Chapter 410 - Tatsumi: Is This Wood's Imperial Arm?

In a classic battle manga, "bromance" can be a poetic term for genuine friendship, also called a deep bond. When that bond is combined with a burst of passionate fighting spirit, it creates a powerful chemical reaction, often leading to an overwhelming boost in strength for the characters involved. And if the character is the so-called "main protagonist," their power level basically goes through the roof, almost like cheating.

After Bulat activated Incursio, his physical abilities were significantly enhanced, to the point where he could match Wood, even when Wood was using Armament Haki. Combined with his martial skill, Bulat even managed to go head-to-head with Wood without being overwhelmed.

As for Tatsumi, who seemed to be fueled by Bulat's resolve, his fighting ability also increased tremendously. Though it wasn't yet a substantial threat to Wood, it did create additional distractions and made things more complicated for him.

Watching from the sidelines, the other members of Night Raid were stunned by the scene before them—the clash of blades, sparks flying, and the constant cracking of the ground beneath them.

"Don't look down on me! I don't care if you're the so-called 'Hundred-Slayer'; I'm the real 'Ten-Thousand-Slayer'!"

Perhaps feeling the pressure from Bulat and Tatsumi's combined spirit, Wood decided to unleash his full power after holding back for some time.

"I'm done playing games," he declared as his presence surged. He unleashed his true strength, and the atmosphere around him shifted.

"Hyakki Yagyu Sword Style - One-Sword Style: Kamaitachi!"

A fierce gale roared forth, a tornado of slicing winds carving a deep trench across the ground in front of Wood.

Seeing the incoming windstorm, Bulat instantly moved to protect Tatsumi, positioning himself in front. With his spear, Red-backed Shrike, Bulat swung the heavy weapon as if it were weightless, creating a defense against the oncoming assault.

The long spear spun faster and faster, generating what looked like a massive wind turbine in front of him. As the blades of wind struck Bulat's spinning spear, they clanged like metal against metal.

Even with his skill, Bulat could not fully neutralize the slicing winds. Some of the dispersed air blades made it through and left thin white scratches across his armor.

Wood, sensing an opportunity to go on the offensive, moved to finish off the troublesome pair. But before he could strike, two more interlopers jumped into the fray.

Seeing Bulat in danger, both Akame and Leone attacked in perfect unison. Akame swung her sheathed Murasame from one side, while Leone's fist cut through the air from the other.

Wood frowned but adjusted quickly. He held his long sword horizontally and let out a bellow, "Demon God Descent: Frost Knight!"

A wave of blue energy enveloped Wood, and the temperature around him plummeted. His sword seemed to burst with freezing energy as a large dragon-like creature appeared behind him, with glowing red eyes and scales of icy blue. The dragon roared to the heavens, its massive icy claws wrapping protectively around Wood's body.

Almost immediately, two armored hands, now covered in gleaming blue armor, shot out of the mist. One hand grabbed Leone's fist, and the other caught Akame's sheathed blade.

Before they knew it, the two found themselves at the mercy of Wood's inhuman strength. Their bodies were swung through the air, and with a great twist, they were hurled out of the fight, sent flying by the sheer force of Wood's throw.

"This time, I've got a shot charged for a while—and the sense of danger is strong enough. There's no way Wood can deflect it again!" shouted Mine from her rooftop perch. She had been preparing, waiting for the perfect moment.

Pumpkin's power was determined by the wielder's emotions—specifically, their sense of crisis. The greater the sense of danger, the more powerful the shot. Balancing the need for crisis with maintaining a sniper's cool head was a paradox Mine had learned to master.

The pink beam erupted from Pumpkin, shattering the rooftop beneath Mine's feet and causing her small frame to recoil a few steps from the impact.

The thick beam of energy screamed towards Wood, crossing the distance in an instant. It tore through the air, threatening to overpower him entirely.

"Hyakki Yagyu Sword Style - One-Sword Draw: Snow Maiden!"

Wood's icy-blue blade left an arc through the air, releasing a crescent-shaped blue slash. It met the incoming energy head-on.

The two forces collided, the blast from their clash sending fierce winds roaring across the battlefield. The energy clash between Pumpkin's beam and Wood's blade caused a spiderweb of cracks to spread across the earth as if it were glass.

Soon, Mine realized, with shock, that her beam was being cut in half, cleaved by Wood's crescent slash. The pink energy, like a cucumber being halved, was split apart as the crescent attack continued its way towards her.

