Ji-li saw the tsunami sweep everything away in its path, the non-cultivators still alive.
They were swept away by the tsunami; the water was so fast that some died at its mere touch.
Cultivators too met their end in the tsunami, even if their bodies could withstand the impact of the water.
Nevertheless, they were still human and drawn to the depths of the tsunami; the only result was drowning.
Ji-li turned her attention to Dola.
— Princess, how can a simple tsunami kill cultivators?
Dola let out a small mocking laugh before looking at Ji-li.
— Even if it's just a simple tsunami, that doesn't change the fact that it's a natural disaster deadly to humans, she said, gazing at the tsunami's aftermath.
Mountains of lifeless corpses, destroyed shops, scattered pieces of boats.
The smell of the sea stinging their noses.
Submerged houses.
The smells that Ji-li and her sister felt, exchanging a glance, were death and salt.
A little further from them,
the group emerged from Dina's black circle
and could contemplate the full extent of the damage.
— Stop looking at that, it doesn't concern us... Follow me, said Simone, heading toward the boat.
— Seriously, Simone? said Hikiri.
— What? asked Simone.
Turning toward Simone, Hikiri spoke:
— You saw with your own eyes the same thing we did, and you really think your damn boat is still in good condition... In my opinion, it must be shattered into a thousand pieces.
Walking quickly toward Hikiri, Simone grabbed him by the throat.
— You really think we need to hear that right now, huh, Hikiri?
Rolling his eyes upward, Hikiri let out an annoyed sigh.
— You piss me off, Simone... I thought everyone in this group was able to accept reality... But from what I see, you don't want to accept it.
— You! Simone threw her fist toward Hikiri's face, but was stopped by Darlius.
— Listen to me, both of you, do you really think this is the time for that?
— We have people on our tails, and you want to fight right now?
Realizing Darlius's words, Simone withdrew her fist and headed toward the boat, followed by the others.
Dina grabbed Hikiri's shoulder and said:
— Why did you do that?
Removing the hand on his shoulder, he said:
— I only stated the facts, so we won't be disappointed when the time comes. Of course, there must be like a two percent chance that this boat is still intact.
— That's it? Even if it's reality, can't you hope a little? said Dina.
Hikiri didn't even bother to reply and followed the others.
— Usually, you'd get involved, but your injuries are holding you back, huh, Tony? said Aconé, who was carrying Tony over her shoulder.
— Fuck off, Aconé... Anyway... I overestimated myself way too much. Beating rank eights when I'm only rank six... it's possible, but only if I'm strategic. Otherwise, in brute force, I get atomized, declared Tony.
— And your plan to destroy the city, is it still on or not? asked Aconé.
Tony lowered his head, hiding his expression, and replied:
— Maybe.
From Tony's response, Aconé suspected he had already started something.
A few minutes later,
the group found the boat in excellent condition.
Simone turned to Hikiri with a victorious look.
But Hikiri drew his sword.
— You see what I see, Hikiri? said Tony.
— How could I not? replied Hikiri.
Not understanding what they meant, Dina yelled at them to explain.
And Hikiri spoke:
— The water is still churning, yet it hasn't moved even a little, and the tsunami was over ten meters high.
So explain to me how this damn boat can still be dry.
From Hikiri's explanation, everyone armed themselves.
Simone was the first to step onto the boat, closely followed by the others.
Hikiri scanned every inch of the boat's surface, but nothing: no presence was visible.
Until Tony started acting strange.
— Shit, shit, shit... Listen to me, we have to go!
— What did you see, Tony? asked Asti.
— The question isn't what I saw, but what I felt, said Tony.
— Well, explain! said Dina, when four people appeared on the boat's deck.
— Fuck, them again! They're really leeches, said Dina,
looking at Dola, Ji-li, Hirina, and Chiva.
Pointing at Tony, Chiva shouted:
— You and me, we have to finish our fight!
But Tony was more interested in the aura he had sensed on the boat.
According to him, whoever was emitting that aura was inside the boat.
— Let's not waste time! Tony raised his hand toward the sky and spoke to Chiva:
— You know, earlier, I wasn't at a hundred percent, and you know why.
While moving his hand that was pointed at the sky,
a dragon of lightning and fire that shone in the sky made its appearance.
— I'm not gonna give you time to kill us all. I know you're right below us.
So reveal yourself before I bring down the on you!
Everyone stared at Tony with wide eyes, wondering if he'd lost his mind.
Looking at the dragon, Ji-li knew they wouldn't have time to escape; they had to kill Tony.
— Don't you think you're overdoing it a bit, Tony? said Asti.
— No, apparently I'm still too nice, said Tony, lowering one of his fingers.
A part of the dragon, now fifteen meters long, broke off and, at lightning speed, struck the water right next to the boat.
The water flew up, churned, creating violent waves right beside the boat.
But nothing moved: no jolt shook the boat, no drop of water touched the deck. It was as if the boat wasn't there, yet also was.
Hikiri didn't waste time and joined Tony with the goal of getting off this boat, but it was too late: Tony had succeeded in drawing out the intruder.
A voice came from behind a door leading inside the boat:
— Tony, Tony... It's true I wasn't nice to you, but to threaten me like that...
The door opened, and a man stepped out.
Tony, who had kept his attention on high alert, saw red.
White hair with silvery blue eyes, a smile that was anything but friendly.
Dola, Hirina, Ji-li, and Chiva recognized the man who had just revealed himself right away.
Placing his hand on his heart and bowing toward Tony, the man said:
— Let's refresh the introductions, Tony. I'm not called Li Vet; he must be either dead or injured... But me, I'm Rieze, he said with a smile.
Not wanting to listen anymore, but wanting to kill him, driven by his murderous intent, Tony lowered his entire hand toward Rieze.
Even though the consequences made him spit blood and he could barely stand, he didn't care: as long as Rieze died, he'd be satisfied.
Still smiling, Rieze made a sword of light appear in his hand.
— Let me tell you, Tony, that right now, you're facing the real me, not a clone like last time. And...
Propelling himself into the air, Rieze brought his sword down on the dragon.
Each of Rieze's strikes formed a luminous circle.
Before everyone's eyes, the dragon shrank in size and was shredded.
After a few seconds, in that cloudy sky, nothing remained but circles of light; the once-giant dragon had simply vanished under Rieze's blows.
Landing back on the boat, Rieze scanned everyone. Each of them had realized that the priority target was Rieze.
Walking slowly toward Tony, Rieze glanced at his group, making them understand that if they moved even a little, death would be their punishment.
In front of Tony, who was supported by Aconé, Rieze placed his hand on Tony's head and said:
— Seriously, Tony, do you really think your vulgar attack can scare someone who's reached rank nine?
At this revelation, everyone was stunned; the two groups couldn't hide their surprise.
That's when a roar echoed through the entire city.
Turning their faces toward the source of the roar, everyone could see a massive lion not far in the sky.
— Well, well, he's finally arrived... Honestly, Tony, I never planned to kill you.
With those words, a halo of light swept Dola and her group into the sea.
— All I wanted was to use you, and I did. And now, I'm letting you go. Aren't... I nice, Tony? said Rieze.
Making wings of light appear on his back, which allowed him to fly,
before flying away, he gave Tony one last wave goodbye.