The veil tore with a low scream.

  Seven bodies reappeared in the center of the Chūkan—scattered but close. The air was thinner here, colder than usual. As if the realm itself had sensed what was coming.

  Koharu and Ayase stood opposite them.

  The Death Phantoms reformed in a loose arc—YuYu cracking his neck, Uta folding into the shadows, Kenzo flexing his fingers, Daisuke calm and unreadable, Subaru still silent with a faint glow in his eyes. Behind them, the Shingan walked forward without a sound.

  A moment passed.

  No one moved.

  Then—

  FWOOM.

  Ayase drew his Reibaku.

  Koharu’s hand was already on hers, petals drifting from her palm.

  The Shingan’s smile was shallow. “I must say… I didn’t expect the failsafe to bring us here.”

  “I had heard rumors of the Setai possessing a machine that could forcefully remove stronger tamashkii users.”

  He looked around the area.

  “But since they didn’t use it on Kuroda, I had factored it was just a rumor.”

  He eyed Ayase. “I assume it was because he used Ancient’s blood, correct? Or was it the fact that he couldn’t reach the Chūkan?”

  Ayase didn’t respond.

  YuYu tilted his head. “Hey, boss. This is kind of perfect, right?”

  “I mean yeah we didn’t find Kiyosada but….. No Earth to worry about. No Setai. No flimsy barriers.”

  Kenzo scoffed. “You guys bring us in front of two Jumōnban huh? Good. More weaklings to cut through.”

  Koharu’s gaze shifted toward him. Her voice was cool, sharp.

  “I see you’ve recovered since st time.”

  Kenzo sneered. “And you’ve gotten a new coat. You’re a captain now?”

  “Still weak.”

  Koharu sneered back, eyes fring with Tamashkii.

  “And I see you still get to keep your little number three. All these new faces, don’t tell me you’ve let a rookie surpass you.”

  Her Reibaku sparked.

  Ayase stepped forward. “Your egos will be your downfall. Our mission has been the same since the very beginning. Put an end to the Kegare.”

  YuYu smirked. “Ego? You’re cocky for a man who had to tag-team me st time.”

  Ayase blinked once.

  Then vanished.

  SLASH.

  A red line opened across YuYu’s chest.

  He barely flinched—but he staggered back.

  Ayase stood behind him now, Reibaku humming low.

  The ground trembled slightly.

  Koharu stepped beside him.

  “We split them,” she said. “I’ll take The Shingan.”

  Ayase nodded. “Then leave the rest to me.”

  The moment shattered.

  Kenzo lunged.

  Koharu blocked him instantly, petals blooming around her.

  Uta twisted through shadow—straight for Ayase. Daisuke followed with a spear of crystallized Tamashkii. Subaru didn’t move. Not yet.

  —The fight had begun.