The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

Indeed, in any battle, the initial exchange is always a test.

Unless you can end it instantly, going all-out from the start only risks exposing your hand.

Ikki knew that well.

Though each strike in that earlier clash was sharp and fierce, he never expected to defeat Eiji in just a few blows—that would've been unrealistic.

His real objective was to probe Eiji's abilities through combat and find a strategy to counter him.

"But Little Kurogane came away empty-handed."

Seated with her legs crossed, Nene smirked at the corner of her lips.

"Junior Brother didn't reveal any of his own swordsmanship at all—he completely countered using Little Kurogane's own techniques. As for what lies beneath, Little Kurogane hasn't seen a thing. Without information, there's no way to formulate a winning tactic."

"I recall that Kurogane has a special ability called Perfect Vision, doesn't he?"

Shinguuji Kurono mused thoughtfully. "With his perception, surely he can grasp who Eiji really is?"

"To use Perfect Vision, you need enough intel first."

Nangou Torajirou chuckled deeply, a broad grin on his face.

"He's only able to see through someone completely if he understands them deeply. But right now, all the kid can see in Eiji is himself. What he's facing isn't Eiji—it's a mirror. Fogged and unclear. He can't read him... That said, Perfect Vision itself is something even world-class fighters struggle to achieve. That boy's doing things most could never dream of!"

Perfect Read—a unique application of Ikki's talent for "stealing."

Just as he could learn someone's swordsmanship by analyzing its structure and principles, if he understood a person deeply enough, he could even decipher the root of their ideology.

As swords had styles, people had patterns—fundamental ideologies that defined their core.

Once Perfect Vision took hold, it was like mind-reading. No thought could escape his insight, and every behavioral pattern became transparent to him.

But now, the Eiji in Ikki's eyes looked exactly like... Ikki himself.

In other words—Eiji was currently mimicking Ikki Kurogane.

And so long as Ikki couldn't distinguish the real from the mirrored, he couldn't grasp who Eiji really was.

"Most swordsmen have their own style. But Junior Brother's never limited himself to any one form."

Touka explained quietly to the nearby Kanata.

"His mimicry is astonishing. He can replicate our master's techniques, mine, and now Ikki's as well. And not just copy—he evolves them rapidly. His style is all-encompassing. He tries everything, accepts everything… Sometimes even I fear just how bottomless his potential is."

"If Ikki's ability is Perfect Vision, then Eiji's is Perfect Mimicry. In a way, they're incredibly alike."

Eiji's style was ever-changing.

He could effortlessly assimilate the techniques of Ikki, Touka, Nangou Torajirou, and even Alice. Like a bottomless void, no single style could fill him.

If he had a style at all—it would be accepting all styles.

That in itself was proof of his terrifying swordsmanship talent.

Few had ever pushed him hard enough to reveal this side of himself—but up against Ikki's Perfect Vision, where showing any personal pattern meant being countered, Eiji had chosen to reveal this omnivorous ability.

Faced with a version of himself that wasn't himself—even Perfect Vision was left grasping at smoke.

And that was exactly what everyone had observed.

Ikki had found no pattern, no core, no clear style in Eiji.

Thinking back, in his seven selection matches so far, Eiji had displayed wildly different styles each time. For example, in the match against Hagure Kikyo, he had used a relentless wave-like swordplay, chaining strike after strike—something unlike any swordsman Ikki had ever known.

That style must've belonged to another opponent Eiji had once faced… and learned from.

Ikki frowned inwardly. This was tricky.

He couldn't use Ittou Shura right now.

Perfect Vision wasn't working either.

Both of his trump cards—sealed.

This man really was unlike any opponent he'd faced before!

Even when fighting Stella, he had never felt this much fire in his blood!

Yes—

He wasn't afraid. If anything, this dire situation had only made him more fired up!

"This is a crisis—but also a chance!"

Ikki's eyes burned bright, as if fire blazed within them.

"Haaah!!"

With a steadying breath, Ikki calmed his spirit.

Then, with a sharp shout, he launched himself forward once again!

Once more, he assumed his stance—his blade flashing like lightning!

But—

"Not enough!"

"This speed… still isn't enough!"

Ikki's eyes widened.

A deep, burning dissatisfaction surged from the depths of his heart.

He had to be faster!

If he wasn't faster—he wouldn't win!

If his current self wasn't fast enough—then he'd surpass himself right here and now!

"Hm?"

Eiji's eyes narrowed.

In that flickering arc of electricity, Ikki's blade almost vanished from sight!

He was faster than before.

Even sharper.

"He added spirals to his wrists and ankles?"

Eiji's gaze sharpened instantly.

With his keen perception, he saw it all in an instant.

By twisting the joints in his ankles and wrists to their limits, and unleashing the stored torque during the return motion, Ikki created a spiral force. This torque drilled the blade through the resistance of air itself—letting it break through speed's limits.

That's how he got faster.

"But it won't be enough."

Eiji raised his blade vertically.

His entire aura shifted—from sharp and aggressive, to calm and immovable.

CLANG——!

The echoing sound rang out like a temple bell.

Ikki felt a metallic sweetness rise in his throat as his feet slid back with force.

He'd been deflected—again.

Flawless Defense—

The ultimate parry technique.

"The final secret of the Ayatsuji Ittou-ryu…!"

From a corner of the stands, a stunned voice cried out in disbelief.

It was a girl with long, straight black hair—Ayatsuji Ayase.

She had come all the way from Hiroshima after hearing that Eiji had made it to the finals.

"When did Eiji learn that move? He's only ever crossed swords with my father once… Don't tell me—he mastered the final secret technique in a single match? It took me three whole years to even approach that level!"

But Ikki didn't stop.

The damage from the deflected strike was only partially absorbed—thanks to his Third Secret Sword: Circle.

A technique that takes an incoming force, redirects it through a circular motion within the body, and returns it to the outside. Originally a technique for counterattacking, this time he used it to soften the blow.

"He could block it—because I still wasn't fast enough!"

Ikki clenched his teeth hard.

His eyes burned with unwavering determination as he once again unleashed—Raikou!

***

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