Tony had never encountered such fast enemies before, nor had he ever imagined that such people existed in the world. Therefore, he was unprepared to deal with them and could only stand by and watch helplessly.
As for rushing in for hand-to-hand combat...
Indeed, given the power output of the Mark armor, a single punch would inflict considerable damage on the opponent.
But the prerequisite is that it hits.
Although Tony was a novice in martial arts, he understood human biomechanics. He could tell that every punch and sword swing from the two combatants was executed in the optimal and most biomechanically sound posture for the current situation.
The psychological game and the speed of reaction to each move were pleasing to the eye for an outsider like him, but the actual calculations were shocking.
Faced with such an enemy, even the proud Tony had to admit that if he went to help, he might end up making things worse.
Although I'm very unwilling, this is reality.
but...
"Jarvis, analyze their moves for me!"
Tony gave the order.
Even if he can't help right now, he can't just do nothing. Tony Stark isn't some nobody who just stands by.
...
"Clang clang clang..."
The battle between Akaza and Kyojuro did not slow down because of the wild speculations of others; on the contrary, it became faster and more intense.
Their figures appeared in every corner, and the aftershocks of their battle leveled the ruins and debris of the area, making it open and flat.
"Kyojuro, you should just become a demon!"
Akaza waved his fist and said regretfully, "You've already reached the level where you can fight me to your heart's content, so promise me you'll become a demon and then fight me to your heart's content, and keep getting stronger!"
"I refuse!"
With a broad, arcing slash, Akaza was forced back. Kyojuro's chest heaved slightly, but his gaze remained as firm as ever, without the slightest change.
"Why? Why?"
Akaza pressed forward again, engaging him in battle and giving him no chance to breathe. At the same time, he shouted, "I really can't understand!"
In the past, I have encountered several Pillars, all of whom are among the strongest, and they, like you, rejected my proposal.
Why?
Only those who are chosen can become ghosts, and you are all qualified to be chosen, so why do you refuse?
As someone who also pursues the highest level of martial arts, I truly cannot understand!
"..."
Kyojuro did not answer, but instead swung his sword with even greater focus, making the swings faster and more fierce.
The fist that was thrown to defend was no longer as indestructible as before; it was cut by the blade and only stopped when it was deeply embedded in the metacarpal bone.
—Breath of Flame: Complete Collection!
"Aaaaah... You should just become a ghost!"
Facing Kyojuro, who had entered a state of full concentration, Akaza was not afraid at all. Instead, he was even more excited and shouted, "Your physical body is far from reaching its peak. In another year or two, your swordsmanship will be even more exquisite, and your destructive power will be even greater!"
Watching talented people grow old in such an ugly way is terribly painful for me! You might as well become a ghost!
It seems that talking distracted him, or perhaps Kyojuro focused his attention.
As they were talking, Akaza's punch was sliced off by Kyojuro's sword.
But the next second, in less than 0.001 seconds as the fist reached its intended target, the severed fist grew back perfectly intact, allowing the strike to be delivered completely.
But it was also a merciless blow from the other party, as if making Akaza realize the reality that persuasion was impossible.
"Is that so? Then you might as well just die!"
Akaza pressed his fists against the blade, almost touching it, and muttered, "Kill me while you're still young and powerful!"
After saying that, he pushed with both fists, using the reaction force to flip backward and leap into the air, gathering power in his fists at his waist, and finally punching out from a distance.
"Destruction Kill - Void Style!"
No abnormalities were observed in the surrounding area.
However, Kyojuro knew that an enemy of this caliber would not make meaningless moves in battle, so he remained vigilant, keeping his eyes and ears open. Finally, he sensed danger approaching and instinctively raised his sword to block in front of his chest.
"Bang!"
The moment the sword was raised, it shattered as if struck by a heavy hammer, its immense force causing even Kyojuro to feel strain, far exceeding any punch he had previously received.
"Bang!"
Akawa landed on the ground, roaring excitedly as he threw punches from a distance. His fists seemed to be enveloped by some invisible gas, each punch causing the air to vibrate and transmitting force through the air.
While parrying with his sword, Kyojuro kept a close eye on Akaza. When he was knocked back five meters by the powerful impact, he finally understood the effect of the attack and immediately made a countermeasure.
"Breath of Flames, Fourth Form: Vortex of Blazing Flames!"
Kyojuro inhaled and exhaled sharply, releasing a scorching stream of air. At the same time, he swung his sword in a circle around himself, causing the air to distort widely, as if flames were burning outwards and spreading in concentric circles.
