My youth story cannot be a knight war

[Scorching flames engulfed his body. Zaimokuza looked up at Gooma, who stood not far away. His red compound eyes were like radiant red gemstones. His right hand gripped the hilt of his greatsword. The red blade with a gold rim and the same-colored spirit stone at the hilt shone with a dazzling red glow.]

[Kuga·Almighty Form·Titan Sword (Power of Fire).]

At this moment, a massive rage filled every corner of Zaimokuza's heart like magma erupting from a volcano, transforming into a surge of power that spread throughout his body. The temperature within his body was far hotter than the flames wrapped around his exterior. The surging power spread uncontrollably to the surroundings. The moist soil at his feet had already solidified under the burning flames, even burning into a crystal clear layer visible to the naked eye.

[He is usually gentle, but now he is very angry, and he should be so angry.]

[Although he had abandoned his companion Kousaka Kyosuke and rushed here at full speed after receiving the news, when he arrived, he found that everything that was supposed to happen had already come to a halt. It was a done deal and could no longer be changed.]

Zaimokuza witnessed the ominous crimson pillar of light that shot up into the sky, the black fog that spread in all directions, and the pyramid of light that blossomed. However, he was too far away to intervene.

After finally arriving, the devastation he witnessed throughout the Outer Village completely deprived Zaimokuza of his ability to speak.

Flames burned throughout the village, blood and death strewn across every street. Countless corpses piled high, making it impossible to find the people he was looking for among the corpses... And Zaimokuza didn't dare to search, fearing he might actually see someone familiar, lifeless, there.

【I am late.】

The moment he realized this, remorse far surpassing the one he had felt in Kyoto, and negative emotions like pain gnawed at Zaimokuza's heart like a venomous snake. Hatred and hatred far surpassing the hatred he had directed at Number 33 completely filled his heart.

[And this emotion finally exploded completely the moment he saw the culprit. The hand holding the Titan Sword made a crisp sound of bones cracking, and Zaimokuza slowly raised his head.]

[For a moment, one of his eyes was stained with a pitch-black color, covering the surface of his scarlet compound eye. A deep roar that overturned everyone's previous impression of him emanated from his open mouthparts, resounding throughout the sky.]

"Number! Three!!!!"

Zaimokuza, losing his mind, drew his sword and charged at Gooma, who had risen. The ground beneath his feet exploded with terrifying force the moment he took off. The ignited flames didn't even have time to wrap around his body. His voice was filled with murderous intent, and the golden blade tore through the air as he slashed at his enemy!

"Since you're here, let's start with you before he comes!"

Facing Zaimokuza's terrifying attack, Gooma spread his wings with a sly smile, standing firm without flinching...

Chiba Prefecture, Sobu High School, Service Club.

"My future self has finally caught up...!"

When he saw in the light curtain that Gooma was about to go to the temple to massacre the survivors there, Zaimokuza Yoshiki finally arrived to stop him and rushed towards him with a sword. Zaimokuza couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He almost collapsed in the chair, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with lingering fear.

Although the person inside the light curtain felt that he was late, everyone outside the light curtain with a God's perspective could see clearly that "Yoshiteru Zaimokuza" was not late. The people he cared about were still alive and were staying in the temple that Gooma was about to rush to. He happened to arrive and rescued them.

Although countless people have died in the war with unidentified life forms, it always makes people feel a little comforted when they see familiar faces that often appear survive, and feel that the world is not so cruel and hopeless.

"Indeed, it seems you've saved my life again... Future Zaimokuza-kun."

Although she didn't show anything on the surface, Yukinoshita, who had been holding her heart tight, spoke softly after seeing her future self finally escape from danger. Her flat chest rose and fell for a moment as she exhaled.

"I'll remember this favor."

"I don't want to pour cold water on you at this moment, but your future self isn't completely out of danger, Yukinoshita."

Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been watching silently, suddenly spoke, and his clenched fists in his trouser pockets loosened slightly at this moment.

