"Asuramaru… time for you to take the stage."
Hayashi murmured softly, the corner of his lips curling upward.
"Already rambling nonsense? Looks like when you're facing death, you're not so composed after all."
From the rooftop, Ayato scoffed with disdain.
But in the very next instant—
Every single crimson spike he launched shattered mid-air.
Thousands of fragments disintegrated into scarlet dust, falling like a rain of blood.
"What can I do for you, my master?"
Asuramaru leaned lazily over Hayashi's shoulder, pale arms draping loosely around his neck.
A breeze swept through, making his long violet hair and white robe ripple lightly.
"This… impossible… how—?"
Ayato stumbled back, stunned.
He knew Hayashi was fast. Inhumanly fast.
But destroying hundreds—no, thousands—of ukaku spikes from every direction in a single instant?
A full 360-degree defense?
That shouldn't even exist.
Ayato's gaze snapped toward the violet-haired boy perched on Hayashi's shoulder.
Who—or what—the hell was that?
That kid hadn't been there a moment ago…
He had appeared out of thin air.
"How many tricks does this bastard still have…? How can one person have so many bizarre, overpowering abilities…"
Ayato instinctively stepped back.
But then he clenched his teeth hard and forced himself forward again.
"Even if you can defend once—don't think you can defend every time!"
His eyes filled with cold killing intent. Crimson wings snapped open, and his body vanished from sight.
More spikes than before erupted from every angle—faster, sharper, denser.
"Even if it costs my life today… I'll kill you!"
His body was already straining from overusing his kagune; blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
The incoming spikes carried far more force than the previous volley, a crushing wave of murderous intent.
"Asuramaru, I need your power."
Hayashi spoke softly, glancing at the boy beside him.
"Whenever you desire something, no matter what it is… I'll give it to you."
Asuramaru nodded with gentle devotion, fingers brushing Hayashi's cheek. His long violet hair billowed, and a thrill of bloodlust flickered in his crimson eyes.
"You really think you're the only one who can use something like this?"
Hayashi raised his head, smiling faintly.
"Asura-Kannon."
The moment the words fell — Several long blades wreathed in blood-red aura materialized and floated behind him. They formed a full circle around him, spinning silently.
Every incoming spike was sliced to dust before it could even get close.
"I don't believe it… I don't believe it!!!"
Ayato's voice cracked into a mad, desperate roar.
Wave after wave of spikes fired — Faster, heavier, more frantic, never stopping.
But no matter how many he launched — Not a single one managed to touch Hayashi.
And slowly… Ayato's body began to give out.
He wobbled on his feet, coughing blood, his eyes losing their focus.
"Impossible… impossible…"
His voice trembled as blood dripped from his lips.
"Enough." Hayashi smiled faintly. In the next instant—he vanished.
BOOM.
A violent collision exploded in the sky.
"That's enough."
Tatara caught Ayato's collapsing body, his cold voice cutting through the air.
"I really hate when people get in my way."
Hayashi's gaze hardened, chillingly sharp as he stared at Tatara.
"So before you step between me and my fun…You'd better be prepared to die."
Prepared to die, huh…
Tatara gently set Ayato aside. His expression froze over, killing intent leaking like smoke.
"I wasn't planning on killing you this early… but since you insist on being a problem, you leave me no choice."
Crimson kakuja-like lines crawled across his face as his kagune activated.
He dropped from the rooftop.
BOOM.
The impact cracked the ground, dust exploding upward.
As the smoke cleared—a massive armored figure emerged.Tatara was encased head to toe in silver armor, with two giant cylindrical vents attached to his arms. His helmet opened slightly, releasing a blast of superheated blue flames.
The air itself trembled under the oppressive heat and killing intent.
"I'm in a really bad mood right now…"
Hayashi rolled his neck, eyes turning dark and razor-cold.
"So I won't be wasting much time on you."