Sagishi squeaked at the word bait.
“Don’t give me that look, Sagishi,” Masanori warned. “Are you telling me a thirteen-year-old is braver than you, an ancient spirit?”
“Not at all; I’m just… surprised you would want my help.”
“You evaded and tricked me for two years. No one is better suited to keep Ootoriko distracted long enough for Gensou and me to collect the leaking ki.”
The spirit’s head perked up, his antlers whistling with light. “That’s right! No one can catch me!” He blinked away from Masanori and Ichika, and his disembodied voice echoed above. “Not. Even. Yooooou!” and then he planted himself on top of Ootoriko’s bare, stone shoulder. “Hey, you! Where do you think you’re going?”
Ootoriko’s fist whipped out, trying to grab Sagishi. “for daring to take my power just like the
