"These light particles… they contain such strong energy."
Masaki reached out, catching one in his palm. His eyes widened in amazement.
"They do," Yu Zhou agreed, staring down into the abyss. "But what's terrifying is that thing down there can shatter even a seal this powerful!"
From the depths of darkness, more and more fragments of glowing particles floated upward. Yu Zhou was certain now—the Evil God had nearly broken the golden chains that bound it.
"Maybe I should go down and check—"
Hudra, relying on his speed, thought to scout the seal firsthand.
But before he could move, a massive black tentacle—like that of a colossal octopus—shot out from the abyss, lashing toward him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Boom!
Darramb reacted instantly. A blazing red energy shield spread beneath Hudra, intercepting the attack and saving his friend from being crushed.
The tentacle slammed into the barrier, ringing like struck metal three times before shattering it to light.
Hudra had already dodged away, retreating at high speed. A bow-like weapon appeared on his wrist, firing streaks of violet energy into the tentacle, sparks scattering across the water.
Darramb countered with a powerful punch—but though his strength was immense, the tentacle merely shuddered, not severed.
"Careful!"
He pulled back immediately, rejoining Yu Zhou and the others to maintain distance.
Tiga Slicer!
Yu Zhou and Daigo moved in perfect unison, sending twin energy blades slicing forward—the same attack that once decapitated Sukunaoni in the original tale.
The two blades merged midair, becoming even sharper, and cleaved through the flailing tentacle.
For a moment, it froze mid-sway, then dropped limp, severed.
But the cut portion twitched back to life moments later, writhing as though it still carried a will of its own.
No one cheered. Severing one limb was nothing—the Evil God itself remained untouched.
The stump of the tentacle recoiled back into the abyss.
Yu Zhou narrowed his eyes, keeping a tense watch on the dark chasm.
"Move! Now!"
Suddenly he shouted, darting back from the abyssal maw.
The others didn't hesitate—they followed at once.
BOOM!!!
A storm of titanic tentacles erupted from the depths, striking with such force that whirlpools spun into towering waterspouts.
"This power…"
Shin Asuka (Dyna) stared, stunned. He had never seen such an overwhelming foe.
Back in his human form, he would've been swallowing hard by now. Even the massive mushroom monster he'd faced before was nothing compared to this.
Because this—this was a super-ancient Evil God, sealed away for thirty million years.
A god.
And anything with that word in its name… was not to be taken lightly.
"Asuka, don't be afraid," Yu Zhou said firmly, noticing his nervousness. "It's just an Evil God. It's not like we haven't beaten one before. I once kicked the Dark God to pieces with one blow. Whatever it is, we'll win."
"One kick… to blow up the Dark God?"
Asuka gaped. His respect for the senior Ultra shot through the roof.
So even gods weren't invincible?
"Then, Senior Yu Zhou—why don't you go kick this one to pieces too!"
Confidence restored, Asuka grabbed Yu Zhou's arm and tried to drag him toward the abyss.
Yu Zhou: "???"
Jerking him back, Yu Zhou glared. "Asuka, when this is over, stay behind."
"Why?"
"I'll make you your favourite—pig brain soup."
"Really?! Senior, this isn't exactly the time to talk about food, but since you invited me, I'll definitely accept!"
Re-energized, Asuka suddenly raised his arms.
Solgent Beam!
Forming a cross with his hands, he fired his signature finisher straight into the mass of writhing tentacles.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rang out as several tentacles were shredded.
"…Asuka, what the hell are you doing?"
Yu Zhou stared, dumbfounded.
This kid just threw out his ultimate move immediately? Did no one teach him about conserving energy?!
What was this—Daigo's bad habits rubbing off on him?
Delacium Light Stream!
Before Yu Zhou could finish ranting, Daigo switched forms into his reckless Power Type and hurled a massive beam at the tentacles.
Yu Zhou: "…"
BOOOOM!!!
Several more tentacles were blasted apart.
Yu Zhou pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe it. Daigo, of all people, had gone full "reckless junior" mode to copy Asuka.
At least Masaki was still sensible—
Wait, nope.
Zap!
A purple beam shot from Masaki's L-style hand pose, tearing through more tentacles in a burst of explosions.
"???"
Yu Zhou could practically see question marks floating over his own head.
Why were all the Ultras so impulsive now?
One problem and everyone's firing ultimate like fireworks?!
"Who taught you kids to just open with your finishers?!" Yu Zhou barked, exasperated.
Asuka blinked innocently. "You did, Senior."
"…Me?" Yu Zhou froze.
"Of course. Senior Yu Zhou, you always show up and throw out your strongest finisher right away. It works every time. So, I thought—if a finisher ends the fight, why waste time brawling?"
Yu Zhou: "…"
He lifted a hand, tempted to unleash his sharpest insults, but stopped himself.
"Forget it. My bad."
Sighing, he rubbed his forehead. Maybe he should stop opening with ultimate himself—before the next generation learned all the wrong lessons.