Far off on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a woman worked with robotic diligence. With seithr-sculpting skills born of an unnatural connection to the Boundary, Litchi formed complex patterns within a black, amorphous vessel. Once forged, it would replace the Kushinada Lynchpin. A creation that would function the same as Shuichiro Ayatsuki's device, but without the need for a certain daughter of his to act as the key or Rettenjou to act as its core.

A device that would all but herald the end of the world should it be activated.

A door slid open behind Litchi and she turned to greet the man who entered. Relius walked straight up to the blob and rubbed his chin. "…This seems near complete. Your skill is truly amazing, doctor."

"Thank you, Colonel Clover." The words came automatically to Litchi; she had no choice in uttering them. "And yes, it's nearly complete. We should be able to forge it tomorrow."

"Excellent. I will check back in…"

As Relius turned, he froze. Hazama stood in the doorway, a deep scowl on his face. "Hey. Relius. We got a problem."

"Is that so? Do explain, Terumi."

"Yeah, uh… remember that shit about a certain mad dog from Sector Seven breaking into the Oogetsu Branch?"

"What has Azrael done now?"

"Oh, nothing, except the usual 'murderize anyone who tries to capture him' routine. I swear, that gets old real-"

"Now is not the time. Tell me what has happened."

"Well, uh…" Hazama rubbed the back of his head. "According to reports and surveillance, our former godslayer and her pet squirrelbitch were also there. And the information pertaining to us being here in Ishana is kinda sorta… gone. So yeah. Bye!"

Before Hazama could flee to avoid any wrath from Relius, a mechanical hand on his shoulder stopped him. Certain that Ignis would keep him from running, Relius strode up to Hazama. "I see. Then allow me to give you a couple of assignments."

Amane froze up as Hakumen advanced, his wry smile melting away. "Ah, I think I'll just…"

The androgynous man bolted into a nearby alleyway, clearly having no interest in getting in their way. Jin snorted and glared at the blank-faced soldier. "Tch. Very well then. You're going to give me answers when we're done."

"Hmph. Do not dictate what I will do." Hakumen bent his knees into a light crouch, overly long blade extended behind him. "Come, Jin Kisaragi. Show me your power, your determination. Let me see if your reason to fight is strong enough."

Reason to fight? Tch. Whatever. Hand on Yukianesa's hilt, Jin sneered. "Very well."

A platform of bladed ice formed beneath him and shot forward. Its foremost spine crashed into Hakumen's parry and the entire board shattered, but Jin twisted around for a slash to the shoulder. Hakumen's hand shot up the moment Jin left the board and crushed his chin with Ookami's hilt. As Jin fell, Hakumen spun and kicked him away to slide on his back along the ground. "Futile. Weak."

"Shut up." Snarling, Jin hopped back to his feet and launched a slow-moving blade of ice. He followed in its wake, but skidded to a halt as Hakumen's sword slashed through his projectile. The seithr that molded the blade destabilized into a void of antimatter. Jin stepped back with a growl. "What the…? Tch. Try and stop this!"

Yukianesa pierced the ground and a crystal of ice rose from underneath Hakumen's feet. However, even before the katana sliced the ground, Hakumen swept forward into an uppercut. The blow caught Jin's gut and lifted him into the air. Hakumen jumped after him, sword drawn back for a fatal slash… Instead, he spun around and drove a kick into Jin's chest.

As his former self crashed to the ground, Hakumen sighed inwardly. What was the point of this? Even though it had been a century since he'd used them, he knew every one of Jin's movements by heart. Nothing Jin could do would ever catch him by surprise, and thus the battle's turnout was inevitable. Jin Kisaragi could never pass such a test…so he had to change it. Hakumen pointed Ookami down at Jin as the latter struggled to his feet again, wind gone. "Tell me, Kisaragi. Why do you fight?"

"Hm? Why do you care?" Up on his knee, Jin tensed a slight bit. Was this a trick? "I have two reasons to exist. To kill my brother, and to destroy Captain Hazama for what he has stolen from me. Nothing else matters."

