Megure Juzo stood completely rigid, swallowing hard, staring blankly at the buildings collapsing in ruins.
Having suffered a major defeat at Makoto's hands before, this time he had used all his connections to deploy the Metropolitan Police Department's most elite snipers.
But he never expected this outcome.
Suddenly, a chilling dread crept up from behind.
Megure Juzo spun around to see Makoto's gaze fixed on him, a slight smile on his face.
"Time for round two."
Megure Juzo opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word.
Makoto spoke again calmly. "What? Was that your last resort?"
Megure Juzo and all the officers beside him remained silent. It was clearly an admission.
The most powerful weapons the Japanese police could deploy were heavy sniper rifles and shotguns. They couldn't field helicopters, armored vehicles, and other heavy firepower like their American counterparts.
Well, it made sense. The threats they faced were on a different level.
No matter how bad Japan was, even with guns, the enemies were ultimately just that.
But in America, everyone owns guns.
Even if they had helicopters, they were mainly used to chase Kaito Kid, and they also weren't equipped with dedicated weaponry.
"Tch~"
Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Right now, he felt like he had just put on his gear, only for the other side to suddenly say they were on their period.
Suddenly, the Mangekyo pattern in Makoto's right eye spun sharply.
Whoosh!
Terrifying black flames erupted without warning on several police officers.
"Aaaaah!"
A number of officers from the First Investigative Division screamed, collapsing to the ground, thrashing desperately to extinguish the flames on their bodies.
"Wh, what is this?!"
"Ca, can't put it out?!"
"Help me! Help me!"
"I don't want to die!"
The utterly bizarre black flames sent chills down the spines of all onlookers, 'What kind of ability was this?!'
Seeing Makoto's expression grow increasingly impatient, even resorting to using Amaterasu, Ran didn't hesitate for a moment. She struck her father's neck with a knife-hand chop, then dragged the unconscious Kogoro, quickly pushing her way through the crowd.
"I-I'm sorry, Makoto-sensei, we won't disturb you anymore, we're leaving now!"
Makoto merely glanced at the girl, then turned his attention to the only remaining members of the First Investigative Division, Megure Juzo and Sato Miwako.
"Summon all the police forces in Tokyo. No, call in the military too."
Seeing that Makoto ignored her, Ran let out a long sigh of relief.
Just then, Shinichi quickly walked over, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Ran, wh-why didn't you tell me... that he... he could..."
No matter how conceited or self-proclaimed invincible Shinichi usually was, after witnessing this scene firsthand, he wasn't foolish enough to think he could oppose Makoto.
Ran shot him a fierce glare. "I did tell you. Did you listen?"
Seeing Megure Juzo still standing there frozen, clearly terrified out of his wits, the pattern in Makoto's right eye spun again.
Boom!
In an instant, the inextinguishable black flames of Amaterasu ignited on Megure Juzo's body as well!
"Officer Megure!"
Shinichi screamed, but before he could move, Ran landed another knife-hand chop, precisely striking the back of his neck and knocking him out cold.
"Chief Megure!"
Sato Miwako beside him was terrified out of her wits. Her instinct was to take off her uniform and rush to help Megure Juzo extinguish the strange black flames.
But Megure Juzo, using his last ounce of strength, gritted his teeth and raised a hand to stop her. "Do-don't come closer, Sato... quickly, quickly inform the higher-ups!"
Watching the police force nearly wiped out by the black flames, the students of Shuchi'in Academy's middle, high, and university sections were trembling in fear, not daring to even breathe loudly.
At this moment, Shizuka finally fully comprehended the situation. She rushed to the front line and screamed at the students behind her:
"Go! Everyone, get out of here now!"
Looking at the collapsed buildings around her and the fate of the officers nearly burned to skeletons, Shizuka had no doubt that when the authorities got serious and Makoto did too, this place would become an unimaginable hell on earth, with countless innocent people caught in the crossfire.
The students finally snapped out of it and bolted toward the school gates like madmen.
Although many were curious to see what other astonishing feats Makoto might pull off, they weren't bloodthirsty spectators. They couldn't risk their lives just to watch the show.
In the chaos of the escape, a stampede occurred.
By the time the area was empty, several more bodies lay on the cold ground.
"Phew... phew... phew..."
Shizuka gasped for breath, her heart still racing, when she suddenly noticed a group of people still standing on the empty field.
Airi, Marina, Utaha, Megumi...
"Why haven't you run... Huh?!"
Shizuka stopped mid-sentence as realization struck, 'Weren't these the people Yukinoshita Yukino had asked her to gather in the Service Club earlier?'
"Makoto, I want to fight too! I want to!"
Airi completely ignored Shizuka, bouncing over to Makoto like a lively rabbit, shouting excitedly.
Marina was more ladylike, walking over with a gentle smile.
Utaha and Megumi followed close behind.
Utaha brushed a strand of hair from her ear, smiling as she said, "Sensei-kun, you promised to compensate me afterward, but you haven't done it yet."
"Makoto-kun, you were rude earlier." Megumi spoke in her usual soft tone.
On the other side, Ran, who was trying to sneak away, carrying her father and childhood friend by the scruffs of their necks like two dogs, suddenly halted when she saw her teammates stepping forward.
'Uhh... if I left now, would I seem out of place?'
"Ran?"
Sonoko turned to look at her friend, then back at Makoto in the distance and the bevy of girls surrounding him. She instantly understood Ran's hesitation.
Although Sonoko was known for fawning over handsome guys, she was a true heir to a major financial conglomerate and never made mistakes on important matters.
Sonoko immediately realized the gravity of the situation.
With that thought, she took the unconscious Shinichi and Kogoro from her friend's hands. "Go. I'll take them away."
In the past, Sonoko couldn't have done this.
But after one crossing over, her body had been enhanced by the Reincarnation System. Besides, she had studied at the Ninja Academy for two years. Even if she hadn't become a Ninja, she still had enough strength.
"But..." Ran still hesitated.
Sonoko gave her a firm pat on the back. "Go now, or you'll lose your chance!"
Sonoko was certain that if Ran didn't side with them now, her future would not be easy.
Haruno was another who understood the underlying dynamics as clearly as Sonoko.
Having been chosen as the heir of the Yukinoshita Family since childhood, just over twenty years old but with years of experience in the business world, Haruno saw at once that this wasn't about escape… it was about choosing sides.
"Yuki, you go first." Haruno gently pushed her sister.
Seeing Yukino's bewildered expression, Haruno lowered her voice. "My presence is enough."
To let her sister live freely, she had willingly taken on the responsibility of becoming the next head of the family. Now was no different.
Besides, Haruno knew her sister didn't approve of Makoto's methods.
Forcing her to join would only cause trouble.
"Just stick to your principles."
With that, Haruno quickly ran to Makoto's side, putting on a smile. "Makoto-sama, let me help..."
"Scram."
Haruno froze on the spot.
'What, was I that unwelcome?!'
Whirrr!
Just then, the sound of helicopter rotors grew louder from afar.
Makoto and the others instinctively thought reinforcements from the police or military had arrived and looked up.
The helicopter had a clear [Tokyo TV] logo on its side.
Makoto: "..."
'This world's police were utterly useless!'