Leopold brothers and sisters had sprung into action the moment they saw him leap.
As Leopold had observed seconds earlier, Hidemaru had positioned himself to stand directly behind the Omnyoji. Somehow, impossibly, the Omnyoji seemed to sense the Assassin's presence. Just as Hidemaru's katana sliced through the air, aimed at decapitating his target, the Omnyoji ducked and whirled with startling speed.
A wave of pure magical energy blasted squarely into Hidemaru's face, sending the Assassin mentor flying back to the dusty earth.
In the blink of an eye, Leopold witnessed the swift prowess of his fellow Assassins. One of his brothers drew a pair of kodachi from his back, deftly severing a Shishi samurai's head with their razor-sharp edges. The head thudded to the dusty ground, its eyes wide open in a last moment of suprise. Another Assassin silently slit a throat from behind, while a third swiftly snapped a neck. Meanwhile, another incapacitated a samurai, delivering a powerful blow to the throat as he fell to his knees.
However, it was Tadakuni Okamoto who recalled Hidemaru's directive—"Our primary target is the Omnyoji." While his fellow Assassins, including Leopold, were engaged in combat with the Imperial samurai, Tadakuni made a beeline for the mystical practitioner. Yet, upon witnessing the fate of his Mentor, he found himself paralyzed with shock, frozen in place as chaos unfolded around him.
Each Assassin wielded blades of unique design. Tadakuni had modified the mechanism of one of his gauntlets, transforming it into a projectile weapon capable of firing his blade like a throwing knife. Leopold was aware that his other blade was twin-pronged, possessing its own distinct functionality.
With a swift flick of his left wrist, Tadakuni thrust the two sharp metal points into the neck of the lone samurai. As the samurai doubled over, Tadakuni seized the man's yari spear, leaped back, spun it around skillfully, and drew the spear's point along the samurai's neck.
He crumpled to the dusty earth, the life draining from him. Tadakuni managed to catch a glimpse of the Omnyoji, who was making a swift escape.
Leopold caught only a fleeting glimpse of Tadakuni's pursuit as he focused on neutralizing any potential threats. Drawing out his revolver, he fired two shots at a charging samurai before completing a full circle to seize another's head and slam it into the dusty, hard-packed earth.
He looked up for a moment, his breath caught in his chest as his gaze fixed upon the greatest threat of all—the Omnyoji. Without hesitation, Tadakuni leaped forward, his blade springing out with a swift and decisive motion.
As Tadakuni lunged towards the Omnyoji with his blade, the mystical practitioner countered with swift and precise movements, weaving intricate patterns in the air with his hands. With each gesture, the surrounding energy seemed to bend to his will, forming into ethereal tendrils that wrapped around Tadakuni, immobilizing him completely. Caught in the grip of these mystical bindings, Tadakuni struggled in vain, unable to break free from the Omnyoji's formidable control.
"Leopold!" Hidemaru was screaming, silenced momentarily by a fierce kick to his abdomen.
As Leopold started to advance toward the Omnyoji, the practitioner's head snapped around, his eyes locking onto Leopold with a steely intensity.
"Leopold!" Hidemaru voice somehow carried over the screams and clash of weapons. "The Omnyoji! After him!"
Leopold clenched his teeth, feeling the surge of anger coursing through him. The odds were stacked against the Assassins, and frustration gnawed at him.
As the chaos unfolded, a figure appeared on the outskirts of the skirmish, her presence seeming to materialize from thin air. With piercing red eyes and flowing black hair, Saki Kurokoma cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the chaotic scene. Her black wings extended gracefully from her back, adding an aura of otherworldly power to her presence.
Saki eyes alight with excitement, she couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The clash of swords, the shouts of battle, and the swirling energy of the mystical practitioner's arts filled her with a sense of exhilaration.
"Wow, this looks like a blast!" Saki exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I love a good brawl!"
With a swift motion, Saki drew out both of her revolvers, twirling them expertly in her hands. The metallic glint of the guns caught the sunlight as she grinned mischievously.
She cocked the revolvers with a satisfying click, her anticipation mounting with each passing second. The thrill of battle coursed through her veins, fueling her excitement and eagerness to join the fray.
"Time for the real fun to begin!" Saki exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.
