A short time ago...
"Get out of the way, I'm not interested in fighting you today. I just want to smash that big-headed freak's skull."
"I'm sorry, but no..."
Boom!
"It's getting more terrifying, I don't see you not intending to fight."
Before Kizaru could finish saying no, Shaina's heavy kick was already in front of him. Even with the barrier of Haki, Kizaru could feel the heat of the opponent's flames.
Sizzle...
Aeghede, as Future Island, was already filled with metallic structures, even the ground was full of metal. During the recent collision, Shaina's flames scattered onto the ground, and those scattered flames melted the metal plates of the ground like corrosive liquid.
"If you move aside, we won't have to fight, right?"
If Kizaru doesn't willingly give up the fight, he would cling like a sticky plaster in battle, impossible to shake off.
Trying to bypass him to do something else was inherently unrealistic.
"My dear subordinates hope I protect Vegapunk. If I can't meet this request, they will be disappointed."
The Ama no Murakumo Sword formed by flashes split into two; Kizaru, transformed into Dual-Sword Style, crossed his twin swords towards Shaina's neck. However, a long red spear directly pierced through Kizaru's light swords, its tip grazing Kizaru's cheek, leaving a streak of blood above.
Kizaru was just about to retaliate when a lethal crisis suddenly flashed in his mind. He forcefully halted his actions and swiftly retreated; as he left his original spot, a bolt of lightning struck down.
"Why are you back again?"
"Got the item, so naturally I came back."
The tuft of fur on Zeraora's back was currently encircling a Plate, firmly fixing it behind him—this was the technique of Life Return.
Originally, that section of fur lacked practical significance, but under the influence of Life Return, this unique structure became Zeraora's third arm. Due to its length, it was even more convenient than an arm in special circumstances.
The time passed quickly; from Zeraora leaving and coming back, not much time had gone by, most of which was spent on the road.
Shaka and Pythagoras did not follow the main body and other copies to leave but specifically brought the remaining Plate to the lower area.
From the moment Vegapunk saw that voucher, he knew the other party had a way to track the Plate, so of course, he wouldn't bring the Plate along.
When Shaka and Pythagoras had just appeared with the Plate, they encountered Zeraora head-on.
The act of Shaka and Pythagoras transporting the Plate made Zeraora think they wanted to relocate the Plate, so he didn't give them a chance to communicate and directly destroyed these two machines, taking the Plate back here.
For a being created by Arceus, stealing the Plate was already a major crime.
"Shaina, we've got the item, the mission is over. What do you want to do next?"
Vegapunk and Kizaru didn't guess that Kuzan had joined the Hundred Beasts and participated in this action.
Shaina also didn't expect Vegapunk had created something like Blazing Angels. Without such creations, one should choose to retreat the moment they got the Plate, but now, she couldn't simply leave.
Just before Shaina could make a decision, a dull sound resonated from the sky. Seeing the disappearance of Aeghede's upper half, Shaina's face turned extremely grim.
"Damn... ran away, huh..."
"Looks like you can't achieve your goal."
Kizaru raised a smile, and an even more dazzling light burst from his body.
With Vegapunk successfully retreating, it meant he had no scruples now, and he also planned to fight recklessly one more time, but the development of events once again surpassed Kizaru's understanding.
The Plate Zeraora brought back was originally lifeless, no different from ordinary stones, but when it reached Shaina, the Red Chain in her hand changed.
Colorful energy waves surged on the Red Chain, and under the guidance of this power, the dull and colorless Plate also shone with a colorful glow.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Witnessing the bizarre situation before him, Kizaru felt an ominous premonition and immediately attacked Shaina.
Dense light bullets shot towards Shaina, yet as they touched the light screen, they all melted, entirely absorbed by that mysterious light screen.
[Shaina.]
"Sacred Beast Lord?!"
Arceus' voice suddenly resonated in Shaina's mind, causing her to instinctively glance around, yet she didn't see anything related to Arceus.
"Sacred Beast Lord, did you come here too?"
"I didn't. It's the power of this Plate; it's very far from me, but the Red Chain is a product forged from my power. When it's close enough to the Plate, I can operate it remotely."
The more Plates return, the more complete Arceus' power becomes. When the fifteenth Plate returned to his body, his power once again ascended.
Now, using Plates and the Red Chain as mediums, Arceus achieved remote Telepathy. Although not yet officially back, this Plate had already reconnected with Arceus in advance.
"Sacred Beast Lord, we found the Plate, but I...."
[No need to say, I already know.]
The convenience of the Red Chain allowed Arceus to know the recent happenings.
From the moment his consciousness descended here, he became aware of part of the events at Aeghede from Shaina's perspective.
[Do what you wish, although with your current power, catching up won't be easy; I'll lend you a little help.]
The colorful outer light screen shattered, and the rejuvenated Plate transformed into a light ball, gradually moving to Shaina's back.
As the light ball connected with her body, the immense energy turned into two streams, merging into Shaina's body, red wings began to grow, and the feathers that were originally bird-like gradually merged into one, finally forming a pair of dazzling light wings.
The wingspan was several times larger than before; merely flapping the wings twice, a terrifying cyclone appeared above Aeghede, and the violent winds began to surge around.
"In times of crisis, Sacred Objects grant us power, the flame's power opens a path to the outside world..."
These words had been passed down by the Lunarians Race for hundreds of years, specifically referring to the time when the clan leader temporarily received the power of the Flame Plate during a crisis, using it to defeat the enemy and open a path for the tribe.
Back then, Arceus was still an egg, and the way of lending power was crude; even the Lunarians couldn't withstand that kind of power erosion for long.
But this time was different; after matching, Shaina could temporarily control this power.
[Go ahead, the new wings will guide your direction; it's a part of my power, belonging to the sky, and now, it's yours.]
"Understood."