"Your brother." As Hakumen had figured; single-minded, without regard for those who considered him a friend. As of now, doomed to failure. To lose just as Hakumen had lost a lifetime ago. "You refer to Ragna the Bloodedge."

"…How do you know that?" Eyes narrowed, Jin rose, but stepped back. This goddamned buzzing intensified the closer to Hakumen he was. Just what in the hell was it? "Tch. Never mind. Brother's suffering. Bleeding. And only-"

"And only you can heal him through death? Fool." There was no doubt; Jin was the same man Hakumen had been. Worse, perhaps. "That is hardly the reason you should seek his death. Nor a reason to exist. Tell me. What does Tsubaki Yayoi mean to you?"

"Absolutely nothing."

The words rang in Hakumen's mind for a moment, faltering him. How could Jin feel nothing for Tsubaki? Did he not spend much of his childhood with her, or bond with her through his Academy years? What had happened? "…Explain."

"Ha. Why should I?" A crescent moon grin of insanity emblazoned Jin's face as he readied Yukianesa again. "Stop acting like you know me, you masked bastard! I don't have time for the likes of you, Hero or not. Die!"

A glimmering blade of ice flew at Hakumen's face, too fast for him to cut. Jin dashed after it and cut at Hakumen's midsection. Ookami took both blows, and Jin followed with a punch. A vulpine head of ice surged toward Hakumen with the attack. Hakumen jumped out of its way, only for Jin to deliver a lunging slash. Before Yukianesa could strike him, Hakumen raised a fist. A shield of reddened seithr formed before him and stunned Jin in place when the attack struck it. After reversing his grip on Ookami so as not to rend Jin in half, Hakumen lunged forward and delivered a blow to Jin's stomach with its hilt. Jin gasped and dropped to his knees, breathless. Hakumen did not even look back. "Give up. I was wrong; you're too weak to stand before me."

"Shut up…" After another moment of keeping himself upright, Jin gave in to the pain and flopped forward onto his belly. Hakumen's last attack flashed in his mind. A counter-attack starting with a red barrier of seithr… His eyes widened and he turned to glare at Hakumen. "You bastard… how do you know Yukikaze…?"

His green eyes flashed, fire rather than their eternal flint. "How do you know so much about me? How do you know all of my attacks and how to counter them? Just who the hell are you?!"

"Should you not stray from this damned path you trod, the same as you." Hakumen turned around and pointed his sword down at Jin. "Have you truly forsaken your comrades?"

"Do you mean Yayoi?" Jin sat up and clutched his head. "I don't even remember her, dammit! It's like she never existed…"

Hakumen's blade lowered. "What?"

"I remember nothing from before about a month ago." His face twisted into a determined scowl. "And that is why I will destroy Hazama. He took everything from me; I will return the favor."

Terumi. This was the consequence of Tsubaki's survival? Or… no, this was the consequence of her breaking from the Librarium? "I see. Have you no bonds left, then?"

"…One." Jin's eyes softened as he looked down. "Noel Vermillion."

"…Vermillion?" Someone who had not existed for Hakumen, then. "Very well then. I ask you again, Kisaragi. Show me your determination. Your strength."

"Tch. Why should I bother?" Jin rose to his feet and turned away. "This is meaningless."

"If you believe my words to be meaningless, then there is no hope for you. Your reasons for fighting are petty and selfish. Tell me." Hakumen made a fist. "Would you turn your back if Vermillion was in danger?"

Jin faltered and turned to glare. "…You mean to harm Noel?"

Hakumen snorted. "I see. She is quite valuable to you. She, the Godslayer, the Eye of the Azure…"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jin growled and turned to charge at Hakumen. "Don't you dare touch her!"

"Feh. Irrational as always." Hakumen kicked through Jin's slash and knocked him off his feet. "Despite your claims, you have at least one other reason to fight. I mean Vermillion no har-"

"Arrows of Ice!" Jin flipped forward onto his knees and formed a bow of ice. A trio of frosty arrows fired and, for once, Jin's attack hit home. Hakumen found himself encased in a crystal of ice, which Jin promptly shattered with a slash. "I will not let you hurt her."

