Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?.

Chapter 399 The Overpowered vs. the Hidden Card Style
There are 6 minutes and 55 seconds left until sunset.

He watched as the female swordsman named Okita Souji was not fooled by his 'disguise' and unleashed a dazzling blue blade of light at him without hesitation.

And the swordswoman who charged toward him, who, despite being affected by [Cold Silence], should be able to kill him immediately.

I vaguely sensed that the power of this strike was extraordinary, and it would basically break through [Cold Silence]'s defenses.

In this situation, even if you try your best to dodge, you will probably lose an arm.

Realizing that losing his arm would leave him with virtually no chance of resistance in the upcoming battle.

After realizing that an enemy charging towards him only needs to engage in a single sword clash to easily kill him, causing him to lose his grip on the blade, he was overwhelmed by the fact that the enemy would drop his sword and be killed effortlessly.

Besides feeling a great deal of fear, Okada Izou also felt a sense of helplessness.

It seems my clever tricks have been completely seen through, and now it looks like there's nothing I can do.
-
However, as Okada Izo stared at the long, mirror-like blue blade of light before him and pondered a solution, he discovered an unusual fact.

Even though it was the middle of an intense battle, time seemed to slow down, or rather, stand still.

The somewhat dim sky at dusk that he had seen disappeared from his sight.

Instead, a clear, cloudless sky, as blue as if it had been washed clean, appeared.

Just like when you're at your wit's end and about to die, the sky you look up at is incredibly irritating.

It's also the scenery I hate the most.

It was a scene from my past that I could never forget.

Even though I knew it was the decisive moment, I was still moved by the scene that seemed to turn back time to the day I died.

Okada Izou, the "Man-Slayer," showed a rare hint of confusion.

It is said that when a person dies, a revolving lantern appears.

So, am I going to die?

【It really is】

Looking at the clear, cloudless sky, I recalled the mission my Master had given me.

Okada Izou simply laughed at himself.

It was a very simple plan: to kill those few Servants.

Master clearly showed me such powerful swordsmanship.

Although I haven't fully mastered it, I've learned a trick or two!

[And yet, once again, they messed up for some inexplicable reason?]
-
Just as Okada Izo, feeling somewhat regretful, gripped his sword, preparing to attempt to tear apart the enemy's flesh one more time...

The next moment, however, he heard the somewhat noisy exclamations of praise from the past.

"Is your swordsmanship truly the best in the world? I'm sure you are the greatest swordsman in the world!"

"If it weren't for that kind of background, he should have been able to enter the dojo and receive training to become a great figure."

That was me, of lowly status and ineligible to enter the dojo for cultivation, secretly watching the people in the dojo swing their swords.

He then showed off a trick or two he had learned to others, and when he looked up at the clear blue sky, the people around him exclaimed in admiration.

Hearing these praises, Okada Izou cursed himself with resentment.

[That piece of shit, he died without ever fully honing his talents.]

What kind of genius is the person who finally made it blossom and bear fruit?

However, before he could continue cursing...

The next moment, he heard a solemn voice entrusting him with a commission.

"Izang, don't be fooled by the fact that these two people are seemingly delicate women."

“But killing these two people and carrying out ‘divine punishment’ to raise funds for us to continue our business is something only you can do.”

"Please, Mr. Izo!"

That was the sound of my voice when I was first invited to kill someone.

Although I don't know why someone was killed, or what the consequences of killing would be.

Even now, I still don't understand what the other party meant by "divine retribution" and "career".

But after his deep-seated belief that "I am a genius, and no one can surpass my swordsmanship" was recognized for the first time.

Okada Izo still swung his knife at the two unarmed, terrified women.

From then on, it was unstoppable.

Looking back, it seems I made a mistake, yet it also seems I did nothing wrong.

But it doesn't really matter anyway.

Okada Izo thought to himself.
-
The next moment, he heard the pleasant clinking of copper coins and a seemingly deliberate but incomprehensible exclamation of praise.

"Last week I killed nearly sixty-three people who were 'deeply sinful' and deserved divine punishment. I thought that was the limit."

"I didn't expect that you would almost catch up with last week's record before the week was even halfway through."

"As expected of the 'Heavenly Punishment Master,' please accept this money."

