Meanwhile, Sasuke found himself at a disadvantage. The middle-aged man's attack range was simply too great, and Sasuke's long‑range options were limited. His Chidori required him to get close, and his Fire Release techniques were effectively countered by the man's water-based abilities. Even so, that man couldn't break through the powerful defense of Rashomon Susano'o.
Utilizing water to propel himself high into the air, the middle-aged opponent scanned the battlefield. Ron raised one hand, aura condensing over his palm.
"Nen Bullet!"
Forced to dodge, the man had no choice but to break off his assault.
Meanwhile, Ron's other hand gripped the hilt of the Rotten Life Blade. A faint glow swept across the burly axe-wielding man's position. In the next moment, countless insect eggs latched onto the man's body. Grubs hatched, ravenously gnawing at his aura. His face went paled.
Up to now, things were already going badly for him. Under thirtyfold gravity, his movements slowed to a crawl, made worse by the Rotten Life Blade's curse. Rather than ease up, Natsu intensified his attacks. The big man could only defend, unable to counter at all.
"Get off me!"
Seeing the writhing grubs on his skin, the ax-wielder thrashed wildly, but couldn't shake them free. Natsu kept him pinned down.
The middle-aged man considered going to help, but—
"Nen Bullet!"
He had to evade another of Ron's projectiles. Sasuke might be partially hampered by water techniques, but with Ron's ranged support, the fight became more balanced. Still, neither the middle-aged man nor the burly fighter panicked; only the latter grew visibly frustrated.
A short distance away, a woman watched everything unfold. She had short blonde hair, wore a little devil outfit, and held a small harmonica.
"He's really that strong? Is he a Floor Master from Heaven's Arena or something else entirely? Even two A‑level Nen users can't bring him down?"
She lifted the harmonica to her lips.
"Looks like I'll have to step in."
A lilting melody filled the area, reaching the ears of every civilian nearby. Their eyes went blank as though they'd lost control over their own bodies. Suddenly, they lurched toward Ron like puppets on strings.
"Grr…"
"Hrrr…"
"Roar!"
Their throats emitted guttural snarls like wild beasts.
"So she's finally making her move," Ron noted calmly. He'd refrained from using his full strength against the first two attackers precisely because he sensed someone else lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. Now that this third party had revealed herself, there was no need to hold back.
"She's controlling civilians as puppets…a Manipulator, I see. Her aura is weaker than the other two. Likely B‑level. Even so, controlling mobs of ordinary people can be troublesome."
Ron made a quick gesture, and another figure appeared—Lampent.
"Smog!"
Thick mist poured out, shrouding the entire battlefield in a choking haze. Natsu, Sasuke, the ax-wielder—everyone was soon engulfed. The burly man's plight worsened, and the woman's puppet-like civilians were lost in the murk, unable to pinpoint Ron's location. He could safely ignore them.
"Another Nen Beast?" the woman muttered in disbelief. "What's with this guy? How can he have so many? Where's all this aura coming from? The time and energy required…"
She wouldn't have cared about sheer quantity, but after witnessing the strength of Natsu and Sasuke, she realized each Nen Beast was extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Ponzu's bees fanned out, searching for the woman. Hidden by the mist, Ron moved nimbly. The puppet-like civilians wandered around blindly, and he didn't even need to fight them.
"Found her!" Ponzu's voice echoed in Ron's earpiece. "Captain, the third person is about two or three kilometers to your left."
Ron looked in that direction and spotted a forested hillside. They were near the city's edge, so it wasn't unusual to see terrain like that.
"Must be the last one."
A figure emerged beside Ron, while his real body dashed out of the mist at top speed, heading for the woman's location. The middle-aged man saw Ron streak away and his heart leapt in alarm.
"He found Nier already? That fast? Does he have enhanced perception, too? That explains why he was on guard so quickly."
Panicking, the man summoned more water to try blocking Ron and shouted a warning.
"Look out!"
His cry reached not only the woman but also the burly fighter, who momentarily looked over.
"Another change?" the ax-wielder wondered.
Natsu seized that momentary lapse, lunging forward and wrapping the man in a fierce bear hug.
Boom!
Flames surged around Natsu, scorching the ax-wielder. He bellowed in agony and fought to break free, but Natsu's grip was like iron. The fire burned mercilessly, and the man was still weighed down by thirtyfold gravity—not to mention the Rotten Life Blade's weakening effect. His condition was dire.
What he didn't realize was that Ron had a different goal altogether. Another figure appeared behind the man.
"Demon Blade Murasame—One Strike, One Kill!"
Akame drove her blade into his body, activating its power. The ax-wielder's eyes bulged.
"What—?"
Freed at last from Natsu's grasp, he staggered backward, but it was already too late. Under Akame's lethal ability, an ordinary flesh‑and‑blood body stood no chance unless it possessed some monstrous vitality or unique powers.
He had neither.
His only advantage lay in raw strength and those conjured axes, which were useless against Akame's instant-kill slash.