IMPACT.

  Watari hit the ground hard. The pavement cracked beneath him.

  The squad’s heads snapped toward him.

  For a moment—Just for a moment—

  There was hope.

  Yumi’s breath caught.

  “Watari—”

  But then—

  A sound.

  Low.

  Amused.

  Laughter.

  Kuroda’s shoulders shook.

  Then—he snapped his head toward them, sneering.

  “You dare bring that thing here?”

  His voice wasn’t calm anymore.

  It was disgusted.

  “The Chūkan’s air… taints my battlefield?”

  He took a step forward.

  The ground fractured beneath his feet.

  “Was that meant to be some kind of message? A taunt?”

  His aura fred violently. The very sky seemed to darken.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t recognize what that machine was?”

  He scoffed—but there was venom behind it.

  “Was this supposed to be a dispy of power? A sign that you can reach what I cannot?”

  His golden eyes burned with genuine rage.

  “Tch… arrogant little worms.”

  He lifted his hand.

  His fingers flexed slightly.

  “All you did was remind me how much I despise you.”

  Then—

  He turned his gaze toward Watari.

  “And you—”

  His smirk curled into something cruel.

  “Chizuru was supposed to keep you out of this, boy.”

  A pause.

  Then—a scoff.

  “Another failed experiment, it seems.”

  Watari’s aura surged.

  Lightning cracked in the sky.

  But Kuroda?

  He didn’t react.

  He didn’t even flinch.

  Instead—

  “Shall we begin?”