Simultaneously, Shikoku could not hide her shock as she watched Tenka tear through the ranks of her specialized Shuuki with terrifying ease.
It was important to note that her Shuuki were no ordinary monsters; they had been modified so extensively that their power far eclipsed that of the common variety. Yet, before Tenka, these beasts seemed no different from helpless, low-level grunts.
(As expected of a Chief. She truly is powerful. Hm?)
While Shikoku manipulated the black snakes at the tips of her hair—moving them as fluidly as extensions of her own senses to lash out at Tenka—her attention was momentarily diverted toward Rairen.
"Goodness, Rairen actually went so far as to reveal her true form. If Taikyoku finds out, she's going to get a massive scolding."
The playful expression that usually adorned Shikoku's face was replaced by a gravity she had never shown before. She realized with sudden clarity that she couldn't afford to remain entangled with Tenka, or Rairen would truly be slaughtered by Naoki's hand.
*WHOOSH!*
In a flicker, Shikoku vanished from her position and reappeared directly in Tenka's face.
"...?"
Tenka felt her senses suddenly dull, causing her to knit her brows. She suspected this was the work of an invisible toxin being emitted by her opponent.
(She's getting desperate to end this. Most likely, she wants to rush to the aid of her comrade, Rairen.)
Tenka was certain her intuition was correct. From the corner of her eye, she could see that the battle on Naoki's side was reaching its zenith. She had absolute faith that her man would emerge the victor!
"Reality Slash."
*SWOOSH!*
Tenka unleashed an invisible stroke capable of severing the very dimensions of space.
"...!!!"
A danger alarm blared in Shikoku's mind, screaming of approaching death. Shaken to her core, she was forced to contort her body into an extreme twist to evade the lethal strike. As her face came within inches of Tenka's, she quickly manifested a dense, pitch-black portal.
Tenka felt her own attack reflected back at her through the rift. She didn't dare risk taking the hit, even with the protection of Infinity. She knew better than anyone that even Infinity would fail against a Reality Slash designed to cleave through existence itself.
"You can even reflect attacks like a mirror." Tenka stared at Shikoku, who was now pouting. "Just what exactly are the Eight Thunder Gods?"
Shikoku's lips slowly curled into a thin, cynical smile.
Her face was undeniably beautiful, framed by long, flowing black hair, but her gaze held a terrifying darkness as deep as a bottomless abyss. On her shoulder, a coiled black snake flicked its tongue repeatedly, as if tasting the tension in the air.
"We are the beings who bring death to humanity."
Hearing this confession, Tenka simply gave a light nod. She felt satisfied enough having baited such crucial information regarding the enemy's fundamental goal.
"I see. Then it's clear you are enemies of mankind." Tenka replied in a firm, steady tone. "Therefore, I'll need to apprehend you right now so we can get more detailed information back at headquarters."
"Apprehend me? How precious~" Shikoku giggled, her shoulders shaking as if she had just heard a hilarious joke. "While I may not be the strongest among the Eight Thunder Gods, you should know that my survival methods are the greatest of us all."
"Is that so? Then let's put that claim to the test."
In the next heartbeat, Tenka opened a portal and instantly materialized behind Shikoku.
The two plunged back into a high-speed clash, beginning a new chapter in the battle between the master of space and the cunning goddess.
Compared to Naoki dominating Rairen and Tenka nearly finishing off Shikoku, the fight on Kyouka's end was going decidedly poorly.
Ironically, it was Kyouka who was being pushed to the brink, despite fighting two-on-one.
Facing the combined efforts of Kyouka and Yuuki in his Slave form, Jouryuu was demonstrating exactly how terrifying the true power of the Eight Thunder Gods could be.
As for Rairen being utterly suppressed by Naoki?
That only proved one thing: Naoki Kamikawa truly deserved his title as the only special male in history to awaken a Peach Blossom Blessing!
His Blessing, «Pandemonium», contained ten different powers, each immensely strong and versatile enough to handle any situation.
In short, Naoki was an anomaly that broke the scales of balance!
*BAM!*
"Urgh!"
With a single stomp of Jouryuu's foot, the resulting shockwave was so massive it sent her opponents flying. The impact was enough to force Yuuki out of his Slave form before he lost consciousness entirely.
However, Kyouka held on. Relying on her extraordinary willpower, she dropped to one knee, propping herself up with her katana to keep from collapsing.
"You are weak, yet you haven't fallen. That resolve of yours is truly commendable."
Jouryuu couldn't hide her respect for Kyouka's grit.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Kyouka forced herself to stand tall. She leveled her katana at the enemy, her face devoid of even a trace of fear.
"It's not over yet! You monster!"
In response to this indomitable spirit, Jouryuu gave a slow nod.
"Your courage is remarkable, human. As a mark of respect for your warrior's soul, I shall grant you a swift and painless death. Prepare yourself."
However, just as Jouryuu prepared to launch a finishing blow, she glanced over at Rairen, who looked to be in a pathetic state, tumbling across the ground.
*WHOOSH!*
Abandoning her intent to kill Kyouka, Jouryuu suddenly spun around and blurred toward Naoki to save her comrade.
"Wait...!"
Kyouka ground her teeth so hard they clicked. Frustration flooded her heart as she watched the enemy ignore her completely, as if her presence were no longer even a threat worth considering.
"Damn it... am I being dismissed?" Kyouka muttered, her hands trembling violently with rage. "I am a Chief... and yet, before them, I can't even hold down a single opponent."
She looked at the unconscious Yuuki, then back at Jouryuu's receding figure.
"I have to get stronger. If I want to protect the Seventh Unit and stand beside them... the key is Yuuki. I have to find a way to draw out even more of his potential!"
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