A mechanical laugh answered him, low. "Very good. Let me see how far your determination will take you now. Empty Sky Form…" Hakumen raised his sword high overhead, building up power in it. "Summer's Advance!"

The sword came down, and brought with it a tsunami of white energy. Jin snarled; goddammit, he knew that attack, too! "Arctic Dagger!"

A fast-moving wave of ice countered Hakumen's attack. The twin surges struck each other and dissipated. Jin sneered and launched a blade of ice. "I don't know how you know my attacks, but it doesn't matter. You wish to see my determination? Very well then…"

"Oh, mister Kisaragi~!" A small, effeminate man dropped to the ground beside Jin, smirking at him. Amane granted Jin a light bow. "You don't seem to be doing too well. Allow me to help you!"

Jin blinked and snorted. "And why would you do that?"

"I already said…" Amane's smirk came with a light leer. "I simply must have you for my troupe! And you!"

If Hakumen still had a human body, he would have followed Jin's suit in blinking in confusion. Still, this was interesting: would Jin reject an ally, as Hakumen had done so long ago? "What is it?"

"That was a killing blow, wasn't it? And you say this is just a test…" Amane's head tilted down, and all at once is smirk became something more savage. "I could never let you to do such a thing to a member of my troupe."

"That would not have slain Kisaragi."

Before Amane could respond, Jin gave him a harsh shove and sent him off to the side. "Get lost; I'm not part of your troupe. This is my fight, and mine alone."

Disappointment flooded Hakumen, but he shrugged it off. No, of course Jin would have no reason yet to accept aid, especially from a near stranger. "You cast aside an ally when facing a superior opponent?"

"I fight alone, forging my own path. That will never change." Jin gripped Yukianesa, eyes cold. "I will remove all obstacles in my way… even one of the Six Heroes."

In an NOL outpost in Ookoto, a lone woman sat in a chair, bent forward to rest her chin on her hands. Her eyes burned as she stared down at the floor; just what did the Library want with a mercenary like her? Oh well. She would pay them their visit, listen to what they had to say and probably tell them to piss off.

The door creaked open and her eyes snapped up to the suited man who entered. Hazama offered her a smile which did nothing to ease her disdain as he took a seat across from her. "Ah, Miss Bullet, I presume? Thank you so much for coming all the way out here."

"Mm. And you're Captain Hazama?" Bullet held in a snort. Why, of all the branches of the Librarium, was she stuck meeting with an Intelligence officer? "Let's keep this quick. What do you want with me?"

"Ah, very well." Hazama's face remained neutral, but inside, he was grinning. This would be far too easy. "Well, to cut straight to the point, I assume you know of Sector Seven's actions a week ago."

"Of course. The destruction of Torifune and Wadatsumi. Sector Seven's all but dissolved, which is a pain in the ass for me." Her glare remained firm, but something in her chest stung. With that organization disbanded, how was she to find the truth now? "What about them?"

"You've been trying to find out who killed your mercenary force, right?" Now Hazama allowed himself a light smirk as Bullet gasped. "Oh, yes, I know all about the incident. And I can tell you everything you want to know… on one condition."

The sudden brightening of her mood was tempered by the mention of a condition. Bullet's scowl returned. "And just what is this condition?"

"Whoa, now. Temper." Hazama drew an envelope and slid it over a table to Bullet. "Makoto Nanaya, Sector Seven agent, and Noel Vermillion, who, while not a member, has been working alongside them. They are currently in the 16th Hierarchical City, Oogetsu, but I doubt they will be there much longer. They may have come across information that would take them to Ishana. Can I entrust their termination to you?"

Seated on a stone outside his manor, wineglass in hand, Belioz narrowed his eyes as a figure approached the gate. Tenshin, of course. Expected, as the Ikarugan prince had sent word he wished to discuss some matter. Although he wondered why Tenshin couldn't save that for their planned meeting the next day, Belioz nonetheless agreed. After all, he could not allow his façade to falter this late in the game.