That was the sound that echoed in his ears as he kept killing people and receiving huge rewards.

However, Okada Izou knew one thing clearly.

Rather than the deliberately publicized title of "the slayer of heaven," people prefer to call him "the man-slayer."

After he received a large sum of money, he also became someone that everyone on the street respected but avoided.

He was secretly cursed by others as a "beast who indiscriminately kills innocent people."

But Okada Izou didn't care about this.

He only found the other person noisy.

At this moment, all he wanted was to quickly escape this boring illusion caused by the opponent's swordsmanship and engage in the final battle.

What will happen next?

[If it were a time capsule, it would probably show the scene of being killed.]

What followed was the sound of his 'comrades' complaining.

"We are discussing matters of national importance; how can we allow this executioner with blood on his hands to listen in!"

And there were very peaceful voices and the occasional sound of copper coins.

"Izang, go out and buy something."

Okada Izou clearly remembered the sky that made him very unhappy when he was walking on the street that day.

The sky was so clear, yet it was still very unpleasant.

He didn't understand why things had turned out this way, nor did he know where things had gone wrong.

He's not thinking straight; he probably did something wrong.

No, perhaps we made a mistake from the very beginning.

Was I doing something wrong when I was learning swordsmanship?

Finally, what echoed in my ears was the pronouncement of his death sentence as his head was chopped off.

"Okada Izou, I will read out your crimes once again!"

"You have killed countless innocent people for the sake of the traitors, and your actions are outrageous."

I don't remember what happened after that; the only thing Okada Izo could remember was the sky he looked up at at that time.

That day, the sky was exceptionally clear.

The sky was a clear, blue expanse.
-
As Okada Izo took one last look at the sky he loathed, another scene appeared before his eyes.

That was when he stood in the church's hell of dismembered limbs after he had quickly killed someone.

Zhang Yong, whose swordsmanship far surpassed his own, counted the severed limbs with a satisfied smile on his face.

And the words the other person said that were unforgettable and very much to my liking.

"Not bad, you've won this killing contest."

"You are truly talented at killing with a knife."

"I'm afraid I can't compare to you."

"Want to come with me and kill even more people?"

How did he respond at that time?

That seems to be the case.

"Of course, if there's anyone you don't like, just tell me."

"Your enemy is my enemy."

"If you let me kill, I will kill anyone!"
"This is all I can do... no, this is all I can do, Master, since I'm not very bright!"

After repeating what he had said before, Okada Izo couldn't help but smile inexplicably.

It seems that all I can do in the end is kill with a knife.

However, this is enough for me.

The very stubborn Okada Izou vaguely felt that he had captured something from that sky.

It seemed to be something I had glimpsed from my Master.

As he finished speaking his last words, the sky before Okada Izo's eyes returned to darkness.
-
Watching the blade slow down after touching the enemy's [Cold Silence], and how it was impossible to dodge even with all my strength.

With the blessing of the [Moon in the Mirror], they have already lost the initiative to deal with the enemy.

Knowing that even if he tried his best to dodge, he would at least lose an arm.

A resolute glint flashed in Okada Izo's eyes as he lost all chance of victory.

The enemy came prepared; they are definitely here to thwart Master's plan.

Master should be able to complete the plans I failed to finish.

[But in order not to hold Master back, I must at least kill her here!]

He no longer ran, nor did he dodge the enemy's blades.

Instead, they relied on instinct and their sense of smell to search for elusive opportunities for victory.

He had already sensed the opportunity to "break through the limit" that Zhang Yong had mentioned.

[If I were to use [Heat Death] 'Acceleration' during the brief interval between the opponent's strikes, and I gave up resisting, I would have a total of two opportunities to swing the sword with one hand.]

[The price is that after this strike, even if I win, I will lose my fighting ability and become a burden to Master.]

【Then.】 The next moment, he sidestepped as the enemy's blade flashed skyward.

He cut off his arms and shoulder blades, nearly half of his body, as if they were scraps of cloth cut by a tailor.

Before the blood gushed out, before the severed arm fell to the ground, before the pain traveled along the nerves to the cerebral cortex.

Okada Izou, who only had two chances to swing his sword, did not draw it on the enemy.

Instead, it swung its knife at the false sky constructed by Miss Orange's magic—a sky that was deep, oppressive, and seemed to imprison its own existence within it.