"You have to know that the future Zaimokuza had already used the power of the fifth element once before coming here. That powerful power cannot be used an unlimited number of times."

"He can only use the four elements besides the fifth. That's more than enough to deal with the usual No. 3, but now, thanks to the power of that fragment, No. 3 has evolved to his Ultimate Form. He can fuse three more elemental powers than even the GO Group's Gurongi can... Honestly, his chances of winning this time are quite low."

"If we can't defeat Number Three here, not only your future self and Totsuka, but even Zaimokuza himself will be in danger."

In fact, Hikigaya had tried his best to speak in a nicer way; at least he didn't say the number 0 directly.

"Hikigaya, although what you said makes sense, are you still forgetting someone?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but interrupt after hearing his analysis. She took the cigarette out of her mouth and shook off the ashes.

"Don't forget, Zaimokuza isn't the only one coming this time. Kousaka is also on his way and will be here soon."

"With his strength, if he and Zaimokuza team up to fight against the enemy, even if they can't defeat Number Three, they shouldn't lose at all."

"...I think you're being too optimistic, Mr. Hiratsuka."

Hikigaya was silent for a moment, then shook his head and said.

"Until now, the strength of those Gurongis has increased or decreased with the amount of elemental power they possess, with each strength increasing or decreasing dramatically. The GO Group Gurongis, which possess two elemental powers, are already so powerful that the future Zaimokuza would have to wield a fifth element to defeat them, let alone Number Three, who now possesses the power of three elements."

"Besides, teacher, have you forgotten?"

He raised his head and looked at the light curtain, his eyes as dark as a mine, with cold wind whistling out from them, and the warmth of his words instantly penetrated Shizuka Hiratsuka's bones.

"Number three also possesses the power of the fifth element."

"That voice is... Zaimokuza-kun!"

The violent explosion in Gaiba Village brought Yukinoshita back to her senses. Standing at the doorway, she watched the mushroom cloud rising from Gaiba Village and the faint roar of anger, her whole body in shock.

"Eh? Zaimokuza-san, has he arrived yet?!"

Totsuka Ayaka was stunned when she heard her words, then immediately spoke in surprise. Yukinoshita nodded slightly, her voice clearly filled with relief.

[“Yes, it should be him. He’s finally here, but…”]

Thinking of what the voice in her ear had just said, a hint of gloom still welled up in her heart, and Yukinoshita's expression became serious again.

"Totsuka-san, we need to evacuate all the survivors here now. This place is too close to the battlefield! If the aftermath of the battle spreads here, we'll become a burden to Zaimokuza-san!"

"You're right. I'm going to ask Dean Ozaki for help right now!"

Totsuka nodded and hurried back to the temple to seek help from Ozaki Toshio. Before turning around, Yukinoshita took one last, deep look in the direction of Outeba Village. The burning flames had obscured everything, but a faint, violent roar could be heard within the flames, indicating that the battle had begun.

Yukinoshita looked down the stone steps and saw the fire at the foot of the mountain still spreading through the trees.

"We can't delay any longer. If we don't move quickly, not only will the aftermath of the battle spread here, but even the raging fire that arrives first will burn everyone to death here."

She stared at the flames for a moment, whispered something, and then turned and ran back into the temple.

"I'm counting on you, Zaimokuza-kun."

58. The Long and Fierce Night (10K)

The red-gold greatsword was engulfed in flames, the blazing flames enveloping the entire blade. From afar, it looked as if Zaimokuza wasn't holding a sword at all, but a massive torch that rivaled his entire height.

All the strength in his body was squeezed out from the deepest part of his body with a roar. Zaimokuza roared and swung down the giant sword of fire. Before this sword, the sea would be divided, the mountain would be cut open!

A roar like an ancient bell echoed throughout Waichang Village. A transparent shock wave spread across the earth in a circular pattern, shattering and cracking the ground, sending sand, rocks, and dust shooting into the sky.

This is the power of Zaimokuza's sword. The fiery emotions within him unleashed his full potential. Although he was in an all-around form, skilled in punches and kicks, the power of this sword's strike surpassed any previous Titan form, even rivaling the power of his elemental mode.