As Tenshin drew near, Belioz rose with a cordial smile. "Ah, Lord Tenshin! Please join me; we have something to discuss, do we not?"

"Indeed." Tenshin came to a halt before Belioz and greeted him with a light bow of the head. "I have some concerns regarding Wadatsumi and Torifune."

"As do we all. Such catastrophe, a symphony of anguish for all sans the devils of Sector Seven." Another sip of the wine. Catastrophic, yes, but at least the people were no longer on the verge of revolting against the Librarium. So fickle, such short memories… the favor of the people eternally ebbed and flowed on such turning points. Points he fought to alter in the NOL's—and his—favor. "Those science-worshipping fools have disbanded, however. The most we can do now is hound down those directly responsible and drag them before the Librarium for their execution."

"So the story goes. I, however, have my doubts." Tenshin did not take a seat, instead eyeing the boulder with disdain. How could a noble stoop so low as to sit on a dirty rock? "But first, we should go inside. Such a seat is not befitting of one of your stature, Lord Belioz."

"Ah, think nothing of my perch. It may seem odd, but I am quite attuned to the earth. Surely, you have seen my collections of the earth's flowers."

"You mean your crystal collections."

"Indeed. I am eternally fascinated by such geologic beauty." Still, Belioz hopped off the stone to his feet, grey-black curls of hair blowing in the light gale. "Doubts, you said?"

"Yes." The barest hint of a frown traced on Tenshin's lips. "For what reason would Sector Seven destroy Wadatsumi? I am acquainted with the Red Devil, Iron Tager. During the siege and destruction of Yabiko, he fought to protect the citizens and was instrumental in bringing many to freedom. His actions indicate that he, and indubitably his direct superiors, harbored no ill will toward Ikaruga."

"Is that so?" Belioz smiled, quite possibly the most genuine expression he had worn around Tenshin. "It would seem that the feared Red Devil is not the monster Librarium propaganda paints him as. However, Sector Seven consisted of many separate cells, did it not? While Iron Tager may harbor allegiance with Ikaruga, the same may not be said of the head of another group. However, you do bring up an excellent point. We have no idea as to what Sector Seven's motive may have been. There is little doubt, however, that they are responsible for these bloodstains left upon the world by the nuclear strike; who else had access to such weaponry?"

"…True. Still, I do not believe it right to place an entire organization under such a pall without clear motives…"

"The people already had. The instant that news broke of science destroying two cities—and, more importantly, killing their children—the people had their minds made up that all of Sector Seven was to blame." Belioz took another sip of his blood-red drink. "It is a societal phenomenon, eternal in its age. We, or at least a loud enough minority, make up our minds on what happened and cast off anything that runs counter to our beliefs. Innocent until proven guilty does not apply here. Not when-"

Something whistled through the air, shining white in the afternoon sun. Belioz sidestepped the shuriken, allowing it to bury into the sand. His black eyes narrowed, his grip on his wineglass tightening. Beside him, Tenshin drew his scythe blade and pulled his ceramic mask, that of the mythological oni, over his face. His voice rasped when he spoke. "Show yourself, assassin."

"Ah yes, please do." Belioz fought back a smirk. Had they come this early? His eye turned to Tenshin, prepared for battle. It was doubtful, but the chance that Tenshin had turned on him was not out of the question. Best be on guard. "And perhaps you could inform me for what crime I am to be executed."

"Belioz Mutsuki, you demon!" A man, dressed head to toe in the midnight blue robes of Ikarugan rebels, bounded down from the manor's roof. A troupe of five more ninjas followed after him. "In the name of our boss, Bang Shishigami, we will deliver you and your accomplice to justice. For Wadatsumi! For Torifune! And for whatever else you may have destroyed!"

"Hm?" With uncaring air, Belioz took another drink of the wine. Very little liquid remained pooled in the conic glass. "What do you mean? If I am to be, ah, delivered to justice, I believe I have the right to know what crime I have committed, correct?"

"Don't feign ignorance! You are the mastermind behind the destruction of two cities, including your own academy! Have you no remorse, you monster?"

