Let's Do Some Kung Fu

Seiko trades blows with the jiangshi at close range and keeps the whole group at bay even as they swarm her at once. A minotaur then hurls himself at her like a cannonball, knocking her backward, and praises her footwork; she modestly brushes it off as the work of a mere old woman. A kick to his groin teaches Seiko how tough his hide is, and even channeling the Power of Words through a length of wood does nothing for her swing against him.

The minotaur announces that his frame is forged of iron, so every hit only hardens it further. He cracks his own knees, then boots Seiko into a wall and pounds her across the floor, boasting that he strengthens no matter who lands the blow, her on him, himself on himself, or him on her. Once his final strike fells her, he pulls a knife from his briefs and orders her to give up. Before he can finish it, Payase and Kashimoto burst in, a single punch flinging the minotaur off her. Kashimoto sneers at the enemies' surprise assault while Payase fumes that they put his cursed object at risk, and the two square up to face the minotaur and his jiangshi, Payase vowing to school them in the ways of curses.

The clash of Seiko Ayase against the jiangshi and the Kettetsu power user unfolds. Seiko faces down the horde of jiangshi and refuses to give ground. A minotaur joins the fray, and when she hits him she finds his body is solid iron. He tells her that taking or dealing damage only makes him stronger. Overpowering Seiko, he wields the same knife Koki had and orders her to admit defeat, until Payase and Kashimoto arrive, unleash their abilities, and shield her from the attackers.

Appearing December 17, 2024 in Volume 21 of the Ultimate Yokai Saga, this longer chapter pits Seiko against an iron-bodied minotaur whose strength feeds on every impact. It sets up a tag-team brawl as Payase and Kashimoto step in to defend her with their own cursed powers.