Hinata Sakaguchi thrust her sword, the speed too fast for the naked eye to track.
However, it was easily dodged under Rimuru's million-fold thought acceleration.
"As expected of the monster that killed Teacher Shizu, to actually dodge that strike."
"Wait a second, at least let a person finish what they're saying!"
"I have no interest in the words of a monster, but I can listen to final words."
Seeing that Hinata Sakaguchi did not continue attacking, Rimuru softened its tone.
"I am Japanese, just like you. Miss Shizu entrusted me to take care of you; she was very worried about you."
Facing Rimuru's explanation, Hinata Sakaguchi remained expressionless.
"You even know these things? It seems the intelligence was correct. You must have acquired Teacher Shizu's memories."
"Huh?"
Rimuru's expression was strange.
"So, Teacher Shizu was indeed devoured by you, right?"
Hinata Sakaguchi tightened her grip on her longsword.
"If that's how you want to put it, then yes, but..."
Hinata Sakaguchi coldly interrupted Rimuru's explanation.
"Then there is nothing left to say; the result is everything."
"The only person in this world who was gentle to me... but she is no longer here, and I don't quite understand what kind of emotion this is..."
"I will avenge Teacher Shizu in my own way. Prepare to die!"
Saying this, Hinata leaped into the air, brandishing her longsword as she charged straight at Rimuru.
"Ah, what a pain. It looks like I have no choice but to fight."
Drawing his katana, Rimuru's reflexes became extremely sharp under the reinforcement of 'Thought Acceleration', allowing him to neutralize all of Hinata's attacks.
Although Rimuru didn't know who had told Hinata about Miss Shizu's death and twisted the facts to make him out to be a complete villain...
The conspiracy behind it was self-evident; someone definitely wanted the two of them to kill each other.
Since that was the case, he couldn't let the person behind this succeed.
It was just...
"What a real pain."
Rimuru looked troubled.
With Hinata possessing 'Mathematician' to predict all his attacks, it was difficult for Rimuru to defeat her without harming her.
Meanwhile, Hinata's brows were also tightly furrowed.
"Unique Skill 'Usurper' effect activated... Failed"
"Unique Skill 'Usurper' effect activated... Failed"
"Unique Skill 'Usurper' effect activated... Failed"
"..."
In a short amount of time, Hinata had activated her unique skill at least a hundred times, yet every single one was a failure!
As for the reason.
"Report: Detected the 'Usurp' effect of the opponent's ability. Commencing analysis... Success."
"Commencing simulation of virtual skill. The 'Usurp' ability will capture the ineffective virtual ability... Complete."
"Report: Based on the information obtained when the opponent 'Usurped' the virtual ability, commencing analysis on whether the target ability can be copied..."
"Answer: Analysis progress... 10%... 20%..."
"As expected of 'King of Wisdom', truly amazing!"
Rimuru began to cooperate with Raphael to stall for time, trying to get Hinata to 'Usurp' a few more times.
The more times the opponent used the skill, the faster Raphael could analyze it.
"Ding!"
Blade and sword collided, and Hinata stepped back.
"To be able to unleash such powerful combat strength within the Ultimate Anti-Magic Barrier, what a terrifying opponent."
Hinata's expression became serious.
"Honestly, I underestimated you, but you cannot win against me."
The speed at which Hinata swung her longsword increased once more, and the sword in her hand emitted a seven-colored light, its power astonishing.
"Squelch!"
"Squelch!"
In an instant, Rimuru was struck by two sword blows in succession, and two large wounds appeared on his chest.
"Hiss!"
"So fast."
Rimuru dodged repeatedly. Even with the million-fold sensory speed gained from 'Thought Acceleration', he could still only barely react to Hinata's terrifying sword speed.
This feeling was just like the time he fought Hakuro, when he was suppressed to the point of desperation.
However, relying on his incredibly high physical durability, the two traded blows for a long time. Aside from the two strikes Rimuru took at the beginning because he didn't react in time, neither of them was hit again afterward.
Hinata frowned slightly.
A human body ultimately has its limits; if things continued like this, she would lose sooner or later.
However, she also discovered Rimuru's weakness: he had power, but his practical combat skills were too lacking.
Hinata changed the frequency of her sword swings, alternating between fast and slow, making her attack patterns erratic and unpredictable.
This made it much harder for Rimuru to parry, and he began to feel anxious.
He had previously used all his strength just to keep up with Hinata's speed, but now he was being mercilessly toyed with by her sword techniques. If this continued, he would lose sooner or later.
"I can't just sit here and wait for death!"
"Teacher King of Wisdom, I'm counting on you, think of something."
As expected of Teacher Ciel, there was nothing she couldn't solve.
"Report: Based on the analysis of the opponent's movement trajectory, acquired special skill 'Future Attack Prediction'."
"Oh, Teacher is just too amazing."
An excited Rimuru replied in his mind.
The next moment, trails of light appeared in Rimuru's vision.
As long as he attacked along these trails, he could perfectly defend against the opponent's attacks.
With Teacher Ciel's help, Rimuru finally transitioned from being beaten by Hinata to an equal footing, and was even able to push back against her.
Sensing something strange, Hinata immediately realized that the opponent must have obtained an ability capable of predicting attacks, so she took a step back to create some distance.
Realizing that ordinary attack methods could not defeat the monster before her, Hinata immediately changed her strategy.
"Holy Binding!"
Dozens of talismans were thrown by Hinata, and the connection between them instantly transformed into a cage, binding Rimuru.
Without hesitation, she clasped her hands together and chanted a spell.
"Spirit Summoning!"
A large number of non-attribute spirits were summoned by Hinata, all surging toward Rimuru.
Doing this was just to stall for time.
Within the Holy Purification Barrier, one could only use moves that did not require Magicules, such as 'Talisman Arts', 'Qi Combat Method', and'Spirit Magic'. As well as Hinata's next ultimate move, the highest tier of 'Holy Magic'...
Hinata extended her hands, and while forming complex seals, she began to pray devoutly.
"I offer my prayers to God."
"I pray for the bestowal of the Holy Spirit's power."
"May my wish... be conveyed."
"Annihilation of All Things!"
"Spirit Particle Collapse!"
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