Summon the Twelve Kizuki at the Start!

Countless drops of scarlet blood scattered like a storm of rain.

A twisted smile curled on the face of Akaza, the crimson spectacle painting him like a demon risen from hell. He gently licked the blood staining the corner of his mouth.

His expression turned bloodthirsty, and his fighting spirit surged to the extreme.

Although Liver had just injected himself with a special potion, his strength alone still could not match Akaza's overwhelming power.

Worse yet, the only ally he had relied on—Nyau—had already been torn to pieces by Spear.

"Liver, don't you miss your prime?"

"Don't you want to break through your limits and touch that power again?"

"This is your last chance."

The aura around Akaza continued to surge, killing intent radiating with every breath.

If he had merely shown fangs before, now he had transformed into a blood-soaked beast, crawling from the depths of hell.

"For humans, immortality might not be such a blessing..."

"Come! Show this old man what you're really capable of!"

"Hmph!" Liver scoffed, unleashing all his power in return.

Blood surged around him, clinging to his body like a second skin—armor formed from his own lifeblood. With one stomp, the ground beneath his feet shattered.

He dashed forward at blinding speed, rushing toward Akaza.

"Destroy Kill Style!"

A hexagonal snowflake sigil lit up beneath Akaza's feet—his most devastating technique. The surrounding earth began to crumble, spiderweb-like cracks spreading outward.

A glowing red light enveloped his fist, in sharp contrast to the crimson armor coating Liver's body.

"Bang!"

The two clashed with their strongest moves, a mutual display of raw respect and power.

A violent wind erupted from the point of impact. The ground burst apart beneath their feet as shockwaves tore through the air. Explosions of force shattered everything in a growing radius.

Even Chouri and his daughter Spear were forced several steps back by the blast.

"This man... who is he…?"

It was the first time Chouri had seen something so terrifying. Just moments ago, he'd believed himself dead—yet after drinking the blood of the Twelve Kizuki, his body had recovered visibly, becoming stronger than even in his youth.

The aging that once slowed him had vanished. And Spear—his daughter—had been resurrected alongside him.

Despite being a former minister, Chouri had never witnessed anything like this.

"Father, who is that man…?"

Spear finally voiced her thoughts, a trace of reverence in her eyes. Unlike her father, her loyalty did not lie with the Empire—but in mastering martial arts and surpassing her limits.

She once thought herself powerful enough to reach the Imperial Capital, to train under her idol, General Esdeath, and become a great general like her.

But now, after having her face torn off alive, terror had rooted deep within her heart—a shadow not so easily dispersed.

"That man... he's a general of the Empire," Chouri muttered.

"He was once imprisoned in the capital for treason… then vanished. The details are unclear."

"Now, it seems he's joined some unknown force."

Chouri couldn't make sense of it. Liver—whom he once thought honest and upright—now stood as someone else's pawn.

"Father… I wasn't talking about him…"

Spear looked into the dust and rubble where the battle had taken place. For the first time, her father seemed lost.

Chouri fell silent.

Then, the smoke finally cleared.

A shocking scene was revealed—Akaza's fist had pierced straight through Liver's chest. Blood spilled as Liver's sword—crafted from his blood—stabbed into Akaza's abdomen. But it had no effect.

"General… I've done all I could…"

Liver could feel the strength leaving his body. Memories flickered past his eyes like lanterns in a fading festival.

He saw her—the cold, beautiful woman in the white uniform—Esdeath.

The one he swore to follow. His salvation.

"Poison in the blood?"

"I didn't expect that, Liver."

"In the end, you chose the path of the weak."

"How pathetic."

Akaza withdrew his arm as the wound in his abdomen closed instantly. The poison had no effect—his body, far beyond human, digested it in mere moments.

Looking down at Liver's falling corpse, Akaza no longer held the respect he once did.

To him, a true warrior stood by their chosen path. Poison, sneak attacks—such tricks were beneath someone worthy of becoming a demon.

Once, he might have believed Liver had the resolve to walk the same path.

But now, Akaza had lost interest.

He turned to the father and daughter.

"That was amazing! May I ask—sir—what is your name?"

"Are we…?"

Before Spear could finish her sentence, Akaza cut her off with a wave of his hand.

They stood in silence, awaiting his words.

"I'm only here by my master's command," Akaza said coldly.

"You're the former minister. You may go."

"Return to the Imperial Capital. Quickly."

His gaze remained calm and indifferent. Weaklings and women meant nothing to him.

Had it not been for Rivo's order, their lives would've been no different from ants beneath his feet.