“Kishashasha! It was all well and good that you dove in so bravely, but you can't even lift a finger now! How does it feel, huh?!”
(Tch...!!)
Meanwhile, beneath the waves, Ryuga was locked in a life-or-death struggle with Biran.
Naturally, there was a staggering gap in underwater combat potential between Biran, who possessed the Ability of Piranha, and Ryuga, a mere human.
Against Biran, who swam freely through the depths to launch vicious strikes with his fins and fangs, Ryuga was doing everything in his power just to keep the beast away from the boat and endure the onslaught.
(I didn’t expect this to be easy, but this is proving to be a nightmare...)
Though Anti-Saltwater Magic had been cast on his equipment, Ryuga had no desire to keep his Cherished Sword submerged in the sea for any longer than necessary. He kept this in mind while constantly monitoring the distance between himself and the boat.
Continuing to ignore Biran’s mockery and provocations, Ryuga focused solely on how to navigate this grueling battle.
In truth, had he disregarded the collateral damage, he could have settled this the moment he dove into the water. He had only held back because the boat carrying his companions and the hostages was far too close. There was no point in such a reckless rescue if he ended up sweeping the victims into the crossfire.
While Ryuga had successfully prioritized drawing Biran away from the vessel, his victory in that regard had made it impossible to satisfy another crucial condition.
“Kishashasha! I know exactly what’s going through that head of yours! You’re dying to reach the surface and catch your breath, aren't you? You’re at your limit, aren't you?!”
Ryuga grimaced at the monster's words.
The creature was half-right, but half-wrong. He certainly wanted to breathe, but he was far from his breaking point. When it came to lung capacity, Ryuga boasted a pair of lungs that far exceeded those of an ordinary man.
The moment a warrior pauses to take a breath is the moment their offensive pressure slackens. To minimize that opening and to bolster the motor nerves directly linked to his cardiopulmonary system, he had trained his lung capacity to its absolute peak.
He wasn't at his limit yet—but he didn't have enough oxygen left to unleash a major technique.
To heighten his Magic Power, refine his kiai, and fully draw out the destructive potential of his sword styles, he needed to breathe. At the very least, the air currently in Ryuga’s lungs was insufficient to power a technique capable of turning the tide.
Biran likely realized this as well. Or, if not precisely, he instinctively understood that he must not allow the swordsman to surface. Unlike a Fish Magic Armor Beast, a human would eventually drown. No matter what Ryuga tried, as long as Biran prevented him from breathing until he reached his limit, the beast would win.
Recognizing that his opponent wasn't foolish enough to overlook such a basic advantage, Ryuga looked at his enemy while quietly steadying his Katana.
Surfacing against a Fish Magic Armor Beast would be difficult, and trying to locate an air pocket on the seabed carried too much risk. Regardless, if he wanted to win, he had to find a way to breathe so he could strike.
“Well then... my partner is probably getting bored of playing with those runts on the boat by now. I’d better kill you quickly so we can regroup! Kishashashasha!”
“...!”
It wasn't going to be that simple.
Intent on ending the fight and thwarting Ryuga’s plans, Biran closed the distance in an instant and slammed into him with a heavy Tackle.
Ryuga managed to brace against the impact with Ryuo-ga as Biran tried to ram him toward the seafloor, but the surface was only drifting further away. The only silver lining was that they were now even further from the boat, but the situation was becoming increasingly dire.
“Have you given up yet?! Does it hurt?! To be shoved further and further from the surface when you’re desperate for air—it’s a hopeless situation for a mere human, isn't it?!”
(He really is a noisy one...!!)
If only they weren't underwater, he would have had a few choice words in response. Ryuga’s expression darkened as he weighed the severity of his predicament.
He was just considering how to create an opening to swim back up from the near-bottom of the sea when it happened.
“Huh?! W-What was that?!”
“...!!”
A massive explosion muffled by the water echoed from somewhere above the surface.
Biran, who had been wearing a complacent smirk until a moment ago, pulled back in shock. His face grew pale as he considered the worst-case scenario.
“No... Guruto?! Are you telling me you’ve been defeated?!”
(Now!!)
Ryuga did not miss the opening created by Biran’s agitation over his partner’s fall.
Breaking the stalemate, he delivered a sharp kick to Biran’s face, using the beast as a literal stepping stone to propel himself toward the surface. Naturally, he couldn't reach the top in a single bound from this depth. Biran had been caught off guard and lost his balance, but he immediately recovered and gave chase.
“You little—! I won't let you reach it!!”
(This is my only chance. The battle is decided here...)
He would have reached his limit soon anyway. Even with the odds stacked against him, there was no path to victory other than a desperate gamble.
And now, Ryuga was about to double down on that risk.
He would use the last of his oxygen to unleash a single, decisive technique to halt Biran’s movement. In that same instant, he would kick off the beast again and lunge for the surface. It was a reckless plan, but it was the only one he had left.
Steeling his resolve, Ryuga reached for the hilt of his sword and timed his move against the approaching Biran.
He refined his kiai and prepared to draw his blade. But just as he was about to unsheathe Ryuo-ga, a flash of Golden Lightning tore through the water, striking both him and Biran.