Chapter 366

The Ninety-Ninth; Wuki, Defeated!

“Flower蕾Magic Wand (BlossomTact)!”

“Ocean Magic Wand (MermaidTact)!”

The two called out their weapons and used every fiber of their being to strike against the transparent shield in front of them. However, no matter how hard they tried or how many skills they used, they couldn’t break free from the shield’s constraints. The Desert Beast, whose hands were like a closed glass dome on either side, watched the show with cold indifference.

“No way… This won’t do!”

Rei dodged the energy blasts from the flowers bouncing around within the protective dome in terror. A girl’s cry escaped her lips as she called out desperately.

Neither the full force of the Pretty Cure attacks nor the “ForteWave” generated by the magic wands had any effect on the unknown material of the dome. Even worse, Ash had tainted the inner walls with a “reverse energy coating.” Any random burst of energy might end up hurting herself instead.

“How could this happen… Wuki! Sunshine!”

Seeing Wuki, who was already under attack, roll frantically after being hit again, the two girls cried out in distress.

Wuki was injured and had to defend against both attackers on her own, how could she stand a chance in such an adverse situation? We need to help her!

“Rei…. Blossom, use that move!”

Seeing Erika extend her hand, Rei bit her lip, not hesitating too much, and took hold of it. The current predicament required them to set other matters aside and focus entirely!

If the two combined their strength and will, they would be able to unleash a purification force stronger than any of their ultimate techniques—a joint super technique called “Fortissimo (Super Sonic).” With this move, they would definitely break the barrier!

“Yes… For Wuki… It’s time!”

“Pretty Cure Floral Power Fortissimo!” x2

Together, they roared in unison, gathering their magic wands which sparked with dazzling light at the tips. But there was no sign of the expected power of the joint technique. They held their wands together, mouths agape in astonishment.

“Fu…Fortissimo? Fortissimo!”

Defiantly, they kept shouting several more times, but no matter how they cried out the move name or struck exaggerated, comical poses, they couldn’t make the technique work.

“Why, why does this have to happen at a crucial moment?”

As they could only witness Wuki being brutally pounded, overwhelmed by their helplessness and on the verge of tears, Cifrey and Caffrey’s voices echoed like a thunderclap.

“It’s not malfunctioning. It’s because your combined will isn’t strong enough that you can’t perform the joint technique!”

“We…”

“Your wills aren’t aligned…?”

“Precure are warriors of heart and love, and without those, you can’t bring out the true power of Precure!”

Rei and Erika looked at each other, seeing their astonishment reflected in each other’s eyes.

Our hearts aren’t aligned… Just a short while ago something happened, so our hearts aren’t aligned—it’s natural for this to happen?!

——Struggling Separation Line——

It was difficult for Wuki to withstand the attacks from both sides alone. Whether it was Timons or the Spider Gaki, they knew exactly when to exploit her weakened state.

With one hand clutching her stomach in pain, Wuki struggled to defend herself with just one hand. But defense eventually leads to losing ground. Just now, the fist from the fully charged Spider Gaki struck the Sunflower Shield, causing cracks to spread out like a spider web from the center until the shield shattered into countless fragments in an instant!

“Aah!”

The remaining force threw Wuki away, as if she were tossed out of a high-rise window, surrounded in a sea of golden shards. She covered her face to avoid cuts. Yet her opponent wasn’t willing to let her go. From behind Spider Gaki who had exerted all his strength, Ash fired spider silk to pull Wuki’s arms in opposite directions, finally pinning her in mid-air.

Strength…not enough… it hurts here in my chest! I can’t catch my breath from where I was hit before, air, air…

“Ah ah ah ah ah—”

Facing Wuki, who was completely at their mercy, Ash mercilessly landed a series of unseen strikes, intentionally avoiding vital areas. His fists, elbows, palms, shoulders, knees—all parts of his body became instruments of torture, quickly leaving Wuki with bruises all over her. She screamed in agony.

“It’s despicable, too despicable!” Popuri ignored her fear and rushed at Ash, crying and hitting his breastplate. “Wuki trusted you, and yet…what are you doing?!”

“I’m helping her get stronger. Right now, I’m helping her get used to the fear and pain of being unilaterally dominated. How else could she get stronger?”

“You shouldn’t tell me such foolish lies!”

The words from Ash were not believed by Popuri or the accompanying Spider Gaki.

“Haven’t you had enough fun with this, Timons?” The impatient Spider Gaki halted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Do you enjoy pummeling the helpless? Give her the final blow!”

“You’re quite merciful… Ha.”

Laughing derisively, Ash gently raised the limp figure of the injured CureSunshine towards him.

“You may be stronger, but you still lost, and it’s all your fault. Did you learn your lesson?”

“Ti…Timons…” To his surprise, even though the girl was beaten to a pitiful state, she still mustered the strength to ask, “Is what you said before really true…?”

“When you become stronger, I’ll tell you the truth.”

Just as he prepared the final strike, he sensed danger coming from behind, causing him to suddenly release Wuki and dodge aside.

When he turned back where he originally stood, Rei and Erika were there, gently laying the unconscious Wuki on the ground.

Next, the girl looked at Ash with incredibly bright, focused eyes, immobilizing him in place.

“How could you use the emotions deep in the girl’s heart to trick the trust of Wuki…?”

Behind her, her pink hair fluttered without wind, transforming all her weakness and lack of confidence into an incredible fighting will against the bully hurting her teammate!

Her feelings of sorrow, determination, anger—all these complex emotions fused together into a single, powerful resolve in Rei. She shouted loudly at Ash:

“I’ve had enough! (私、堪忍袋の緒が切れました!)”