“Shit.”

Jin cursed while facing Miko who was giving off a strange azure glow.

“Since it's come to this, I’ll handle things as I originally planned.”

He pulled two swords from under his coat and rushed past his comrades and towards Miko.

“Flow step.”

Miko smoothly avoided his blades with a side step and circled around him. Jin immediately spun around and cut at him again. Miko jumped high in the air and started flipping forward at a high speed while falling back towards the ground. Jin leaped into the air to attack him but that’s when he noticed that Miko’s foot was glowing brightly. The speed at which Miko was flipping also drastically increased.

“Shit! Is he powering up an attack?!”

He shouted.

“Azure Dragon Style…”

Jin crosses his swords overhead to block Miko’s heel that was swinging down towards him. To Jin, who was looking up, it seemed like a large body of water was rushing down towards him.

“Waterfall!”

*BOOM!*

Miko’s heel slammed on Jin’s swords and caused a deafening sound. Cracking sounds started coming from Jin’s arms as he tried his best to fight against the pressure of the attack.

“Ugh!”

Surrounded by watery azure aura while fighting against an overwhelming pressure from above made Jin feel like he was trying to withstand the force of a waterfall. And to no avail.

*BOOM!*

Jin’s arms gave out and he was hit with the fullforce of Miko’s heel. He crashed into the ground so hard the concrete burst open underneath him creating a huge crater. When the attack finally ended Jin was laid out in the crater with Miko standing over him.

“Crossing your swords overhead was good thinking. If it wasn’t for that, I would’ve crushed your head.”

Jin grit his teeth and swept Miko off his feet. Miko calmly backflipped landed on one hand and pushed off the ground to get back on his feet.

*Bam!*

He was kicked in the stomach by Nico, who attacked him before he could land properly. Miko twisted his body in the air, landed softly, and then leaped to the side to avoid a giant metal spike that was thrown at him. He looked up and saw Axel standing on a floating metal spike with dozens more floating around him. He swung his hand down and the spikes shot down towards Miko.

“Flow Step: Parkour!”

Miko leaped into the air and moved from one spike to another like he was gliding up an invisible stream. It looked like he was surfing upstream rather than climbing.

“Hm?”

Miko stopped and flipped off a spike and avoid a burst of flames. He looked and saw Ryker flying towards him in his Fire Hawk form. He followed Ryker with his eyes and prepared to attack. However, he was forced to twist his body to avoid a shot aimed at his head. He glared at Chrome, who was holding a sniper before getting blasted by Ryker’s flames. He fell to the ground and landed on one of the giant spikes lodged in the ground.

*Bam!*

A crystal broke through the spike and hit him in the stomach while he was engulfed by flames. He was forced off the spike and fell on the ground. He stood up and looked in front of him. All the members of Silver Crow and numerous soldiers were facing him with complete seriousness. He snapped his fingers and the flames engulfing him were extinguished.

“Completely unharmed?”

Sapphire mumbled.

“I figured as much.”

Jin stood in front of her.

“I sensed it when we were arguing earlier. Miko is on another level compared to before.”

Miko scanned his enemies’ faces one by one.

“Looks like fighting you all together is gonna be tough because of your teamwork.”

He lowered his center of gravity, drew his arm back and took a deep breath. The azure aura around then gathered at his palm and swirled like a vortex.

“Shit!”

Jin, realizing the danger, moved to stop him. He swung his blade the moment he had him in range. But he was one step too late.

“River Delta!”

Miko thrust his hand forward and Jin suddenly felt like a river was rushing towards him to swallow him whole. A vast amount of azure aura crashed into him and forced him away. The azure aura that was like a river rushed towards silver crow.

“Run!”

They too were too late. The aura crashed into them and washed them away. The aura demolished the metal city walls and flooded the city knocking down dozens of buildings and washing away the people and vehicles alike. The whole scene looked like a dam had burst and flooded the city. When it was over, there was nothing in Miko’s way; the only thing that was left were strange markings on the ground that looked like sediments carried by a river.

“That should space them out a bit.”

Miko walked into the city with a smile on his face.

“Hm?”

He then noticed the glow around him was fading.

“Looks like I used too much of my divine power just now. The Azure Dragon Style won’t be as powerful as it should be now.”

The glow disappeared.

“Sorry, Tia. I’m going to stop drawing power from you for a bit.”

(It’s okay. I’m proud that you were able to tap into so much power so quickly. By the way, the others have retreated from the other cities because the fights were getting too intense. Oh, they also completed their objective.)

Tia’s voice rung in his head.

“That’s good. At least they remember that this is just a training exercise and a little side mission. There’s no need to get yourself seriously injured. I’ll retreat when the objective here has been completed.”

(And here I thought you were too pissed to think straight.)

Miko laughed and clenched his fist.

“I can’t use the other four dragon styles with this body yet, so I’ll just have to make do with my other abilities.”

“Seems like you’re enjoying a nice convo with yourself there.”

Miko looked up and saw a radiant figure in the sky. The being had illuminating white hair that was like the sun. Their eyes were like bright stars in the night sky and their skin was radiant. This being had a slim figure and looked a bit feminine. This celestial being looked down on Miko with a burning gaze.