【But, it's meaningless.】

【“——!”】

[Looking at the figure standing still before him, Zaimokuza's throat moved, and he let out a low groan of disbelief.]

[“Hmph~”]

Gooma noticed Zaimokuza's shock, and his fang-filled mouth opened and closed in a sneer. Every line on his face betrayed a deep disdain, clearly reflected by the blade on his left shoulder.

The ground beneath its feet cracked like a spider's web, and its feet, up to its ankles, sank deep into the earth. This was caused by the aftermath of Zaimokuza's attack.

However, Zaimokuza's blade remained stuck in Gooma's left shoulder armor, unable to move forward. The blade rubbed against the rough surface of the armor, sparks flying from the edge of the sword from the friction, but it couldn't even leave a white mark.

Zaimokuza's sword strike felt like it was striking a steel pillar in the shape of an anthropomorphic figure. However, Gooma's skin was far more durable than steel. Even a house carved from steel would be cut in two by Zaimokuza's blow!

【Can't win.】

With just the first strike, Zaimokuza's exceptionally sharp battle instincts, tempered by countless battles over the past year, yielded the answer from the reaction from the hilt of his sword. His brain, overheated by rage, felt like a bucket of cold water poured over it, quickly cooling down.

[And when he heard the other party's disdainful laughter, Zaimokuza couldn't help but startle, and subconsciously stepped back, skillfully holding the greatsword across his chest in a defensive stance. This was the experience left behind by countless painful lessons in past battles.]

But to Zaimokuza's surprise, Gooma showed no intention of attacking in response to his cautious reaction. He even spread his arms to the sides, exposing all the vulnerable parts of his body and dropping all his defenses.

[It looked at Zaimokuza and tilted its head slightly. Although it didn't say a word, Zaimokuza understood what Gooma meant by this gesture:]

【Are you still not going to continue attacking? 】

Gooma remained silent, but the disdain and sarcasm hidden within were fully displayed. It was confident that even if it did not resist, Zaimokuza would not be able to hurt it in the slightest.

[“——You must be joking!”]

The rage that had been quelled within him was gradually reignited at this moment. Zaimokuza's body trembled slightly, and then he roared out in anger.

He couldn't accept Gooma's emotions, but it wasn't because of his contempt and mockery of him, but because it could still act so complacent after committing such a crime, as if slaughtering countless people in Waichang Village was just a pleasant after-dinner stroll for it.

This is what truly infuriates Zaimokuza. Time and again, these Gurongi always manage to cross the line in his heart with their actions. Whether it's the last school massacre or the current one in Outeba Village, they all hit the softest spot in Zaimokuza's heart.

The image of Manabe's smiling face flashed through his mind, and then switched to the image of the body being rolled away, covered by the shroud. The arm that emerged from beneath the shroud was pale, the blood flowing out red enough to sting his eyes. The cries of the girls in the light music club cut through his brain like knives over and over again... These were painful memories that Zaimokuza did not want to recall.

He protected the lives of those girls from the disaster brought by Gurongi, but he was unable to preserve the smile that he most wanted to protect. After losing his best friend, Zaimokuza never felt so powerless again.

Immediately afterwards, the faces of two old friends, Yukinoshita Yukino and Totsuka Ayaka, replaced that scene, but this made Zaimokuza feel even more tormented and painful, and his breathing could not help but quicken.

Whenever Zaimokuza thought about the possibility that these two people might have become part of this Shura Field, his straight back almost bent, but contrary to the sadness and pain, a more intense and fierce emotion was igniting his soul.

"That was the murderous intent boiling like a blazing fire against these Gurongi. Since his birth, Zaimokuza had never harbored such a ferocious murderous intent towards a group of people. Remember, he used to not even kill a fish, let alone an intelligent being with the same appearance as himself."

[——Why, how can you take away everyone's smile so easily?]

