Maka decides that due to their previous encounter, both she and Soul should undergo special training with Stein to become stronger but the two end up arguing between themselves. Soul is reluctant to become more powerful because of his dreams with Little Ogre, but does not tell Maka this, which only frustrates her as she wants to become stronger. The falling-out has the effect of de-synchronizing the Soul Wavelength bond between them.
The next mission takes Maka to London, along with Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki. Soul and Maka ignore each other. However, they encounter Free, the immortal werewolf, on London Bridge. A battle between Free and the group begins on the bridge, with Eruka watching from the sidelines while having her vision linked with Medusa. Black Star is soon knocked unconscious as he uses Tsubaki's Uncanny Sword form for too long (he still cannot wield it for more than ten seconds). Due to the uneasiness present between Soul and Maka, she is unable to wield him as Soul's Weapon form burns her hands, and instead fights using Tsubaki, with Soul protecting her in human form. When this proves to be ineffective she makes the decision to use Soul at the cost of burning her hands. Because she cannot wield Soul correctly, she ends up fighting wildly and ineffectively, being constantly hit by Free's attacks. Maka and Soul end up fighting, and Maka asks Soul if he still wants to become stronger. Reminded of Little Ogre tempting him to use Black Blood again, Soul loses his temper and shouts at her.
Tsubaki then intervenes, much to the pair's surprise, and angrily tells them to listen to each other instead of argue. In the end, she resolves to become stronger alongside Soul. The two resolve their issues by listening to and understanding each other's opinions, allowing them to Resonate once again. Because of the high level of Resonance, the Black Blood spreads to Maka and Soul has difficulty controlling himself, as he almost consumes her soul. However, he manages to control it. They use Witch-Hunt Slash and are able to cut off a part of Free's tail (with Maka head-butting Soul in order for the attack to go through) and slightly scratch his arm and torso. Following this attack, Maka throws Soul aside and tackles Free and pushes him off the bridge in order to defeat him. He tries to take her with him but Soul manages to grab her ankle to prevent her from falling and Black Star cuts off Free's hand by throwing Tsubaki as a shuriken, saving Maka and ending the battle. When the two are safe, Soul states that since Maka's hands are burned, he would have to make dinner for a while, to which Maka smiles and tells him to make sure he makes it right. She then coughs up some blood, which is black.
