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Although Saints possessed Incredible Power, their bodies were still human.
Just like Shiryu, who had nearly died from blood loss after sacrificing himself to revive Seiya's Cloth, their Physical limits were ultimately human. Therefore—Cloths were essential for their survival.
Without their protective armor, they were vulnerable—easily killed in a single blow. However, with their Cloths—they became nigh-unstoppable juggernauts. Gold Saints, in particular, could battle for days, their Cosmo seemingly inexhaustible.
Mika sensed that his own body had been Enhanced by achieving the Seventh Sense. And this was merely the beginning.
Upon reaching the Eighth Sense—a Saint's body would Transcend human limitations—becoming practically a Demi-God.
And the Ninth Sense—the realm of true Gods, granted both physical and spiritual perfection—the Ultimate Mastery of Cosmo.
However, such heights were still far beyond Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, and Shun. They hadn't even reached the peak of the Sixth Sense yet; their physical abilities were still within the realm of human limitations.
Therefore—sending them to train in those extreme environments would push their Cosmo to its limits, forcing them to adapt and grow. And their potential was immense.
——
"Pocket Dimensions?" Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, and Shun looked at Mika, puzzled. They hadn't imagined they would hear such terms from him.
"That's right," Mika confirmed.
Pocket Dimensions—The ability to create Pocket Dimensions was a technique he had learned in the [High School DxD] World. It was widely used in the Underworld for Rating Games, allowing Devils to fight without restraint.
Mika had experienced its benefits firsthand and, after defeating Riser, had acquired the knowledge of this technique through Rias—And having reached the Seventh Sense, Mika had adapted this technique, channeling it through his Cosmo—While its intended purpose wasn't training, he was pleased to have discovered this new application.
"Creating Dimensions? You can do that, Mika?!" Seiya exclaimed, stunned.
"Why not?" he replied with a smile, then, noticing their disbelief, he added, "Ah, I forgot. You don't know yet."
He looked at them—a playful grin spreading across his face. "I've reached the Seventh Sense, the realm of the Gold Saints. And the one who will be handling the enemy Gold Saints—is me."
"Therefore, creating Pocket Dimensions isn't that—unconventional."
They stared at him, speechless.
"So…you're a Gold Saint now?" Seiya finally asked.
"Indeed. While I don't have my own Gold Cloth yet—I can don the [Sagittarius Cloth] if necessary. Therefore, you could say I am a Gold Saint."
They were ecstatic.
They finally had a Gold Saint on their side.
Since learning of Saori's true identity, they had felt the weight of their responsibility, the immense pressure of protecting a Goddess and saving the World.
But now, with Mika by their side, that burden seemed—lighter. They had someone to rely on.
However, despite their relief, their determination hadn't wavered. Their loyalty to Athena was unwavering.
They were eager to fulfill their duty!
"It seems you've relaxed a bit," Mika commented, sensing the shift in their demeanor. While pressure could be a Powerful motivator—a clear mind was essential for growth.
Knowing their future, he understood they didn't need the added burden. Their resolve was strong, their loyalty pure. They were true Saints of Athena. They would continue to strive, regardless of the pressure.
"It seems you're ready. Then let's begin." With a wave of his hand, he opened the vortex of golden energy and pulled them inside.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" They vanished.
"Is everything prepared?" Saori approached him, having been aware of his plans. She had even offered suggestions for the training regimens, ensuring they would be—challenging.
"Everything's ready, Saori."
"Excellent." She nodded, relieved. "So now—we wait?"
"Not quite. There's one more...candidate." He was referring to Ikki, who had been resurrected, his Cosmo enhanced by his near-death experience.
Mika had been monitoring him.
After all, it wouldn't be fair to exclude him from this—Special training.
"I'll be back soon." With that, he vanished.
Saori smiled. She knew exactly who he was referring to.
——
Ikki sat on a boulder in a rubble-strewn valley, gazing at the sky.
He had been buried under tons of rock during his earlier battle. Already injured, the added damage had nearly killed him.
