Chapter 139: Tsubaki Sugoi

Tsubaki, burning with fighting spirit both in words and physically, carried a massive golden hammer larger than her own body. Red flames clung to her like clothing, blazing intensely enough to distort the air with heat haze and scorch the grass beneath her feet.

That tiny Tsubaki had grown up so well…! As her former owner, I felt proud. Aside from becoming humanoid, she was perfect. Amazing, Tsubaki!

Though honestly, I wish this reunion hadn’t happened right now.

“Mi-mi-mi? The Blue Witch is here!? Why!?”

Just as stunned as we were, Tsubaki was equally shocked. The moment she spotted Hiyori, she leapt back in surprise like something out of a manga—or like a startled cat—and stared wide-eyed.

Hiyori awkwardly waved, her gaze darting around.

“Ah… yeah. Long time no see, Tsubaki. You look well.”

“I-I’m good! Did you see Mokutan and Sekitan and Fuyou? Are they all okay? And Spider too?”

“They’re all fine. Oh right, Sekitan asked me to give you something—a set of plant oils. She said she bought it with her first paycheck.”

“Sekitan is amazing!”

Tsubaki smiled brightly and flared her flames, but then her expression turned suspicious.

“So why are you here, Blue Witch? Are you here to cheer me on?”

“Well… about that. I’m not here to cheer… I see now. Kinrenka, you… Is that why you asked me? You didn’t want to fight your sister’s acquaintance? But then why me…? No, she shouldn’t know my connection to Tsubaki… Damn it, this is giving me a headache. It’s all Keika’s fault!”

“???”

While Hiyori clutched her head in confusion, Tsubaki tilted her head, sniffing the air.

Then she looked around—and spotted me sitting off to the side under multiple defensive spells.

“Huh? That looks like Dairi.”

“Yo, Tsubaki.”

“!? That voice—Dairi? Is that you? You feel different.”

“I had the gremlin embedded in me removed. You’ve changed too since you were a kid.”

“Mi-mi-mi! Dairi came back to life! Dairi!”

Tsubaki ran toward me happily and tried to jump on me—but bounced off the barrier and fell on her butt, rubbing her forehead in disappointment.

Sorry. Stay in the safe zone until the duel is over.

“You’ve got a duel, right? Tell me everything after. You’ve been traveling too, haven’t you?”

“Okay! But my opponent isn’t here yet. Late.”

“Kinrenka appointed the Blue Witch as her proxy. You’re fighting her.”

“…Huh?”

Tsubaki blinked as I pointed at Hiyori.

She looked at Hiyori. Then at me. Then back again.

After repeating that several times, she nodded firmly.

“Got it. I’m amazing. Dairi—watch how amazing I am!”

“Seriously? You’re planning to beat Hiyori?”

“I got stronger. I won’t lose. I’ll be number one! So say I’ll win!”

“Ooh, you’ve got guts. You’ll wi—”

I stopped mid-sentence when I noticed Hiyori’s gaze.

Right. She’s fighting for my sake—of course I should support her.

“…Actually, sorry. I’ll be cheering for Hiyori—”

“Mi…”

Tsubaki lowered her eyes sadly.

Then I hesitated again.

She remembered my voice after 80 years. How could I not support her?

“But… maybe I’ll cheer for Tsubaki—no, Hiyori—ugh, my head hurts…!”

Support Hiyori, and Tsubaki is sad.

Support Tsubaki, and Hiyori is sad.

I thought I’d gotten better at understanding relationships, but that just made it harder. This is such a pain!

“Alright, fine! Tsubaki, go get trained! I’ll cheer for Hiyori! Sorry!”

“Mi!? Dairi is mean! Even if I win, I won’t share my rapeseed oil!”

Pouting, Tsubaki stuck out her tongue and walked into the ring.

I felt pathetic.

I’d sworn to love Hiyori above all for the next thirty years, yet I couldn’t even immediately support her.

While I brooded, the duel began.

Inside the ring, Tsubaki swung her massive golden hammer and confronted Hiyori boldly.

