After finishing tidying the clothes, the atmosphere became slightly calmer. Tenka invited Naoki to move seats, they now sat facing each other in minimalist wooden chairs with a small white table separating them.
Tenka placed her elbows on the table, supporting her chin on her stacked hands. She watched Naoki who was busy drinking soda from a glass, quenching his thirst after the long tension, with a small smile that continued to grace her lips.
"Now, Naoki-kun. Can you show me your Peach Blessing now? I'm curious to see it directly." Tenka asked after Naoki lowered his bottle.
"I can't." Naoki answered without preamble.
"Hm?"
The smile on Tenka's face faded slightly, replaced by a subtle questioning expression. There was a bit of restrained disappointment in her green eyes.
Realizing the subtle change in mood, Naoki hurried to add an explanation.
"This doesn't mean I don't trust you, Tenka! I really can't show anything right now!"
Tenka blinked, waiting for further clarification.
"As I said before, my awakened Peach Blessing, «Pandemonium», is Perfect Copy. But right now, its slot is still empty. Nothing has been copied yet. I need to 'fill' that slot first before I can use any abilities."
"I see."
Tenka's mood improved instantly. She had felt a bit sad thinking Naoki was still closing himself off and not trusting her after all the hospitality she had given.
"In that case, try copying my Peach Blessing, «Ame-no-Mitori»." Tenka offered herself without hesitation as the test subject. "As far as I know, copy-type abilities require certain conditions. For example, Azuma Himari from the Seventh Unit. Her Peach Blessing, «Learning», allows her to learn other women's powers through observation and track them via collection cards on her smartphone."
Tenka explained the limitations she knew. "Although in theory Himari-chin is capable of learning and imitating any Peach Blessing, in practice she can only fully utilize abilities most compatible with herself."
"If she tries to use incompatible blessings, those abilities might lose most of their original effectiveness and become impractical on the battlefield."
Naoki listened seriously, nodding occasionally. Thanks to Tenka's explanation, many forgotten or blurry details in his memory as an otaku began to resurface.
After all, 18 years had passed since he reincarnated for unclear reasons into this world.
His memories of the Mato Seihei no Slave anime—outside the fanservice scenes which were indeed hard to forget—had mostly become just outlines and vague impressions.
"You're right, Tenka." Naoki acknowledged. "The requirement for «Pandemonium» to perfectly copy a Peach Blessing is that I must consume DNA from that person. Whether it's a strand of hair, a drop of blood, or anything, as long as the object contains DNA. That's my way to 'access' the genetic code associated with the target's Peach Blessing."
Tenka nodded lightly, considering the requirement quite reasonable and easy to fulfill. "In that case, let's do it now—"
"Wait a moment, Tenka!" Naoki raised his hand, stopping her enthusiasm. "Before that, I must explain the entire mechanism and implications of «Pandemonium» to you in detail. I don't want you to agree now, then regret it later because you don't know the full consequences."
Tenka looked at him with full attention. Naoki's responsible attitude actually further increased her good impression of him.
"Alright. Please explain. I'm listening seriously."
Naoki took a breath, then presented a specific and detailed explanation.
First, he reaffirmed the copying method. Unlike Himari who copied through visual observation and understanding, Naoki's «Pandemonium» required biological contact: he had to swallow the target's genetic material. Metaphorically, this was his way to 'insert' or 'incubate' the target's Peach Blessing genetic code into his soul.
Second, and this was most crucial: Naoki had a lifetime limitation on the number of copies. He could only copy ten Peach Blessings throughout his life. No more.
This number ten wasn't arbitrary; in the explanation of «Pandemonium» that he received intuitively, that number represented the manifestation of the Ten Qliphoth—the concept opposite to the Ten Sefirot in Kabbalah, often associated with the powers of chaos, materiality, and the underworld.
Third, and this was what radically differentiated it from Himari's «Learning»: «Pandemonium» didn't just copy the Peach Blessing alone. It also copied physical memory, combat experience, proficiency, and the target's mastery level in using that ability.
In other words, if Naoki copied «Ame-no-Mitori» from Tenka, he wouldn't need to train for years or go through a learning curve. He would immediately have the same level of proficiency, control, precision, and power output scale as Tenka at the time her DNA was taken. He would be able to use that ability as if he himself had trained it his entire life.
This was a level of copying that was almost like stealing the essence from the original user and implanting it into himself—a process that sounded more like usurpation than mere learning.
"That's amazing, Naoki-kun!" Tenka exclaimed, her emerald green eyes sparkling with genuine and immeasurable admiration. "Your Peach Blessing turns out to be plural in nature, able to accumulate many abilities like Commander Yamashiro!"
"Just based on the number of Peach Blessings that can be accumulated alone, your «Pandemonium» is already superior to Commander Yamashiro's «Vairocana»."
Tenka appeared very enthusiastic, her eyes sparkling genuinely as if Naoki's achievement was her own accomplishment. She didn't show the slightest bit of envy or feeling threatened, despite knowing that before her stood a man who potentially could turn the world order upside down.
Who is Yamashiro Ren?
She is the Commander of the Tenth Unit of the Anti-Demon Corps, possessor of the strongest Peach Blessing in the world!
The «Vairocana» ability she possessed was truly overpowered, elevating her to a level that made her more worthy of being called a demigod than human. Ren had a total of eight different abilities that could be combined, allowing her to adapt in any combat situation.
As far as the public knew, Ren flew across the rear lines of Shuuki troops and destroyed their strongest boss alone without breaking a sweat. In fact, she once launched a long-range attack from the United States precisely targeting mainland Japan to annihilate high-level Shuuki.
And her power wasn't just from Peaches. Ren's body and mind had been forged through training. Even without using her Peach Blessing, with just pure physical strength and fighting techniques, she was capable of delivering punches that could defeat Shuuki.
"I think so too." Naoki nodded firmly. His perspective aligned with Tenka's. "Theoretically, if I choose the right targets to copy, it's not impossible I could surpass Yamashiro Ren. Therefore, I must not carelessly choose targets I will copy. Each slot is very valuable and irreplaceable."
"..."
Naoki paused for a moment. He took a deep breath, steeling his heart before looking at Tenka with a very serious gaze.
"Tenka. There's no doubt that your «Ame-no-Mitori» is one of the top Peach Blessings in the world. Would you... allow me to copy it?"
Anyone who successfully held the position of Unit Commander in the Anti-Demon Corps must be the best individual in Japan, even in the world. And for Naoki, having control over space was the most perfect first asset for survival.
".."
(This... feels like a marriage proposal!)
Hearing that request so intimate and full of pleading, Tenka's imagination instantly ran wild uncontrollably. In her mind, a simulation of the future spun quickly like a film reel.
She saw visions of their passionate first night in a warm room, followed by a romantic honeymoon on a quiet beach. She even saw herself stroking her pregnant belly while Naoki cooked healthy food for her in the kitchen.
"Tenka?"
Naoki's repeated calls finally pulled Tenka back from her fantasy world. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly composed herself.
"Of course it's okay~" Tenka answered with a voice that was suddenly softer than usual, her gaze now containing an affection that was hard to explain.
"..??"
Naoki frowned, confused by Tenka's expression that suddenly became very gentle. Although he didn't know for sure what caused that change, this wasn't a bad thing. For him, Tenka's approval was the first step toward a new pinnacle of glory.