“Oh, and here I thought I was the only one who had a feminine form.”

Miko pointed at the being.

“You look majestic, Jin.”

“I used to be mistaken for a girl when I was younger because of my delicate looks. But I grew out of them unlike you.”

Miko’s right eye twitched.

“You really know how to piss a guy off, huh?”

Dozens of swords of light appeared behind Jin.

“I could say the same about you.”

The sword rushed from behind Jin and towards Miko, who prepared to react only to see Jin appeared in front of him faster than the swords. He created a sword out of flames and cut at Miko’s neck. Miko ducked under the slash and was about to throw an uppercut, but Jin was gone and the light swords were inches away from him. He leaped back and avoided the swords. Jin reappeared in front of him and thrust a ball of light in his chest.

*Bam!*

The ball exploded and Miko’s figure was devoured by an explosion of flames.

“What power.”

Miko stepped out the flames with his body on fire. The flames quickly extinguished and he was left with burns on his body.

“I heard that you had a really powerful form….This isn’t it, is it?”

Jin remained silent.

“I mean, I can tell that you’re incredibly strong like this but I feel like there’s more hidden underneath.”

Miko grinned.

“I wonder if I can force you to bring out that form?”

“That would be impossible. After all, I’m not your only opponent.”

Miko heard some explosive sounds and saw several missiles flying towards him.

“You picked a fight with this city, so you’ll need to take us all on.”

Jin disappeared and the missiles opened up and divided into smaller missiles that covered the entire sky.

“I see.”

Miko’s grin grew.

“I guess it’s time to run wild.”

Jin reappeared several miles away deeper into the city. He could hear numerous explosions coming from where Miko was.

“Boss, everyone is ready.”

Axel appeared beside him and said. Jin nodded and turned to him.

“You and others lead the attack. I’ll support you.”

“Boss, do you mean we’re using the Crow Formation?”

Jin nodded.

“Bloom isn’t here so I’ll have to make up for her share as well.”

He looked ahead of him.

“I originally wanted to force him to retreat but I think this is a great opportunity to see what he got.”

He looked back at Axel.

“We’re going for the kill, so tell everyone to give it their all.”

“Yes, sir!”

Axel flew off leaving Jin behind.

“Now then.”

Jin turned back and looked towards the flames in the distance.

“Show me how much you’ve grown, Miko.”

Missiles had destroyed a section of the city and covered the entire area with smoke. Miko flew out of this smoke running down the crater-filled roads.

“!”

He leaped into the air and a giant crystal spike was erected where he was before.

*Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!* *Bam!*

The sounds of machine guns reached his ears and he was hit all over his body. Or rather, the bullets all stopped inches away from his skin. He looked around and saw soldiers on buildings miles away firing at him. The moment his feet touched the ground he accelerated in their direction. A loud crackling sound reverberated in the air and a giant bolt of lightning fell from the sky. Miko sped up and avoided it. However, Nico popped in front of him with his body covered in electricity. He thrust a lightning spear at his head. Miko’s eyes instantly became slit and it was like he was seeing the world in slow motion. Miko slid under the spear and went to attack Nico.

*Bam!*

He was suddenly flung into the side of a building by an invisible force. Before he could figure out what was going on, a burst of flames hit him from within the building and blew him back towards Nico, whose arm resembled a gorilla’s. He threw a punch at Miko and fired a giant beam of lightning at him.

“I see.”

Miko lifted his hand in front of him and the lightning disappeared as if it was swallowed up.

“Wha?!”

This naturally shocked Nico. Miko turned around and aimed his palm at Ryker, who was trying to flank him. A giant lightning beam fired from his palm and forced Ryker to retreat to the sky. The beam destroyed the building Miko was flung into earlier.

“Did he just absorb and redirected my attack?”

Nico was shocked out of his mind and forgot that Miko was still flying towards him. Miko stretched his hand out towards him.

*Bam!*

A bullet hit his arm and flung it back. This caused Nico to snap out of his daze. He retreated and bullets and projectiles rained down on Miko.

“Nico, keep your head in the game!”

Axel’s voice rang in his ears. Nico nodded and formed a gigantic lightning gorilla around him. The gorilla then entered his body and caused it to double in size it also became much more muscular and was constantly emitting static. He charged at Miko, who destroyed the projectiles coming at him with raw power.

“Oh!”

Nico slammed his fist in the center of his face and put all of his weight behind it. This caused Miko’s head to be pushed back so hard his back bent backward. A crystal then burst out of the ground and hit him in the back and lifted him in the air. Jin appeared above him and thrust his palm down. Miko was hit by an invisible force and his body scattered the crystal underneath him and crashed into the earth. He laid in a hand-shaped crater. Miko tried to get up but a literal building fell on top of him.

“Don’t let up! Fire the missiles!”

Axel roared into his communicator. Miles away, missile launchers fired their ammo in Miko’s direction. The missiles hit the mountain of concrete he was trapped underneath. Nico and Ryker added their own attacks as well. The city shook as explosions followed behind each other.

