It is somewhat rude to treat the small-statured Suika Ibuki as All Might's substitute, as the other party's art style is sufficiently unique, and the two are worlds apart. However, in terms of ability, they do have some similarities.
"Bang!!"
The ground beside her exploded constantly, as if filled with dynamite.
Relying on high mobility, Lancer achieved almost perfect evasion. At least, since the start of the fight, he had not been hit by the opponent, but the problem was that he also couldn't hit the opponent.
Although small in stature, her combat experience was simply terrifying. No matter which direction Lancer attacked from, the opponent reacted quickly as if she had eyes in the back of her head. This led to Lancer only circling the opponent after a few probing attacks, as if he didn't move, the opponent would quickly close in on him with her powerful explosive force and unleash a storm of attacks.
And the dusty ground in the distance was the result of the opponent's attacks.
But Lancer knew this was meaningless. The opponent could rest and wait for him to expose a weakness, while he could only expend stamina for nothing.
'I can't drag this on any longer. Continuing to drag this on is just a slow death.'
Since the opponent won't actively expose a weakness, let him create one!
The 'afterimages' that surrounded Suika Ibuki suddenly converged into one spot, and Suika Ibuki, who had seemed calm and relaxed, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Indeed, with her rich combat experience and sensitivity to killing intent, she could anticipate most of Lancer attacks, but she was not as relaxed as she seemed. Mental fatigue is more terrifying than simple physical exhaustion. She deliberately maintained a relaxed attitude to avoid drawing Lancer attention, even using her wine to maintain focus. One must know that for the Oni Clan, a moderate amount of wine is a source of strength, and the combat power of an Oni who has drunk is significantly different from one who hasn't.
She might look like a young Loli, but in reality, as an 'Oni' who has lived for a hundred years, she might be careless in other aspects, but in terms of combat, she is a 'professional.'
Using stillness to counter movement, building up momentum.
And Lancer sudden attack played right into her hands. Lancer was still a bit too naive in certain aspects compared to those seasoned veterans.
With fine wine being drunk on one side and an opponent who interested her on the other, Suika Ibuki was caught in a happy dilemma, but —————— 'I finally caught my chance!'
She did not self-consciously sell a weakness on purpose. After all, the opponent's strength was not weak, and he had previously shown a cautious fighting style. Deliberately selling a weakness might not even yield the expected reward and could even lead to the opponent counter-attacking and finding a genuine weakness.
So, under these circumstances, what part would a normal person attack?
Undoubtedly, it would be a vital point, and there are quite a few vital points on humans or humanoid life forms. However, she has a special 'advantage' —————— the height difference between the two.
Given the opponent's height, what part would be easiest to attack?
...
"Bastard!! Don't look down on me!!!"
Facing the sudden burst of Suika Ibuki, Lancer did not stop his steps. As the saying goes, 'one, two, then decline, then exhaust, using a spear greatly emphasizes momentum. Even against the suddenly erupting Suika Ibuki, Lancer had no intention of backing down.
An extremely simple straight thrust stabbed towards the opponent's glabella (center of the forehead). This was the best position Lancer could attack, as if he aimed lower, Lancer posture would inevitably become distorted.
Although it was just a 'straight thrust,' Lancer had practiced this seemingly simple straight thrust the most over the years. Later, after witnessing Li Shuwen's 'Second to None in Hitting,' he became even more convinced of the importance of practicing the basics, because the opponent's seemingly simple yet unavoidable strike was evolved from the most seemingly simple attack.
Lancer grip on the spear was terrifyingly steady. The spearhead slightly trembled, but the shaft he was holding was perfectly motionless.
Everything seemed complicated, but in reality, for the two people on the battlefield, everything was just that one cold gleam. As for the thousands of subsequent changes, they were hidden in the minds of the two: how the opponent would defend/attack, and how one should counter-attack.
As the spear tip stabbed towards her forehead, Suika Ibuki stretched out her right hand, attempting to grab it, but Lancer easily swayed past. But just as the spear tip was about to reach the opponent ——————
The target disappeared?!
Was the opponent faster than him?!
Facing the sudden situation, Lancer accelerated his movement speed without hesitation. After all, only high-speed movement could give him a sense of security at this time.
An enemy whose strength is greater than yours and whose speed is terrifying is simply a nightmare.
But just at this moment, he felt a shadow appear above his head.
'Above my head?!'
Lancer, looking up, instantly widened his eyes because he saw —————— a loincloth
What the heck!!
——————
Lancer evasion ability and mobility completely exceeded everyone's expectations.
So, what is the simplest way to deal with such a high-speed opponent —————— carpet bombing (map-wide attack)?
The Oni Clan is not skilled in magic, and Suika Ibuki did not believe she could hit Lancer relying on her unreliable magic, so she directly used her trump card.
The ability she possesses as a Great Demon is very unique: she can freely increase or decrease her size. She dodged Lancer attack earlier by making herself smaller, completely disappearing from Lancer field of attack, and then, while Lancer was distracted, she directly grew larger and stomped towards Lancer.
And Yuugi Hoshiguma and Kasen Ibaraki, who were originally sitting there drinking, unconsciously sat up straight.
The danger of the confrontation between Lancer and Suika Ibuki could only be truly experienced by the two of them, but for the spectators, it was a bit boring. After all, the fighting style the Oni Clan appreciates the most is close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, and Lancer fighting style, where he frantically dodges and runs around, was truly uninteresting.
But all of this changed in an instant. The suddenly enlarged Suika Ibuki abruptly appeared in the field and stomped the 'challenger' flat with one foot. The surrounding crowd immediately fell silent, followed by a burst of exaggerated cheers.
But the expressions of two people were extremely solemn.
"Suika succeeded?"
"I don't think so, but Suika expression doesn't look like she succeeded..."
And just at this moment, the ground beneath the opponent's feet suddenly shook, and then ——————
'Crack~!'
A hole was opened in the ground, and Lancer, looking somewhat disheveled, crawled out of the hole. The samurai uniform he was wearing was already torn, revealing the black bodysuit beneath.
When attacking Suika Ibuki earlier, Lancer had considered many reactions he should take when facing a counter-attack, such as evasion, counter-attack, or even tactical retreat, but he absolutely never thought he would be stomped into the ground by someone.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly enough. Realizing that he couldn't escape the range of the opponent's foot before it landed, he decisively attacked the ground below, thus escaping disaster.
Lancer, looking at the giant Suika Ibuki, directly grabbed his collar ——————
"Rip~!"
Accompanied by the sound of fabric tearing, the samurai uniform on his body was completely ripped off. At the same time, he also untied the red scarf wrapped around his right hand and tied it around his neck...
Wearing the bodysuit, he once again assumed an attacking posture. There was no doubt that he had not given up.
And seeing Lancer once again assume a fighting stance, Suika Ibuki, with a face full of excitement, immediately —————— stomped down.
"Bang!!!"