Chapter 79: The Oppressive Force of a Top-Tier Mage
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux.
Tomioka Giyu controlled the Water Dragon, and as it neared the ice mist, it made a sharp turn and surged towards Zohakuten!
Zohakuten was clearly stunned; it was still wondering how to stop Tomioka Giyu and Kanroji Mitsuri from escaping.
It turned out that Tomioka Giyu's target was not Doma at all, but it!
There was no time for any Move, and dodging was impossible; Tomioka Giyu's speed was too fast!
With a 'bang,' the Water Dragon struck hard, completely shattering Zohakuten's entire body, leaving only two arms and two legs—a gruesome sight!
"Now it's two against one, Kanroji! Force that guy out of the ice mist!"
As he spoke, Tomioka Giyu adjusted his blade, ready to strike.
Kanroji Mitsuri's movements were equally swift; almost as soon as Tomioka Giyu finished speaking, she unleashed her Sword Qi!
"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Wavering Love, Wild Claws!"
The chaotic continuous slashes indeed forced Doma out of the ice mist.
But a smile played on his face as he said, "Two against one? No, no, no, it's four against two~"
Just as Tomioka Giyu was about to act, three white shadows flashed in his peripheral vision, startling him.
He could only abandon the pursuit of Doma and go protect Kanroji Mitsuri!
"Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!"
After swiftly slicing through the ice pillars that were about to reach Kanroji Mitsuri, the two landed steadily on the ground.
"Thank you for saving me, Tomioka-san!" Kanroji Mitsuri sighed in relief.
The sudden aerial attack had left her no time to mount an effective defense.
If not for Tomioka Giyu's timely intervention, she would have been in grave danger by now.
"No need to thank me; it was my duty."
Tomioka Giyu stared gravely at Doma, who had also landed in front, and the three small figures before him.
"ice puppets, huh? I almost forgot Doma has such a terrifying ability..."
Tomioka Giyu felt a chill in his heart. It was known that Doma could release seven or eight ice puppets.
But that might not even be Doma's limit.
Coupled with the Blood Demon Art that provides seamless defense in close combat and instantaneous, wide-ranging ice mist,
Tomioka Giyu couldn't help but marvel, 'This is the oppressive feeling of a top-tier mage.'
"Tomioka-san, the attack is coming!" Kanroji Mitsuri swung her blade, her extremely flexible body beginning to dance.
"Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Cat Leg Love Wind!"
Meow——————
Seeing Kanroji Mitsuri block the incoming ice pillars, Tomioka Giyu sighed. It was still too unrealistic for two people to kill Doma.
They could only stall for time. Thinking this, Tomioka Giyu felt much more relaxed.
Unless Doma went all out without reservation, with his current strength, stalling until dawn would not be a problem.
Tomioka Giyu no longer actively approached Doma; instead, he gripped his blade with both hands, and a blue glow once again enveloped the blade.
"Water Breathing, Fifteenth Form: Dead Calm!"
Tomioka Giyu swung his blade wildly, continuously unleashing light blue Saber Qi, while speaking in a deep voice.
"Kanroji! Leave Doma to me; Upper Rank Four is about to fully regenerate! You go over there and finish it off!"
Bang bang bang bang——————
Kanroji Mitsuri looked at Tomioka Giyu, who was clashing with the ice puppets, and for the first time, she refused his command.
"No, Tomioka-san! It's very dangerous here for you, especially since you're injured. I can't leave!"
Hearing Kanroji Mitsuri's firm voice, Tomioka Giyu knew that further persuasion would be useless; the girl was very resolute.
"Alright then! Stay by my side and don't charge forward again!"
Doma narrowed his eyes, smiled, and created three more ice puppets, sending them to join the clash with Tomioka Giyu.
Doma himself, however, showed no intention of acting; he kept his gaze fixed on Kanroji Mitsuri.
Kanroji Mitsuri was completely unaware of this; her attention was entirely focused on Tomioka Giyu.
Should Tomioka Giyu encounter any mishap or become exhausted, she would save him immediately.
Tomioka Giyu was even more so; he thought Doma was staring at him.
This caused Tomioka Giyu to remain constantly vigilant, preventing Doma from suddenly attacking before he could react.
Tomioka Giyu's wild Sword Qi slashes and the incessant Blood Demon Art attacks from the five ice puppets created a stalemate; for a time, neither side could gain an advantage.
At this moment, Doma moved, vanishing from his spot!
Tomioka Giyu's pupils constricted. Just as he was about to act, a barrage of Blood Demon Art attacks forced him to stay put, making it impossible for him to disengage!
If he stopped swinging his blade, even for a few tenths of a second, he would at least be hit by two Blood Demon Art attacks.
"Mitsuri, now that annoying guy won't bother us anymore."
"Come on, let me redeem you!"
Hearing the voice behind him, Tomioka Giyu instantly understood everything.
Doma's target was never him from the start, but Kanroji Mitsuri! Those six ice puppets were merely a means to restrain him.
Without time to think, Tomioka Giyu was about to forcibly stop swinging his blade when he heard Kanroji Mitsuri say firmly,
"Don't think of me as so weak, Tomioka-san! Leave Doma to me!"
"Love Breathing, First Form: First Love's Tremor!"
Tomioka Giyu stopped his movement to turn around, his hand no longer hesitating, and continued to swing his blade with full force, unleashing light blue Saber Qi!
He chose to trust Kanroji Mitsuri, but he also had to resolve his situation as quickly as possible.
How long could Kanroji Mitsuri, with her demon slayer mark activated, last against Doma?
It wasn't that he underestimated Kanroji Mitsuri, but Doma was too strong; simply activating the demon slayer mark was far from enough.
Tomioka Giyu gritted his teeth. He decided to take a risk. If he continued to clash like this, his already limited stamina would only be wasted.
Better to take a chance!
Although he was wildly swinging his blade with both hands, Tomioka Giyu's eyes calmly scanned each ice puppet.
The coordination of these six ice puppets was extremely tacit, almost perfect, forming a terrifying net of firepower.
But Tomioka Giyu believed that no matter what, there would always be a flaw; he just couldn't see it yet.
Hiss—————hoo—————
Tomioka Giyu adjusted his rapid breathing, hoping to make the world in his eyes slow down this way.
Perhaps then, in an instant, he could take in the movements of all six ice puppets, process them, and find their weaknesses!
But the facts proved that he was too naive; doing so didn't help much, at most it only made his sword swings and Sword Qi slashes smoother.
Bang——————
Hearing the sound of the ground shattering not far behind him, Tomioka Giyu grew more anxious.
'If something happens to Kanroji...'
Tomioka Giyu no longer dared to think. Since this method didn't work, he could only resort to his old approach.
No flaws? Then force one open!
His gaze quickly swept over each ice puppet. Upon seeing the leftmost one, Tomioka Giyu suddenly erupted, charging straight towards it!