Tenshin gasped and faltered, taking a step back as he glanced at Belioz. "L-Lord Belioz. Is this true?"

"Of course not. To commit such a deed would be my ruin." Belioz's gaze sharpened. Between the piercing stare and the blood-red stains on his lips, the ninjas would not doubt they were gazing upon a vampire. "And what evidence have you to offer, hm? As it stands, you are slandering my good name… something I cannot take lightly."

"One of your servants came to us this morning and revealed everything, so overcome with guilt was he! He explained in detail what you had done, and where you could be found!"

In response, Belioz merely drained half his remaining wine. "So, hearsay is your evidence. Hardly enough for condemnation in the court of law. And…correct me if I'm wrong, but you are not agents of the law, are you?"

"Bang's subordinates. You share his penchant for prejudgment in the name of justice." Tenshin stepped forward, weapon lowered for the moment. The mask slid from his face. "Tell me. Would you continue this, knowing that Lord Belioz has the trust of Ikaruga's rightful heir? I am Tenshin, son of Tenjou, and I command you to step down."

"L-lord Tenshin?" The ninjas each took a step back—an incredibly display of synchronicity. However, the lead shinobi caught his wits and drew a knife. "Bah! You hid during Ikaruga's fall, during your father's death, and you have the gall to declare yourself the leader of our people? Ha! It has been three years, and now you resurface as a friend of a Librarium noble. You aided Belioz in his heinous actions, did you not?"

"What?" Tenshin growled and snarled before placing his mask back over his face. Is this what Ikaruga thought of him: a coward with no remorse for his father's death? That couldn't be. "I was occupied elsewhere at the time of my father's death-"

"Where was your pride? You knew Wadatsumi was our last stronghold! And yet, when the demon Jin Kisaragi came to end the war, you were nowhere to be found. Every other Ikarugan placed his life on the line for our homeland and freedom; your father lost his, and boss Bang came close. And where were you in the aftermath? Hiding! While boss Bang worked to protect the refugees! How dare you call yourself a leader?" The kunai flung out at Tenshin. "Bang Shishigami is our true leader!"

"Insolence." Tenshin caught the flying knife on his scythe. "You dare attack me in Bang's name?"

"Hmm… that is quite enough talk." Belioz cast his wineglass to the side. It shattered and spilled its sanguine liquid to stain the ground. He drew a long, slender conductor's baton from his left breast pocket; its ivory glimmered in the sunlight. "For this insolence, we shall compose for you a symphony of death. Have at you!"

Belioz pointed the stick at the ground. Clumps of rock rose up at its command and he swung forward. The stones stretched in a line like whip and clocked the lead shinobi straight in the face with enough force to shatter his nose. The others jumped into action, bounding away from him in search of cover. Belioz snorted. "You witness an ability to control the earth, and so you seek to hide behind rock. How very foolish."

A tall cut of granite, towering fifteen feet into the air, toppled over at a wave of Belioz's baton and crushed the shinobi seeking refuge. Even as blood tainted his robes, the first ninja to be struck rose and dashed forward, fanning out a plethora of shuriken. Belioz leapt off to the side, although one bit into his shoulder. Still, he weaved a pattern with his baton, lilting movements that resembled a conductor directing an orchestra. His assailant leapt at him, a half-crescent blade in his hand. Belioz smirked. "Feldspar Adagio."

A mammoth crystal, flat-ended and salmon in color, jutted from the earth and shattered the ninja's face again. As the shinobi fell to the ground limp, Belioz grunted as a thrown dagger buried itself in his back. He turned around and waved his baton, creating a shield of rock fragments that intercepted all but one of the shuriken that flew at him. Grunting, he ripped blades from either shoulder and tossed them aside. The knife would need to wait until he could immediately stem the inevitable blood flow. "Your help, if you will, Lord Tenshin."

Tenshin ground his teeth. His friend… or his people? Who should he choose? Normally, he would choose Ikaruga in a heartbeat, but for them to attack an innocent man so… Before he could decide, another ninja made his choice for him. A kunai flew at him, which he swatted away with the scythe. "I prefer not to strike a fellow Ikarugan, but if you are to put the lives of Lord Belioz and I in danger, then I have no choice. Kambei."

