One Plus Four Equals Five. [Erika, Rio]

Fist collided with blade as Rio offered the entirety of her speed unto matching Erika blow for blow. Since her attention was wholly devoted to gaining momentum in this battle, the profusion of blades that descended from all angles, intercepting her view of the opponent in front of her, fell out of the realm of expectation, her focus now compromised by a different beast altogether.

The raining hell of blades pierced flesh as they simultaneously connected with her body to one degree or another, but Rio remained primarily on the offensive, her golden gaze poised to land a decisive strike. Even amid a torrent of steel, the Shihoin would not relent. For a faint moment, one of her arms was free to execute a strike. Rio would not waste this opportunity. Drawing her fist forward, Rio executed the one hakuda technique in her arsenal afforded to her in this onslaught of blades.

Ikkotsu (一骨, Single Bone)

Naturally, she was betting on the fact that the woman would not expect her to move forward in spite of the myriad blades compromising her charge. If she happened to avoid it, that likely put any chance of victory in question. She'd have to push some of the blades lodged in her flesh, and for a battle that followed a pace like this? That was less than ideal.

Rio would've been remiss to pretend she expected equal boldness from Erika as the woman followed through with her motion. In the pivotal clash, her fist bore through her blade to turn her arm into a mesh of blood and gore. One would assume the hit was decisive, and yet, Erika turned even this harrowing situation into a well-timed counterattack as that spray of blood painted the Shihoin's face in crimson.

The gruesome strategy was admirable, but even in the face of that tactic, Rio persisted in a stride of unperturbed motion as her next blade-pieced arm swung forward for one more strike across her face. Whether that strike connected or not would be a result left to speculation as a golden streak of light enveloped her resilient frame, accompanied by the echo of an explosive roar.

The force of such a tremendous blow naturally sent her flying through the barracks as her body smashed into a wall. A long gash of a wound lined her belly, pouring generously onto the ground. Rising upward, Rio ran a hand through her stomach. An amused chuckle escaped her lips as she regarded the woman with an impressed expression. A prideful part of her wanted to continue, even with the brutal wound. Obsidian blades hovered at her back, golden eyes observing the woman from afar.

"What a remarkable display of tenacity. Parting with your arm to ascertain victory... even for someone who fancies themselves as a shield in human form, not even I would have expected a tactic like that. Then again, I'd expect nothing less of the vice-commander."