Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1060  The Blade

Masamune Byakuya's sudden provocative response, implying that he was stronger than everyone else present here, without even a shroud of respect laced in his tone, triggered the united wrath of the entire Hero of Space's party.

BOOM!!

One after another, heavily suffocating saint pressures erupted, following along with the killing intent full of rage and bloodlust.

"You insolent bastard! How dare you speak such hubris and disrespect Ryuken-sama?!" shouted Shingen, standing up from his seat and grabbing his Kanobo, the mace-like club with spikes, his body ready to jump and attack Kahn.

The same reaction came from Kensei, Kagura, and Tomoe. This blatant disregard for Ryuken's authority and honor being the fuel of their outburst.

However… Kahn/Byakuya remained unfazed, gently sipping his tea as their auras did not even touch his clothes or move even a strand of his hair.

"I'm not disrespecting him... I'm just disrespecting all of you." he spoke with a benign smile.

Right then...

"All of you! Retract your auras!" bellowed the Hero of Space in a hurry.

The sudden order bewildered all of them but they quickly suppressed their killing intent.

Huff!

Huff!

And as they looked around, they all saw the servants and the soldiers almost plastered on the floor and ground.

Had it not been for Ryuken's own saint pressure of a 6th-stage saint, enveloping and protecting them at the quickest second, all these innocent people would've already died.

Protecting the weak was Ryuken's first priority instead of responding with anger in accordance with Byakuya's insult.

But the fact remained ever since these two new arrivals came, many thought-provoking moments led to such confrontations.

"Do you dare to take responsibility for such words?" asked Ryuken.

This time, even the coolheaded Hero of Space was exasperated and also offended by those claims despite showing great restraint.

"Is it a sin to speak the absolute truth, Ryuken-dono?" asked Byakuya with a devious smile.

Clench!

"So not even an hour since we made acquaintance and you have already disrespected the entirety of the Hero's Party twice.

I hope you have what it takes to back up those grand claims… Alas, there shall be consequence." spoke Ryuken, intently locking his gaze with Byakuya.

Sigh!

"Phew! Looks like a faceoff is inevitable since matters have progressed to this extent; all for merely standing the facts." replied Byakuya.

But before he could continue…

"If we are going to clash blades… Allow me this opportunity, my Lord." said Raiden/Omega in a composed demeanor.

Omega willingly took on the offer without any hesitation.

"You! Who are you to interfere?! A mere vassal is acting like a champion?" asked Isshin, the young Onmyoji.

"I may not be a Samurai by title, but I have pledged my loyalty to Byakuya-sama.

If you want to test my lord, then you shall prove that you're worthy to do so first." replied Omega in a cold tone, his voice carrying absolute might.

"How impetuous! You dare speak of worth to the members of nobility?!" raged Momoko, the spider-demon yokai with an umbrella.

One after another, others also voiced the same opinion.

But soon, Omega smirked and responded…

"You may be noble by birth but it remains a fact that none of you are the heirs or direct descendant of the 5 Daimyo Clans.

All of you hail from their vassal clans and were sent to join the Hero's party after failing to become the official successor… all because one of your birth parents was born into the 5 clans. Even that monk called Dosho, seems to be from the God Raum's Temple and not some noble clan.

So by that logic, excluding Ryuken-sama, no one in this so-called party has any superiority over the other in terms of nobility or titles." His stern and grim voice echoed in the hall.

Suddenly, the servants and soldiers almost froze on their spots again, expecting another outburst from the hero's allies. Because one after another, both Byakuya and Raiden were landing heavy blows on their honor and prestige.

"Hence, my proposition is valid. After all, what kind of Samurai would let his Lord fight against a bunch of weaklings for no reason?" he asked in a contemptuous tone.

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

His remark erupted another series of wrathful auras and the atmosphere turned heated even more.

Because technically, everything Raiden said was true. If one were to consider Byakuya's origin as per his claims, he was of pure noble blood and would be second only to the Hero of Space in terms of standing in this group.

So in the end, it was them who were crossing the line and disrespecting the noble blood.

"So… who dares to face me?" asked Omega in an overbearing and domineering voice.

[You sure want to face them?] asked Kahn.

[Yes, I have to gain some experience after practicing so much. Besides, I want to show you the new skills and techniques I learned from Miyamoto-sensei.] responded Omega.

It was then, Kahn realized that the sword saint wasn't just his but also Omega's legitimate master. The only difference was that he taught both of them different fighting techniques. [Good then. It will be a good chance to assess the strength of this party in advance. So do not disappoint me.] ordered Kahn while maintaining a sly smile on his face.

"I'll allow it." suddenly, Ryuken announced his wish.

"What?!" The collective exclaim from the party members echoed in the halls of the pagoda as the Hero of Space suddenly allowed for the challenge presented by Raiden.

A small-curved smile appeared on Ryuken's face as he revealed his reasons…

"A person is either an ignorant fool when they boast about their strength so vociferously, or… they're terrifyingly strong to have earned the right to do so." stated Sasakibe Ryuken.

He then gazed around his teammates and chuckled lightly.

"Are you not interested to know whether their claims are true or just a pretentious hoax?" asked the Hero with an expectant gaze.

The team members also calmed down, understanding the situation. If they accepted Raiden's proposition, not only would they be able to gauge the new members and their respective strengths, but also pay them back for these incessant insults.

Because in the end, the path to hierarchy was often decided by one's strength in the world.

"Byakuya-dono, how about we place a bet?" asked Ryuken in an authoritative tone.

"If your samurai loses against any of them in a duel, then you will have to face me.

And once I've defeated you… you will talk to everyone among my friends as Lord and Lady. And you will also follow my orders obediently.

This haughty and prideful attitude shan't be welcomed under my leadership." he said in a firm voice.

"So do you dare to accept the bet?" he asked in a taunting tone.

Byakuya in return, let out a mischievous smirk and replied…

"I wouldn't have it otherwise. However… what if your 'friends' cannot defeat my samurai?

What then?"

"Then you and your samurai will have full autonomy in this party. And you will always have the free will to defy my command.

That I promise, in my name as the 10th Hero of Space." declared Ryuken confidently.

"This is preposterous and unacceptable!" said Kagura, her tails wiggling behind her back due to anxiety.

"This is unheard of, Ryuken-sama." said Dosho, the monk.

"I'm against such an arrangement as well, Hero-sama." said Isshin, the Onmyoji.

Because that would greatly affect the chain of command in the future.

"This is a rightful price to barter. Besides, are you not confident in your own skills?" asked Ryuken in a stern voice, indicating his resolve.

[This is a good opportunity for them to learn and grow. They have never fought or trained at their full strength against me because of my role and status.

But in front of these two, who have insulted their pride… they will gain good experience.

I cannot allow what happened during the Conclave of Heroes ever again.] thought the Hero of Space to himself.

Instead of getting offended, he was putting an act and using this encounter to help his allies and show them their shortcomings.

----------------

10 minutes later…

They entered a training facility that sent them all into a separate realm, arranged specifically for duels between saints.

"Who do you want to face first, you dog-bastard?" asked Shingen with a contemptuous and vengeful smirk, cajoling Raiden to choose him first.

"It would be unfair to all of you if I fought you in the conventional one against one duel." declared Omega haughtily.

"So come at me, all at once!" his voice sent a chill in everyone's body.

"Heed my words…"

Clink!

Clang!

Omega brandished both Raijin and Kyojin.

"I am Raiden. Blade of Lord Byakuya." he declared in a tyrannical voice.

Omega's indomitable and impregnable will resonated in the surroundings as he pointed his blade at the members of the hero's party.

"And I have never known defeat."