Merging Worlds, Merging Views, New Risks

Chapter 42

(A Few Minutes Ago)

With his green and black blade in hand, Susano'o walks through the battlefield as the bodies of his opponents are scattered everywhere. As the rain continues to pour down on them, the god-like being remarks.

Susano'o: "You all pose no threat to me. Accept your fate... accept this world's and your worlds' destruction."

As he walks off, almost all of the contestants and gatekeepers are beginning to regain their consciousness. The only ones that are somewhat more conscious than the rest are Naoto's group, despite their injuries.

Naoto: "Ugh, it's pointless... we can't take that thing down..."

Before Naoto can get up from his spot, Roman and Neo appear before him as the mute girl discards the illusion concealing them. Crouching down, the crime boss lightly tapped on Naoto's head a few times as his mute accomplice checked up on Heart and Yumi nearby.

Roman: "Hey! Are you alive?"

Naoto: "Yeah."

Celica: "We are... right Minerva?"

Minerva: "..."

Naoto: "What the hell are you doing here?"

Roman: "Well, Neo and I would like you all to assist us."

Yumi: "Assist?"

Heart: "For what?"

Roman: "To carry Red and her group to a safe location and away from that ferocious thing."

The mute girl nods in agreement.

Celica: "I see."

Naoto asks sternly.

Naoto: "Why... Why us though?"

Roman: "Because like it or not, you guys are comrades in arms."

Heart: "You mean friends?"

Roman: "Yeah, let's go with that."

Yumi: "And other reasons?"

Roman: "Look, whatever bad blood Neo and I have with Red and her friends is not important right now. We don't want them to die and neither do we. We're just trying to be team players here."

Naoto: "By making us help you two with dragging them away?"

Roman: "Like I said, comrades in arms."

Getting up from their spots, Heart, Yumi, and Celica nod to them.

Heart: "Okay, I'll do it."

Yumi: "And me as well."

Celica: "Friends always help each other out."

Heart: "What do you think, Naoto?"

Still laying on the ground, Naoto becomes a bit conflicted about it, considering his previous exchange with Y/N back at the goal. However, he let out a sigh, realizing that whatever camaraderie he and his group have with Ruby and her group doesn't correspond with Y/N. Nothing revolves around Y/N whatsoever. He then stands back up and turns to them with his reply.

Naoto: "Sure. Let's do this."

Roman: "Glad to hear it."

Neo: "..."

Junior: "Count us in."

This prompts the criminal duo and Naoto's group to turn their attention to the nightclub owner and twins close by as they also get up from their spots with minimal wounds, much to their surprise.