Bang!
The moment Vivian and Liu Ma were sent reeling by Tendo's ink-wash barrier, the anime's visual style underwent a massive transformation. With Tendo at the center, the camera, as if pulled by an invisible string, began to rotate around him, transforming what was meant to be a passionate battle of the main characters into a peculiar 'stage play' atmosphere.
In the scene, Chen Kong and the other two formed a triangle, closing in. Liu Ma's golden fists, wrapped in air-shredding force, carried a weighty impact that could shake the earth with every punch. Vivian's silver-white rapier transformed into a streaking light, its sharp hiss cutting through the air, almost solidifying. As for Chen Kong's dark bullets, they broke the sound barrier, trailing faint white smoke, each directly aiming for Tendo's vital points.
The three, despite fighting together for the first time, displayed a tacit understanding like precise gears, perfectly covering every escape route Tendo could take.
Yet, facing such an onslaught, Tendo's figure seemed to be performing an elegant solo dance. He barely moved his feet; with a slight turn of his wrist, the Star Shattering Sword, cloaked in ink, carved out fluid sword glints. Soon, Liu Ma's golden fists were deftly parried by the ink-colored longsword. Vivian's silver-white rapier grazed Tendo's moon-white captain's uniform each time, unable to inflict the slightest scratch. As for Chen Kong's bullets, they were precisely deflected by the flat of his blade every single time.
Moreover, the crisp clang of weapons clashing, the dull thud of fists missing their mark, and the soft plink of bullets hitting the ground, all fell perfectly in sync with the background piano music's rhythm.
But as the high notes of the piano music in the anime's background ended, the background music, originally belonging to the main characters, seemed to transform into an exclusive score accentuating the 'ink wash.' It became deep, imbued with a sense of oppression. At the same time, the 'ink wash' sword became not only faster but also heavier. So much so that Liu Ma and Vivian, who had previously been able to barely withstand Tendo's attacks, were now struggling.
Perhaps to subtly reflect the main characters' plight at this moment, the previously deep background piano music, amidst a low reverberation, slowly reached its finale...
Bang!
As the final piano note faded, Tendo in the scene finally ceased his defense. The Star Shattering Sword in his hand trailed a long, ink-wash colored trajectory. With strokes like a flowing dragon, it successively struck Liu Ma, Vivian, and the distant Chen Kong.
Liu Ma's body, like a kite with a broken string, violently crashed through a wall. He was completely swallowed by the crashing rubble and dust. Vivian's rapier, already switched to 'Minute Hand Sword,' plunged deep into the ground. It dragged her body, plowing a long gash in the earth, before finally getting stuck between broken steel reinforcements and coming to a halt. Chen Kong, after being swept by the ink-colored energy wave, stumbled and fell into a mountain of debris, unable to get up for a long time.
Watching the main characters defeated in a single blow, the bullet comments fell silent. They had initially believed that the main characters' unity, as depicted in countless animes, would allow the 'Ink Wash' demon king to be defeated and swallow the bitter fruit of failure. But reality was as cold as ice. Chen Kong and the others, let alone defeating 'Ink Wash,' their struggle had merely delayed the inevitable despair by a few minutes, nothing more.
Looking at the several people who were unable to rise, Tendo's face held no arrogance of victory, only calm acknowledgment. "Your strength is indeed impressive. If the one who came today wasn't me, but another branch captain, you would have a decent chance of winning."
Tendo paused, sheathed the Star Shattering Sword, and calmly said, "After all, there's quite a gap between branch captains themselves. Although I am the captain of the Fifth Squad, in terms of true strength, I should be among the top three of all captains in Steam City. Losing to me... is not shameful."
Tendo's words carried no hint of boasting, as if he were simply stating an established fact. With his words, he walked to Vivian's side, raised his hand, and flung out several ink-wash ropes, binding her securely. In this state, Vivian, whose injuries hadn't healed and who had sustained new ones, naturally had no power to resist and could only allow him to hoist her onto his shoulder.
Tendo looked at Liu Ma and Chen Kong, who were watching him from the corner, their faces filled with reluctance. He sighed and said, "According to the association's rules, those who dare to attack Star Envoys are considered to be challenging the association's authority, regardless of life or death."
"But rules are dead, people are alive. I understand your determination to save your comrade, and I acknowledge the effort you put into it."
"Therefore, I'll pretend I didn't see today's transgression, Danica."
"Present!"
Danica leaped off her chair like an agile small beast, quickly running to Tendo's side and standing at attention, her small face filled with seriousness.
"Modify a portion of today's mission log. Just leave the words: 'I took the wanted criminal Vivian away.'"
"Yes!"
Danica pulled out a notebook with a starlight pattern from her backpack and quietly read a few sentences to the book. Soon, the text on the notebook's page came alive and then left only that concise record.
"Mr. Ink Wash, I'm done!"
"Mm, well done. I'll reward you with a few packs of snacks later."
"Eheheh."
After soothing little Danica, Tendo turned to Chen Kong and the others and said, "Don't worry, I will do my best within my capabilities to clear your comrade's name, but I can't say how it will turn out."
"Because this storm sweeping through Steam City, even I, a branch captain... cannot guarantee to remain unscathed."
With that, he carried Vivian and walked away with the skipping Danica. During this process, Liu Ma and Chen Kong struggled several times to get up. But the intense pain radiating from their bodies left them unable to even move a finger, forcing them to watch helplessly as that gentle figure disappeared into the horizon.
A strong sense of powerlessness instantly overwhelmed the two of them. At the same time, this powerlessness also made them put away the arrogance they had previously held as Children of the Stars. After all, before today, these two Children of the Stars had relied on the advantage brought by the 'Twin Stars.' They not only effortlessly crushed Star Envoys of their age but also repeatedly defeated numerous enemies of higher rank. This had gradually led to their arrogant mindset. They felt that only other Children of the Stars were worthy of being their opponents.
But today, Ink Wash, the captain of the Fifth Squad, used cold reality to tell them that Children of the Stars indeed held great potential and were special. However, not everyone could fully unleash their potential as Children of the Stars and perfectly integrate the powers of 'Star Core' and 'Star Source,' like Tendo and Chen Xing.
"You brat, I told you to practice properly in the club before, but you wouldn't listen. Now you know it hurts, don't you?"