Unable to locate the core of Susanoo's body in a short period, Esdeath tried using her Imperial Arm's power to freeze him. However, in his berserk state, Susanoo's "Yata Mirror" ability could deflect Esdeath's ice attacks.
She considered bypassing Susanoo to directly kill Najenda, his master. Yet Susanoo's "Eight-Span Mirror" ability, a high-speed movement technique akin to teleportation, rivaled Esdeath's own speed and perhaps even surpassed it.
"How interesting. A soulless construct is rarely capable of sparking such genuine intrigue.
"Had I known the capital was this fascinating, I would have returned from the borderlands sooner. Compared to the weak and pitiful tribes out there, it's the enemies here that make my blood boil!"
That Esdeath spoke such words demonstrated Susanoo's strength had earned her recognition. Yet even facing a powerful foe like Susanoo, she saw him as merely worthy of acknowledgment, not a true rival.
Susanoo's three abilities in his berserk state made him highly versatile. Combined with his regenerative capabilities as a biological-type Imperial Arm, he was undeniably formidable. Yet such strength came at a cost—the power did not inherently belong to him but was granted through an extreme price paid by his user.
Standing behind Susanoo, Najenda's labored breathing and pallid complexion betrayed her exhaustion. Esdeath, calm and composed, remarked, "Najenda, how much longer can your body sustain your Imperial Arm in battle?
"I must admit, this biological-type Arm—the strongest I've seen since Wood—is impressive. But the stronger the power, the heavier the toll. How much longer can you endure?"
Najenda forced a wry smile. "Who knows? But I've managed to hold you back for now, haven't I?"
Najenda had long been aware of the flaw Esdeath pointed out. Susanoo's ability to match Esdeath was temporary. Once Najenda's life force was depleted, she'd be unable to sustain Susanoo's "Manifested Wrath" ability, resulting in both their deaths.
This outcome was expected, and Najenda had prepared for it.
Beyond Esdeath's monstrous presence, the combat strength of Night Raid and the Jaegers was nearly evenly matched. If Akame and the others focused on escaping, they could likely succeed—provided someone sacrificed themselves to keep Esdeath occupied.
Najenda had decided from the start that she would be the one to take on this sacrificial role.
This wasn't about playing the hero. Given the current situation, she was the only one who could do it. If Wood had been in peak condition, this task would naturally have fallen to him. But with his strength reduced to a fraction, facing Esdeath was suicidal.
Akame and Leone were strong, but their power paled compared to Esdeath. They couldn't buy enough time. Thus, Najenda had to step up herself.
"So, you've resolved to die here," Esdeath observed with approval as she studied Najenda's calm expression.
Esdeath and Najenda were old acquaintances, and Esdeath had often praised Najenda as "a passionate soul who could always remain cool in battle."
Within the Empire, only a handful of people earned Esdeath's respect. Even the famous General Budo, in her eyes, was merely a loyal fool. Compared to the scheming minister, she considered him less useful. The minister was at least a strategic villain, while Budo was little more than a royal lapdog.
Few individuals genuinely impressed Esdeath. Wood, with his valor, sense of honor, and adherence to personal principles, was one. Despite his lack of overwhelming power, Najenda's sharp strategic mind and leadership earned her place among them.
Taking the life of someone she admired left Esdeath feeling slightly conflicted. Yet her philosophy remained unchanged: only the strong survive. Najenda had chosen to oppose her and lacked the strength to win; her fate was inevitable.
As the other members of Night Raid managed to draw their opponents away and begin their escape, Najenda smiled faintly. She prepared to pour the last of her life force into Susanoo, ensuring his escape.
Though her time as Susanoo's master was brief, Najenda had never treated him merely as a tool. Despite being a biological-type Arm with no soul, Susanoo had chosen her after centuries of slumber. She felt a responsibility to reciprocate that trust.
After contributing her life force a second time, Najenda looked at Susanoo and issued her final command. "While you're still in your 'Manifested Wrath' state, escape as quickly as you can.
"I don't know how much time I can buy, but with your 'Eight-Span Mirror' speed, you should reach safety before I fall."
