Akeno winked playfully at Takumi.
"What's wrong? Any problem?" she asked, her lips curled slightly in a teasing smile.
"Kiba's a girl?" Takumi asked, surprised.
Wait, what? Kiba turned into Yuuko?
"She's always been a girl. The info you saw wasn't entirely accurate. I just forgot to tell you," Akeno replied, still smiling. "Everyone in Rias's team is female."
While Takumi's data mostly aligned, it had apparently missed the gender detail.
Takumi sighed. He couldn't be bothered to question further.
"Nice to meet you, Takumi-san. I'm Rias Gremory. Thank you for coming all this way," Rias greeted him respectfully.
Hearing her sincere tone, Takumi chuckled.
"It's nothing. Just here to lend a hand. Plus, Akeno offered payment."
Although he had to split the points with Kaguya, it was still a good deal.
"Business is business. But I'll remember this favor," he added.
Payment aside, Takumi showing up was already a big deal. His power would make waves in their world.
Rias couldn't help but wonder—wasn't this overkill for that Phoenix guy? Like using a cannon on a mosquito.
Still, she decided not to say anything. Who knew what might happen later?
There would definitely be more trouble to deal with. Maybe this was a good long-term solution.
With that in mind, she straightened up and turned serious.
"Takumi-san, after the ranking game, would you mind helping me with something else?"
Takumi raised a brow. "Go on."
"Could you also take care of the fallen angels lurking in Kuoh Town? Once that's done, there's the Holy Sword incident, then the Three Factions meeting..."
She looked troubled.
Takumi burst out laughing.
"You're basically asking me to clear all your future problems, huh?"
Rias nodded. "That's exactly it!"
"After learning what the future holds, I seriously considered settling back in the Underworld permanently," she admitted.
And now, with the Boosted Gear, she'd also have to deal with the White Dragon Emperor. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.
"Emm... well, no problem," Takumi said. "I can study the White Dragon's light wings too. By the way, can I take a look at your Boosted Gear? I'm interested in your Sacred Gears."
His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he looked at Rias.
Since the major talks were over, time to inspect the goods.
Rias nodded. "Sure."
She sat down beside him and summoned the gear. In a flash of red light, the Boosted Gear appeared on her right hand.
She held out her arm. "Is this okay?"
Takumi nodded. "No problem. I'll analyze it."
He reached out and activated his power. The energy of Honkai descended.
Suddenly, the Red Dragon Emperor panicked.
"Hey hey hey! What is this power!? It's terrifying!"
This energy was no joke—it felt overwhelming and full of danger.
"Calm down," Takumi said calmly. "It's just my power. Don't panic."
He began the analysis, studying the gear's construction, materials, and structure in detail.
After a few minutes, he finished.
"Not bad," he murmured, withdrawing his hand.
He activated his own power—and then, another identical Boosted Gear began forming in his hand.
Rias was stunned. "Wha—wait, seriously!?"
The Red Dragon Emperor was even more shocked. Did he just... clone it?
"As expected from you, Takumi. The Herrscher of Reason's power is amazing," Akeno said, impressed.
His ability really was convenient—see a weapon, copy it instantly.
"No need to be too surprised," Takumi said. "My power is beyond your understanding. And now, replication complete."
He smiled, the newly formed Boosted Gear fully assembled.
The Red Dragon Emperor was completely speechless. This was absurd.
"Can it transform?" Rias asked curiously.
"Of course," Takumi replied.
The gear on his arm began transforming, gradually spreading over his body and forming a crimson armor—Balance Breaker mode.
"I don't even need to chant," Takumi said with a smug smile.
The room fell silent.
He hadn't just copied it—he'd optimized it.
This was true top-tier power.
Everyone in the room was stunned by the display.
After playing around with it for a bit, Takumi dismissed the gear.
"Not that useful for me. Good as a toy though."
With that, he tossed the Boosted Gear into the Imaginary Space.
He didn't need it for combat—just added it to his collection.
Some people liked collecting figures or characters. Takumi liked collecting famous weapons.
After finishing all that, he relaxed and started chatting casually with Rias and the others.
Not long after, Kaguya finally arrived.
Unlike Takumi, she wasn't teleported outside. She emerged directly into the room.
Seeing that, Takumi was puzzled.
"Why was my portal outside and hers inside?"
From the spatial gateway stepped a stunning beauty with the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko aesthetic.
Maybe the classic concept of a Yamato Nadeshiko was based on her image.
Her outfit resembled a kimono but wasn't entirely traditional—it mixed in other fashion styles.
She had long, straight black hair in a hime cut, complete with flat bangs. An absolute stunner.
As long as she didn't open her mouth.
"What are you talking about?" Kaguya asked, clearly confused by Takumi's muttering.
Takumi shrugged. "Nothing really."
No point getting into it.
Kaguya tilted her head but didn't press the issue. Instead, she politely greeted Akeno and the others.
It was Akeno's first time seeing Kaguya, and her eyes flashed with interest.