Hatred is a poison that gnaws at the soul, and is especially deadly to a pure soul. Deep within the soul, deeper than the heart, something warm is gradually disappearing, like a spring slowly drying up.

[Instead, a terrifying pitch-black color gradually permeated the dried-up area.]

At a certain moment, the crimson Yamadam stone at Zaimokuza's waist suddenly turned pitch black. The black was so pure that it resembled a black hole, spinning and swallowing everything.

[The flames flickered past, and the darkness turned back to crimson again, so briefly that it seemed like an illusion.]

[When the sacred spring dries up, a gruesome warrior emerges like lightning, and the sun is buried in darkness.]

This maxim, inscribed on a stone tablet by the ancient Lindos after witnessing the tragedy, is now gradually becoming reality under the pressure of reality. The wellspring of the warriors' souls has slowly dried up, and darkness is unstoppably devouring their hearts.

History is a cycle. What happened in the past may already be destined to repeat itself again and again in the distant future. No one can escape this law.

[Facing the demon who treated him with contempt, Zaimokuza raised his greatsword and charged forward again with an unyielding roar.]

Sakurasou, Suimei City, Tokyo.

"No... stop it now!"

"Shiina, Shiina?"

Shiina Mashiro was trembling slightly all over, and suddenly reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Kanda Kanda's clothes next to her. The other party was startled by the girl's sudden action.

"Korata! Please! Stop that guy! Don't let him fight anymore!"

Before Kanda Sorata could ask, he was met with a pair of hazel eyes containing crystal tears. Reflected by the tears, they looked like two pieces of sparkling amber, with a touching charm that completely captured Kanda Sorata, who already had that kind of feeling towards Shiina Mashiro.

"Okay, didn't ask—wait!"

Kanda Sorata was about to agree to the other party's request in a daze, but his rationality suddenly returned before he said the last word, and he shuddered.

"Um, Shiina, what did you want me to do???"

Kanda Sorata pointed at the screen showing the battle scene and said stiffly, his eyes twitching uncontrollably, "Stop? Ask him to stop the battle between the two monsters on the screen?"

Not to mention that this is just a battle happening in the future in the video, even if it happened right before his eyes... After Kanda Sorata imagined the scene of his small body rushing between two fighting inhumans, his body trembled violently, thinking that by then there should be some meat and bones left to put into the box?

He laughed dryly and broke free from Shiina Mashiro's fingers that were grabbing his sleeve, then put a hand on her shoulder and spoke earnestly.

"That Shiina, let's not talk about the fact that this is just a battle taking place in a virtual image. I'm just an ordinary human. Not everyone is a superhuman like Mr. Kosaka, who can fight monsters with his physical body."

"It must be stopped! It must be..."

"Um--Shiina, are you okay!?"

"Mashiro?"

But Shiina Mashiro seemed to have not heard his words at all, and just kept repeating the sentence stubbornly. The trembling of her body became more violent as time passed. Kanda Kōta finally felt that something was wrong, and his expression immediately became worried.

Even Chihiro Chiishi, the other's cousin, frowned, walked over quickly and squeezed in between the two of them, reached out and hugged the trembling girl in her arms, and stroked the soft hair on the back of Shiina Mashiro's head under the envious gaze of Kanda Kanda next to her, and asked in a soft voice.

"Mashiro, what's wrong? Did you see anything again?"

As Shiina Mashiro's cousin, Chihiro Chiishi has watched this girl grow up almost since she was a child, except for the time when she went abroad to study. Naturally, she also has some understanding of her peculiar abilities that are like special functions, so she chose to go straight to the point.

"……Um."

The girl buried her head in her cousin's arms, made a dull nasal sound, and hugged her tightly with both hands. Even her arms trembled as she spoke, showing her inner panic at the moment.

"The color on that person... no, the lines that make up that person are slowly disappearing."

"Lines? Not colors?"

Chihiro Sengoku frowned and looked up at "Yoshiki Zaimokuza" rushing towards Gooma in the light curtain. Her eyes were strange, a description she had never heard before.

"Mashiro, tell your cousin, what else did you see?"