As an Imperial Arm designed to protect, Susanoo was unwaveringly obedient, even to commands that led to his own death. Yet, for the first time, he defied this rule. Rejecting the life force Najenda offered, Susanoo chose instead to burn his own.
While Najenda struggled to comprehend this anomaly, Susanoo picked her up and, with all his might, hurled her away.
Esdeath moved to pursue Najenda, only to be intercepted by Susanoo. In his eyes, she saw something impossible for an Imperial Arm: determination.
"It seems I underestimated you. You're not merely a hollow shell of power; you're a warrior with a soul!
"For a biological-type Arm to break the ironclad rule of obedience to its master and act on its own will... fascinating. Let's see just how far your resolve can take you."
Esdeath wanted to chase Najenda, but the desperate and self-sacrificing Susanoo left her no choice but to focus on him.
Thrown high into the air, Najenda was caught by Lubbock's "Infinite Cross Tail."
While most of Night Raid followed Najenda's orders and prioritized escape, Lubbock had not. He knew her too well. From her expression, he could tell she intended to sacrifice herself. From the start, Lubbock had resolved not to leave.
But circumstances had changed. Now that Najenda was out of harm's way, Lubbock no longer entertained thoughts of dying alongside her.
As Lubbock carried Najenda to safety with his strings, a massive explosion erupted behind them. The ground trembled violently, and a towering mushroom cloud rose into the sky. The former Night Raid hideout had been obliterated, and Esdeath was caught at the epicenter.
"What just happened? How did they create such a massive blast?"
Chelsea, riding on Wood's back, voiced her shock at the distant explosion, its scale visible even from their position.
"One of our comrades used their core to self-destruct in a bid to stop Esdeath," Wood explained.
High-level fighters possessed sharp sensitivity to auras. Wood had clearly sensed Susanoo's energy vanish, indicating the sacrifice.
Chelsea and Mine fell silent. Though they didn't ask who had perished, they already knew. After all, no ordinary human had a "core" capable of such an act. Only one member fit the criteria.
Though Susanoo had been part of Night Raid for a short time, his selfless act left an indelible mark on every member's heart.
"Dwelling on this won't help. If you want revenge, we need to survive first. Anything less would waste his sacrifice," Wood said sharply, snapping Chelsea and Mine out of their sorrow.
Now was not the time to grieve. Among Night Raid, Wood's group faced the greatest difficulty escaping.
Blocking their path were not Jaegers but Dr. Stylish's "Stylish Unit" and several of Kurome's puppets summoned by "March of the Dead."
Had Wood been at full strength, these foes would have been trivial. But in his current state, with only his legs free and his hands bound, he was far from his peak.
Even worse, Wood wasn't alone. He had two physically weak companions with him: Chelsea and Mine.
Their physical abilities made solo escape impossible. Even if given a ten-minute head start, they would be caught easily. To escape quickly, Chelsea and Mine had no choice but to ride on Wood's back—an arrangement as awkward as it was necessary.
Chelsea clung to Wood's waist, her legs wrapped tightly around him. Mine, being smaller, perched on Wood's shoulders, her thighs pressing against his cheeks. She occasionally fired shots from her "Pumpkin" rifle to clear their path.
Despite carrying two passengers, Wood moved with incredible speed. Chelsea and Mine experienced a dizzying rush unlike anything they'd felt before. Yet their escape was hampered by the sheer number of enemies, forcing Wood to dodge and weave constantly.
A foul stench heralded danger from the side. Sensing the attack with his Haki, Wood leapt clear just as a glob of green liquid struck where they'd been, dissolving the rock instantly.
"Hey, Wood! Can you not make such sudden moves? Or are you just taking advantage of me on purpose?" Mine complained angrily.
Clutching "Pumpkin" in her hands, Mine had nearly fallen during Wood's abrupt dodge. To stay on, she'd had to clamp her legs tightly around his head, prompting her accusation.
"You're being unfair," Wood retorted. "If I hadn't moved, we'd be dead now. And in this situation, do you really think I have time for that? Maybe it's just your impure thoughts talking."
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