"Who... who are you?!" The "Mind's Eye Style" master tried to sound threatening but his voice wavered.
However, Iori didn't even bother answering him.
He jumped down from the rooftop.
The movement was as light as a falling leaf, yet carried the overwhelming pressure of a collapsing mountain!
"I hate... the moon."
He slowly raised his head, those blood-red eyes sweeping over everyone present—looking at them like garbage already dead.
"Because... it always reminds me of some... unpleasant things."
His gaze finally settled on Cloud.
Those cold eyes suddenly brightened upon sensing the [Battle God Golden Flame] surging within Cloud due to his alertness, and that trace of sealed [Orochi Power]!
That gaze—like a beast starved for millennia finally catching the scent of its destined prey's blood!
"Kusanagi flames... and... another mysterious force with extreme pressure..."
A cruel, bloodthirsty yet excited smile curved his lips.
"Truly... the finest sacrifice..."
"You... are mine."
With that, ignoring everyone else, he walked step by step straight toward Cloud!
"Stop! You're too arrogant, bastard!"
Those five "hidden masters," feeling completely disregarded, flew into a rage and simultaneously attacked Iori from five directions!
"Courting death."
Extreme impatience flashed in Iori's eyes.
He didn't even turn around.
"Style 108: Yami Barai!"
He casually waved his hand!
"Shhhh—!"
A purple flame filled with ominous destructive energy—like Death's scythe—instantly swept across all five fighters' bodies!
"..."
"..."
The expressions of those five so-called "masters" instantly froze.
The next second, their bodies ignited like paper dolls—WHOOSH—bursting into roaring purple flames, transforming into five charred human-shaped lumps of coal amidst soundless screams!
Instant kill!
Complete, utterly unreasonable instant kill!
"Trash should die like trash."
Iori didn't spare those five corpses a single glance, as if he'd merely crushed a few bothersome ants.
Those eyes filled with madness and killing intent remained locked onto Cloud from start to finish.
"My prey... only I... have the right to kill with my own hands."
"You are Kusanagi clan."
"Therefore..."
"Die."
...
Kusanagi Aoi was completely terrified.
Where had she ever witnessed such bloody, horrifying scenes? Her face drained of color, her entire body trembling.
Just as that solid, icy killing intent was about to swallow her whole...
A broad, warm back full of security blocked her view.
It was Cloud.
"Don't be afraid."
Cloud's voice remained calm, yet carried a magical power that brought peace of mind.
"With me here, no one can hurt you."
Feeling that reassuring warmth coming from behind, Kusanagi Aoi's heart—which had nearly leapt from her throat—miraculously calmed down.
Looking at this figure who still firmly protected her even before such a terrifying enemy, those bright eyes instantly misted over with a watery fog.
[Ding! Target Kusanagi Aoi's affection changed: +40 +60 (Wuu wuu wuu... Cloud-oniisan... he... he's like a god descended to earth... He is... my world-conquering hero!)]
"Iori... Yagami."
Cloud slowly spoke the name.
His expression had never been more grave.
He could clearly sense the terrifying power within this man—as deep and unfathomable as the ocean itself!
This was a power completely different from Kyo Kusanagi's "Sovereign Flames"—filled with violence, madness, and destructive desire—the Azure Flames!
[Absolute Domain 42%]!! This man's realm was actually on the same level as Geese and Rugal!
"Looks like today... this fight is unavoidable..."
Cloud took a deep breath, pushing his [Heavenscorch Scripture] to its limit!
[Absolute Domain 42%]! That's right—after over half a month of seclusion and training, his power had also undergone another leap forward!
The golden [Battle God Golden Flame] faced off against the purple [Yagami Azure Flame] beneath Tokyo's night sky!
Like sun and moon—a destined confrontation!
"Oh?" Surprise flashed in Iori's eyes. "Not bad flames... You're far stronger than that trash Kyo Kusanagi."
"However..."
His figure instantly vanished!
"...IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH!!!"
"Style 100: Oniyaki!"
A purple flame pillar filled with ominous energy—like claws reaching from hell—erupted without warning beneath Cloud's feet!
"The same move won't work on me!"
Cloud snorted coldly!
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Style 100: Oniyaki!"
The golden flame pillar struck first despite launching second, meeting the attack with even more domineering force!
BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!!
Golden and purple—two completely different flames—clashed and exploded wildly in the street's center!
Surrounding buildings shattered like paper under this energy impact, instantly torn to pieces!
"Not done yet!"
Iori's figure moved like a phantom, piercing through the explosive flames to instantly appear before Cloud!
"Geshiki: Yumebiki!"
"Geshiki: Kono Kizu—Death God!"
"Geshiki: Yuri Ori!"
A flowing series of wild, murderous combos—like a violent storm—poured down on Cloud!
...
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