Petals of Reincarnation Episode 4: Omniscience and Corruption

Funasaka stands with his rifle on Touya, a tense moment that quickly breaks. He trusts Touya despite the boy's secrets, a decision based on intuition. Touya admits his desire to surpass his brother, a very human ambition, which Funasaka finds relatable. With a sharp salute, Funasaka pledges his support, though he warns he won't yield his own talent easily. Their journey continues, and Funasaka ponders the contradictions of human nature.

Touya and Funasaka arrive at the colossal 'Chi no Ichiba,' a Sinner stronghold. An immense explosion tears through the gates, engulfing Funasaka as Touya is thrown clear. Blood spatters Touya's face, believing his companion is dead, but Funasaka's body stitches itself back together. From above, Hans-Ulrich Rudel, the Sinners' 'Immortal Bird,' reveals himself, calling out Touya's name. Funasaka immediately senses the overwhelming power of the adversary, placing himself defensively before Touya. Dive-bombers begin to sound in the distance, signaling the start of a terrible battle.

The scene shifts abruptly to a desolate, snowy landscape, where the legendary sniper Simo Hayha hunts. He is met by Carlos Hathcock, another famed sniper, who now possesses menacing wings. Hathcock taunts Hayha, acknowledging him as an equal but claiming superiority in this supernatural fight. Hayha activates his 'White Hell' talent, manipulating the environment to create the perfect shot. They engage in a high-stakes duel of precision, with Hathcock proposing a 2000-foot distance challenge.

Rudel unleashes 'Jericho's Trumpet,' raining down bombs that pulverize Funasaka, reducing him to a charred skeleton at one point. Touya watches, helpless, as Funasaka regenerates repeatedly, forcing himself upright after each blast. Rudel laughs, fascinated by Funasaka's 'Self-Regeneration' and its limits. Taking cover, Funasaka reveals the immense physical and mental toll his talent takes; regeneration is infinite, but energy is not. He tells Touya he expects to lose this fight, yet still prepares for another desperate charge.

Jean-Henri Fabre attempts a stealth infiltration into the Sinners' inner territory, but is abruptly stopped. He encounters a green-haired girl who introduces herself as Adolf Hitler, the Sinners' leader, alongside a somber Pol Pot. Pol Pot uses his 'Rotting Fruit' talent, corrupting the forest with decay and stench, which nullifies Fabre's invisibility. Fabre is shocked that his perfect stealth was so easily countered by this sensory overload. Hitler watches with a smug expression, having anticipated his arrival.

Back in the snowy duel, Hayha's shot hits a decoy, as Hathcock uses his wings to reposition. Hathcock mocks Hayha's reliance on scopes, stating that talent requires more than just sight. He then forcefully pulls Hayha into a different spatial reality, a 'Green Hell' modeled after a jungle. The sudden shift from snow to dense rainforest puts Hayha at a severe disadvantage, but he thrives on the challenge. Shedding his winter hood, Hayha reveals a manic grin, ready for this new, hostile environment.

Isaac Newton, with his apple for a head, discusses the nature of their enemies' abilities with Aine (Albert Einstein). Newton dismisses the legend of Charles Darwin's 'Evolution' as mere mimicry, claiming Sinner talents are flawed copies of existing laws. Aine is frustrated by Newton's cryptic manner, yet listens as he calmly analyzes the chaotic battlefield. He maintains composure despite the high stakes, observing the larger picture.

Pol Pot lunges at Aine, but Newton intervenes with a powerful kick, surprising everyone. Hitler, from her throne, reveals her precise knowledge of Aine's spatial teleportation weaknesses. She explains Aine can only teleport to mapped, physically walked locations, limiting her mobility. Aine is visibly shaken that her secret is exposed. Newton deduces Hitler's 'Omniscience' isn't magical, but a shared sensory network via marked flora and fauna. Hitler is impressed, calling his analysis 'magnificent.'

Having exposed Hitler's 'Omniscience,' Newton declares he has intentionally withheld his own talent until now. He states his true power is beyond the Sinners' current understanding because they haven't witnessed it. Hitler's amusement shifts to genuine curiosity, wondering what 'The Great Returner Newton' is truly capable of. The air around Newton begins to distort, hinting at the power he is about to unleash to turn the tide.

The battle between Funasaka and Rudel reaches a brutal peak. Funasaka's regeneration fails to keep pace with the constant bombing, leaving him a gruesome mix of flesh and bone. He screams, making a desperate, final charge towards Rudel. Touya watches in sheer terror as his protector is systematically dismantled. Rudel maintains a cold, professional detachment, continuing his relentless assault as the deafening siren of his dive-bomber fills the coliseum.

The episode concludes with a somber montage over the credits, showcasing the ongoing, desperate battles. A mysterious young girl with horns, confined to a wheelchair, gazes over a digital landscape, hinting at deeper levels of the Sinners' leadership. The various conflicts remain unresolved, setting the stage for future confrontations. The war for talent intensifies, leaving the fate of the Returners uncertain.