**The Next Day**
**Morning**
Partially recovered after nearly dying at Freed's hands, Issei decided not to stay idle and went to a nearby park to train. He did this to get stronger, realizing he was too weak to protect even a single girl.
While training in the park, Issei ran into Asia again. They decided to stroll around the city together. As they browsed some shops, they bumped into Akuro coming out of one with a manga in hand.
Akuro was invited to join them, and he accepted. Surprisingly, he quickly bonded with Asia. She was amazed by his beauty—his hair darker than the night, eyes redder than blood, and his pale, soft, delicate skin.
...
After spending the whole morning walking around, they stopped to rest by a lake.
Akuro, however, needed to use the restroom.
With Akuro gone, Issei encountered Raynare again, now revealing her true form as a Fallen Angel. Issei thought he could defeat her with his Boosted Gear, but it was in its most primitive, weakest form.
He stood no chance against Raynare. She pierced him with a light spear through his stomach. Fortunately, with Asia nearby, she was able to heal him.
Asia realized that if Issei kept fighting, he'd end up with a wound she couldn't heal. To save him, she chose to go with Raynare.
Akuro finally returned, only to find Issei unconscious and slightly injured, with Asia nowhere to be seen.
He said rhetorically to himself:
**Akuro**: *(Scratching his neck)* Guess it wasn't the best time to go to the bathroom, huh?
In the end, Akuro picked up Issei and carried him to the Occult Research Club room.
**Occult Research Club**
Akuro entered the room with Issei on his back, unconscious.
Seeing this, Rias reacted:
**Rias**: Issei!! *She ran to help him.*
**Akeno**: Akuro-kun, what happened? Why is Issei-kun unconscious?
**Akuro**: Well… you'll have to ask him when he wakes up. *He walked toward the door.* Oh, one more thing. Keep an eye on this idiot. If he keeps this up… the only thing he'll find is death!
**Everyone**: … *(Speechless)*
...
**In Front of a Church**
In front of the church where Asia was being held captive stood Issei, Kiba, and Koneko. They had come to help him, knowing that if he came alone, it would be certain death.
**Issei**: Damn it! Where's that guy?! He was all buddy-buddy with Asia today, so why isn't he here to save her?! *Issei fumed, burning with anger over Akuro's absence.*
**Kiba**: After he left you at the clubroom, he said those words before leaving…
*(Flashback)*
"If he keeps this up… the only thing he'll find is death!"
*(Flashback END)*
**Issei**: That jerk! He's nothing but a coward!!
**Kiba**: Now, now, getting mad won't help. Right now, we need to focus on saving her. *Kiba said, trying to calm the situation.*
**Koneko**: Yeah… *She commented indifferently as always, finishing her last sweet before the fight.*
**Issei**: Y-Yeah. You're right. *He agreed, calming down.*
The three then invaded the church, realizing the enemies already knew they were there. The church was eerily silent, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing.
Suddenly, someone appeared. It was Freed again. Seeing him, Issei was furious, remembering their last encounter.
The battle began: Freed vs. Kiba, Koneko, and Issei. The group was gaining the upper hand, and when Freed was about to escape with a light bomb, a blue energy attack hit him, slamming him into a wall.
**Freed**: Damn it! Who was the bastard that did this?! *He shouted angrily, emerging from the hole in the wall with blood trickling from his mouth, showing the attack wasn't weak.*
**???**: Oh, oh. Sorry, looks like I was a bit late… *The person walked through the dust raised by the attack.*
**Freed**: Y-You… *He recognized his attacker.*
**???**: Don't think you're getting away after what you did last time. Get ready. Because I… am going to crush you!
**Issei**: Akuro?! *He said, shocked by his sudden appearance.*
Akuro stood with Tensa Zangetsu slung over his back.
**Akuro**: Oh… Looks like you guys got here early. *He said indifferently.*
**Issei**: B-But, Kiba said…
**Akuro**: Oh, yeah, I said if you kept this up, you'd die. But I don't recall saying I wouldn't help.
**Kiba**: Hehe… Exactly. *Smiling.*
**Issei**: Huh? Why are you laughing, Kiba? Don't tell me… you knew he was coming?!
**Kiba**: Haha. I never said he wasn't coming.
**Issei**: So you knew! Koneko-chan too?
Koneko simply nodded.
**Issei**: So I was the only one who didn't know and got it all wrong?! *He asked comically.*
**Kiba/Koneko/Akuro**: Yes.
**Issei**: Why do you guys keep hiding things from me?! *He asked, comically irritated.*
**Akuro**: Issei! No time to waste! You three go ahead and save Asia. I… will take care of him!!! *He said with determination, drawing and wielding Tensa Zangetsu.*
**Issei**: But can you handle him alone?
**Akuro**: Don't worry, I'll teach him a lesson!
**Issei**: B-But…
**Kiba**: No need to worry, Issei-kun. Akuro is strong.
**Issei**: Yeah… You're right! I'll leave it to you! *He shouted as he, Kiba, and Koneko moved forward.*
**Akuro**: I thought you'd try to stop them.
**Freed**: I don't need to. They're going to die anyway. This place is crawling with priests and fallen angels!
**Akuro**: If I were you, I wouldn't underestimate them. You might end up with egg on your face.
**Freed**: I already told you, they don't interest me. But you… you're another story! A human working with demons… I can't wait to see the color of your blood! Hyahahaha…!! *He laughed maniacally.*
**Akuro**: Sorry, but… you couldn't do that even in your dreams!!
**Freed**: You arrogant brat! This fight will be over quick! *He said with a look of disgust.*
**Akuro**: I agree. But this won't even be a fight.
**Freed**: Huh?! What are you—
He was cut off by a punch to the mouth, sent flying out of the church, crashing through several trees.
