The peace at the military bases was running out of time as Hideki finally arrived at one of the base's side areas, not through the entrance where Tahiko and Williams were conversing. The sides of the bases had iron bars covering the protective fences for some unknown reason.
With an apathetic face and discreet behavior, Hideki approached silently, sensing Tahiko's presence but unable to locate him precisely.
"Just one bearer…" he murmured.
The bearer's confidence was interrupted by desperate sounds. Tahiko heard cries of distress and immediately ran to see what was happening.
Amid the people running back and forth, Tahiko shouted, "Riley! Riley! Riley!" as he moved toward the screams.
Upon arrival, Riley quickly ran and hugged Tahiko. He then faced Hideki, who seemed indifferent to the chaos around him. The civilians ran to take cover behind Tahiko, while Williams stood by his side, and Riley joined the civilians.
"Who are you?" Tahiko asked with firmness in his voice and sharp eyes.
"No introduction is necessary. Just know that you shouldn't resist," Hideki replied, his voice cold and dry, like someone lifeless.
"Then get lost. I haven't killed any Gyaku yet; I'm fresh for a fight," Tahiko retorted, assuming an offensive stance.
"I am just following an order. And look, I have to kill everyone, including you."
Tahiko let out a wide, exaggerated smile and pointed at Hideki.
"Let me kick you out with a beating."
He looked back, specifically at Williams, Riley, and the dozens of civilians, to make his conviction clear.
"Get out of here. I'll take care of him... Captain and Riley, see you later," An optimistic smile brightened his face.
Quickly, the people obeyed his order and ran away, toward the border with the city of Maka, except for Williams, who gave a few pats on Tahiko's chest as a form of motivation while speaking.
"We trust you."
The anxious looks of the people turned toward their escape. Now, Tahiko stood face to face with his adversary, who was also a bearer, at a distance of 10 meters.
"Now it's just between us, you little clown!" Tahiko shouted, clenching his fists and exuding extravagant excitement.
"First, I need to do something," Hideki responded. Tahiko didn't understand, and Hideki soon said,
"Hariyaga: Inversion."
The power technique "Inversion" allowed the user the ability to reverse everything and everyone. This ability was so versatile that the user could switch the locations of people, objects, and animals, essentially altering the position and state of anything existing. This technique provided countless applications, capable of surprising even the most experienced.
"I'll let them get far, but they won't reach Maka."
Tahiko frowned, his eyes filled with determination, but he really didn't understand the situation.
"Inversion? Is that your crappy technique?"
Hideki, without hesitation, used one of the branches of his ability.
"Inversion of Pressure: Hydrostatic."
"Huh?" Tahiko reacted. "What are you doing?"
"Cover us," Hideki ordered, his voice firm and impassive.
Within seconds, something enormous appeared.
The Hydrostatic Pressure Inversion ability with the order to Cover was used to create a reverse-pressure aquatic prison, encapsulating the targets within an 800-meter radius inside an oval structure of distorted water columns.
Using the order to "Cover," the user formed a gigantic oval structure composed of distorted water columns, maintained by hydrostatic pressure inversion. This structure surrounded Tahiko, Williams, Riley, and the other soldiers and civilians within the 800-meter radius.
The water columns, sustained by hydrostatic pressure inversion, created an impenetrable barrier around the target. The distortion of the water columns made the barrier difficult to penetrate and visually confusing, causing disorientation and difficulty in breathing due to the intoxication caused by the distortion.
"What the hell. This is sinister!" Tahiko looked up and saw the enormous oval water structure covering them.
"The intoxication released from the water columns will kill your civilians in a few minutes," Hideki said, his face unmerciful and apathetic. He spoke little, felt little, and his empty gaze disturbed anyone with a heart.
Something needed to be done, and Tahiko didn't think twice. He clenched his fists again and advanced with impressive speed, delivering a series of quick and precise punches.
Strikes with direct, left, lower, and lateral punches seemed to break the air around, but Hideki dodged easily, almost as if he were playing.
"He dodged? This is going to be a nice challenge to experience," Tahiko thought, smiling with joy at the chance to enjoy a good fight.
Tahiko's movement was insane; wherever Hideki went, right after dodging, Tahiko was already following like a parasite excited for blood.
"My ability is terrifying. Tell me, isn't it?" Tahiko said, wiping his face as he got up.
"For a human, yes, and nothing more. Because I still haven't been hit."
On the other hand, Hideki showed no difficulty, dodging calmly. His expression didn't change; it was nothing more than the same, almost an analogy of an experienced adult dealing with a stubborn and anxious child.
Sweat ran down Tahiko's face, but he didn't slow down. Instead, he smiled, a determined and challenging smile.
"I admit it's impressive. You still dodge? But that only excites me more. And I still haven't used my technique..."