Though Hitomi defeated Alexander Gaidar unscathed, her energy was heavily depleted.
Each wave of slashes consumed vast amounts of her power.
Despite her abundant Light energy, hundreds of slashes per wave drained her quickly. She could manage perhaps ten waves at most before exhaustion.
Fortunately, Gaidar buckled by the fifth, conceding.
A few more, and Hitomi would've been the one to yield.
After defeating Gaidar, Hitomi promptly left the stage, unfit to continue.
The One Shadow Nine Fists were all master-level fighters.
Beating one was already a feat.
This fused world amplified their strength. Originally formidable, the One Shadow Nine Fists grew even mightier with mastery of ki, making them terrifyingly powerful.
That's why Hitomi struggled so fiercely.
After Hitomi and Gaidar stepped down, new fighters took the stage.
For Morpheus's team, it was none other than the reserve, Oda Nobunaga.
She'd wanted to fight last round but had no chance.
This time, she insisted, and Morpheus relented.
Nobunaga eagerly entered the arena.
Her opponent from the One Shadow Nine Fists: Silkwat Junazard, the Demon God Fist, a top-tier member.
Despite his youthful, handsome appearance, Junazard was among the oldest, thanks to a secret method preserving his youth.
He was once friends with Hayato Furinji, they parted ways over unspecified conflicts, and he fought him to a grueling stalemate, holding his own despite the odds.
A brutal, battle-hungry man, he ate whole fruits, skin and all, and trained his disciples with ruthless cruelty, killing those who failed him.
In his original story, when his disciple Radin Jihan lost to Kenichi Shirahama in the snowy mountains, Junazard's roar triggered an avalanche, burying Jihan.
He briefly clashed with Kaname Kugatachi on a helicopter, taking a liking to him.
Impressed by Miu Furinji's martial potential, he kidnapped her during Kaname Kugatachi's duel with another One Shadow Nine Fists master, Akira Hongō, intending to brainwash her in the Tidat Kingdom.
This enraged Akira.
Though far stronger, Junazard's arrogance led to carelessness in their duel. Akira's sacrificial double technique, Human-Surpassing Fist: Extreme Spiral Thrust, pierced him, and he died standing.
A classic case of self-inflicted demise.
"Well, well, you're my opponent?" Nobunaga said, smirking arrogantly at Junazard.
Amusingly, Junazard mirrored her arrogance. "Tch, a kid?"
Though aware of Morpheus's formidable group, facing a "child" irked him.
He'd wanted to fight Karna, his ideal opponent.
Nobunaga's brow twitched, veins pulsing.
She hadn't expected someone to outdo her arrogance. She'd planned to spar lightly, but now saw no need.
"I've decided."
Nobunaga's body floated upward, hovering mid-air, glaring down at Junazard.
"You'll die without a corpse."
Her voice fell, and overwhelming magical energy erupted from her.
Noble Phantasm Unleashed: Three Line Formation!
Instantly, three thousand matchlock rifles materialized behind her, aimed at Junazard.
Though outdated, these rifles, enhanced by her Heroic Spirit skills, rivaled modern firearms.
Three thousand firing in unison was devastating.
Junazard reacted swiftly, his surging ki forming a tangible aura, encasing him like a shield.
Steel-like bullets erupted from the rifles, a storm of fire leaving no room for escape, threatening to riddle Junazard.
His ki aura, immensely powerful, deflected nearby bullets.
But three thousand rifles were too many.
Despite his aura's strength, the relentless barrage overwhelmed it.
After minutes of resistance, a bullet pierced his defense, striking him.
Yet Junazard's body, forged to withstand blades and guns, repelled it, the bullet clattering to the ground.
Surviving the first wave, he had no chance to counter before the second hit.
This time, he didn't resist, dodging instead, leaving afterimages across the arena.
But the rifles' coverage was vast.
His afterimages were shredded.
His real body took several hits, pain twisting his face.
Before he could recover, the third wave struck like a tempest.
The Nagashino Triple Volley.
This was the true power of Three Line Formation.
With this tactic, Nobunaga had crushed the Sengoku era's mightiest cavalry, nearly unifying the land.
Had betrayal not intervened, Toyotomi Hideyoshi would never have risen.
After the triple volley, the rifles vanished.
Nobunaga looked down at the battered, panting Junazard. "Surviving that earns my respect. I'll forgive your insolence."
"Kneel and give thanks, barbarian. I am the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga!"
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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