Saki fired her shots, the sound of gunfire echoing loudly amidst the chaos, adding to the escalating scene. Her revolvers spat out bullets with precision, each shot finding its mark with deadly accuracy.
The thrill of battle surged through Saki as she continued to fire, her movements fluid and graceful despite the intensity of the situation. With each shot, she felt a surge of adrenaline, exhilarating in the chaos she had helped to create.
"Ha! This is what I live for!" Saki shouted over the din of battle, her voice filled with excitement and exhilaration.
She continued to fire, her shots ringing out like thunder amidst the chaos, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she embraced the thrill of combat.
As the Shishi samurai lunged at Saki with his katana raised high, intent on striking her down, a shot rang out, cutting through the air with deadly accuracy. The bullet struck the samurai squarely in the chest, sending him staggering backward, a look of shock and disbelief on his face as he dropped to the ground.
Saki glanced over to see Leopold, his revolver still smoking from the shot, his expression resolute as he protected her from the attacker.
"Nice shot, cowboy," Saki remarked to Leopold with a grin, her tone carrying a hint of playful admiration. "But don't hog all the fun. Save some targets for the rest of us, will ya?"
The air was filled with the staccato rhythm of gunfire, punctuated by shouts and the thundering of hooves on the dusty ground. Leopold stood firm, his aim true as he dispatched his targets methodically, while Saki moved with agility, her revolvers flashing as she unleashed a relentless barrage of bullets. Amidst the chaos, their actions spoke louder than any words could convey.
With surprising agility, Leopold swiftly spotted the Omnyoji effortlessly dispatching a group of Assassins, his movements fluid and precise. As he turned his gaze towards Saki, his eyes widened in recognition, realizing that she was not human, but a Youkai.
"Saki!" Leopold's voice pierced through the chaos, carrying a sense of urgency. He pointed towards the fleeing figure of the Omnyoji.
"Go after him! We can't let him escape!"
On cue, Saki pivoted in mid-stride, her black wings unfurling slightly as she adjusted her trajectory towards the Omnyoji. Her red eyes glinted with anticipation as she locked onto her target, a smirk dancing on her lips, betraying her excitement as she prepared to give chase.
Meanwhile, the ethereal tendrils that had held Tadakuni loosened and dissipated, releasing him from their grasp. With a swift motion, he grabbed the skittish horse's reins with one hand and hauled the rider off with the other, flinging himself into the saddle. With a determined expression, he kicked the beast hard, urging it forward as he joined Saki in pursuit of the fleeing Omnyoji.
Strong, swift, and obedient, the beast hurled itself forward like an arrow shot from a bow, its powerful muscles propelling it forward with unparalleled speed. Sensing its rider's urgency, it surged ahead, its hooves pounding against the earth in a rhythmic cadence.
Others among the brethren had also heeded their Mentor's order. With determination etched into their expressions, they swiftly dispatched their current adversaries—or fell trying—and then followed suit, joining the pursuit of the fleeing Omnyoji.
Leopold wasted no time, swiftly incapacitating another guard with a powerful lead hook to the face followed by a rapid one-two combination. As the guard crumpled to the ground, Leopold bolted off in pursuit, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestone streets. With agile movements, he leaped onto a nearby supporting platform, using it to propel himself up onto the rooftops.
The Omnyoji leaped onto the roofs, effortlessly traversing from one to another with agility and grace. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he sought to evade his pursuers. Leopold's boots pounding against the tiled surfaces as he followed the fleeting figure of the Omnyoji. Saki, with her black wings spread wide, soared gracefully overhead, her revolvers ready to unleash another barrage of shots if needed.
The remaining Assassins, undeterred by the obstacles and dangers of the rooftop terrain, followed suit, determined to keep pace with their targets. Their pursuit echoed through the narrow alleys and over the tiled rooftops of Kyoto. Tadakuni, unable to traverse the rooftops like his companions, continued his pursuit from the street level, riding on horseback. Onlookers scrambled to get out of the way as he drew out his revolver, shooting wildly into the air to clear a path through the crowded streets.
Slapping the reins, Tadakuni urged his mount to go faster, crouching low over its neck to reduce wind resistance and gain speed. The Omnyoji, sensing Tadakuni's approach, spun around and unleashed a powerful magical blast that struck the horse, sending both Tadakuni and the steed tumbling to the ground.
