As he awaited the last exchange, Sansui understood why his master had entrusted him with new techniques.
My master gave me Perpetual and Scattered Land because they are his own unique techniques, ones that defy conventional principles. Even if the Great Tengu knew every possible technique and countermeasure in history, he could not possibly foresee these two.
Sansui had mentally prepared as much as possible for this final encounter. He knew that without such preparation, victory would be impossible.
But I haven’t mastered these two techniques yet. I must construct my strategy with that in mind.
Being able to use a technique and being able to fully control it were two entirely different matters. Perpetual and Scattered Land were difficult even compared to other Flash Step techniques, and Sansui’s training time with them had been far too short. He needed to account for significant delays both before and after activation.
Lloyd’s strength forced Sansui to rely on these techniques despite their risks.
Well then... It’s time.
Naturally, both Sansui and Lloyd fought intending to defeat a formidable opponent. If this were not a proper duel, the optimal solutions would already be clear: Lloyd would focus entirely on all-around defense, and Sansui would aim for a drawn-out battle of endurance. But this was not that kind of fight. Both parties understood that, and that understanding allowed the reading of each other’s movements to matter.
Reinforcements are approaching... Before that, I need to finish this.
Lloyd’s biggest concern was Sansui closing in on him, yet if Sansui didn’t come closer, his own offensive would be incomplete. He had to lure Sansui while maintaining the advantage.
The aura has changed... Now, the final exchange begins!
“Lightning Triad!”
Lloyd deliberately used the Rapid Iron Style to launch a long-ranged attack instead of his noble treasures. From atop his rotating gear, he sent down three gears adorned with void blades, swinging them erratically as they spiraled toward Sansui.
“Flash Step!”
Sansui evaded using Flash Step, moving not just minimally but with a wide displacement, vanishing from Lloyd’s sight in an instant. Even Lloyd in the sky could not immediately spot him. Yet Lloyd already knew where Sansui had hidden. He had predicted it even before launching the attack.
“Crawl along the ground!”
He adjusted the trajectories of the falling gears, sending them precisely where they needed to go, without hesitation. Sansui had needed to vanish from the aerial opponent’s view, and the fastest way to conceal oneself from an elevated enemy was to hide within a forest. Lloyd directed his gears toward the nearest coniferous trees from Sansui’s previous position, the blades slicing through the foliage.
Yet Sansui, concealed where Lloyd had predicted, remained calm.
He even anticipated I’d escape here.
Sansui grasped one of the cut trees, lightened it, and hurled it toward Lloyd. The straight, dense tree, still thick with branches even after being cut, traced a perfect arc toward Lloyd.
So that’s how he counters!
Lloyd launched the remaining four gears from his platform, cutting through the incoming tree with precision. Of course, Sansui was nowhere among the falling branches. To be thorough, Lloyd glanced behind him. There, silently ascending, was Sansui.
He could have been hiding there...but no, it’s a decoy! After throwing that tree, he used Flash Step to exit the forest, moved to the opposite side, and ascended with Feather Step! Is he planning to rise to the same altitude as me?!
Lloyd slowly raised the gear he was floating on to buy time while simultaneously unleashing something from near his own head. Far above, it detonated, scattering countless black threads.
Noble Treasure: Entangling Bride.
Constructed from women’s hair, these entangling ranged noble treasures wrapped around anything they touched. They could immobilize a target and even prevent the use of Flash Step.
The Entangling Bride will ensnare both Sansui and myself if we enter its range. Even if he uses Cowherd to pull me in with Flash Step, he’ll be entangled before he can act. Retreat is an option, but in a battle where the honor of our masters is at stake, he won’t.
The black threads from above had not yet reached either Sansui or Lloyd. There was still a window to fight, though Lloyd having only one remaining gear left him clearly vulnerable. This was an obvious lure, leaving Sansui no room to escape.
Sansui now faced a stark choice. Try to defeat Lloyd before the threads ensnared him—This is a restraint noble treasure, one that spreads like a net, like smoke. The most troublesome kind... Once it binds, Lloyd could strike with Rapid Iron Style, and it would be over for me—or retreat, and effectively reset the battle once more.
Retreating is not an option. I’ll push through.
“Ki Blade!”
As he ascended, Sansui swung his wooden sword in a wide angle from his right shoulder to his left hip. His numb left hand was held open in front of him. This was not an unarmed posture; the motion was deliberate, signaling his intent even as he rose. Under the descending black threads, the two faced each other once again.
And thus, the genuine final exchange began.
As expected.
As I thought.
The two thought in tandem.
Now, I will surpass Sansui!
Now, I will outmaneuver Lloyd!
Both had prepared trump cards beyond the other’s expectation, each striving to surpass the opponent.
The first to act was Sansui. Defying all reason for Lloyd, who knew only conventional Flash Step, Sansui began swinging his wooden sword without moving through space first.
Impossible... Flash Step requires moving, then attacking! Swinging now is meaningless! Even if he intends to hit with a technique, he could have used his left hand without the sword!
Lloyd’s mind could not compute how he ought to respond. Against actions that violated conventional principles, he was slow to react.
Could he be planning, like before, to launch something attached to the sword with Prayer Beads?! That’s much slower compared to Flash Step... By the time it reaches me, won’t the Entangling Bride have already covered everything?!
Lloyd’s mind was racing, recalling everything that had happened in the battle thus far, desperate for any hint of what Sansui’s intention was.
No—just defend!
Not relying on Rapid Iron Style, Lloyd braced using his own noble treasures and body. He raised both arms high. His chaotic thoughts could come to no conclusion but this: Use Harden Body and ready for impact.
“Suiboku-Style Immortal Arts Flash Step: Perpetual!”
And this was precisely what Sansui wanted. By deliberately confusing him with the obvious, predictable Flash Step, Sansui drew out Lloyd’s full defensive response.
“Ki Wave: Whale Breaker!”
Sansui advanced directly in front of Lloyd and unleashed his full-power technique, Whale Breaker.
“Gwah—?!”
The wooden sword struck Lloyd solidly, sending violent vibrations throughout his body. Yet, something unexpected happened for Sansui.
What...?! What is this resistance?! I’m using Whale Breaker...yet he can still move?!
Lloyd wore long sleeves—naturally imbued as noble treasures. Beneath the sleeves, he had bracers—also noble treasures. However, it was another noble treasure that mitigated Whale Breaker. At his waist was Kobito: a small wooden figurine. Its principle mirrored Sansui’s Ultimate Technique: Contemplative Flow.
Feather Step dispersed one’s weight into the surrounding area. Suiboku applied this principle to distribute and neutralize kinetic and spiritual energy attacks, and Cel had incorporated this into the noble treasure, allowing it to disperse energy from attacks on the wearer for a brief moment.
Even so, Whale Breaker’s full force could not be entirely nullified. Lloyd still took damage. Yet, unlike the surprise attack earlier, Lloyd retained his wits and could counterattack.