The javelin and dark magic continuously collided, erupting with astonishing energy.
The buildings around the two of them crumbled, large sections being destroyed.
Zero excitedly shouted, "Hahaha! Amazing! As expected of someone who can defeat Wizard Saints and Oracion Seis! It's been a long time since I've seen someone as powerful as you! Only someone like you is worth destroying!"
Zero waved his hand, unleashing a large number of magic bullets.
Takeshi flapped his wings, his body weaving through the buildings.
Boom... Boom...
The magic bullets landed on the buildings, destroying them.
Boom!
Zero burst through a building, charging directly at Takeshi.
Dark Capriccio!
Takeshi swung his javelin to attack.
Boom... Boom...
The javelin and dark beam continuously clashed.
"Ha!"
Zero pointed a finger from his other hand at Takeshi, who raised his palm to block.
Zero sneered, "Dark Capriccio is a penetrating magic. Even if your body is as hard as steel, you can't block it."
Pfft!
A hole appeared in Takeshi's palm as Takeshi kicked Zero's body.
Boom!
Zero's body plummeted to the ground, smashing the buildings on it.
"Hahahahaha! Kid, I have to admit, you're really powerful. Strong magic power, and incredibly strong defense and offense. If I gave you a few more years, I might not be your match."
"But fate is so strange, making you meet me at this point in time."
"Only destroying someone like you is fun. Next, I will pierce your entire body and completely destroy you. Hahahahaha!!!"
Zero emerged from the smoke, looked up at Takeshi, and laughed wildly.
Even with Ulquiorra's indifferent personality influencing him, Takeshi couldn't help but inwardly complain, 'Why are all the villains in this anime cut from the same cloth?'
However, Zero really did have some skill. As expected of someone at the Wizard Saint level, his magic could penetrate Takeshi's Hierro defense.
Takeshi looked at Zero and faintly asked, "Does hurting me make you so happy?"
"Kid, one of your hands is already crippled. Do you still think you'll win?" Zero sneered.
In a battle between powerhouses, any injury can decisively alter the outcome. A crippled hand means it can no longer participate in combat. Hands are the primary medium for casting magic, so losing one hand reduces combat power by at least thirty percent.
"Oh? My hand is crippled? How come I didn't know?"
Takeshi raised his injured arm. White substance quickly filled the hole in his palm, and in an instant, the hole healed and disappeared, his palm returning to its normal appearance.
"How is this possible?! Even the most powerful healing magic couldn't heal a wound this quickly."
Zero's eyes widened, as if he had seen something he couldn't comprehend.
Brain had spent time in the Magic Development Bureau and had seen countless types of magic, but he had never seen a power like this.
Takeshi lightly said, "Instant Regeneration. This is one of the abilities of this character I've transformed into. Don't mention a small injury like a hole in the palm. Even if an entire arm were severed, it could regenerate in an instant."
Hearing Takeshi's words, Zero quickly calmed down. "Interesting. The world is vast, there's actually such magic. But I don't believe you can regenerate if your brain is pierced."
"Not just the brain, even internal organs cannot regenerate after being destroyed either." Takeshi said faintly, pointing to his brain and then to his chest.
"Kid, are you an idiot? You're telling your opponent your weakness?"
After learning that Takeshi's brain and internal organs were weaknesses, Zero became even less concerned.
"After all, I have to give you a little hope."
"Hope?"
Zero's expression was full of disdain.
Takeshi softly chanted, "Resurrección: Segunda Etapa."
Buzz!!!
An even more terrifying Reiatsu erupted from Takeshi's body. A bluish-black Reiatsu appeared around him, impacting the surroundings.
Takeshi's upper body clothing slowly disappeared. His abdomen to his legs, as well as his arms and back, were covered in black feathers. The lower part of his robe split into two, like a black swallowtail.
His wings fully spread, revealing bat claws. The horns on his helmet grew longer and sharper upwards. A long black tail grew from his rear.
His hands and feet transformed into sharp claws, and a pitch-black hole appeared on his chest, from which black liquid flowed.
"This guy…"
Zero's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Takeshi's transformation.
Takeshi looked at Zero and said faintly, "Don't be afraid, the battle will end very soon."
Zero's face twisted into a ferocious expression upon hearing Takeshi's words. "Playing tricks! Go to hell!"
No matter how this kid had transformed, his magic power was still the same.
No matter how strong he became, how much stronger could he really be?
Zero stomped his foot, and rapidly charged towards Takeshi.
Dark Capriccio!
Zero once again used his penetrating magic. This time, Takeshi stood still, merely raising his palm to block.
"You brat! You forget the pain once the wound heals. Have you forgotten how your palm was pierced just now? This time, I'm not just going to pierce your palm, I'm going to pierce your body."
Boom!!!
Zero's magic directly struck Takeshi's palm.
Boom... Boom...
The magic continuously spun in Takeshi's palm, looking like a drill constantly rotating and boring a hole.
After a while, the dark beam stopped and dissipated.
Zero looked at Takeshi's palm, and an expression of horror involuntarily appeared on his face.
"This… How… How is this possible?!"
Takeshi's palm was completely unharmed.
That was his penetrating magic, capable of easily piercing even steel. Yet, his attack couldn't even break through Takeshi's palm.
How was this possible?
"Now do you understand the gap between you and me?" Takeshi looked at Zero, his gaze calm.
Zero dismissively said, "Hah?! You just defended against one attack, and you're already so arrogant? Next time, I'll pierce your head. I wonder if your head will be as hard as your hand."
It was just one failed attack. Zero thought Takeshi had concentrated all his strength on his palm for defense.
Takeshi shook his head. "It seems you still don't understand."
With that, he flapped his wings and swooped towards Zero.
"You brat! Go to hell!"
Zero raised his palm and once again used Dark Capriccio.
Just as the dark beam was about to touch Takeshi's head—
Whoosh!
Takeshi's figure instantly vanished.
Just as Zero was about to search for Takeshi's whereabouts, a hand gripped his head from the side.