Matomiro began gathering a sphere of energy in front of him, which grew larger with every passing moment. Before he could launch it, Yashimiro appeared in front of his father in the blink of an eye, then grabbed the sphere and slammed it into Matomiro, causing a massive explosion.
A moment later, Midan shot up into the air and began firing energy blasts, but Derivan effortlessly dodged every single one. Matomiro appeared before his son and this time tried to attack physically, but Yashimiro evaded all of his father's strikes. At one point, he grabbed his arm and formed a purple energy sphere in his other hand, surrounded by two golden rings.
Yashimiro threw his father in front of him
"Dorendo!" then struck him with his attack, sending him flying several meters back.
"Y… Yashimiro…" Nohara tried to get up, but she still felt the pain from Midan's blows.
"Stay down and don't move. I'll handle this."
At that moment, Matomiro lunged at Yashimiro to attack, but the teenager interrupted him with a kick to the stomach. Then he struck his chin, launching him into the air. Derivan didn't stop there he leaped up to Midan and delivered a series of incredibly fast blows. Finally, Yashimiro vanished from the elder Shonetsu's sight and reappeared behind him in a split second, knocking him to the ground with a kick to the back.
"So this is Derivan's true power?" Ray wondered, watching the battle of his former friend.
Yashimiro slowly walked toward his opponent. Seeing Matomiro raise his hand, the teenager instantly appeared in front of him and grabbed it. Then he extended his own hand in front of Midan's demonic face and released his choki once again, causing another massive explosion. Even Blade had regained consciousness by then and could only watch the fight.
"In this form, Yashimiro is toying with this guy… that power is on a completely different level."
Matomiro fired a series of energy blasts, and in response, Yashimiro began running toward him, dodging each one. The teenager instantly appeared before his father and struck him on the right side of the face, then repeated the attack on the left. Midan tried to fly away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Yashimiro grabbed Midan's leg and slammed him into the ground.
"It's time to finish this," he declared, surrounding his fist with choki before punching straight through his father.
Matomiro's appearance returned to normal, and his body began to crumble. Before his soul departed, he used his final moments to speak to his children.
"Dad…"
"Yashimiro, I'm proud of you. You've become truly strong stronger than me," Midan said.
"And Kira, you must overcome your fear. You belong to the demon race, and sometimes you will have to fight to protect your loved ones."
"I understand," Kira admitted, lowering her head.
"Don't lose heart. You're my daughter, and you can be just as strong as your brother."
"Really?"
"Of course. I'd be happy to help you become stronger," Yashimiro added.
"I regret that I can't stay with you, but I'm happy to see how you've grown. I can leave in peace. Say hello to your mother for me." With those words, Matomiro's soul vanished.
Tears streamed down the siblings' faces as they watched their father pass.
"I have to deal with Borner," Yashimiro said, immediately running toward the place where Ronibo and Alice were fighting Tomar.
Alice and Ronibo could barely stand.
"I didn't think he was this strong," Alice said.
"Guess it's time to end this fight."
Tomar was about to attack when suddenly Yashimiro appeared before him, driving a knee into the king of Kasega's face.
"So this is your new power, Yashimiro… fascinating," Ronibo commented.
Alice couldn't believe her eyes. "Is this the same kid I defeated back at the academy?"
Yashimiro turned to his master and Alice.
"Get some rest and leave him to me."
"You have no idea how powerful he is with the Kinotro crystal fragment," Alice warned, but Yashimiro only smiled.
"I could have killed you back then. This time, I won't make that mistake."
Tomar charged at the teenager, but Derivan dodged his attack, grabbed his arm, and tore it off.
"GRAAAAAAARHHHH!" the king screamed in pain.
He had no time to react before Yashimiro struck him in the stomach, sending him crashing through the palace walls.
"He's much faster… I didn't even notice when he did that," Ronibo thought, watching his student.
At that moment, Nohara also arrived on the battlefield.
"Alice, are you okay?"
"I've been worse. But what about you your face…" Alice pointed at her bruises.
"Don't worry, they're just bruises. They'll heal in time."
While the sisters spoke, Tomar fired a powerful magical beam from the palace. Yashimiro looked at it with an emotionless expression and deflected it with his hand.
"Pathetic."
"Behind you!" Ronibo warned.
The king of Kasega appeared behind the teenager, but Yashimiro anticipated it and struck him in the face with his elbow.
"You bastard!" Tomar said, grabbing his nose.
"What's wrong? Did I break it? Sorry I'm still not fully aware of my power yet," Yashimiro replied with a confident smile.
Tomar was forced to kneel before him.
"How ironic the king kneeling before the person he exiled."
"You damn brat…"
Suddenly, people began appearing, trying to stop the teenager. One man rushed at Derivan, who immediately recognized him. As the man approached, Yashimiro punched straight through him.
"I remember you. You were one of those who tried to kill me three years ago. I gave you a chance, but it seems you learned nothing."
He pulled his hand out, concentrated choki in his palm, pressed it against the man's face, and completely destroyed his head.
Even Ronibo and Nohara were shocked to see Yashimiro kill a man without hesitation.
"Is that really Yashimiro?" Nohara asked.
Ronibo narrowed his eyes. "In this state, his demonic nature is likely influencing his behavior," he said.
Yashimiro spotted another man who had tried to kill him back then and immediately rushed toward him. The man backed away in terror until he hit a wall.
"Please forgive me! Don't kill me!" he begged.
"Why should I forgive you when you tried to kill me?"
"What kind of human are you?"
"I'm not human. I'm a demon." With those words, Yashimiro slit the man's throat.
Even Tomar was shocked. He tried to stand and escape, but his injuries made it difficult.
"And where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you yet."
As Yashimiro approached Tomar, Karona stepped between them.
"Please, have mercy don't kill the king."
"Move. I don't want to hurt you."
"Then you leave me no choice."
Tomar noticed Karona pointing behind her at where a sword lay.
"Well done, Karona," the king said, grabbing the sword and stabbing her.
Fortunately, Yashimiro reacted in time and jumped back, though the blade grazed his chest.
"Your Majesty…" Karona coughed blood, shocked by what the king had done.
"I appreciate what you did for me, but you became an obstacle. I no longer need you."
Suddenly, Yashimiro felt pain, and his appearance returned to normal.
"What's happening?" the teenager wondered, falling to his knees as breathing became harder.
"YASHIMIRO!" Nohara ran to him immediately. "What did you do to him?!"
"That sword was coated with poison strong enough to kill even a demon."
Yashimiro lost consciousness and collapsed, but Nohara caught him before he hit the ground.
"It's only a matter of time before he dies."
"SHUT UP!" Nohara growled, her hair beginning to ripple.
Her body became surrounded by a blue aura, shocking everyone. She grabbed Yashimiro and instantly appeared beside Ronibo and Alice.
"When did she?"
"Nohara, you…"
"Take him to the medics. Every second counts."
Ronibo nodded, lifting Yashimiro, and together with Alice they ran toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Nohara turned toward the king.
"I'll deal with you personally."