He had died—and then been reborn.
Fueled by his unwillingness to surrender, his Cosmo had ignited, and like the Mythical Phoenix, he had risen from the ashes—clawing his way out of his rocky tomb.
Now, looking at the remnants of the battlefield, he reflected on his past. In his final moments, he had let go of his hatred.
Perhaps this was what had allowed him to be reborn. He wouldn't be consumed by vengeance any longer.
He wanted a new life, a life dedicated to his original goal: to become a Saint of Athena, fighting for love and justice alongside Shun, Seiya, Shiryu, and Hyoga.
"Perhaps—such a life wouldn't be so bad," he mused.
"Indeed, A Noble aspiration," a voice suddenly said beside him.
"Who's there?!" Startled by the unexpected voice, Ikki leaped from the boulder, his instincts screaming.
He hadn't sensed anyone approaching. He unleashed his most Powerful attack.
"Phoenix Wing Rise—!" A wave of fiery energy shot towards where he had been sitting moments before.
It struck Mika, who had materialized there.
"Phoenix Wing Rise—what a Powerful Technique," he murmured, effortlessly catching Ikki's fist.
He had experienced Ikki's Power before, but after his resurrection, his Cosmo had grown even stronger, his attacks even fiercer.
"He's now comparable to the weakest Silver Saints—That's quite a leap." While both Bronze and Silver Saints possessed Sixth Sense level Cosmo, the difference between them was vast.
Many Bronze Saints never reached the level of a Silver Saint—Yet Ikki, through a single resurrection, had surpassed years, even decades, of training.
As expected of one of the Five Main Bronze Saints—their Potential was Limitless.
Ikki, however, wasn't impressed. Mika had caught his attack barehanded.
"I recognize you. You're Saori Kido's—attendant," he said, finally getting a good look at Mika. He remembered seeing him with Saori and Tokumaru during his attack on the arena.
"Indeed, I am," Mika replied with a smile, withdrawing his hand and clasping them behind his back.
"My name is Mika."
"Mika…"
"I have a—proposition for you. A training opportunity." He raised his hand, and the golden vortex of energy reappeared.
"Training? I don't need training," Ikki said, refusing immediately. He wasn't interested. He didn't believe he needed it.
"Really? But your brother, Shun, and Seiya, Shiryu, and Hyoga are all—participating." He raised the vortex slightly, bringing it closer to Ikki.
"You're saying—they're inside that…vortex?" Ikki was skeptical.
How could such a small vortex contain anything, let alone people?
He hadn't witnessed the True Power of a Gold Saint yet...
Mika waved his other hand, and a screen of light appeared, displaying images of Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, and Shun struggling to survive in various harsh environments.
"Shun!" Ikki's eyes widened as he saw his brother lying on a frozen wasteland, his Cosmo barely protecting him from the biting cold.
Mika hadn't created these Pocket Dimensions for their comfort, but to push their limits.
Hyoga, for instance—who was naturally resistant to cold, had been placed in a volcanic environment.
"What have you done to them?!" Seeing their suffering, Ikki's rage ignited. He lunged at Mika, but he easily dodged.
"I told you, they're simply—training. Are you sure you don't want to improve your strength? How do you intend to defeat the Pope in your current state?"
"The Pope? Why would I fight him?" Ikki asked, puzzled.
"Oh, you don't know? The Pope has a technique called the Phantom Imperial Fist, capable of mind control. Those he controls—well, let's just say they're—changed."
Ikki suddenly remembered Esmeralda mentioning that her father—Ikki's master, hadn't always been the way he was, only after returning from Sanctuary.
He connected the dots.
His master had been controlled by the Pope. That was the source of his suffering.
"THE POPE!!!" he roared, then, turning to Mika, his eyes burning with rage, he said, "Training, you say? I accept! I'll crush him! I'll destroy him!"
"As you wish." Mika smiled and opened the vortex, its pull now irresistible, drawing Ikki inside.
"The Five…are Finally Together!"
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