---
The Puppet's Dance
Nao's Crimson Reverie lashed out again.
The blood-forged whips sliced through the air with razor precision, forcing Akira to dodge as they cut through concrete like butter.
He gritted his teeth.
He couldn't go all out—not against Nao.
"Nao!" Akira called out, trying to reach her. "You have to fight it!"
Her face didn't change. Her blank eyes showed no recognition, no hesitation.
Void Nakamura chuckled from the sidelines. "Oh, don't bother. Her mind isn't here anymore."
Akira's fists clenched. He turned to Void. "You did this?"
Void smirked. "Cetz's illusions work on the mind. My Abyss Waltz? It works on the soul."
He stepped forward, the shadows around his feet shifting unnaturally. "She's completely under our control. She can't hear you."
Nao moved like a machine—her movements precise, deadly, and relentless.
The blood whips twisted and curved unpredictably, aiming for Akira's vital points.
Damn it!
He activated Echo Chamber. Sound waves rippled outward, attempting to distort Nao's movements—
But she countered instantly.
With inhuman reflexes, her Stand adapted to the changing frequencies, avoiding the disruption.
She was fighting like a completely different person.
---
Hiroshi and Daisuke's Intervention
"Akira! We're backing you up!"
Hiroshi and Daisuke rushed in—Hiroshi's Blazing Ronin igniting his katana, while Daisuke's Gale Phantom unleashed a storm of cutting winds.
"Don't hurt her!" Akira shouted.
Hiroshi grimaced but adjusted his stance. "I'll aim to disarm!"
He dashed forward, his sword slashing toward the blood tendrils—
But Nao moved faster.
Before Hiroshi could react, a whip wrapped around his arm.
"Tch—!"
In an instant, the blood hardened into steel spikes, crushing his wrist.
"GAH—!" Hiroshi cried out, staggering back.
Daisuke launched a powerful gust of wind, trying to blow Nao off balance.
She didn't even blink.
Instead, Crimson Reverie absorbed the air itself, compressing it into a blood-forged spear—
And hurled it straight at Daisuke's heart.
Daisuke barely twisted away, but the spear grazed his side, drawing blood.
He landed hard, gritting his teeth. "Shit—she's too fast!"
Nao didn't react.
She merely kept attacking.
Like a perfect soldier.
Like a puppet.
---
Akira's Gamble
Akira exhaled sharply.
They couldn't win like this.
They had to break the control.
And to do that—
"Void," Akira said, his voice calm.
"You're strong."
Void blinked.
Akira smirked. "But you're not Minh."
Void's eyes narrowed.
"You're strong, but you're not the mastermind," Akira continued, stepping forward. "You're just a piece on the board."
Void's smirk faltered.
Akira saw the opening.
With a sharp breath, he activated Echo Chamber—not against Nao—
But against Void himself.
A pulse of pure sound erupted.
Void staggered.
His Stand, Abyss Waltz, flickered—the shadows around him rippling like water.
And in that moment—
Nao's body froze.
She twitched violently, her head jerking as if something inside her was trying to break free.
Her eyes flickered—just for a second.
And Akira saw it.
She was still in there.
---
The Masterminds Retreat
The ground rumbled.
A powerful pressure filled the air, causing the entire battlefield to tremble.
And then—
A voice.
Smooth. Cold. Absolute.
"That's enough."
The space itself twisted—warping and distorting like reality was breaking apart.
A new figure materialized on the rooftops above.
Minh.
His golden eyes gleamed, his long coat barely shifting in the wind. He radiated authority, his very presence pressing down on the battlefield like a crushing weight.
And beside him—
Cetz.
His signature smirk was still there, but his posture was looser, more relaxed—like he was watching a game he had already won.
"You're done here, Void," Minh said calmly.
Void turned, his expression unreadable.
"But—"
Minh's gaze hardened.
Void froze.
Then, with a slight bow, he vanished into darkness.
Nao collapsed instantly, her body falling limp.
Akira caught her before she hit the ground, his chest tightening.
She was unconscious.
But she was breathing.
---
A Warning from Above
Akira lifted his gaze, meeting Minh's eyes.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then—Minh smirked.
"Impressive," he said. "You forced us to step in sooner than expected."
Akira's grip on Nao tightened. "If you're here to fight, then—"
Minh raised a single hand.
"No. Not today."
Akira's eyes narrowed. "...Why?"
Minh turned away. "Because this isn't our battlefield anymore."
Cetz chuckled, stretching lazily. "We've played enough for now. The real war begins soon."
He gave Akira a mocking wink.
"Try to keep up, Sound Boy."
And with that—
They vanished.
---
The Phantom Syndicate Takes Over
A deep silence followed.
The weight of the moment settled over Akira and his team.
The battle was over.
But the war had barely begun.
Hiroshi grunted, cradling his injured wrist. "Damn bastards… what the hell are they planning?"
Daisuke wiped the blood from his side. "I don't know. But they wouldn't just retreat for no reason."
Yuki, silent until now, turned to Akira. "You saw it, didn't you?"
Akira nodded, his fists clenching.
Minh and Cetz had stepped back.
But in their place—
The entire Phantom Syndicate was rising.
The game board had shifted.
And now—
The real nightmare was beginning.
---