The destructive energy might have lessened in power by the time it reached Mine, but she was not a frontline fighter. Unlike the others, she wasn't physically tough, and getting hit by this slash would put her in real danger.

Wood saw this and prepared to use Shave, his rapid movement technique, to protect her. But before he could act, another figure intervened.

Sheele stepped in front of Mine, wielding her massive scissor-like imperial weapon, Extase. The weapon was said to be capable of cutting through anything.

Sheele braced herself, her scissors raised defensively. Though frost formed on the metal of Extase from the icy power of Wood's attack, she remained unhurt. So too did Mine, who was standing behind her.

"Sheele's job has always been to protect me," Mine whispered, visibly relieved. She looked at Wood, who had appeared beside them seconds too late. Wood wasn't there to attack—he had rushed over to protect them.

She puffed her cheeks, her tsundere nature kicking in. "Hmph, as long as Sheele's protecting me, there's no way I could be in danger."

She crossed her arms defiantly, pretending not to care. Everyone knew, though, that the girl was pleased.

Wood nodded, acknowledging her words with a smile. "Of course. Sheele is an excellent bodyguard and a true friend. But since my first objective wasn't achieved, it looks like achieving my second objective is the next best thing."

Mine blinked, confused. "Second objective?"

In response, Sheele slumped to the ground, knocked unconscious by Wood's swift hand chop. He then turned to approach Mine, who quickly backed away.

"Isn't it obvious? We're still in the middle of a sparring session. As your opponent, knocking you out is my objective."

Seeing Wood coming at her, Mine immediately raised her hands in surrender. "Wait! I forfeit! I'm officially out. I don't want you to knock me out. I'd rather not be sleeping for the rest of the day!"

Her quick surrender brought a grin to Wood's face. He respected her decision and flashed away back to the battlefield where Bulat, Akame, Leone, and Tatsumi still stood.

"Alright then," Wood announced, "Sheele and Mine are out of the fight. Now it's just the four of you." His eyes settled on Akame. "Akame, you can use Murasame to your full ability. Unless you pierce my eyes or another vital point, your curse won't affect me through my Frost Knight armor or my other defensive measures."

Akame hesitated. Murasame's ability was deadly, and she never used it in sparring, fearing what might happen even accidentally. She couldn't trust that the Frost Knight armor would hold against its power.

Seeing her concern, Wood took a deep breath and demonstrated. Holding his long sword, he slashed at his free arm. Before the weapon could make contact, Wood's skin shifted into the color and sheen of dark metal—Armament Haki. The blade scraped against his arm, sending sparks flying as if it had struck iron.

Seeing this, everyone gaped in shock. Leone blurted out, "This was what you used when you punched me earlier, wasn't it? No wonder it felt like I punched a metal wall."

Wood gave her a serious look, ignoring the unintentional double entendre. "Exactly. This ability lets me make my body as hard as steel. Akame, unless you hit a major weak point, Murasame won't have an effect on me. A swordsman who does not draw their blade cannot fight earnestly. It's disrespectful to your weapon and your opponent."

Hearing Wood's words, and seeing his demonstration, Akame finally relented. She slowly unsheathed her imperial weapon, Murasame. Now, every combatant in the field except Tatsumi had drawn their imperial weapons.

Tatsumi, observing all this, couldn't help feeling envious. He looked at everyone, each wielding such incredible power, and couldn't help but admire them—especially Bulat and Wood. They weren't just strong; they also looked unbelievably cool.

He had seen Bulat's Incursio many times now, but seeing Wood's Frost Knight transformation for the first time left a deep impression on him. It wasn't just powerful; it was heroic. He couldn't help but be captivated by the transformation sequence, the armor, and the presence it brought.

Wood and Bulat's imperial arms were undeniably awesome, and Tatsumi found himself even more determined to get his own and become someone worthy to stand alongside them.

Tatsumi, everyone on the training ground had drawn their Imperial Arms and was prepared for the next clash.

The intensity of the battle had risen to a new level. Tatsumi, who was the only one without an Imperial Weapon, could only look around with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. All the others were decked out in their unique Imperial gear, the legendary tools said to hold immense power and the potential to decide the fate of the nation.

He couldn't help but feel outclassed, but at the same time, there was a spark of hope deep inside him—a desire that one day he would also be able to wield such power and stand beside his comrades as an equal.