The next moment, the blade emitted a creaking sound as it struggled to bear the weight.

The surrounding temperature suddenly soared to its limit, and distorted heat waves spread out around him.

The color scheme of the space also underwent an inexplicable distortion, like a burnt yellow filter used when taking a photo.

A scorching hot blade of light shot straight into the sky, heading straight for the barrier.

Okada Izo, who swung this sword, seemed to come alive along with the blazing blade.

Her movements were as if they had been fast-forwarded, a stark contrast to the swordswoman whose movements had slowed down due to the previous [Cold Silence] and who was still on her way.
-
boom--! !

As the blade touched Okada Izo's edge, an indescribable heat instantly filled and erupted.

The blazing flames rose into the sky like burning stars.

But it was not fire, but something pure that would devour even the fire itself.

The moment the blade flashed past, the barrier melted away silently, like thin ice under the blazing sun.

However, even after the barrier shattered, the sky remained unchanged.

Instead, countless intricate magical patterns emerged, attempting to block this devastating strike.

However, those barriers, which were exceptionally strong for magicians, had not yet been fully exposed to the aftershocks of the sword light.

It was burned through in an instant, just like a fragile piece of paper.

It begins to twist and collapse.

After several loud, explosive sounds caused by intense heat, the air was filled with the sound.

The barrier that came into contact with the blade turned into ashes that drifted away with the wind, completely annihilated in the boundless heat wave!

The barrier that should have been sealed off, isolating the connection between Master and Servant, has been torn open by Okada Izo's single strike!

The sky outside the barrier was revealed.

Looking at the second layer of the [Heat Death] barrier that suddenly appeared after I touched and broke through the boundary, resisting me.

Okada Izo, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, widened his eyes in excitement and shouted words of ecstatic joy at the swordsman who was halfway through his journey.

"So the false 'boundary' was the second trap!"

"If I continue to flee, I'm afraid I'll fall into a second trap and be easily killed by you!"

Upon hearing this, Aozaki Touko, who was engaged in a battle of offense and defense with Kenneth, suddenly narrowed her eyes.

The plan went wrong!

After sensing the 'monster' inside her body and recalling her promise to the man, she...

The woman, who was not familiar with the swordswoman, had already begun to think, "Should I self-destruct and take her with me to get a new body?"

As always, the swordswoman did not respond to the enemy.

Having broken free from the influence of [coldness and desolation], her figure flashed suddenly.

Aside from her clothes appearing to have changed color slightly, she didn't even activate her Noble Phantasm, which was called "Nameless Triple Strike".

They simply and stubbornly charged towards Okada Izou.
-
Okada Izo, whose emotions were running high and who had already grasped something, looked at the swordswoman who had deliberately slowed down.

As if an eggshell were shattering, a voice rang in my ears: "[Affected by the [Module: Limit Breaker], your [Noble Phantasm] has been enhanced, and you have obtained the [Realm: Unnamed]."

He then used his only remaining arm to grip the katana, just like Zhang Yong had done.

A confident smile crept onto his lips.

"I've found my own 'sky' too."

"It turns out that Master used that sword, along with swordsmanship and 'realm' to initially construct his mental image."

"This is how you defeat me."

Knowing that he would be unable to fight after unleashing this strike, he did not choose to have his Master use a Command Seal to return to the man's side.

Instead, they unusually requested assistance.

"Master, use Command Seals to strengthen me, I need them."

His response was the four Command Seals that were instantly superimposed on his body.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yong, who was still heading towards the church, heard Okada Izo's words after reconnecting with him.

Immediately, as if by telepathy, they gave the order that best matched the 'human slayer' command.

"By command of the Command Spell, Assassin Okada Izou slays the enemy."

The amplification was maximized while retaining the last Command Seal that could recall the Servant.

He felt an unprecedented surge of power in his body under the blessing of the Command Seal, as well as the weakness that his body was experiencing due to the loss of too much blood from his severed arm.

Okada Izo's blade shot out in response.

As it began to take shape, the unnamed 'Realm' unfolded along the blade, transforming into tiny blade energies that rushed towards the swordswoman.

With the blessing of the four-stroke Command Seal, Okada Izo's newly completed Noble Phantasm also underwent a temporary evolution.

