The air crackled with tension as giant robots, their metallic footsteps a thunderous rhythm, stomped through the city. From atop one of the mechanical behemoths, a figure sneered down at the group gathered outside the Seirei Exorcist building. It was Kaito, surrounded by his army of hulking machines.
"Since you've chosen violence over cooperation, you will now face the consequences," Kaito's voice boomed, dripping with contempt.
As the robots lurched forward, firing a barrage of energy, Makoto Katsuragi and his team scattered, dodging the onslaught. His mind raced. They needed a weapon, and his eyes locked onto the glowing, lightsaber-like sword in Kaito's hand.
"Haruko!" Makoto shouted, urgency lacing his voice. "Can you duplicate objects now?"
Haruko nodded hesitantly. "I can, but I need to touch it first."
The Boss issued commands swiftly. "Haruko, your top priority is getting that weapon for Makoto. Rin, make sure Haruko gets back in one piece. Takumi and I will handle any aerial threats. Ninda and Miwafe, you're on the frontlines. Slow those robots down until Makoto joins the fight."
Yana stepped forward, a determined look on her face. "What about me? What should I do?"
The Boss hesitated, knowing Yana's abilities were not suited for this fight. "Head back to the Seirei Exorcist building and guard the seal on the second building with the appointed guards. If anything happens, contact us immediately."
Yana frowned, clearly unhappy. "But I want to fight—"
A thunderous roar of gunfire cut her off as the robots drew closer. The Boss's voice hardened. "Just do as I say! Now! Three… two… one… move!"
The team sprang into action. Haruko sprinted toward the towering robot, and Rin, using his Standz ability, manipulated the sand beneath Haruko's feet, launching him upward.
Kaito watched Haruko's approach, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Is this your plan? Sending a weakling like you to face me?"
Haruko narrowed his eyes. "Weakling? I'm more than enough to bring you down."
Kaito's grin turned into a scowl as he swung his glowing sword with terrifying speed, forcing Haruko to dodge frantically. Rin quickly created a sand barrier to intercept the blade, giving Haruko precious seconds to evade.
"Pathetic tricks won't save you!" Kaito's voice boomed, his irritation evident.
While Kaito was distracted, Haruko lunged forward, grazing the hilt of the sword before Kaito landed a brutal kick, sending him tumbling off the robot. Kaito snapped his fingers, commanding the other robots to unleash a relentless barrage of firepower.
Rin frantically manipulated sand walls to shield his team. Struggling to recover, Haruko remembered a lesson from Takumi: "There will come a time when your Standz isn't enough. You'll need to rely on your own skill and instincts."
Summoning his resolve, Haruko dodged Kaito's next attack and caught his wrist mid-swing. Using Kaito's momentum, he threw him off balance and grabbed the lightsaber. Victoriously, he duplicated it before tossing one of the swords to Makoto below.
"Catch!" Haruko shouted.
Makoto snatched the weapon mid-air as Kaito snarled in frustration. He lunged at Haruko again, but Miwafe acted quickly, unleashing a massive snow wave that swept Haruko off the robot and safely to the ground.
Shivering, Haruko muttered, "So cold..."
"Be grateful," Miwafe said with a smirk.
Makoto activated the glowing sword, charging at one of the robots. "Takumi, now!"
Takumi extended his Standz ability, using strings to bind the robot's legs. Makoto sliced through its joints with ease, sending it crashing down. Before Kaito could react, another robot lifted him to safety, placing him on its shoulder.
Anger flashed across Kaito's face as he barked orders. "All units, focus on the Seirei Exorcist building! Destroy them all!"
The robots shifted their attention, converging on the building. Rin turned to the Boss, panic in his voice. "My sand doesn't affect their armor! What should I do?"
"Stick to support and defense!" the Boss commanded. Rin nodded, forming sand walls to block incoming projectiles.
Meanwhile, Ninda darted toward the advancing robots, expertly dodging their attacks. Rin used his sand to launch her upward, giving her the height needed to strike. She swung her metal pole at one robot's head, but the impact merely dented the surface. The pole snapped in half, leaving her defenseless mid-air.
"Haruko!" Makoto shouted. Haruko touched Makoto's sword, duplicating it again, and hurled the second blade to Ninda. She caught it and, with newfound confidence, sliced through the surrounding robots.
Miwafe unleashed her ice powers, freezing most of the robots around her solid before shattering them with a single blow. The team stared at her in awe, momentarily distracted by her overwhelming strength. Miwafe turned and raised an eyebrow. Flustered, they quickly refocused.
From his perch, Kaito observed the battle with mounting frustration. "I didn't expect this much resistance, but it changes nothing."
He raised his palm toward the hospital above the Seirei Exorcist building. The ground trembled violently as weapons installed in both buildings sprang to life under his control. Makoto turned to the Boss, incredulous. "Why are there missiles and guns here?"
The Boss chuckled nervously. "After the Ryota incident, I installed them as a precaution..."
Kaito's voice echoed menacingly. "You're outmatched. Surrender now!"
The Boss clenched his fists. "I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice." He pressed a button on his communicator, sending out a distress signal. Moments later, the doors of the building burst open, revealing a group of 200 workers armed and ready.
The team stared in disbelief. "Where did they come from?" Makoto asked.
Takumi smirked. "They're not fighters. They're cleanup crews. But their leader's Standz makes him immortal. He'll be useful."
The leader of the workers stepped forward, grinning confidently. "Shall we begin?"