From his sleeve shot a spearhead, which ran his assailant through the gut. It retracted, bringing its target with it, and Tenshin finished him with a fierce punch to the face. As the man slid off the spearhead and onto the ground, Tenshin produced a flask of healing potion and forced the green liquid down the man's throat. "But no matter how much you wound my pride, I will not slay one, either."

"You poor fools. To assault me at my own home, where rocks and minerals are plentiful… you have forged your own doom." Belioz allowed himself an insidious laugh, shaping seithr with waves of his baton. "Consider the sand at your feet a moment. Have you any idea what it is composed of? Allow me to show you."

In response, and in panic, two of the remaining three ninjas leapt out from the boulders scattered around the yard. They never had a chance to attack. With one last stroke of the baton, Belioz whispered, "Quartz Scherzo."

The sand shifted and melded together, forming a series of clear, pointed crystals. The crystallization moved in a straight line, creating the illusion that a swarm of quartz spikes raced toward the men. They had no chance to defend before finding themselves impaled on the beautiful crystals. Belioz smirked. "One left. And now, the final movement. Olivine Rondo!"

From behind a rock, the last ninja in fighting condition popped his head out. And cried out as a geyser of tiny, green minerals erupted beneath him to shred his body to pieces. Rather than the gush of blood that Belioz expected, however, the shinobi vanished in a puff of smoke and left a log in its place to be peppered. Caught off guard, Belioz took a step back, teeth grit.

"Above, Lord Belioz!" Tenshin vanished in a whirlwind of leaves and reappeared at Belioz's side, weapons raised to block the strike from above as the shinobi descended. Knife scraped scythe and spearhead, and the ninja bounded away. He charged straight in, and at the last moment, Tenshin spun his chain-scythe in a circle to parry the incoming attack. The blade cut through the man's chin…but once more, he vanished and all that was damaged was a log. With a snarl, Tenshin braced himself, waiting for the next attack. "Lord Belioz, watch-"

"And it ends." The ninja appeared right at Belioz's left, and Belioz brought his baton to his chest in a stabbing motion. The bladed edge pierced the shinobi's heart. After kicking the man off of his weapon, Belioz drew a handkerchief from a pocket to wipe the baton clear of blood. He pocketed it and smirked at Tenshin. "I'm not so foolish as to leave myself open should an enemy get too close. And now, clean-up."

The ground shifted and shook, almost throwing Tenshin off his feet. The four deceased ninja were swallowed by maws in the earth, never to be seen again. Once the burial was complete, Belioz dropped to his knees, panting. "Agh… perhaps a touch too draining, that. Lord Tenshin, I ask of you, bring me to my chambers. Then you may tend to the two survivors."

"Very well." Tenshin slung one of Belioz's arms over his shoulders and helped him to his feet. "However, I believe I should be leaving. Perhaps tomorrow."

"Oh?"

"I have neglected my people; I must return to Ikaruga and reclaim what is mine. Furthermore, it is clear to me that staying so close to a Librarium head in no way endears me to my people. I thank you for your assistance, Lord Belioz."

"Ah, I understand. And I for yours, Lord Tenshin." Even as he stumbled along, weak from overexertion, Belioz smirked. "And yes, do claim what is yours. No matter who stands in your way."

It would not do to have Shishigami as Ikaruga's leader over Tenshin, after all.

"Hmph." Hakumen grunted as Jin leapt in to deliver a slash at his head. Ookami deflected the attack, but Hakumen still took a step back; he had never used such an attack in his past. Hakumen stepped in, Ookami raised overhead, and brought down a blow with the hilt. Jin sidestepped and fired off a blade of ice. Ookami claimed that as well. "Impressive determination… but you are weak if you deny your allies."

"Weak? For that? Hardly." Jin snarled; was there anything he could do to breach Hakumen's defenses? A board of ice formed under him and slid at his opponent. "There are things I must do on my own."

