9. Do not tap or strike precision machinery at will.

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“This enemy is incomparable to those we’ve faced before, Zero. From the very start, we must give it our all.”

Zero Maru shielded himself with both claws, his gaze fixed intently on Andoru-mon. “Don’t worry, I’ve been at Max status from the beginning.”

For some unknown reason, Andoru-mon moved with stiff, mechanical motions, like a Terminator freshly arrived through time, inching slowly toward Zero Maru.

“Clang, clang, clang.” The sound of metal armor striking the floor echoed with every step of Andoru-mon, who was clad in a suit of gleaming metal plates.

His weight undoubtedly exceeded that of an average adult.

Taiichi, standing nearby, noticed that Andoru-mon’s right foot was unprotected by armor—or perhaps that section had suffered some damage.

“Purge protocol activated.”

Andoru-mon’s palm began spinning rapidly once more. The jet-black drill emitted blue energy waves as it launched a spinning energy blade toward Zero Maru again.

This time, the blade itself twisted in midair, making it extremely difficult to evade.

Zero Maru resolved to counter with his V Gale Arrow.

The blue blade collided with the wind blade midair. Invisible shockwaves radiated outward, carving deep gashes into the factory walls, floor, and machinery.

Blue light flickered in Andoru-mon’s eyes. Clearly, his internal processors struggled to comprehend how a mature-stage Digimon could rival the power of his signature attack.

At the same time, Zero Maru felt the ancient warrior’s battle frenzy surge through his entire being. For the first time, he faced an opponent whose strength matched his own — a first in his experience.

“I’m fired up!” Zero Maru roared, charging at Andoru-mon.

His sharp dragon claws grasped Andoru-mon’s arm, defying the friction created by the rapid spin and halting the drill’s motion.

Then, with a swift turn, Zero Maru executed a suplex, slamming Andoru-mon into the ground. The force was immense, creating a massive crater and spiderweb cracks that spread throughout every corner of the factory.

Despite such a heavy blow, Andoru-mon remained a cold, robotic figure. Taiichi couldn’t tell if he was unphased or simply refusing to show any sign of injury.

Seeing him casually rise from the crater, Taiichi figured it was the latter.

“It’s not over yet!” Taiichi shouted suddenly.

Andoru-mon felt a fierce gust behind his head. Looking back, he saw a steel rebar hurtling toward him with tremendous force.

The rebar had been knocked down from high above during the clash between Zero Maru and Andoru-mon.

Taiichi had tested its weight and balance and found it perfect, so he held it ready to use in the fight.

“Guh—”

Andoru-mon’s mouth opened wide as the rebar struck him harshly, sending him flying into the factory’s control panel.

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Taiichi realized that although Andoru-mon’s strength far exceeded that of a mature-stage Digimon, his movements were strangely stiff for some unknown reason.

Yet, thanks to his metal armor’s exceptional defense, even the barrage of attacks caused no significant harm.

Perhaps they should try targeting his right leg.

Just as Taiichi considered this, two missiles shaped like an Ankang fish suddenly burst from the smoke.

The missiles flew toward Taiichi and Zero Maru, then abruptly shot straight upward.

Under their bewildered gazes, the Ankang missiles turned, their fish mouths opening to reveal gun barrels.

“Gatling missiles.”

The two missiles fired bullets at a rate of 3,600 rounds per second, forcing both fighters to retreat.

“Calling out the move only after it’s launched?!”

Taiichi harshly condemned such cowardly tactics.

While retreating, Zero Maru glanced back and unleashed V Arrow Breath, incinerating the incoming bullets and detonating the missiles midair.

“Boom—!”

The massive explosion formed twin mushroom clouds, the heat rippling across the wasteland two kilometers away.

As the dust cleared, Andoru-mon and the duo clashed again.

Andoru-mon transformed his palm into a drill and lunged at Zero Maru, who nimbly dodged despite his bulky frame, landing a heavy punch on Andoru-mon’s head.

Andoru-mon staggered back two steps but showed no sign of weakening. He advanced again, kicking Zero Maru in the chest.

Zero Maru braced himself, his thick chest muscles absorbing most of the impact. Taiichi seized the moment to swing the steel rebar at Andoru-mon’s right leg.

“Sss—”

For the first time, a pained expression flickered across Andoru-mon’s face. He dropped to one knee, his right leg sparking like a live wire.

“So, the right leg really is Andoru-mon’s weak point.”

Taiichi recalled a myth about a hero with immortality, whose only weakness was his ankle—and who ultimately perished because of it.

He had no intention of killing Andoru-mon, but exploiting the enemy’s weakness in battle was hardly dishonorable.

“Zero, attack the lower leg not covered by armor!”

“Got it!”

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Heat gathered in Zero Maru’s mouth as his V Arrow Breath, a high-temperature beam, blasted Andoru-mon’s lower leg.

With the concentrated damage, the black gear finally flew out from his leg, instantly melting from the intense heat.

Almost simultaneously, the blue glow in Andoru-mon’s eyes faded.

Despite the scorched smell still clinging to his leg, Andoru-mon stood up with a swift grace as if unaffected.

Just that movement showed his agility had improved markedly.

Clearly, the black gear had been affecting Andoru-mon.

Perhaps this was evidence that as a Perfect-level Digimon, Andoru-mon possessed some resistance to the black gear.

Once upright, Andoru-mon’s eyes lost their hostility. Like any ordinary Digimon, he smiled faintly at Taiichi.

“Sorry for causing you trouble.”

“Not at all. It’s no trouble.”

Taiichi and Zero Maru shook their heads simultaneously. Even uncontrolled, Andoru-mon retained the exaggerated power of a Perfect Digimon, but without agility, he was akin to a Super Saiyan with only muscle enhancements—powerful but useless if attacks couldn’t land.

Moreover, both wore refreshed smiles.

Even if Andoru-mon wasn’t at full strength, he was still ten times stronger than any mature-stage Digimon they’d encountered. This was their first fight giving it their all.

They’d gained invaluable experience that would surely serve them well in future battles.

“Andoru-mon, was your leg broken by the owner of the black gear?” Taiichi asked.

Andoru-mon’s armor boasted astonishing defense. Despite Zero Maru and Taiichi’s full-power strikes, only scratches marred the armor. If the black gear’s owner had forcibly broken Andoru-mon’s right leg armor to implant the gear, that opponent’s strength likely exceeded that of the current Zero Maru.

Fortunately, Andoru-mon shook his head.

“My right leg was never protected by armor.”

“Originally, I intended to remove the black gear stuck in the factory, but an accident trapped me instead... To prevent being controlled by the black gear to do harm, I cut off my own power supply.”

At this, Andoru-mon suddenly turned to Taiichi, his gaze complex.

“But I didn’t expect you to forcibly restart me.”

Surpassing the Steel Empire’s programming, Andoru-mon was curious about what this boy had done during his shutdown.

Taiichi broke into an awkward smile, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his face as he scratched his head.

“Well, um... hahaha, ha ha ha!”

“So it’s all your fault...” Zero Maru’s eyes darkened as he stared intently at Taiichi.