Gein, together with his Chroma, blew all the Kurogiri sorcerers into the air.
"G-GEIN?!"
"IT REALLY IS GEIN!"
Ever since the war began, Gein had spent days trying to reach Shadowia.
"Y-Yeah, it's me. What's up, Hanken… Xers?"
"I-I can't believe my eyes, Gein!"
"May friendship live forever, Xers!"
"May friendship live forever!"
Xers stood up from the ground and picked up his sword. Hanken returned his scythe to its grip. They shook hands with Gein.
They began moving toward the central base.
"So tell me, Gein. How did you get here and find us?"
"Let me explain right away. Twenty days ago… three days after the news of Kurotsume's collapse. The messengers barely made it in three days. When the news spread in Ojdura Town, I was the first to hear it. The moment my clan saw your name, they informed me. I couldn't believe it at first. I spent five days preparing and gathering my clan. Ten days passed on the sea journey. During the remaining five days, I searched for your clan. From time to time, I also fought the Kurogiri army. And now, here I am. I'm thinking of joining you with my clan. Will you welcome us into your ranks, Xers?"
"I understand, Gein… I knew you wouldn't abandon us. I just didn't know when you'd arrive. I gladly invite both you and your clan to walk the same path with us."
"I accept…"
Xers, Gein, and Hanken return to the Tshusenkai base. Xers steps forward and speaks.
"Honored sorcerers, standing before you are Gein and his team. They will aid us on this path. Long live Tshusenkai!"
(All together)"Long live Tshusenkai!"
After this speech, they move on to the next day.
"Yes, sorcerers. Today, we will attack the base of a man called Zenkai Yorashu. Everyone, gather your equipment. We depart at noon!"
The Tshusenkai army finally arrives at the 78th Fortress.
"Hanken, Gein… There's a mana stone in this fortress that we must seize. With it, we'll strengthen the sorcerers' equipment. While you two deal with the man called Yorashu, I'll go get the mana stone. Let's split up!"
Gein and Hanken enter the fortress gates with the Tshusenkai army. Yorashu freezes in place, his furious gaze locked onto Hanken.
Name: Zankei YorashuAge: 25Nation: ShadowiaSkills: G-Technic Stage 3, Shadow Play
"So you're the head of this so-called Tshusenkai, Hanken. Shadowia will never submit to Tshusenkai."
"Nice bluff, Yorashu. But I know your name as well."
"(Inner thought) H-He knows my name… Did he figure out my ability? No way. I've never shown it to anyone. But I do know Hanken. A lunatic who can stop time. The glasses-wearing guy beside him though… no idea who he is."
"What's with that stare? Tshusenkai, attack!"
Battle erupts inside the fortress. The Kurogiri army clashes with Tshusenkai once more. Hanken begins charging straight at Yorashu.
"(Inner thought) If I can close the distance enough, I can use Chronosis and take him down in a single move."
"(Inner thought) You bastard, Hanken! I know Chronosis. You're trying to close the gap. I'll allow it… but I'll trap you."
"Did you come here just to run, Yorashu?!"
"Not at all! Shadow Play!"
The footprints left by Hanken's steps begin to solidify. The tracks behind him turn pitch black.
"I-I can see my footsteps?!"
"They'll be the last steps you ever see, Hanken! Act One! VANISH!"
The ground beneath Hanken's steps begins to collapse, opening into voids.
"W-What's happening?! This man's ability is insane! If I fall into those voids, nothing good will come of it!"
At that moment, Gein bursts through the Kurogiri sorcerers and rushes to help Hanken.
"I'm coming, Hanken! Red!"
A red orb forms in the air and rockets toward Yorashu, detonating the area. Yorashu is blasted off his feet and slammed down the wall.
"Argh! This bastard's strong too. A two-on-one won't be easy!"
Yorashu gets back on his feet and starts running.
"Gein! If we don't stop him, I'll fall into the void! I don't know where it leads!"
"Stay calm, Hanken. We'll take him down. We'll corner him— you from the right, me from the left!"
Gein and Hanken sprint from opposite sides. Yorashu is gradually boxed in until his back hits the fortress wall, with nowhere left to run.
"I've got you now, Yorashu! Chronosis!"
The instant Hanken activates Chronosis, Yorashu triggers another ability.
"Act Two!"
Hanken reduces atomic vibrations to zero, freezing time itself. Black barriers form around Yorashu.
"What is this?! He waited for the exact moment I stopped time! But when time is frozen, atoms are inactive!"
Hanken takes his first step.
"Four seconds left."
Second step.
"Three seconds left."
Third step.
"Two seconds left… I'll draw my scythe, impale him, and still have one extra second."
Hanken thrusts his scythe into the barrier— but it doesn't pierce. The scythe gets stuck.
"One second left… W-WHAT?! I-I can't pull it back! Why didn't it break?! Ngh… Even standing still, staying too long in stopped time is draining my stamina! I have to release it! Time resume!"
Atoms vibrate once more. Time flows again.
"HAHA! YOU'VE FALLEN INTO MY TRAP, HANKEN! YOU'LL NEVER GET THAT SCYTHE BACK! AND THE GROUND BENEATH YOUR FEET IS STILL OPENING INTO THE VOID!"
Hanken suddenly leaps and keeps running.
"Gein, I'm leaving my scythe to you— I can't retrieve it!"
"Got it, Hanken! Keep moving!"
"Haha, Hanken! No Chronosis for you now! Should I deal with that other idiot instead? I'll take your life first!"
"You won't take my life that easily. It's valuable, you know :)"
Gein and Yorashu clash blade to blade. Their swords strike so fast that sparks explode with every collision.
"GQ#41!! Take this, Yorashu!"
"HAHA! STAGE 2 G-TECHNIC? I can't believe my eyes. Where did you find the nerve?"
"Hmph… If everything could be solved with G-Technic, masks wouldn't be necessary, fool. Blue!"
A blue orb forms midair and tears through the surroundings as it slams into Yorashu. He blocks with his sword, but every scrape against the Blue causes the blade to wear down further.
"S-SON OF A—! There's something different about this! What happened to Hanken, I wonder? I can only use the Acts on one person at a time. That's why I won't draw the curtain again."
"Your mind seems clouded, Yorashu! Take this— Red!"
A red orb forms and detonates against Yorashu. The impact sends him flying toward the fortress wall. He crashes into it at extreme speed, shattering his ribs, punches straight through the wall, and tumbles down toward the mountain cliff.
"This is the end, Yorashu. Surrender!"
"NEVER! HIIIIYAAAH!"
Yorashu draws his sword and lunges at Gein.
"Miss. Yellow!"
A yellow orb forms, creating a barrier around Gein. Yorashu slams into it, loses his footing, and tumbles off the cliff— falling nearly 4,500 meters to his death.
"What was it you said? That Tshusenkai wouldn't prevail here? Haha!It's Kurogiri that won't."