“Do you think that’s doing any damage?”

Ryker asked Nico.

“Don’t be stupid. Only a monster would walk away from that unscathed.”

“Then I guess I’m a monster.”

The two quickly turned around when they heard a voice and saw Miko standing behind them.

(How?!)

“It isn’t that difficult. I merely shielded myself and snuck out while you guys were distracted by the explosions.”

Miko suddenly felt a heavy pressure pressing down on him.

“Instead of using the element of surprise to attack us, you willingly showed yourself. How kind of you.”

Miko looked up at Jin who was floating in the air.

“So you can use gravity magic. I heard that you can use fire and lightning as well. It’s a stretch but could it be that you’re able to use all the abilities of your Silver Crow members?”

“….That’s right.”

A huge grin appeared on Miko’s face.

“Then my decision to show myself was correct.”

“What do you mean?”

“While I was fighting against your comrades, who were giving it their all to kill me, I realized something….They didn’t have what it takes to help me gauge my strength or even entertain me. I believe that other than your queen, you’re the only one who can help me out in this city.”

“What was that?!”

Enraged, Nico pounced at Miko and threw a punch. That’s when Jin saw a small smile appear on Miko’s face.

“No, Nico!”

His shout came too late.

“Eh?”

Nico froze in place with a confused look on his face. He lifted his arm up to his face and saw that it was disfigured and several bones sticking out of it.

“Ahh!”

He held his hand and kneeled down screaming. Miko swung his hand and swat him into a nearby building to shut him up.

“Oh, I said that I was going to break half of your bones, didn’t I?”

“Wait!”

Miko suddenly appeared in front of Ryker before Jin could make a move.

*BAM!*

An explosive sound reached Jin’s ears and he saw Ryker fell to his knees. His eyes were rolled to the back of his head and his body was trembling.

“Guah!”

Blood gushed out of his mouth like a hose and leaked from his eyes, ears, and nose. He then fell over on the ground, twitching.

“You fucker!”

Jin rushed at Miko but Miko appeared in front of him and kicked him through a building.

“Calm down, Jin.”

Miko walked towards the building with a twisted smile on his face.

“It’s your fault for putting too much trust in them. You should’ve known that they’re not on my level.”

*BOOM!*

The building exploded and Jin who resembled an enraged sun flew up into the sky.

“I’m gonna kill you!”

“Unfortunately, that’s no longer possible for anybody in this country.”

Miko laughed. Jin lifted his hand overhead and light particles started forming a miniature sun above him.

“Wait, Jin! Are you going to blast this city away with everyone in it?!”

Sapphire appeared out of the ground and shouted. Jin’s body flinched and he started gritting his teeth.

“Oh? You’re not gonna do it.”

Miko started mocking him.

“Is this the limit of a man who put all his trust in others?”

Miko showed a cruel smile.

“Will you do it if I start killing your friends one by one?”

Jin’s eyes became bloodshot.

“Stop, Jin! He’s provoking you!”

Sapphire shouted.

“I know!”

The miniature sun disappeared and Jin brought his hands to his sides. Miko started laughing.

“Consider this payback for pissing me off earlier.”

“You spiteful fuck.”

Miko continued to laugh. He then stopped and placed his hand on his ear.

“…I see. Then I’ll return.”

He turned his back to Jin and started walking away.

“Where are you going, you bastard?!”

“I’ve achieved my objective. So there’s no need for me to stay here any longer. Besides, with everything holding you back you can’t give me the fight I want.”

“What do you-”

“Oh, a little warning.”

Miko turned back and looked at Jin.

“Because of certain circumstances, I’ve gotten a lot stronger than before. If you think I’m referring to my martial arts then your wrong. Vita, Magic, demonic and dragon abilities, and swordsmanship; I’ve literally upgraded every skill and power that I possess to a level that you can’t even imagine.”

He smirked.

“If you fight me as you are, you’ll die. That’s why I told you to get stronger.”

He suddenly faded away but his voice lingered.

“It won’t be interesting otherwise.”

“Fuck!”

Jin roared towards the sky.

“….What did he mean by he achieved his objective?”

Sapphire mumbled.

“Boss Jin! It’s terrible!”

A soldier came running towards Jin.

“What is it now?”

“Chrome….She’s was kidnapped!”

“What?!”

Romix.

“Ahhhhhhhh!”

A thunderous roar nearly caused the city to shake. The one who roared was Shòu formerly known as Kaido.

“Miko, that bastard! I’ll kill him!”

He destroyed a building with a punch.

“How dare he kidnap Hana?!”

At the same time, Jin was clenching his fists with bloodshot eyes. He and Shòu roared at the same time.

“I’ll fucking kill him!”

As for the target of their incredible bloodlust. He was walking with a smile on his face and an unconscious Chrome over his shoulder. Behind him were Robin and the rest of Luka’s apostles and the fashion designer he sent here to be his spy almost two years ago, Lucio. He looked back at them with a grin.

“Take notes, people. This is how you fuck shit up.”

He burst out laughing while making his way back to the Red Light District.

“Oh, it feels good being the villain.”