All the force transmitted from a distance was swept away by this single wave and vanished into nothingness.
Upon seeing this, Akaza immediately stopped and retreated.
While retreating, he increased the speed of his fist swings.
Kyojuro swung his sword in the opposite direction, once again unleashing a wave of heat that carried away the force. At the same time, he changed his breathing rhythm and shifted his center of gravity, pressing forward.
"Flame Breathing - First Form - Shiranui!"
Charge forward, then unleash a powerful slash.
Kyojuro burst forth like a flame in an instant, rushing to Akaza's side and slashing out with his sword.
But Akaza, as expected of a demon who pursues the highest level of martial arts, seemed to have anticipated the trajectory of this strike and dodged it by simply bending his waist slightly.
Then, he continued to swing his fists, unleashing a fierce and relentless attack with invisible shockwaves.
Kyojuro was not to be outdone, unleashing his full power with Breathing Technique: Concentration, and attacking relentlessly.
Waves of energy erupted, sparks flashed, and clanging sounds echoed... The two exchanged hundreds of blows in an instant. The afterimages that filled the sky were dazzling and terrifying, making people wonder: Is this really a power that humans can control?
"Kyojuro, such exquisite swordsmanship is disappearing from the world. Don't you feel sad, Kyojuro?"
Kyojuro, in full concentration, launched incredibly fierce attacks. Akaza could no longer meet the blade head-on with his fists. Even with the invisible energy waves generated by the Blood Demon Art, he was still cut open with each collision.
Whether it's a fist being broken apart, a hand being severed, or a wound being slashed across the chest.
Akaza, however, felt no pressure; instead, he became even more excited. He had originally decided to kill his opponent while he was still young and strong, but now he changed his mind because of his appreciation for the opponent's powerful strength.
"It doesn't matter who it is, as long as they are human, this is only natural!"
Seemingly having gained the upper hand, Kyojuro had a chance to reply. He increased the speed of his sword swings while answering with righteous indignation. These words only strengthened his resolve, making his sword swings even faster and more powerful, and his attacks even more ferocious, leaving his opponents breathless.
"Great, we can win!"
Upon seeing this, Yushiro clenched his fists in excitement.
The other special forces members couldn't help but feel excited and delighted after hearing this.
Although they couldn't see the specific details of the battle, they could see the blood spilled from the battlefield and the arms covered in the tattoos of sinners that flew out, and they could also see the air burning like flames growing stronger.
"Since ancient times, evil has never prevailed over good; justice will always triumph over evil!"
Coulson couldn't contain his excitement and showed off a Chinese idiom he had recently learned in order to deal with Gu Qing.
Then...
"Bang!"
The burning flames paused for a moment, then dissipated, and Kyojuro's figure flew out like a cannonball, crashing into an abandoned building hundreds of meters away.
Coulson's mouth dropped open.
The others looked over speechlessly, as if to ask: "Is your mouth blessed?"
Coulson, of course, had no time to pay attention to these guys' wild thoughts. Seeing Kyojuro being knocked away, he was so nervous that sweat dripped down his forehead.
(Hold on, reinforcements will be here soon.)
It turns out that when Coulson had destroyed five helicopters and was about to kill Iron Man, he contacted Fury and asked him to send reinforcements immediately.
Although he didn't know if S.H.I.E.L.D. had anything to do with Akaza at the moment, he had already informed Fury of Ray's strength. Knowing Fury as he did, he was sure that if reinforcements were sent, they would be effective.
If he can play a role in resolving the battle against Rui, then even if he cannot defeat Akaza, he can still help Kyojuro.
"Bang!"
The collapsed boulders were lifted up.
Kyojuro's figure, covered in blood, appeared in everyone's sight, panting heavily.
Akaza did not press his advantage, but instead deliberately gave Kyojuro time to catch his breath, slowly walking towards him while continuing to persuade him: "Kyojuro, do you see that?"
This is the difference between humans and ghosts.
Your forehead, sternum, and shoulder bones are all shattered, and your strength is about to be exhausted.
The damage you inflicted on me at such a high price has healed in the blink of an eye. If this continues, you will surely die.
Kyojuro, even if you're prepared to die, it's no use. Just become a demon already!
"A man who is too clingy is just annoying!"
Accompanied by Stark's signature quip, several rockets were launched toward Akaza.
Akaza looked at Tony with cold eyes and said indifferently, "I only spared you burdens because I gave Kyojuro face, but if you dare to disturb my reading with Kyojuro, then I will have no choice but to kill you first."