The azure sea had become violent and restless under the assault of fierce winds. Moments ago, the sky had been clear and calm, but now massive waves roared endlessly, tossing the huge ship around like a fragile leaf caught in a storm.
At least the sky itself remained a serene blue.
Focus!
A sharp, piercing whistle suddenly rang out, directly before Liver's eyes, accompanied by a blazing streak of golden-red light.
Liver had long since given up any concern for his own life. He didn't care about the crimson spear hurtling toward his heart with unstoppable force.
But while Liver didn't care—someone else did.
In that instant, a flash of golden lightning raced forward, intercepting the spear's trajectory.
Forcing every muscle fiber to its limit, Shirou reached Liver's side in an instant.
Such a move was not only brutally taxing on Shirou's body but also took an immense toll on his mental state.
This wasn't something mere Thunder Breathing alone could achieve.
Perfect balance between skill, strength, and sheer willpower was necessary.
Shirou had to meticulously control his speed and power, channeling every ounce of his mental fortitude into this desperate moment.
Even before it reached him, the spear radiated a terrifying, oppressive aura, crushing him beneath its sheer force.
He didn't even dare breathe under that suffocating pressure.
In less than a blink, the crimson spear was already right in front of him, less than a meter away.
Shirou had no ability to freeze time.
I must block this! Even if it tears my muscles apart—even if it shatters every bone—I must stop it!
In that split second, Shirou's eyes widened desperately.
Yes, he could easily dodge this devastating strike.
But if he moved aside, what would happen to the defenseless man behind him?
Liver, already bleeding from every orifice, had no way to evade such an overwhelming attack.
Shirou understood clearly why Liver had done everything until now.
Liver was a man who had once been saved, and Esdeath had become his faith, his very reason for existence. Death held no fear for someone like him.
Liver would gladly sacrifice everything he had for Esdeath's sake.
Just as Shirou himself would willingly sacrifice everything he had to save complete strangers.
Liver had never killed others for himself, just as Shirou never fought for himself.
Shirou put his whole being into becoming a hero of justice.
Liver put his entire existence into fulfilling Esdeath's orders.
Shirou felt a sense of familiarity—and sorrow. Simply because they'd followed different people, their paths had become drastically different.
This was why Liver had instantly felt a sense of closeness to Shirou; in a certain way, they were similar.
But no matter what, Liver had once saved his life. Shirou couldn't simply abandon him to death.
Even if it was impossible, he had to block it!
Not only to repay a debt—but also to honor his own inner ideal, the hero of justice!
Silver light erupted, and Shirou's Nichirin Blade screamed out sharply as he swung upward with all his remaining strength.
A fierce sonic boom exploded outward from his strike.
Slash!
He didn't even have the luxury of shouting his attack's name aloud. Under the crushing pressure, Shirou had neither the time nor the capacity to use a proper breathing technique.
Holding in one last desperate breath, he channeled every ounce of his strength. His body radiated an intense heat, muscles visibly bulging with strain.
Shirou's arms tore open as the shockwave and wind pressure peeled away his skin, exposing raw muscle to the air. Yet the excruciating pain didn't slow him even slightly.
BOOM—!
An earth-shattering impact thundered out, echoing across the sea like a strike of lightning.
The unstoppable spear clashed fiercely against Shirou's blade, creating a blast wave so powerful it warped the air itself, distorting everything around it.
An immense shockwave surged outward, flinging everyone else violently across the deck, slamming them against the walls.
Even Bulat's ears rang sharply, vision momentarily blurring from the sheer intensity of the blast.
Following that terrifying explosion was an unsettling silence. Tatsumi and Nyau awoke from unconsciousness, groaning from pain as the impact jolted them awake.
"What…just happened?"
Tatsumi struggled to his feet, confused and battered. His last clear memory was being suddenly kicked by someone, and then darkness. Now, he awoke to find every inch of his body screaming with pain.
Drip, drip, drip—
Drops of blood fell softly onto the deck.
Thunk—!
The crimson spear fell once more from the sky, embedding itself in the wooden deck before finally dissolving away—without the armor's strength, it could no longer maintain its form.
Bulat's expression froze in shock, eyes widening in disbelief.
"How...can this be possible?"
As the lingering mist cleared, a single figure remained standing, unwavering despite the devastation.
Shirou stood there, drenched from head to toe in his own blood.
Not a single patch of skin remained intact; the spear's devastating force had completely shredded his body, exposing raw muscle and sinew.
Bulat could scarcely believe his eyes. His full-powered attack had been blocked by this mere youth.
Even Esdeath couldn't possibly withstand such a blow head-on.
Cough—!
A spray of crimson blood erupted from Shirou's mouth, scattering into the sky.
He sank to one knee, planting his sword into the deck to hold himself upright.
Shirou had completely exhausted his strength in that instant.
He had pushed himself beyond his limits, leaving nothing in reserve.
"Aniki!!"
Tatsumi rushed desperately to Bulat's collapsed form, panic evident on his face as he helped him sit up.
"What a remarkable young hero," Bulat murmured, sincerely admiring Shirou's courage, resolve, and strength.
What a shame he wasn't part of Night Raid.
Thinking that, Bulat turned toward Tatsumi, the only one still fully mobile.
As for Nyau—though conscious—he had no desire to move after the repeated heavy impacts. Unlike Tatsumi, Nyau had never trained his body to endure punishment; he couldn't recover so quickly from Shirou's powerful strike.
Only Tatsumi remained capable of fighting.
"Kill them."
Though Bulat genuinely admired Shirou, they remained enemies. Kindness toward an enemy was cruelty to oneself; Bulat knew this truth all too well.
Not everyone was like Shirou, capable of mercy even toward those intent on killing him.
Tatsumi stared at his sword uncertainly, teeth gritted, steeling himself to approach Shirou and end his life.
But before he could move further—
"It's finished…"
From where he'd crashed against the wall, Liver gave a weak smile, eyes gazing lifelessly at the sky. With his remaining strength, he spoke those final words.
Whiiiiistle—!
A piercing sound suddenly shrieked from above, rapidly growing louder as something plummeted from the sky toward the ship.