" looks like the so-called Kings of the peerages are just figureheads—like the King in chess, standing still while its pieces bleed and fall, too weak to do anything but watch."
That single statement struck deep.
Rias clenched her fists, her pride wounded. "You are wrong!" she roared as her crimson aura erupted around her. A dense sphere of pure destruction energy formed in her hands. "Let's see if you're still smug after this!"
Sona, her pride as a tactician and a noble devil also wounded, swiftly cast multiple water blades. Their sharp edges glistened as they shot toward Itachi like homing missiles.
As the attacks closed in, Itachi remained still. A trail of blood seeped down his cheek.
"Amaterasu."
It was the first time he had spoken the name of his black flames in public.
Black flames erupted from nowhere, swallowing the incoming attacks with ease. The water blades evaporated instantly, steam hissing into the air, while the crimson sphere of destruction was consumed entirely by the inextinguishable fire.
Akeno's eyes widened in shock. "That name… it sounds familiar."
Diodora, the silent one, finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's the name of the Chief God of Japan… Amaterasu."
Itachi turned his head toward him, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Oh? So you finally decided to speak? For a moment, I thought you were mute."
A vein bulged on Diodora's forehead. No one have ever talked to him like this, but what made it worse was Itachi's completely emotionless expression. It was clear he wasn't even trying to mock him—somehow, that only deepened the humiliation.
Meanwhile, Riser, who had recovered from his previous fall, growled in frustration. Flames flared around him once more as he glanced at the others. "Enough of this! We need to fight together!"
Sona adjusted her glasses. "That's the point of this fight. We need to stop letting him play with us and strike with a coordinated strategy."
Rias scoffed. "Then I should take the lead."
Sona frowned. "Why should you take the lead? I have better strategic capabilities."
Itachi watched the argument unfold with mild amusement. Even when faced with an overwhelming opponent, they were still bickering over leadership. He was not a teacher in any sense, and he himself didn't know what he was doing, so them making assumptions was good for him. He let out a light chuckle, thinking about this, and as attention fell on him, he covered it up.
"Fascinating," he murmured before shaking his head. "But let me be honest… even if you all attack me at once, your efforts will be meaningless.firstly I will not be able to give equal attention to all of you and secondly." He was intrupted by rias.
Rias narrowed her eyes. "Are you afraid? Afraid of fighting six High-Class Devils at once?"
Latia nodded. "Itachi is strong, but even if he's an Ultimate-Class fighter, facing six High-Class Devils together with the peerages of Rias and Sona will be troublesome, even for him."
Itachi closed his eyes briefly before exhaling. Then, his gaze hardened. He was thinking about giving them lite training but looks like they wants some kind of panishment.
His Sharingan spun wildly. "Yes… it would truly be troubling for me if you all attacked at once."
At those words, confidence surged in the devils. The lingering fear of his illusions was replaced by pride.
But then—
A sudden, eerie silence fell upon the training ground.