"That belief… you must shun it, no matter how strong it is." Hakumen dropped low to block the attack. However, something pink wrapped around his wrist and jerked him back, allowing Jin's attack to land. "What?!"

"Oh my. Short memory, mister hero?" Amane smirked as he pulled his ribbon taught, his thin frame struggling against the weight and strength of the Susano'o Unit. "I told you, I will not allow you to hurt any of my troupe."

"You again. Stay out of this, dammit!" Rather than keep up his attack, Jin bounded away from Hakumen. "If I can't defeat him on my own, it's all meaningless!"

"So, first you fighting him at all is meaningless…" Amane grunted as his ribbon snapped and he stumbled back. "…But now it's only meaningless if you have help? Make up your mind, Kisaragi~"

"Shut the hell up! I don't need your help."

"Stubborn fool." Hakumen turned to Amane, appraising. Just who… or, admittedly, what, was this person? What manner of relationship he shared with Jin didn't matter. "Have you not heard what I've told you? If you insist on fighting alone, you doom far more than yourself."

"Tch. And you shut up too, you cryptic bastard." Thoroughly annoyed, Jin lashed out with another blade of ice and followed behind on a frosty platform. Ookami blocked both attacks, as well as his overhead slash. "Die!"

An ice-covered swipe drew across Hakumen as he tried to retaliate, and Jin held the second slash back. Yukianesa concentrated chilly air around it, building up for an attack that would pierce any defense Hakumen had.

"Too slow." Hakumen's knee came up against Jin's chest and a swing of his arm sent him skittering away. Hakumen strode after him. "You cannot hope to…"

Something impacted against his head from behind. As Amane brought his ribbon, ended with what may as well have been a mace, back to himself, he grinned. "Apologies, but I'm helping Kisaragi, whether he likes it or not. Are you sure you can match us, mister hero?"

"Good." Hakumen drew Ookami back for a lunging stab. "Don't hold back."

"Oh, of course not. And as you would say, too slow."

Amane dropped to his knees and sent a long ribbon along the ground to Hakumen's feet. It spun itself into a conic shape… and kept spinning. Hakumen grunted as the drill chipped away at his armor and dropped him to his back. Before he could recover, another ribbon of pink flashed above him and dropped a second drill atop him, this one top-like. He should have been able to push it off; it was just a dreidel composed of silk, after all. However, the vibrations sent by its spin paralyzed him until the drill unfolded into a simple swath of ribbon. Growling, Hakumen rolled up to his knees and caught a ball of cloth on a seithr barrier as Amane swung it at him from the apex of a jump. Hakumen grabbed hold of the ribbon and pulled. The yank dragged Amane to crash face-first into the street with a squawk.

Footsteps alerted Hakumen to Jin's advance and he spun to block another aerial cut from Yukianesa. Before Jin could try to attack again, Hakumen grabbed him by the collar and hurled him Amane's way. He would have crashed straight into Amane had the latter not launched another flail of ribbon at Hakumen. Instead, Jin collided into that and rolled to a halt at Amane's feet. And once again, Amane found himself yanked closer by Hakumen, this time punctuated by a pair of spinning kicks to the gut.

Jin rose and glared down at Amane as he rolled to a stop. "So. Just a humble traveling actor?"

"It's not untrue." Amane rose as well, shaking his head. Okay, so joining a fight against one of the Six Heroes was not the best idea ever. "Here, let's try-"

"No." Jin sent another wave of ice at Hakumen and followed with another board of ice to ride. An uppercut shattered the ride and launched Jin into the air.

Amane pouted. "How rude."

Another ribbon snaked its way to Hakumen's feet. With grunt of annoyance, Hakumen bounded over it. "Is this all-"

Without any warning whatsoever, the ribbon lunged up, expanded and closed around Hakumen. The sound of him crashing into the street when it pulled down echoed through the entire block. Amane yawned. "Don't underestimate me, mister hero~. And… am I correct in thinking you have little idea how to deal with me? How fascinating."