It perfectly replicated the techniques he had glimpsed his Master using.

As the sword was drawn, a patch of clear blue sky, seemingly obliterating reality and exuding the feeling of being the only one in ten thousand miles, vaguely appeared above its head.

Confident that he had reached an unprecedented peak, Okada Izo uttered words of victory.

"Goodbye, then.

"Thank you for letting me see and touch the 'sky'."

"This is mine, my strongest strike, and with the amplification of four Command Seals, it's enough to end your life."

Watching the swordswoman gradually being eroded by the 'Realm' and whose movements had begun to cease under the 'Unique in Ten Thousand Miles'.

And his own seemingly ordinary yet incredibly powerful strike, far surpassing the previous [Heat Death].

Okada Izo shook his head regretfully.

"Your swordsmanship is quite good."

"But at this distance, it's too late."

His response was a soft chant from the swordswoman.

"Under this banner, only sincerity will never be lost."

[Noble Phantasm] [Flag of Sincerity].

A somewhat worn flag bearing the character "诚" (sincerity) stood in the center of the field.

A weak Reality Marble called "Flag of Sincerity" is activated.

Okada Izou's previously vague mental image, which had been constantly eroding the 'sky' of reality, was also put on pause.

Then, that image of being "unique in a vast world" vanished silently, like a mouse that had encountered a seasoned cat and had its throat bitten out, leaving no trace.

It was as if the 'sky' he had just glimpsed was nothing but a fleeting, illusory dream.

Okada Izo's hand, which was holding the sword, trembled slightly upon noticing this.

In an instant, the excitement of impending victory was expelled from the man's body at an incredible speed.

Instead, his body became icy cold, as he lost his arms and shoulder blades and began to lose body temperature due to massive blood loss, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Was she not using her full strength the whole time? Just how strong is she?

If this fight continues, I will die!!!

This thought lingered in Okada Izo's mind for only a moment before being replaced by the weak thought that "Master needs to transfer me."

He watched as the swordswoman charged towards him, her movements fueled by the sword's aura. Based on his previous battle experience, he calculated her speed.

I couldn't help but feel a great sense of relief.

Fortunately, at this distance, even if she activates her [Noble Phantasm] to counter the sword energy, she won't have time to kill me.

It's safe now.

"Master, please proceed."

Before Okada Izo could utter a word, he felt a long sword pierce his heart and shatter his spiritual core.

Looking at the swordswoman so close by, she was wearing a coat that was completely different from the one she had worn before.

It had turned into an exceptionally vibrant cherry blossom color and was radiating astonishing magical power, clearly a haori that appeared only after the activation of its [Noble Phantasm].

Okada Izou, who began to transform into golden particles and return to the Throne of Heroes, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Finally, he uttered a sentence that left him with unresolved regrets in death.

"A Noble Phantasm that blesses oneself is almost equivalent to a few Command Seals?"
"You're only using it now?"
"You actually had such a 'trump card'?"

Then came a sentence filled with extreme resentment.

"I have clearly broken through my own limitations and glimpsed the 'sky'."

"Why should I lose to you? I won't!"

His response was the swordswoman's first calm remark after confirming the enemy's death.

"It's just an ordinary [Oath's Feather Robe]. (Increases all of the Servant's attributes by one level.)"
"In Master's words, it is..."

"Congratulations on forcing out two of my 'trump cards'. You are indeed a formidable opponent, worthy of respect."

"You're probably imitating your Master's swordsmanship, right? I'll provide you with information about those techniques."

Upon hearing the swordswoman's answer, Okada Izo's lips twitched, clearly as if he was about to utter something.

His response was met with the impatient swordswoman's longsword, which she swung with an intent to shatter the particles of 'spiritual essence'.

In an instant, Okada Izo's return to the Throne of Heroes accelerated dramatically under the influence of this action, which was akin to stirring egg liquid.

It completely transformed into spiritual matter that dissipated into the air.

There are 6 minutes and 52 seconds left until sunset.

Assassin Okada Izou, died.
-
At the same moment, the red archer looked at Rider Zhao Yun standing in the ruins of the church.

He threw down the Gan Jiang and Mo Xie swords as if committing suicide.

(End of this chapter)