“Yes,” Nishi agreed. “He’s not as strong as Hannya.”

“Maybe so,” Hayato retorted, “but I have many friends. There are eight of you and many of us, how can you win? Drones, workbots, surround them!” he ordered, and the room was filled with the sound of machines coming to life.

But Raijin had a trick up his sleeve. “Correction, there are nine of us plus the bots around the room only. I just hacked into the security server, but I only managed to block their alarm so there will be no reinforcements from JinCorp.”

“Great,” Ryonoken exclaimed. “Now we can concentrate on Hayato Mori and this group alone.”

“You’ve been foolish and reckless, Mori,” Keiji scolded. “And this just adds to your blunder. It’s time for you to pay your dues.”

“But we choose to be lenient, as you’re still my Godbrother, boss, and friend,” Shingo added. “Just tell us where Hannya, Jinbei, and Godfather Akiba are, also the people Hannya kidnapped, and we’ll leave you alone.”

“Godfather’s wish is absolute and I can’t violate it, as my honor demands it,” Hayato said coldly. “I shall not betray the Yakuza. I shall not tell you Godfather’s whereabouts, period.”

“It seems the Yakuza has betrayed you, Mori-san,” Shiori pointed out.

“It’s no use,” Chiyo sighed. “He won’t listen to reason because the magic has blinded his mind.”

“Looks like we have to beat the senses out of him after all,” Gale muttered.

Hayato drew his weapon. “Enough talk, let’s fight! I’ll just let Odenta, the katana I borrowed from Akiba Maeda do the talk.”

Hayato lunged forward, his movements quick and deadly. The team fought back, their weapons flashing as they parried and blocked his blows. The battle was fierce and intense, with each side determined to come out on top.

Shingo’s katana gleamed in his hands as he engaged in a fierce duel with Hayato, their blades clashing with resounding force. The room was alive with the sounds of their battle, the metallic echoes reverberating off the walls as their skills were put to the ultimate test. Shiori, her katana an extension of her will, moved with fluidity and precision, deflecting strikes and launching her precise counterattacks.

Nishi, a formidable combination of marksmanship and karate, showcased her versatility as she engaged the guardbots. With swift movements, she seamlessly transitioned from ranged shots, her bullets finding their marks with deadly accuracy, to close-quarters combat, delivering devastating strikes with the expertise of a seasoned martial artist.

Ryonoken, the enigmatic ninja, moved with a grace that seemed almost supernatural, his twin kodachis dancing through the air, slicing through the bots with lethal precision.

Keiji, armed with his gun and naginata, fought with calculated ferocity, utilizing the reach of his weapon to keep the guardbots at bay while delivering precise shots to critical points. Gale’s bare hands became a whirlwind of strikes and kicks, his kung-fu mastery on full display as he incapacitated the bots with a combination of speed and sheer force.

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Chiyo, the painter infused with lightning magic, summoned bolts of electricity that arced through the air, wreaking havoc on the guardbots with their electrifying power.

Mariko utilized her light magic to provide support and healing to her teammates. Rays of light emanated from her hands, enveloping the wounded and revitalizing their spirits. Her presence infused the room with a sense of serenity amidst the chaos of battle.

As the team fought with relentless determination, their synchronized movements and unwavering teamwork began to turn the tide. The guardbots fell one by one, their metallic bodies littering the floor.

Hayato, his wounds evident, finally stopped and just stood limply. “Urgh! Even the swarm of robots and drones can’t defeat you all! This is impossible!” he groaned.

“With a clear mind, you should’ve known that this would happen. Use your logic,” Shingo scolded him gently.

“We have defeated Raijin, Fuujin, and the swarm of mutants, even the True Garuda. You fought well,” Gale said. “But you’re no match for us.”

Hayato looked up at him, his eyes clouded with pain. “I won’t betray the Yakuza,” he whispered. “I can’t.”

But suddenly, Hayato got spirited again, his face gleamed with a new hope. “Ah ha!” he exclaimed. “I still have another way to defeat you! Catch me if you can!”

Nishi shouted, “Look, he dashed upstairs!”

“Looking at the ceiling, I think he’s heading to the rooftop,” said Ryonoken. “Let’s go after him, but be careful.”

Shingo responded, “Got it! Let’s go!”

Shingo stepped onto the rooftop of Ginjiro Donjon and looked around. The sun was setting and the sky was bright orange, casting a warm glow on everything. He took a deep breath and readied himself for the impending battle.

Gale and the others joined him, taking their positions.

Suddenly, Shingo heard a voice at a distance in front of him. “Come, I challenge any one of you to a single duel.” It was Hayato, standing on the farthest edge of the rooftop with his blue katana.

Shingo turned to face his Godbrother. “By default, I must face you and try to beat some sense into you. So I must go first!”

The others didn’t protest. Only Ryonoken passed his advice, “By all means, go ahead, Shingo! But be careful, the blue-bladed katana Hayato’s wielding is Odenta the Ogre Slayer, the Maeda family heirloom! Akiba Maeda must’ve lent it to him! Avoid blocking his ogi, or your ordinary katana will break!”

Shingo was crestfallen on knowing his odds. But he remained resilient. “I’ll be extra careful, Sensei. Thanks for your advice.”

Shingo unsheathed his katana and came to a stance in line with his opponent. “Ready when you are,” he challenged.

Hayato grinned. “Come, try as many times as you want to stop me before I stop you all for good, one by one!”