Sakura stood amidst a sea of fallen Gifu juniors and Gifterians, her breath coming in controlled but heavy bursts.
She glanced to her side and saw Aguilera and Hikaru struggling, both showing signs of exhaustion.
Aguilera had fought valiantly, her determination unwavering, but the toll of killing 140 Gifu juniors and 10 Gifterians was evident in her labored movements.
Hikaru, too, had given his all, his tally nearly as impressive, yet he was visibly spent, barely able to stand.
Their enemies seemed endless, a relentless wave that threatened to engulf them. But Sakura, fueled by her intense training with Aaron and sheer determination, continued to push forward.
She moved with precision and power, each kick and punch finding its mark and bringing down another foe. Her body was burning with exertion, yet she knew she could keep going for a few more minutes.
"Aguilera, Hikaru, stay behind me!" Sakura commanded, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Aguilera nodded, falling back slightly, her breathing ragged. Hikaru managed a weak smile, grateful for the brief respite.
Sakura's training with Aaron had been brutal, but it had forged her into a warrior capable of withstanding this seemingly unending onslaught.
Her movements were a blur as she took down another wave of Gifu juniors, her strikes imbued with a fierce resolve.
"Just a little longer," she muttered to herself, "I can do this."
She kicked a Gifu junior into a group of advancing enemies, creating a momentary gap in their ranks. Spinning around, she delivered a series of rapid punches, her fists striking with the force of a sledgehammer. Each blow sent another Gifterian to the ground, their forms dissolving into nothingness.
Aguilera, struggling to stand, was blindsided by a powerful whip, sending her flying through the air. The force of the attack was so great that it caused her to detransform, reverting to her human state. She landed hard, a deep gash in her gut bleeding profusely. She coughed up blood, feeling the chill of impending death creeping over her.
"Aguilera!" Sakura shouted, her voice filled with concern and desperation. Aguilera barely managed a weak nod, her vision blurring as the pain overwhelmed her. Hikaru, seeing Aguilera's dire condition, rushed to her aid.
But before he could reach her, he was struck by multiple flying slashes, sending him crashing to the ground as well. His body skidded across the dirt, coming to a halt near Aguilera, unconscious.
Sakura dodged another flying slash just in time, the blade of energy cutting through the building behind her and causing it to collapse in a shower of debris. Her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and fury, but she forced herself to stay calm. Acting on emotion would only get her and her friends killed.
She focused her energy, moving with lethal precision. One by one, she dispatched the enemies around her, her movements a blur of kicks and punches. Each strike was delivered with unyielding force, taking down as many Gifu juniors and Gifterians as she could manage.
Just when she thought she was gaining the upper hand, a portal appeared in the sky. From it, a new wave of about 100 enemies descended onto the battlefield. Sakura's heart sank. The odds were growing worse by the second.
As she prepared to face this new onslaught, someone landed on the battlefield with a powerful impact. Before the enemies could react, they were enveloped in a purifying light, disintegrating into nothingness.
"Yo," Aaron greeted casually, standing in the midst of the dissipating enemies. Sakura did not look pleased. Her expression was a mix of frustration and anger, clearly not happy to see him despite the reprieve he had just provided.
"Look who decided to show, "Sakura said as her gaze landed on Aaron.
"Yow" Aaron greeted with a smile on his face.
"Would it have killed you to come just a bit sooner?"She said as she looked at him.
"Got busy, "He said shrugging his shoulder, really not feeling like explaining why he was like this.
"Ah yeah, how could I forget, if it isn't useful to you then you won't bother helping," Sakura said coldly as she gazed at Aaron to which he just chuckled.
"What did I say anything funny" She said as she looked at to which he just smiled.
"I mean weekend headquarters is still fine," He said shrugging.
"Not thanks to you, "She said as she looked at him.
"Aw want me to buy you a better handpaper so you could cry better," Aaron said as he acted as if he was wiping some tears.
"I don't need anything from you," She said her voice sounding cold.
"How is it my fault that you were too weak to protect them," Aaron said looking Sakura in the eyes.
Sakura's fists clenched, and she took a step forward, anger blazing in her eyes. "You arrogant—"
"Enough!" Aguilera's weak voice interrupted them. She was leaning heavily on Hikaru, who was still struggling to stand. "This isn't the time for your petty arguments."
Aaron looked at Aguilera's state...welp she definitely had seen a better day...one look at Hikaru told him the man was barely holding on for dear life.
They were so underpowered for the threat they needed to face...apart from Sakura the rest of them were sorry at best...
Aaron just shrugs before walking toward the base...Sakura on the other hand looked pretty pissed but heh who cares.
Time skip.
Karizaki was seen congratulating everyone on their hard work and that seemed to tick Sakura off the wrong way.
"Why congratulate him...he did nothing, "Sakura said pointing toward Aaron who just smiled at her.
Wasn't this just fun?
"He did his fair share" Karizaki added to which Sakura looked annoyed.
George on the other hand looked at Aaron, something was off why was he not telling them about the fact that he stopped a horde of nearly 5000 of their enemy from reaching their base?
Why did he not say that was the reason he came late, he was sure this would be enough explanation for Sakura so why did he keep that fact a secret?
It was almost as if he wanted her to hate him...it was either that or he didnt care about any of this at all.
He rubbed his temple a bit, trying to understand how Aaron thought was making his brain hurt.
Sakura's frustration boiled over. "Aaron, why don't you tell them why you were late? What were you really doing?"
Aaron's smile faded slightly. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Just handling some business. Doesn't matter now."
"Handling some business?" Sakura repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You mean avoiding helping us until the very last minute?"
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Hey, what's so wrong with me trying to get some popcorn before getting here"
"Are you kidding me...human lives were on the line, and you thought getting popcorn was a good idea" She said looking pretty angry.
"Welp, I help didnt I "He said as he took out a bag of popcorn and started eating...
"That's not the point!" Sakura snapped. "We almost lost people today. Aguilera, Hikaru—they were on the brink! And you—"
Karizaki interjected, trying to calm the situation. "Enough, both of you. We need to focus on the bigger picture here. We're all on the same side."
Sakura clenched her fists, clearly unsatisfied. "Just...try to show up on time next time," she muttered, turning away.
Aaron sighed, watching her go. He glanced at George, who was still studying him with a perplexed expression.
"Got something on your mind, George?" Aaron asked casually.
George hesitated, then shook his head. "Just...trying to figure you out."
"Good luck with that," Aaron said with a chuckle. "I've been trying to do the same for years."
"Why didnt you tell her you were busy buying popcorn when you were holding off a horde of enemy" George added looking at him.
"Welp she already has a prebuilt perception of me, and it's a bother to try and change it," He said shrugging a bit.
"So that's your reason...you couldn't be bothered too, "George said looking dumbfounded.
"Oh and by the way...take this, "Aaron said as soon as Sakura and Aguilera were gone....
George looked confused to which he just opened his mouth and said.
"I collected Gifu Dna from all the Gifterian I fought...this little vial should have all you need to make the Vistamp they need right"
George looked at Aaron dumbfounded....he could not read this man...the heck.
"Use this so Genta doesn't try to do something drastic like offering the Gifu genes in his heart to help," He said dryly as he stood up and walked out of the room.
Both scientists stood in the room dumbfounded...meanwhile listening to their whole conversation was Hana.
She heard everything.