"Master, I told you not to engage in strenuous activity!"
"Haha, my apologies, I'm still feeling excited."
Seeing the old man's plastered arm twitch again, Kisara glared at Sukekiyou, but the anger eventually melted into a sigh of relief.
She knew that her Master had finally cured his spiritual ailment.
For a man who pursued swordsmanship like Sukekiyou, the current state of the world was absolutely the worst. There were no powerhouses; only a world plunging toward destruction. Sukekiyou wasn't afraid of death, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to witness that ultimate peak, and eventually die a common death.
But now, he had seen it.
"The infinite martial arts of the gods... is also the infinite martial arts of mortals..."
Yes, Sukekiyou had lost, and he was completely convinced. In fact, he felt he had vaguely sensed that gateway. Although there was still a distance, it was at least better than having no clue at all.
It was his supreme way of the sword.
Rentaro sat in the middle of the dojo, which had been left tattered by countless sword slashes. He closed his eyes, entering a meditative state, his mind still recalling that scene.
"Watch closely, Rentaro."
The Silver King's voice appeared in his mind, along with images of him performing countless actions.
None of these movements were profound or unique like those of common martial artists; one might even call them mundane. Because every human being, throughout their life, has performed them at least once.
But it was these seemingly mundane movements that made Sukekiyou's sword strikes feel as if they were cleaving into an invincible shield, unable to break through.
The speed of both was limited to the same level, but the Silver King was always able to perfectly intercept every attack, regardless of its position, reaching a level close to pre-cognition.
This was the Silver King's "ultimate martial arts." Every action, every fraction of force, every step was utilized to its maximum potential, capable of countering any equation.
A raw and pure martial art, born solely for combat and killing.
It was immensely powerful, but Rentaro would not imitate the Silver King. Because the Silver King himself had said so.
"The ultimate martial arts of each person is different, because each person is different."
"But I know they share one common point—the common point that allows them to call themselves the ultimate martial arts."
"That is victory."
"Regardless of whether it's one sword strike, infinite moves, or something else. Its goal has never changed."
Rentaro suddenly jumped to his feet.
With all his intuition bursting forth, he threw a punch.
Nothing happened; there were no flashy special effects, no dramatic sound. But Rentaro himself knew how terrifying the explosive force was just now.
If a Rank Four Gastrea's carapace were placed here to receive this punch, it would very likely shatter instantly.
Even Kagetane's shield at its highest level would be the same.
After throwing the punch, Rentaro was completely drenched in sweat.
Currently, it was very difficult for him to perform that punch, and it was merely the beginning. But Rentaro was certain he could go further in the future.
He pursued destructive force, because in this world, only by becoming a little stronger in destructive force can one live a little better.
Therefore, Rentaro was now like a giant trying to concentrate his power into a needle. Only by condensing his power to the absolute limit could Rentaro pierce the opponent's defenses. Like an invisible bullet that deprives the enemy of life.
Seeing all of this, the Silver King turned and left. He was no longer needed here.
Rentaro's ultimate martial arts was similar to breaking ten thousand laws with a single force, although the two were vastly different, the fundamental basis was the same.
Using a single move, a single form to achieve the ultimate martial arts was the choice of the majority, because everyone's energy is limited. As for Asahi's... it was too difficult.
His situation was very special; his will, his ego, was so strong that it could handle a load beyond imagination. This allowed Asahi to execute every movement with such precise coordination that it was nearly precognitive.
One law against ten thousand laws and ten thousand laws against ten thousand laws cannot be distinguished by strength alone, only by advantage and disadvantage.
If Sukekiyou and Rentaro could progress together in the future, then they could compare who was stronger or weaker. Otherwise, Asahi felt he could still beat them down now.
"It's time to go."
He had been in Tokyo long enough.
Now was the time to tour this world.
With that, Asahi's figure gradually blurred, disappearing from the Tokyo Area. Without any prior warning or notification.
At the same time, at the Holy Residence (Seitenshi's palace).
Seitenshi's gaze was intensely serious, because she had just received a telegram.
The telegram was from Saitake Sogen himself, the governor of the Osaka Area, whose status was similar to hers in the Tokyo Area. He was inviting all five leaders of Japan to Osaka to hold a meeting regarding the distribution of varanium production.
Seeing that the issue concerned varanium, even Seitenshi's composure couldn't help but feel shocked.
Varanium was undeniably the most valuable metal currently. Because it was the lifeline of this entire civilization, which was already riddled with holes.
Without the bases, without the Monoliths, and without the weapons made from varanium, all of humanity would be like a sandcastle washed away by the Gastrea tide. Collapse and disappearance were only a matter of time.
Japan held 50% of the world's varanium reserves. And Tokyo surpassed the other four areas of Japan, holding 20% of the total varanium reserves.
This massive figure was enough to drive any surviving power or nation mad. The only thing preventing them, ironically, was the Gastrea. Because of the Gastrea, travel across the world, outside of safe territories, was only dared in small numbers. Once they moved in large numbers, it would be nothing less than an invitation for Gastrea to devour the entire group.
Even so, Tokyo, and all of Japan, remained a delicious piece of cake that everyone wanted to take a bite of.
That made Seitenshi think of one scenario.
The Varanium War.
This was still just a hypothesis, but if it truly happened, humanity would completely lose its chance to recover.
Seitenshi certainly didn't want it to happen, but her power was too small before this massive whirlpool.
Looking at the telegram, Seitenshi wasn't sure what Saitake Sogen's intentions were, but the old man was an extremely radical individual who had previously tried to instigate a war, which was why all of Osaka had transformed into a military zone.
Before, the other four powers, including Tokyo, had thwarted this conspiracy. But now, Seitenshi fundamentally couldn't know the status of the other three areas; everything was obscured by a thick fog.
But, she still had to go.