A fleeting golden lightning bolt flashed, and Lucien Graves appeared before Shinobu Kocho, his right kukri sweeping horizontally with a sharp whoosh. Shinobu raised her Nichirin Blade to block, but the force was overwhelming.
The ground cracked within a three-meter radius, and Shinobu Kocho spurted blood, flying backward uncontrollably.
Before Lucien could pursue, Mitsuri Kanroji's attack arrived in an instant. Boundless whip-like shadows enveloped the area, tearing the surrounding ground. Lucien, now in midair, appeared behind Mitsuri, his hardened foot exploding forward.
Mitsuri braced herself, blocking with her sword, her strength immense. Her feet dug deep into the ground, breathing ragged from exertion, her face flushed crimson. Despite her delicate appearance, her muscular density—eight times that of a normal person—enhanced both her offense and defense. She was among the strongest of the Pillars.
"Insect Breathing, Dance of the Dragonfly, Compound Eye Hexagon," Shinobu Kocho hissed, blood at the corner of her mouth as she moved along the ground to strike behind Lucien with six rapid thrusts.
Lucien glanced sideways, lightning flashing around him. He kicked Mitsuri back, flipped in the air, and descended above Shinobu, driving his Nichirin Blade down.
Shinobu twisted forcefully, spinning 360 degrees three feet off the ground, her rapier flicking upward. Sparks flew as Lucien blocked, then reappeared behind Shinobu, sweeping his hardened foot. She barely managed a block, blood spilling from her nose and mouth, and was sent rolling across the ground, leaving a gully before collapsing, unable to rise.
"Love Breathing, Sixth Form, Cat Leg Love Wind," Mitsuri unleashed her whip-like Nichirin Blade, aiming for Lucien's neck.
He leaned back to dodge as she followed up with a sweeping kick, dirt and gravel flying. Supporting himself with one hand, Lucien flipped over, but Mitsuri's speed was greater than expected. She slashed down with her whip kukri, forcing him to shift, and a flurry of kicks followed.
His Nichirin Blade blocked one strike, but he was still kicked back. The ground beneath Mitsuri buckled as she pursued like a cannonball, her whip dense and unrelenting.
Lightning danced around Lucien as he dodged, blocked, and repositioned, countering her relentless assault. Mitsuri adjusted her attacks with precision, striking even faster. Lucien gripped his Nichirin Blade with his left hand, swinging, and Mitsuri barely blocked, the earth beneath them cracking violently.
"Insect Breathing," Shinobu struck again, relentless as ever. Lucien's expression darkened as he pulled back, creating distance, his breathing heavier.
Coughing up blood, Shinobu struggled to stay upright while Mitsuri, chest heaving and sweat-drenched, remained exposed. Lucien's eyes were cold, unmoved by their condition.
He inhaled and exhaled deeply, thunder echoing in rhythm with his breaths. The ground beneath him cracked and crumbled, a massive storm spiraling upward.
"Thunder Breathing, Eight-Span Mirror," Lucien roared.
Eternal golden light illuminated the sky as Lucien transformed into a flash of lightning. Time seemed to slow around him.
A pink heart-shaped mark appeared on Mitsuri's left neck. In that fleeting moment, she instinctively pushed Shinobu away, dodging Lucien's high-speed strike. But Lucien's Eight-Span Mirror was not a single attack—it was eight consecutive strikes. The ground was shattered violently, Lucien flying like golden lightning, his kukri swinging toward Shinobu.
Shinobu blocked the first strike, but the next was too fast. Blood appeared on her neck. Lucien's strikes continued, flashing around Mitsuri, who astonishingly blocked several attacks, her strength surging despite her injuries.
Her uniform was in tatters, her once flawless skin now marred by blood. The pink heart-shaped mark on her neck confirmed what Lucien suspected—this was the source of her sudden power boost.
Mitsuri's gaze met Shinobu's weak, bloodied form. Tears welled in her eyes as she processed the loss, sorrow and anger mingling in her expression.
Lucien remained silent, indifferent. Despite his deep feelings for Mitsuri, anyone who threatened him had to die. No life could outweigh his own.
"Love Breathing, Second Form, Anguished Perambulating Love. Instant Kill," Lucien unleashed, lightning tearing through the ground. Both attacks crossed in a flash, leaving a huge gash in his chest, nearly piercing his heart.
Mitsuri had struck with full intent to kill. The war between Lucien and the Pillars had left no room for mercy.
But this was not fatal for Lucien. Colorful threads spread across his chest, healing the wound visibly.
Without looking back, Lucien jumped over the ruins, leaving the battlefield swiftly. Behind him, Mitsuri's pale, defeated form slowly faded from strength, the pink mark on her neck visible as she collapsed. Memories of her fleeting time with Lucien flickered in her eyes, tinged with sorrow and relief.
Ten minutes later, a new presence arrived. A terrifying figure with a black high ponytail, six eyes, and dark red markings on his face and neck emerged—Kokushibo, Upper Moon One, the strongest among the Twelve Kizuki.
"I'm late," Kokushibo murmured, scanning the ruined Flower Street and the few bodies left behind. He caught the lingering scent of Lucien and vanished in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Lucien had not left Yoshiwara. He soaked in an outdoor hot spring at a suburban hotel, opening his light screen. The spoils of his battles—Gyutaro, Daki, Tengen Uzui, Shinobu Kocho, and Mitsuri Kanroji—were plentiful.
Yet reality was harsh. Even combined, these were minor supporting characters. Despite their strength, they were insignificant compared to Lucien's full power, highlighting the cruel imbalance of the worlds he traversed.