Tumbling to the ground and looking up, Tadakuni cursed under his breath, frustration evident in his eyes as he watched the Omnyoji's figure disappear into the distance.
"くそ！" ("Damn it!")
The Omnyoji, still being pursued by the Assassins, unleashed more waves of magical blasts at them. Several Assassins were caught in the blasts, their bodies thrown backwards by the force of the explosion. Some were killed instantly, while others sustained severe injuries, their groans mixing with the chaos of battle.
Leopold attempted to fire off shots with his revolver, but to no avail, as the Omnyoji easily deflected the bullets with a wave of his hand. He snarled, only to have his eyes widen as he noticed an incoming magical projectile. Barely managing to dodge in time, he narrowly avoided the explosion that followed.
Meanwhile, Saki closed in, her black wings propelling her through the air as she rapidly closed the distance between herself and the Omnyoji. With a gleeful expression on her face, she swooped in, ready to pounce on the practitioner.
"Time to play, Omnyoji," Saki called out with a grin.
She swooped in, colliding with the Omnyoji with sudden speed, sending both of them tumbling from the rooftops. They crashed onto the ground, the impact sending shockwaves through the earth beneath them. The Omnyoji's neck found itself ensnared by Saki's powerful leg, her grip tightening as she exerted her strength. He gasped for breath, feeling the suffocating pressure closing in around him. Saki licked her lips with anticipation as she tightened her legs around the Omnyoji's neck, relishing in the sensation of power coursing through her.
"Looks like you're in a bit of a tight spot, aren't you?" Saki taunted with a smirk, her voice dripping with amusement.
The other Assassins soon arrived in the back alley where the two were entangled, their weapons at the ready as they assessed the situation. Leopold and Hidemaru stepped forward, leading the group. Leopold's expression turned flustered as he witnessed Saki strangling the Omnyoji in a manner that seemed too vulgar for his liking.
Saki grinned wickedly, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she tightened her grip around the Omnyoji's neck. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little plaything," she remarked, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
Saki turned her gaze towards Leopold, a smirk playing on her lips. "What's the matter, cowboy? Can't handle a little rough play?" she taunted, her tone laced with amusement.
Hidemaru stepped forward, his expression stern. "That's enough, Saki. Just finish him," he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. Saki pouted, but then nodded in compliance. With a swift movement, she snapped the Omnyoji's neck using her powerful leg, ending his life abruptly, treating him as if he were just another plaything.
Saki approached Hidemaru with an air of confidence, her black wings folding gracefully behind her as she demanded, "My pay then?"
Rolling his eyes, Hidemaru tossed her three gold pouches as he muttered, "Don't spend it all in one place."
As Saki strode past the assembled Assassins, the pouches clutched tightly in her hands, her movements exuded a sense of confidence and purpose. Her gaze, fixed on Leopold, held a subtle yet undeniable allure, sending a shiver down his spine. With a sudden movement, Saki leaned in close, pressing Leopold back against the wall. In a surprising boldness, she locked him into a deep kiss, her lips meeting his with intensity. As their embrace deepened, her wings enveloped him, wrapping around his body like a protective cocoon. The other Assassins stood nearby in stunned silence, unsure of how to react.
With a sudden motion, Saki pulled back from the kiss, leaving a glistening string of saliva between them. Leopold stood there, taken aback, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion at the unexpected encounter.
Saki smirked, her gaze playful as she looked at Leopold. "Consider that a bonus, handsome. Next time, you might have to work harder for it," she teased, before turning on her heel and striding away, leaving the bewildered Assassins behind.
As the distant shouts of commotion reverberated through the alleyway, a sense of urgency gripped the group. Leopold, shaken by the unexpected encounter with Saki, quickly collected himself, his mind racing with the need to regroup and plan their next move. With a terse nod to Hidemaru, he silently signaled for the other Assassins to fall back and retreat.
Saki, still lingering with an air of mischief, cast a lingering glance at Leopold before reluctantly stepping away. Her black wings folded gracefully behind her as she moved, a striking silhouette against the dim light of the alley.
"Until next time, cowboy," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of teasing as she turned to follow the others. With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Leopold and the rest of the Assassins to fade into the night, their mission accomplished but their minds swirling with the events of the encounter.