"Let's begin this exorcism game using the power of the 'Scarecrow Card'."
Hawkins held the sword with one hand, and the straw extending from its blade continuously condensed into a giant scarecrow that appeared above him until the entire scarecrow separated and revealed its immense body in the air.
Compared to Hawkins' own 'Demon-Subduing Aspect,' this scarecrow was even fiercer.
Like a shaman in a trance, the scarecrow's face turned wild, its fangs curving upwards, revealing a face reminiscent of a demon mask.
Its hair, unlike straw, appeared gray-white, and its body was cloaked in a sacrificial robe, with nails embedded in its chest on both sides.
The fingertips of its left hand were tied with coffin nails, while the right hand wielded a wolf fang club studded with coffin nails.
Bang!
The moment the giant scarecrow appeared, it swung the wolf fang club and smashed a resentful Tengu into pieces with one blow.
This time, the surrounding tree trunks did not stir up a whirlwind, and the resentful Tengu did not resurrect.
Since it was created by ability, destroying it with ability was most suitable.
Hawkins' newly developed ability, the 'Scarecrow Card,' possessed this power.
His long development of abilities allowed him to place the set of card powers meant for 'pursuit' and 'support' onto the scarecrow.
By modeling the scarecrow with the unique card power, the scarecrow that appeared surpassed the original 'Demon-Subduing Aspect.'
This was his new method.
With such power, contending with similarly manifested abilities was not too difficult.
The scarecrow also flew up, circling the resentful Tengu, smashing each with a club, making them disappear completely.
"Namo-three..."
Urouge raised one hand towards the direction where the last resentful Tengu disappeared and bowed slightly.
"If there truly were the resentful spirits of wrongful deaths, this can be considered a release. We defeated you with strength, adhering to the principle of natural selection; the strong should possess everything, so rest in peace."
Releasing spirits is about reasoning, using chanting to allow the deceased to ascend to heaven or enter reincarnation.
But if they don't understand spoken language, they also slightly grasp some Haki abilities.
Physics is also a form of reasoning, natural selection is also a truth of the sea, using truth to release spirits can still allow them to ascend to heaven, enter reincarnation.
"Something isn't right..." Hawkins still frowned tightly at this moment.
A group of resentful Tengu spirits was easy to resolve, those two people who supposedly had a restraining relationship were equally easy to resolve.
But this did not match his divination results.
Those two people didn't match the victory rate his divination predicted at all.
His divinations had never been wrong before he met Sage.
Only a person like Sage had the strength to realize a probability that was almost zero.
Ordinary divination should still go as predicted.
Hawkins looked around, "It shouldn't be over yet."
Poof!
Just as his voice fell, the scarecrow in the air was suddenly pierced with countless holes, its ghostly glowing straw eyes quickly extinguished, scattering straw accompanied by falling petals.
That was...
Hawkins was startled, watching the petals gradually disappear, "Roses?"
"Rose Chaos Dance!"
From the depths of the dark forest ahead, waves of crimson petals surged toward them.
Now Hawkins saw clearly.
These were not petals at all, they were Soaring Slashes!
"Urouge!"
"Understood!"
Urouge ran in front of Hawkins, swinging the lead column in a circle, releasing a blast of Haki to block the incoming petals.
Clang, clang, clang!
The petals striking the barrier made a crisp sound, splattering outward, but they didn't hold out for long, the Haki quickly shattered, and the spiraling petals continued their assault.
Urouge planted the lead column in front, allowing the petals to hit it, creating crisp sounds while leaving deep scratches on the lead column.
Boom!
At that moment, a heavy vibration sounded in front, the sound quickening as something shiny flickered across Urouge's field of vision.
Instinctively, Haki enveloped the lead column, and he swung it forward, ready to attack.
Bang!!
A massive force surged forward, nearly ripping Urouge's grip off the lead column, forcing him back from the impact.
"Rice Straw Hand-Prepared Blade!"
As Urouge retreated, Hawkins leapt high from behind him, the long sword in hand becoming the Rice Straw Blade, thrusting forward.
Ding!
The sharp and flexible straw sword struck the shiny object, but only made a crisp sound as the sword blade was deflected away.
Yet jumping up allowed Hawkins to see what it was.
His pupils constricted, the Rice Straw Blade reverted to a normal sword, straw scattering as he quickly landed back, standing together with Urouge, who had just stabilized.
"This really is..."
Urouge maintained a wry smile, but sweat was trickling down his forehead.
In front, from the deep forest, emerged a strong, broad-shouldered man with a dusky complexion.
He sported two curved black mustaches, wore a tall hat, and beneath an open deep-blue shirt was a thicket of chest hair; his gloved hands wielded twin swords.
As his black cloak fluttered behind him, he stood on the ground, showing them a courteous smile.
This was a rugged-faced man, yet his attire and mannerisms were very gentlemanly.