**Akuro**: This will be a massacre!
...
**Forest Around the Church**
Freed was on the ground after being thrown so far.
**Freed**: Damn it! What the… hell!! My teeth!! *He spat some onto the ground.* Seriously… this kid threw me this far with just one punch? *He wiped blood from his nose.*
Walking through the trail of destruction he caused, Akuro approached slowly through the forest and broken trees.
**Akuro**: *(Mock surprise)* Ohhh…? You're still alive?
**Freed**: Hahaha. Don't get cocky, kid. You… you just got lucky. It won't happen again.
**Akuro**: Hmm? Oh, really? Alright then.
**Freed**: Oh? Already accepting your fate?
**Akuro**: Hahahahahahahahahaha…
**Freed**: *(Slightly irritated)* What's so funny?!
**Akuro**: Oh… come on. Stop talking nonsense. Of course not! *He placed his left hand on his knee and his right fist on the ground.* Gear Second!
As he said this, his skin turned reddish, and steam began rising from his body.
**Freed**: Huh? … Ha… HAHAHAHAHA… I don't know what's going on with your body, but you think you can beat me just because you've got steam coming off you? Huh? Hahahahaha.
**Akuro**: Laugh all you want. But now, my strikes are a step ahead of everyone! *He said with a smile.*
**Freed**: Hahaha… Anyway, I thank you. You gave me a good laugh. But you know how it is. I'm gonna have to kill you.
**Akuro**: Hmph!
Akuro simply looked at him, left hand extended as if aiming, and right fist clenched, ready to strike.
**Akuro**: Gomu Gomu no…
**Freed**: DIE!!!
**Akuro**: …Jet Pistol!
His punch was so fast and powerful that it was barely visible as it struck Freed.
**Freed**: Aghrrrrrr!!! *He grunted in pain.*
Freed took the punch right in the stomach, sent flying far.
**Akuro**: Don't think it's over!
Stretching his arm—having also turned his body into rubber with this technique—he grabbed both of Freed's arms. Leaping into the air, Akuro prepared another strike.
**Akuro**: Gomu Gomu no… Jet Axe!
Stretching his leg vertically first, Akuro launched it with great speed and force at Freed, hitting him square in the face and slamming him into the ground, creating a small crater.
**Freed**: D-Damn…! Where does… all this strength come from…?! *He tried to get up again, without success.*
Akuro, still in the air after the attack, landed on the ground, still in Gear Second.
**Akuro**: Hmph! Didn't you say you wouldn't get caught a second time?
**Freed**: D-Damn you…!
**Akuro**: And here I thought you could entertain me. You know, so far… you haven't landed a single hit on me. Are you really that weak?
**Freed**: You miserable… You're the monster!
**Akuro**: Anyway, since you're just lying there, I'll deliver the final blow.
**Freed**: Bas… Bastard! As if… I'd lose! *He exerted immense effort to try standing, despite all the damage.*
**Akuro**: One For All Full Cowling 20%!!
His body was briefly enveloped in multicolored lightning, then green lightning overlaid his already reddish skin. Finally, his eyes gained a faint green glow.
**Akuro**: Power Combination: Gear Second! One For All!
*[Power Combination]: A special technique of Infinityverse Gods, allowing them to combine or fuse their powers.*
With a simple leap, Akuro hovered above Freed. With the power of his combined techniques, a mere jump was enough to shatter the ground beneath his feet.
**Akuro**: Oh, Freed. This… is gonna hurt a little! *He said, seriously yet playfully.*
**Freed**: You…
Still in the air, Akuro declared:
**Akuro**: Gomu Gomu no…
**Freed**: …damn brat!!!
**Akuro**: …Jet Smash Gatling! *He announced his new attack.*
Freed could no longer see anything. All he felt was countless punches hitting his entire body.
Akuro's punches were already fast with Gear Second; with One For All, they were on another level. Not only did the speed increase exponentially, but the strength did too.
His punches were so fast and powerful that the ground beneath Freed cracked, forming a crater that grew larger with each hit.
When Akuro realized, Freed had already lost consciousness and was badly injured. Deciding to stop, he landed on the ground and deactivated his techniques. Looking closer, he noticed a pool of blood around Freed. He approached.
**Akuro**: *(Bored look)* Somehow… I lost interest.
Looking bored at a bloodied Freed, Akuro kicked him away.
**Akuro**: So… what should I do now?
Asking himself this, Akuro turned his back on the scene and headed toward the church.
**To be continued…**