With an odd expression, Timothy locked eyes with Kagedouma.
"Why the ugly face? Does the name Temoshí confuse you? You've sailed these seas for years. Did you think no one would discover the truth about your identity? Deceiving your friends, hiding behind a smile that no one truly understands?"
"You were destined to be exposed eventually, my dear pirate. Or perhaps you forgot about yourself and your past? The truths you hear now may seem like lies to you, but the name you bear is merely hidden within the archives and online databases. I'm surprised that even the WPDA and the marines failed to uncover the truth."
Timothy's eyes revealed little emotion. He stood ready, prepared for an attack, his voice remaining calm despite the perplexing situation.
"Temoshí? That name isn't connected to me. I think you're simply digging too deep and mistakenly assumed I'm the same person you read about."
However, Kagedouma denied his words and burst into a clinical laugh. "Don't be so sure. I've checked every record regarding pirates on the Vast Expanse, and none bore the name Timothy. This data wasn't on the marine website; it was from the Spirit Flower Agency database."
Timothy blinked in surprise, knowing that this was the agency Chiaki came from.
"You're insane if you think that makes sense. The Spirit Agency hasn't been seen for decades. They were all wiped out. Plus, the database you found is probably as old as their extinction. That website is outdated."
Kagedouma laughed and wagged his finger. "Not quite. The website mentioned it was updated a few days ago. This means more than you think. Perhaps not all members of the Spirit Agency were annihilated. Some might still be alive, Temoshí."
Timothy gritted his teeth in frustration, recalling that Chiaki's brother was still alive. This knowledge opened doors to information about Chiaki's bloodline that he had yet to uncover. If both Chiaki and Blythe survived, it was possible that even more members had managed to do so.
"Remember, Temoshí. The Spirit Agency holds the most comprehensive information on activities in the Vast Expanse. You're bound to find truths on that website. It's far more reliable than the marine's wanted posters."
"And surely, you've caused enough chaos across the ocean for people to uncover details about you. The real ones might have been swapped for lies, but the data I found was mostly accurate—from your powers to your appearance, right down to your actual name. If that's not enough evidence for you, perhaps you'll find the truth in the next world."
Kagedouma's explanation reached its conclusion with an ominous threat. Without warning, he launched himself forward at full throttle, his fist aimed directly at Timothy with incredible speed and power.
Timothy barely managed to react in time, instinctively backing away from the impending strike. Despite his quick reflexes, the shockwave from Kagedouma's punch slammed into him, sending a wave of pain through his body and leaving bruises in its wake.
"Keep running! You're bound to get hit eventually!" Kagedouma taunted, his voice echoing menacingly. He then raised his leg high and brought it down with such force that the tower's ground splintered, sending debris flying as a vacuum wave dragged stones and shattered fragments along its destructive path.
Timothy found himself in a perilous position, with no clear avenue for escape. In a split-second decision, he set his body ablaze, igniting himself in a fiery aura. He spun on the floor, using the momentum to propel himself upwards, rocketing high into the sky. Kagedouma's devastating attack continued on its course, crashing over the edges of the tower and sending a cascade of stones plummeting to the already ravaged ground below.
The force of the impact shook the entire tower, and Timothy could feel the heat and pressure of Kagedouma's power even as he ascended. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his evasive maneuvers for long; Kagedouma's relentless pursuit meant that every moment counted.
As he soared higher, Timothy took a brief second to assess the situation. The sky was darkened by the debris, and the tower's structural integrity was rapidly deteriorating. He needed a new plan, one that could turn the tide against Kagedouma's overwhelming strength. With a deep breath, he steeled himself, ready to confront the next barrage of attacks and determined to find a way to outmaneuver his formidable opponent.
Timothy raised his chin, his eyes blazing with a mix of fear and anger as blue flames erupted from his body. He plunged downwards like a meteor, aiming to stagger Kagedouma with a powerful blow.
Kagedouma, anticipating the move, caught Timothy's fiery fist in a single palm, halting his descent. The force of their clash sent a shockwave through the ground, causing it to shatter into countless fragments. The gust of wind expanded across the Uncanny Land, even reaching Aurora, who felt the pressure and shivered in astonishment.
"You think you can overpower me with brute strength, Temoshí?" Kagedouma sneered, tightening his grip. "You're nothing compared to what I have faced."
Timothy struggled, his blue flames intensifying, but Kagedouma smirked and held firm, making Timothy feel the intensity of their confrontation. "Pathetic. Your flames are nothing but a flicker compared to my power."
With a final motion, Kagedouma pushed Timothy aside, causing him to land hard on the ground. As Timothy lay there catching his breath, he realized he needed a new strategy. The battle was far from over, and he had to find a way to overcome Kagedouma's overwhelming might.
As Kagedouma closed the distance to Timothy, a solemn determination settled over him. He knew he had to plumb the depths of Timothy's existence, but first, he must ensure Timothy's elimination and arrange for a place where he could vanish without trace—a desolate abyss from which escape was impossible.
Approaching nearer, Kagedouma's gaze fell upon Timothy's battered form. The injuries bore testament to the struggle, yet Kagedouma remained resolute. "Even if by some unforeseen fortune you manage to endure and persist in your inquiries into the enigmatic Spirit Flower Agency, your endeavors shall prove fruitless," Kagedouma intoned, his voice tinged with an eerie certainty. "There exists no shred of information that shall avail you. Indeed, the knowledge imparted onto you on this fateful eve is all you shall ever need to know. Therefore, brace yourself, human... for the road you travel concludes here."
With these words, Kagedouma raised his hand, casting a long shadow over Timothy's prone figure.