.
Debris fell around them as the battlefield roared behind his back. Each step felt heavier than the last.
Hima's breathing was faint.
Her hand weakly clutched his clothes.
"Kai…" she whispered.
Kaizen bent closer, panic flooding his voice.
"Don't talk. Save your strength. Please… just hold on."
Hima smiled faintly, blood staining her lips.
"All of this…" she murmured.
"Ever since the day I met you… I fell hard for you."
Kaizen's heart shattered.
"Hima—no—don't—"
"These are my last words for you," she whispered, her voice fading.
"I love you."
Kaizen bit down hard, tears blurring his vision as he ran faster.
"I won't let them be your last," he said through broken breaths.
"I swear… I won't."
Behind them—
"Are you serious about fighting… Mom?" a calm voice asked.
Suzume smirked faintly.
"Don't talk about my age," she replied.
"I'm still strong enough to defeat demons like him."
Zenith Zeki stepped forward, arms crossed.
"I guess it can't be helped," he sighed.
"You're not going to listen to me anyway."
Suzume chuckled softly.
"That's my boy."
Ryu sneered.
"Who the hell are you two now?"
Suzume and Zenith answered together.
"We're the mother and son duo."
Ryu laughed darkly.
"I see… That means I get to kill two more weaklings."
They vanished.
Their clash detonated instantly.
"Kenshi — Phase II: Defense Style."
"16th Stage: Zero Weak Points."
Ryu's attack was completely nullified.
"WHAT?!"
"16th stage?!" Ryu shouted.
"Are you serious?! You can use that at your age?!"
Zenith narrowed his eyes.
"I knew you were a student of the 3rd Zenin," he said.
"And crazily strong… but what about her age?"
"Don't become reckless."
Suzume's aura exploded violently.
"Kenshi — 15th Stage: Absolute Impact."
The strike ignored all defense.
Ryu was launched backward, crashing through shattered ruins. Blood poured from his mouth as he hit the ground.
"Impossible—!" Ryu coughed.
"Using 15th and 16th simultaneously…!"
"That consumes nearly 45% of Eminence Energy—!"
His body trembled violently.
He fell to one knee, severely injured.
Blood dripped onto the broken earth.
The battlefield fell silent.
End of Chapter