“Blue Witch is unfair. You smell like Dairi all over. You get petted all the time!”

“Huh!? W-well, yeah… petting… haha…”

“I’ll beat you too. I’ll take the fields and the petting. I’ll be number one!”

“…If you’re serious, fine. But no killing, okay?”

“? Of course. If a pack member dies, it’s sad. Whoever yields loses!”

Though the duel had originally allowed death, both sides agreed to remove that condition.

And so, the mother-daughter battle began.

They took their distance. The moment a tossed pebble hit the ground, the fight started.

Hiyori extended her empty hands and began chanting rapidly.

“Bound in chains, the hero of Naetaku—”

“Mi-mi-mi!”

At the same time, Tsubaki thrust out her hand and roared, her massive hammer melting and reshaping to cover her body.

It was Abyss Gold—a magic metal that could freely change form with magic control.

I’d seen Hiyori manipulate it before—but Tsubaki’s transformation speed was even faster.

However, Hiyori’s chant should have finished first.

“…!? Impossible—magic sealing? Where did you learn that!?”

“Mi-mi! No magic! Punching fight! I’m Tsubaki Sugoi!”

Hiyori stopped chanting in shock.

Even so, she smoothly drew her handgun mid-sentence—but Tsubaki blocked the bullets with shifting metal.

Tsubaki completed her transformation, becoming a three-meter-tall golden armored giant. Crimson flames leaked from the armor like breath, radiating overwhelming pressure.

“Transform! Prepare yourself!”

From inside the blazing metal giant, Tsubaki’s voice rang out.

Despite its size, the armored form moved swiftly, launching a massive punch.

Hiyori leapt back to dodge. The missed punch slammed into the ground with explosive force.

She’s strong. Seriously strong. Amazing, Tsubaki!

Tsubaki pressed the attack relentlessly.

Sharp kicks sliced the air, heavy blows shook the earth, and her throws were precise.

Her martial skill amplified the power of her armored form many times over.

“Mi-mi-mi! And another!”

“Gah…!”

Hiyori was on the defensive—not just because Tsubaki was her “daughter,” but because Tsubaki’s fighting style was tricky.

Her fists could suddenly turn into hammers or blades.

Her armor could store heat and release explosive attacks.

She could bind opponents with shifting metal.

Even her flames were offensive—just being near her would burn a normal person alive.

Hiyori tried to counter with cold energy, but the magic seal limited her output.

Sweat poured down her face.

“She’s strong…!”

“Have you had enough, Blue Witch!?”

“Don’t underestimate me, Tsubaki…!”

After being blasted back by a supersonic kick, Hiyori grinned fiercely.

She tore off her necklace, grabbed an amulet, and clenched it with her transcendent ID.

A force field formed around her fist.

Hollow Silver.

This material generates a magic-dampening field—enough to nullify Tsubaki’s flames.

Hiyori dashed forward and threw a punch.

“Go for it, Hiyori!”

“Leave it to me! The me you believe in is invincible!”

She smiled—and struck.

Even without enhancement magic, her punch hit with terrifying force, launching Tsubaki high into the air.

“Mi—!?”

The supposedly indestructible armor crumpled.

As Tsubaki flailed midair, Hiyori looked up—and beckoned gently.

Then she began chanting again, cold energy swirling.

“Moonlight fades… all turns to frost—”

“W-why can you use magic!?”

Hiyori had seen magic sealing—and how to undo it.

Given time, she could break Tsubaki’s seal.

“Then freeze!”

“Mi—!”

Their punches collided midair.

In that instant, Tsubaki’s golden armor turned to ice—and shattered completely.

She hit the ground, stunned.

Though she rose again, flames blazing, she hesitated upon seeing Hiyori ready to fight.

“Tsubaki. I don’t want to hurt you. But if you insist… I’ll knock you down.”

“Mi…”

Tsubaki gritted her teeth—then flopped onto her back.

“I give up. I lose!”

And so, the duel ended in the mother’s victory.

But still—

Tsubaki Sugoi fought incredibly well.

Give her a round of applause!