68. Are You Brain-Damaged?

It had been over half a month since the last battle, and Sora, after spending many days at the base, finally returned to Izumo Inn.

With Homura's winging, all the women at Izumo Inn were now Sora's Sekireis and lovers!

Due to the conspiracy between Sora and MBI's director, a large number of Sekireis had been rendered inactive, which significantly accelerated the Sekirei Plan.

Now, the Sekirei Plan was nearing its final stage. MBI's director had issued an ultimatum to the remaining Ashikabi: in one month, the final competition would begin at Tokyo Bay, where the remaining five Jinkis would be released. Only those Ashikabi who obtained a Jinki would be eligible to participate in the final battle!

In other words, aside from the three Jinkis held by Sora and Mikogami, there were only five more spots available!

Sora already had two Jinkis, one of which he had stolen through Matsu. He needed one for the Sekireis at Izumo Inn and another for those at the base.

As for Yukari, Sora planned to let her fight for one herself. Given her personality, this kind of challenge suited her perfectly.

Although she only had one Sekirei, Shiina, her strength was undeniable. Moreover, the reputation of "Demon and Death" was no less fearsome than his own title of "Northern Ashikabi"!

After returning to Izumo Inn, Sora put Yukari and Shiina through intense training. Both women made significant progress in their combat skills and mastery of destructive powers.

In fact, aside from the four major super Ashikabi factions—including himself—there was no one left who could stand against them!

Feeling that they were ready, Sora let them continue their previous activities: hunting other Ashikabi and gaining experience through real battles.

After all, by the next stage, all the weak weeds would be eliminated. Letting them serve as practice for Yukari and Shiina wasn't a bad idea.

Carrying several large bags, Sora strolled leisurely down the street.

In preparation for the upcoming final battle, Musubi, Tsukiumi, and the others were diligently training, so the daily chores like shopping had fallen to Sora.

With the recent winging of many Sekireis and the shared abilities, Sora's power had increased significantly, but it also left him feeling somewhat overwhelmed. So, these days, he had put aside his own training to let his body adapt to the sudden surge in strength.

"Hmm?" Seeing the two people blocking his path, Sora raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

One was a bespectacled young man with an average appearance, but the special aura emanating from him indicated that he was an Ashikabi.

Beside him stood his Sekirei, a cute young girl.

She was petite, with wheat-colored hair and eyes, and carried a double-edged spear on her back. Her unique combat outfit made her even more endearing.

"Northern Ashikabi, I have something I'd like to discuss with you!" The young man seemed anxious and got straight to the point.

"Oh? Interesting. What is it?"

A smile tugged at the corner of Sora's lips. This Ashikabi, who had suddenly appeared to discuss something with him, piqued his curiosity.

Most of the remaining Ashikabi were hiding, afraid of being discovered by other Ashikabi or the Punishment Squad. Yet, here was someone bold enough to wander the streets like him, even though he didn't seem particularly strong.

While Sora considered whether to just kill him and take his Sekirei, he didn't mind wasting a little time to hear him out.

"Right now, many Ashikabi and Sekireis are planning to escape Tokyo."

"How about it? Join us. With your powerful Sekireis and our combined strength, we can definitely succeed!"

The young man seemed confident in his proposal, a smug smile spreading across his face.

However, upon hearing this, Sora immediately lost interest.

"Tch, I thought it was something important. You want to escape Tokyo? Go ahead, I'm not interested." With that, Sora prepared to leave, not even bothering to fight.

Another Ashikabi who wanted to escape the battle. Such people were better left to Karasuba and Benitsubasa.

"Wait! Why? Wouldn't it be better for all of us to escape Tokyo? We wouldn't have to participate in this pointless game anymore, and we wouldn't lose our Sekireis."

"I think someone like you, with so many powerful Sekireis, should understand this feeling better than anyone, right?"

Being outright rejected by Sora, the young man's face turned red with embarrassment.

"Heh! Are you an idiot?"

"As you said, I have so many powerful Sekireis. Why would I need to escape?"

Sora looked at the young man with disdain, as if he were a fool.

"Even if you don't escape, couldn't you at least help us? You helped Haruka before, didn't you?"

"If you could help a weakling like him escape Tokyo, why can't you help us? Besides, if we escape, you'll have fewer opponents, right?"

Though furious, the young man knew that without Sora's help, their chances of escaping Tokyo were slim. So, he held back his anger.

Moreover, the young man believed that since Sora had helped Haruka and Kuno, who were weak, he must be a soft-hearted person who wouldn't refuse if he pleaded enough.

However, what the young man didn't know was that his words had Sora on the verge of laughter!

To be able to say such things with such self-righteousness, this guy was truly something.

You're asking for help, yet you act like it's your right? Do you really think you're some kind of big shot?!!

"No. 78, Nanami, do you also want to escape Tokyo and avoid the battle?" Ignoring the furious young man, Sora turned to the Sekirei girl and asked.

Sora knew all the Sekireis by heart, so he had recognized her identity at first glance. He didn't care about the cowardly Ashikabi, but he was more interested in hearing the Sekirei's thoughts. If even the Sekireis themselves didn't want to fight, he might consider helping.

Caught off guard by the sudden question, the girl hesitated for a moment before finally speaking:

"I am my Ashikabi's Sekirei. I will follow his wishes. Although I was created for battle, if it's my Ashikabi's decision…"

Though not particularly strong, the girl wasn't afraid of battle. Clearly, the desire to escape came entirely from her Ashikabi.

"Idiot, what are you saying? With your weak strength, you'd just be throwing your life away! I want to escape Tokyo for your own good!" Hearing the girl's words, the young man felt both ashamed and furious, immediately shouting at her.

In his mind, everything he did was for the Sekirei girl's sake. If she didn't fight, she wouldn't be rendered inactive, and she would remain his forever.

So, everything he did was for her own good!

"Well, whatever! Northern Ashikabi, since you refuse, we're enemies now!"

"Hmph, your Sekireis may be strong, but you're alone right now. Nanami, attack! Kill him!"

After being repeatedly rejected by Sora, the young man's anger flared. Seeing Sora's calm demeanor and recalling the hardships he had endured while fleeing, jealousy and rage filled his heart. With a cold glint in his eyes, he barked the order at his Sekirei.

"Ashikabi, I…" The Sekirei girl hesitated, clearly unwilling to harm a defenseless human.

"What? You dare disobey my orders? You…" Seeing that the girl was refusing to follow his command, the young man flew into a rage and raised his hand to strike her.

But at that moment, a loud roar echoed through the air.

"Damn it, it's the Punishment Squad! What are you standing around for? Run!" Seeing the armed helicopters in the sky and the armored vehicles approaching, the young man panicked. He glared at Sora one last time before grabbing the girl and fleeing.

"Hey, you seem pretty relaxed!" As the armored vehicle approached, a familiar voice rang out.

"Yo, it's you, Karasuba. Still on the job, huh? Well, I've got some time, so let's have some fun together."

The person walking over was none other than Karasuba, who was busy hunting down Ashikabi who didn't follow the rules. Looking in the direction where the young man had fled, Sora's lips curled into a mysterious smile.

Since you don't want to fight, I'll give you a chance—to never fight again!