Uomo Universale is a dangerous Noble Phantasm—the materialization of Leonardo da Vinci's omnipotence.
It is a magical attack that inflicts fixed, "mandatory" damage on the enemy through the projection of pure Magical Energy.
This damage cannot be reduced by any Noble Phantasm or defensive-type ability, not to mention anti-magic energy skills. By assembling an ultra-advanced formula technique that analyzes opponents in real time, every enemy becomes a viable target for its magical assault.
And with Yuki as the sole target, this Noble Phantasm detonated with its full power directed entirely at him.
That was why neither the defense of his Astral Armor nor the advanced darkness produced by the Truth-Seeking Balls (Gudoudama) mattered.
Uomo Universale would deal damage no matter what. It could not be blocked or reduced.
Unfortunately for Leonardo da Vinci, Yuki was on another level entirely.
The moment Uomo Universale exploded, Yuki's eye shifted into the Rinnegan.
If it could not be blocked or reduced, then it could be absorbed—something the Rinnegan was capable of, since it was pure energy…
However, due to the fixed action of "mandatory damage," Yuki did not absorb the attack with his body. Instead, the Crown that protects the world shone and formed upon his head, linking with the Rinnegan and absorbing all of the energy, purifying it.
As a result, the intense explosion Da Vinci had expected never occurred. The light and sound gradually diminished until everything was absorbed by the Crown…
"Eh?"
Da Vinci stared, dumbfounded. A Crown had appeared on the monster's head, and her Noble Phantasm had been nullified. This had never happened before, due to the iron law of mandatory damage.
Yuki was completely unharmed. That sight left a deep mark on Da Vinci's mind. Even though she knew there was only a slim chance of defeating the monster with her Noble Phantasm, she had at least hoped to injure her opponent.
But the moment the Crown appeared, Da Vinci understood immediately. As a genius, her mind worked fast, and Yuki's identity was instantly resolved.
'Authority of God.'
If there was anything capable of nullifying her Noble Phantasm, it had to be a God.
"That was fun, but I won't let the prey escape…"
At that moment, a pair of heterochromatic eyes looked at Da Vinci, causing her body to freeze in place…
It wasn't fear or shock. Da Vinci trembled, yet she couldn't move a single finger, as if she were bound by invisible chains.
She had been caught in a Genjutsu.
"It's a shame, but anyone who stands in my way must be eliminated."
When it came to pursuing his objectives, Yuki would show no mercy. Even if it was Mona Lisa herself, he would kill her…
The shadows around Da Vinci came to life, shifting into sharpened stakes that lunged toward her…
"Don't you think it would be a waste to kill her now, Danna-sama?"
But Da Vinci's luck was exceptionally good, because from that same shadow another presence emerged and wrapped her arms around Da Vinci from behind in a very coquettish manner.
"Kurumi…"
Yuki wasn't surprised by Kurumi's appearance. On the contrary, she had been with Kazamachi from the very beginning.
As for why she hadn't intervened sooner, it was probably due to her own personal reasons, and Yuki didn't really care. That was just how Kurumi was…
"Hihi… She's the real Mona Lisa~, Danna-sama. You wouldn't be so cruel, would you? She's a very valuable work of art…"
Who didn't know this famous painting? And what collector wouldn't want it in their collection?
Even Kurumi was tempted.
"And if Danna-sama doesn't want her, can I keep her?.."
"…"
Yuki fell silent. Obviously, he liked the Mona Lisa—artistically, of course. Even if he planned to send her to the Throne of Heroes, he had intended to take advantage of the opportunity later. But it seemed his beloved wife had seen right through him and successfully blocked him.
"Do whatever you want…"
Sighing, Yuki gave in and stopped thinking about it. What mattered now was abducting the Demi-Servant, so he moved on…
"Hihihi~ thank you, Danna-sama. I'll truly appreciate this gift. It will surely be useful to us…"
Licking Da Vinci's cheek, Kurumi's eyes gleamed with cruelty as a chess piece appeared in her hand.
Now that she had joined her Demon King Lucifugus, there were many abilities Kurumi wanted to test, and this was the perfect opportunity.
Scorpio Bullet Akrab—it was time for the White Queen to receive her first toy…
Of course, Da Vinci, trapped in the Genjutsu, was breaking out in a cold sweat. From the conversation between these two Monsters, she knew her fate was sealed.
For her, it would have been a blessing if Yuki had killed her. It wouldn't have mattered—she could still use her "spare body." But now she couldn't, and so, helplessly, she was dragged by Kurumi into the Shadow Dimension.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
Running and gasping for breath, Ritsuka and Mash fled as far as they could. Ritsuka clenched his fists and glanced back at the massive "temple" rising behind them, explosions echoing from its direction.
As expected of a genius like Da Vinci—even in a life-or-death battle, her omnipotence was a thing of beauty…
Ritsuka felt proud. She was his companion and his friend. But he was also saddened to have left her behind, and he silently swore that he would bring her back once everything was over.
"Senpai, are you okay?"
"Fouu?"
Mash knew how much Ritsuka adored and respected Da Vinci, so she understood her Master's pain. She felt the same way, but in the Singularities, sacrifices sometimes had to be made.
"I'm fine, don't worry, Mash—?!"
Ritsuka didn't finish her sentence. Her body trembled uncontrollably.
Behind her, the monster was staring straight at her…
"!!"
Mash panicked. She couldn't understand it. Da Vinci had sacrificed herself to give them a chance to escape, but now it had all been in vain—or rather, it was terrifying.
With their speed, they should have been able to escape. At least, that's what they had believed. Even if they couldn't, they thought they would have had time to regroup with the Director.
But everything happened so fast. The moment Da Vinci's explosions ceased, the monster appeared…
And of course, it was all because of his shadows. As long as shadows existed, Yuki could travel through them. No matter how far they ran, he would appear. They didn't know that—and it filled them with terror.
"Doctor… is there anything we can do?! Can you help us?"
Their only ally now was Romani Archaman in Chaldea. If possible, Ritsuka hoped Romani could pull them back so they could try again with reinforcements.
No matter how much she denied it, she was in a desperate situation, and the enemy was incredibly powerful—just as dangerous as the Camelot Singularity.
[Sorry, Fujimaru-kun, but I can't access the Singularity…]
With the Crown positioned over the world, nothing could leave the sub-world. The only reason Romani could communicate at all was due to the bridge between Solomon (Caster) and Romani in Chaldea. The two had taken advantage of cracks in the Crown to create an information sequence.
A bond so small that it was just enough to share information—but clearly useless for anything else…
"….."
With her hope shattered, Ritsuka clenched her fists…
"Senpai… please fall back…"
"Mash!!"
Swallowing hard, Mash materialized her massive shield and faced the Monster. She knew there was no chance of victory, but that didn't mean she was a coward. As someone who had inherited the strength and courage of one of the Knights of the Round Table, Mash would fight to the very end…
Yuki found it amusing. He smiled and stepped forward, intimidating the little bunny. But as he did, a buzzing sound—fast enough to whistle through the air—suddenly appeared. Yuki saw it clearly. It was a spear. Someone had attacked him…
BOOM
Yuki calmly dodged by tilting his head, but that wasn't all. The sky split open as golden Gates appeared, and thousands of projectiles rained down on him…
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM…
The countless projectiles fired without pause, triggering explosions that sent Mash and Ritsuka flying from the shockwaves. Shielding their faces, they saw a golden light shine in the sky as a Vimana descended from above…
"Don't just stand there stunned, bastard! Move!"
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