Just as Gion was about to slash at Genrou, she suddenly felt her body lighten—the necklace hanging on her chest had disappeared.
Genrou seized this moment. Even Gion couldn't help but freeze for a split second, her movement briefly halting.
He capitalized on the opening, launching a Rankyaku (Storm Leg) at Gion, and used Geppō (Moonwalk) to try and break through her dazed form.
However, just as he was about to pass by her, Gion snapped back to her senses, instantly slicing apart the wind blade from his Rankyaku with a single slash.
At the same time, Tsuru's shadow was already less than a meter behind Genrou.
Sensing the wind behind him, Genrou didn't hesitate—he immediately turned around and assumed a 'theft' posture aimed at Tsuru.
Seeing this, Tsuru froze, maintaining a one-meter distance from Genrou and eyeing him—and the necklace on his left hand—vigilantly.
She recalled what had happened to the recruit Naomi.
"Genrou, you bastard!"
Tsuru's eyes widened, her previously kind expression now distorted with fury.
She had seen everything Genrou had just done to Gion.
Although this time Gion hadn't suffered the same fate as Naomi, who knew what Genrou might try next?
And now seeing Genrou seemingly attempt the same trick on an elderly woman like herself, how could Tsuru not be enraged?
"As long as you let me leave, I..." Genrou began with a smile, turning to the other side—where Gion remained hovering in mid-air a meter away.
"But you, Miss Gion, you've really surprised me."
"For someone whose 'necklace' vanished in an instant, you recovered remarkably fast."
"Truly impressive."
What Genrou didn't know was that...
Gion had mentally prepared herself in advance to deal with him if the same thing happened again.
That's why when her... private shorts disappeared, she was able to react immediately.
But for all Genrou's praise, Gion didn't feel pleased at all.
While maintaining her position in the air using Geppō, she raised her sword and pointed it at him.
"Even if you strip off all my clothes, I won't react at all."
"My body has already been seen by you, even claimed by you... isn't that right?" she snapped.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I don't really understand," Genrou frowned.
"Still trying to deny it? Reiju already told me—the markings you drew on my thigh represent how many times you've violated me!"
At that, Gion's chest began to heave with rage, clearly at her breaking point.
"Wait, that's all she told you?"
"What? You mean you did more to me?!"
"No! I mean... didn't Reiju tell you I was just joking? I only wanted to tease you a little…"
"Reiju never told me anything of the sort. Hmph! Don't try to weasel your way out of this, Genrou. The way you casually steal women's underwear already says everything about your character. The more you try to explain, the worse you look."
At that, Gion had no intention of continuing the conversation.
Her eyes full of resolve, she kicked off the air and charged at Genrou with full force.
"Reiju, you traitor?!"
Genrou cursed furiously in his heart.
As for the rest of the supposed "explanation," Reiju hadn't told Gion any of it.
But even if he tried to explain now, it wouldn't do any good.
Seeing Gion rushing at him, Genrou narrowed his eyes and activated the power of the Heroic Spirit "Robin Hood," summoning his Noble Phantasms: Zantō no Yumi (Wave-Cutting Bow) and Mubō no Ō (Faceless King).
Before Gion's attack could land, he pulled the hood of Mubō no Ō over his head—
—vanishing instantly.
"Stealth?!"
Both Gion and Tsuru were momentarily stunned, then activated their Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) to the extreme.
Soon, they detected Genrou gliding freely toward the ocean below.
"What an incredible stealth ability..."
"Could it be that cloak? Doesn't matter. We must not let this man escape."
Tsuru's face darkened as she and Gion sped up again—flanking Genrou from left and behind.
Tsuru knew her own strength well. She had clearly used Kenbunshoku Haki earlier, but the moment Genrou donned the Faceless King's cloak, she completely lost track of him—only finding him again after pushing her haki to its limit.
"Just as I thought..."
Genrou glanced at the two women chasing him and sighed, then raised his right hand and fired multiple toxic arrows from Zantō no Yumi.
The arrows arced toward Gion.
She slashed down several invisible toxic arrows, but the moment she did, she sensed Genrou's presence approaching fast.
Without hesitation, she thrust her sword forward with a flash of light.
Genrou didn't dodge.
He didn't even activate Busōshoku Haki (Armament Haki) to defend.
In a flash, a crimson spray of blood burst out, splattering across Gion's stunned face.
Still in stealth mode, Genrou smiled slightly.
In his other hand, a poisoned arrow stabbed straight into Gion's back.
The fierce wind from the blow snapped her out of her daze.
She tried to pull out her sword—only to find Genrou's other hand gripping the blade, preventing her from moving it.
Left with no choice, she coated her left hand with Busōshoku Haki and—
—even then, Genrou's arrow, also imbued with armament haki, pierced her skin, leaving a distinct purple mark on her flesh.
'Got her.'
Genrou's heart surged with relief.
He immediately let go of Gion's sword and leapt back, narrowly dodging Tsuru's follow-up attack.
At the same time, under the effects of the Kuroshie no Ja (Plague Serpent of Death) power, the stab wounds on his body rapidly began to heal.
(End of Chapter)
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