<h4>Chapter 28: Almost time</h4>


    "I see, their rtionship isn''t that strong." Gojin murmured, ncing at his phone as he walked down the bridge. It was currently nighttime.


    The bridge''s sturdy frame stood out starkly in the night''s darkness as it arched across the river.


    Beneath the bridge, the river traveled peacefully, its echoing luby of softlypping water adding to the tranquil symphony. Icy ckness enveloped vast areas ofnd on both sides of the riverbank, and a dense forest sprang up not far from its other edge.


    The trees were tall; they stood so close together that their outstretched appendages could caress one another in the soft breeze that filtered through their thick foliage.


    He had juste back from an exorcism; only he had gone while Kenji and Sakura were probably snoring away on their beds.


    "I love when I walk at night. I find sce in this."


    Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him. One of the three souls that had been trailing behind him back at the crosswalk, the one that kept arguing.


    "I heard you''re the strongest exorcist. Guess what? I''m here to show you that''s wrong, Gojin Yamamoto!!" he shouted, conjuring five energy balls in mid-air.


    Gojin stared at him with curiosity. "This is probably a grade 1 radiant soul. I never knew that any soul other than Kurozai could talk. But considering this one has some understanding... However, he doesn''t seem too smart. No entity in this realm is a match for me, especially something this weak." Gojin thought. "Well, I can''t stop scrolling through this because I might miss the paradeunch, so I''ll take care of him while keeping an eye on theunch."


    ...


    shback.


    The three souls sat in the café with the young man, discussing their ns. He kept his voice low, careful not to draw attention and seem crazy since no one else could see the souls.


    "Kaze, what''s our next move?" the first talkative soul asked, urgencycing his tone.


    Kaze sighed and leaned back in his chair. "From what I know, the exorcists have four of his fragments, and one has been given to the vessel, along with the one from that fish. You''ll know the vessel when you see him. Right now, Makato, there''s only one obstacle in collecting the fragments from the exorcists: Gojin Yamamoto, a god from birth. If you can bring him down, you''ll be good to go. Can you do it?"


    Makato chuckled confidently. "A god? I ept this quest! One thing''s for sure: he won''tst."


    Kaze shrugged, his demeanor reflecting distrust. He only wanted to employ Makato to test Gojin''s might, knowing full well that Makato could never defeat him - even in a million years.


    ...


    "Now I would love to see you burn," Makato sneered,unching a barrage of energy balls at Gojin. But Gojin remained unfazed, not even bothering to activate his barrier.


    "Backfire!" Instantly, the energy balls ricocheted back toward Makato. He dodged with agility, his eyes wide with astonishment at Gojin''s technique.


    Makato dashed toward Gojin at blinding speed, the ground cracking beneath him from the force of his charge. Just as he was about tond a devastating blow, Gojin vanished, reappearing behind him in an instant.


    Makato spun around with fury. He unleashed a powerful fist aimed directly at Gojin''s face, but to his shock, it met an invisible barrier that absorbed the impact.


    Confusion flickered in Makato''s eyes—he hadn''t anticipated Gojin''s defense.


    Gojin smirked,"Temporal Distortion!" He simply thought. Time instantly slowed down, and Gojin moved at the speed of light,nding a series of brutal strikes on Makato. Each punchnded like a meteor, sending shockwaves through the air. Before Makato could react, Gojin gripped him, flinging him high into the air.


    As Makato soared, Gojin followed him up, unleashing a relentless barrage of blows mid-air, leaving Makato gasping for breath, unable to retaliate. With a final, powerful kick, Gojin sent him crashing down into the forest below, the impact creating a massive crater.


    Gojin thennded gracefully, surveying the destruction. "I thought he wanted to show me how weak I am? Such a pity." He chuckled, pulling out his phone. "And am I getting popr among souls? That''s amazing! I wonder what that bbermouth is nning; it seems like something is getting cooked up."


    He vanished into thin air.


    Gojin arrived back at the academy, walking in yfully. He noticed a bright light illuminating the hallway before his room, and decided to investigate. To his surprise, he found Denji and the chef set up with two PCs, headphones perched over their heads, engrossed in an onlinebat action game. They were locked in a fierce battle against local yers,pletely unaware of Gojin''s presence.


    He sighed, shaking his head as he walked past them toward his room, craving a good night''s sleep. His mind, however, remained preupied with thoughts of Makato. What could he be after? That was a question for another time; sleep was crucial.


    ***


    Makato appeared at the front of a t where Kaze and two other souls resided. His left hand was severely damaged, one side of his head pressed in, blood pouring out. The damage began to reverse instantly until he waspletely healed. He then proceeded inside.


    The t had a modern style, with sleek furniture and minimalist decor. The living area featured a plush sectional couch in muted tones, a ss coffee table adorned with a few scattered magazines, and arge t-screen TV mounted on the wall.


    A small kitchte was tucked away in the corner,plete with stainless steel appliances and a stylish ind bar.


    Kaze was seated on the couch, while the two other souls lounged on the second couch behind him.


    "I suppose you couldn''tplete the task. That doesn''t matter, though; it was expected," Kaze said in a calm, almost dismissive tone.


    Makato groaned in frustration. "His techniques are simply unique. I can''t seem toy a hand on him, and he backfired my attacks effortlessly."


    Kaze chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That''s why I called him an obstacle. Even Kurozai couldn''tnd a hit on him, and you expect to do so? I will repeat: He is a Celestial, the Lord of Doom. Nothing at this point will faze him, unless we wait for them to venture into the realm—Lamentia. We will be preparing there, and Osamu has a special surprise for you all."