Hakumen rose to his knees just in time for Amane to send another ribbon past his head. A mace head formed as he pulled back, and the attack dragged Hakumen closer. Amane lunged in with a punch. The ribbons that billowed around him like wisps spun together into a drill. Once more, the tremors served to hold Hakumen in place as the drill bored against his armor. The attack ended, and Amane tried to leap away. "Summer's Advance!"

With little preparatory time, this squall of light was much weaker than normal, but it proved quick enough to catch Amane's retreat and send him sprawling. Before Amane could rise, Hakumen followed after his skid. A hack with the flat Ookami descended upon Amane; he rolled out of the way and tried to leap away to safety. He did not expect Hakumen to follow him into the air, grab ahold of his kimono and hurl him to the ground. Hakumen landed and pointed the flat tip of his sword down at Amane. "Don't get too arrogant. A mere street performer cannot stand before me."

"R-right... you're not very attentive, are you?"

Amane smirked as another top-like drill dropped down upon Hakumen. The warrior dropped to his knees and raised Ookami, angled away from his body. The drill skittered off of it to the ground, but even with the defense, its vibrations still shook Hakumen. By the time he turned, Amane had swung another flail at him. This time, Hakumen just cut straight through the cloth. And, to his surprise, created a void of anti-matter. "…An Armagus?"

"Will you get lost already, you bother?" Jin threw Amane a chilly glare as he passed and summoned another crystal of ice to try and encase Hakumen. This time, Hakumen couldn't react in time and was frozen solid. With a laugh, Jin stepped in and delivered a series of rapid slashes with Yukianesa that shattered the ice, punctuated by a dashing cut. The blow launched Hakumen straight up. "And now…"

"You're mine, mister hero!"

Amane snaked a ribbon straight up at Hakumen, figuring to catch him with its noose. Instead, Hakumen spun in midair and slashed through it. As he landed, Jin made a beeline straight for him. Their swords locked, and Hakumen won out with a kick. Jin grunted, dropping to his knees and, winded as he was, offered no resistance as Hakumen picked him up and turned to toss him at Amane again. This time, Amane had tried to go low with a ribbon, so Jin passed straight over his attack and straight into him. As they tumbled away, Hakumen scoffed. "Is this all? Neither of you two can defeat me on your own."

"…Shut up." Jin growled as he struggled back to his knees. He glared down at Amane. "And stay out of my way, damn you. You're only making this harder."

"No, not really. You refusing to work with me is making this harder, so you're really just getting in my way." Amane sat up and shook his head. Despite his daze, he smiled. "But it is truly fascinating to see all the ways you try to hold on to this silly belief of yours."

"Tch." Jin came back to his feet, wobbly and disoriented. "I'm not done yet… I won't lose to this asshole."

"Oh? Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?" Amane's smirk widened. "Or is this just more of your arrogance? I mean, I love a confident man… but you're so thickheaded-"

"I thought I told you to shut up."

"And I thought I told you I'm helping you." Amane's smile vanished along with his teasing tone as he stood up. "He's right. I hate to admit it, but he is. So why don't you stop being an idiot and let me help, hm?"

Jin stood dead still a few seconds before sighing. "Fine. If you're going to insist. Help me all you want."

"Oh, fabulous~!" Amane turned to grin at Hakumen. "Alright, let's… hm?"

"There is no further point to this. It would seem Kisaragi finally understands to some extent." Turning his back on them, Hakumen sheathed Ookami and strode away. "Remember what I told you this day, Jin, if you wish to accomplish your goals. Without the lessons of today, you are doomed to follow in my footsteps."

"…Lessons? Hmph. Whatever." Jin shook his head, sheathed Yukianesa and started away from Amane. "That damn bastard…"

"Oh, Jin!" Amane scrambled to catch up to Jin with girlish gait. "If you have nowhere to go, why don't you come join me and my troupe?"

"And why would I do that?"

"A place to rest, have your wounds treated, and eat." Amane poked his face closer to Jin's and tugged his sleeve. "Come on~"

"…You're going to be a pain in my ass until I agree, aren't you?" Jin growled, rolled his eyes and turned a glare back at Amane. "Whatever."