"If I get the chance," Goku said with a faint smile, "I'll help unlock all the power sleeping inside you. When that happens, you'll understand."
As they chatted, Ashikabi and their Sekirei began massing around Minato Sahashi's place.
Those ready to fight—Musubi and Yashima—stiffened. Yashima flashed back to her Ashikabi's side.
"Idiot! Who told you to retreat? Get over there and kill them all!" the boy snapped, slapping Yashima hard. A bright handprint bloomed on her cheek.
"T-There are… a lot of Sekirei outside," Yashima said, aggrieved. "We're surrounded." Even after being hit, she didn't complain.
"Damn it! They caught up already?" He struck her again. "All your fault—slow and useless!"
Yashima cupped her burning cheek and stayed silent.
"That scumbag is infuriating," Yukari hissed. "Shiina, can you take him? Teach that bastard a lesson."
"I could," Shiina said, eyeing the street, "but there are many Sekirei and Ashikabi gathering. Better not start anything yet."
"What's going on?" Yukari asked, curious rather than nervous.
Homura's phone chimed. She answered, listened, and hung up, her brow furrowing. "This just got troublesome." Her gaze slid to Musubi.
Yukari caught it. "So… this is because of her?"
Homura nodded. "Yes. They're here for the unwinged Sekirei right in front of us."
"Eh? Me? What does this have to do with me?" Musubi tilted her head, puzzled.
"They're here," Shiina murmured.
In moments, the block was packed—Sekirei and Ashikabi shoulder to shoulder. Among them: heavy hitters like Mikogami Hayato, Natsuo Ichinomi, and Higa Izumi, each with multiple Sekirei.
"That one's Natsuo Ichinomi—Disciplinary Squad," Matsu explained. "And Higa Izumi—biggest East-side Ashikabi power. His company opposes MBI and the Sekirei Plan. He bullies other Ashikabi and forces their Sekirei to obey him. In short: nasty piece of work."
"Didn't expect to see Mikogami too," Goku said, mildly surprised. "He's up to three Sekirei now—besides Mutsu, I don't recognize the other two." A wry smile tugged at his mouth. "So many people aiming for Musubi—it's getting interesting."
"Minaka really is a brainless clown if this is his idea of fun," Goku said, shaking his head. "Still, I'm bored. I'll play along."
He stepped off the roof.
Gasps erupted as he dropped five stories and touched down as light as a feather—no bend, no stumble. A human did that. Even the Sekirei stared.
"…He's strong," Mutsu said, face unusually solemn.
From a shadowed alley, Karasuba watched, eyes alight, breath quickening. "Only someone like you could make my heart race. Good. Let's see if you're worthy of being my Ashikabi."
On a nearby rooftop, a sake-toting beauty squinted down at him. "So that's what's been needling me… Goku, huh? Let's see if you measure up."
Tsukiumi and the others dropped beside Goku. One Ashikabi, eight Sekirei—by far the strongest formation here; even Higa Izumi couldn't match it.
"So you're the 'strongest Ashikabi'?" a pierced youth sneered, stepping out. "Think a couple extra Sekirei make you special? Front of me you act tough? I'll stab you dead."
"…Noisy," Goku said.
He vanished—and reappeared with his fingers clamped around the man's throat.
"Master!" a Sekirei cried, charging with gathered energy.
Goku flicked a hand. A pressure wave boomed—she pinwheeled into a wall and didn't rise.
Silence. A human had just one-shot a Sekirei.
"Here's the thing," Goku said evenly to the ashen youth. "I can't stand puffed-up idiots."
He tossed him skyward. The scream dwindled into the horizon.
"Is… is he even human…?"
Goku's gaze swept the crowd. "Leave. She's not someone trash like you can even look at."
"Trash—?"
The room-temperature bravado boiled over. Murmurs turned to shouts.
"You picking a fight with all of us!?"
"If you're set on dying, step up," Goku replied, calm as ever.
"Isn't he going too far?" Tsukiumi frowned at the hardening faces.
"Master won't lose," Akitsu said quietly. "And we're here."
"That's right!" Kuno beamed. "Even Miya couldn't beat Master!"
A roar went up. Dozens of Sekirei launched together, weapons flashing, arcing toward Goku.
The air detonated.
Tsukiumi moved first. "You dare raise your hands against my husband? Fools!"
She swept her arm. A vast surge of water erupted, a crashing wall that hammered the oncoming Sekirei. Bodies and stone alike were hurled skyward; screams rained down with shattered masonry. The street buckled under the force.
High in MBI headquarters, Minaka Hiroto watched on an enormous screen, a crooked smile tugging his lips. "Heh… Goku is fascinating. In that case… shall we add a little more fuel to the fire?"
___
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