The Shiranui Dojo had become eerily silent. Most of the disciples had already left, and the few who remained were temporarily dismissed by Mai Shiranui. With such dwindled numbers, the dojo no longer had the value or viability to remain open.
Gazing at the now-empty grounds, Mai sighed wistfully. She was already formulating plans to relocate and reestablish the dojo elsewhere.
After all, the Shiranui name had been thoroughly tarnished in this region. A fighter who ignored the sacred rules of combat was bound to be ostracized in this world.
Mai shook her head, resigned to the idea of starting over. Turning to re-enter the dojo, her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp, whistling sound.
Her pupils contracted as she leapt forward, performing a handspring to evade the incoming threat.
The ground where she had stood was obliterated by a massive punch, sending debris and flames erupting into the air. A towering figure withdrew his fist from the scorched earth, his expression ferocious.
Mai, landing gracefully, had already donned her red ninja garb. With a flick of her wrist, she unfurled her paper fan and held it before her face, her voice cold and commanding.
"Who are you? State your name!"
The hulking man stepped forward, but before he could act, a gust of wind swirled beside him. An elegant figure materialized, blocking his path.
The man, known as Wind, offered Mai a polished smile and bowed with exaggerated courtesy.
"You must be Mai Shiranui. They said you were a beauty, and indeed, the rumors do not exaggerate."
"Enough with the flowery nonsense! I've heard lines like that a hundred times over!"
"Oh? Then perhaps you'd like to hear something new!"
A sinister grin stretched across Wind's face as he slid forward with alarming speed. Before Mai could fully register his movement, he had disappeared from sight.
Her eyes widened in shock as he reappeared before her, his clawed hand reaching out.
Skill: Dark Cry!
A sudden vortex of wind engulfed Mai, slicing into her with brutal precision. She let out a pained cry as Wind seized her and hurled her through the air.
Tumbling to the ground, Mai managed to steady herself mid-roll, flicking her fan to unleash a Hana Tsubame at Wind.
But Wind had already retreated to his companion's side, evading the attack effortlessly.
"How about that? You ever heard your own scream like that before?" he taunted, his tone dripping with mockery.
Kneeling on the ground, Mai wiped the blood from her face. Her expression was now one of deep wariness.
The Shiranui style prided itself on speed, making Mai an expert in agile combat. Yet the man before her seemed to transcend speed entirely.
This wasn't just a matter of reacting too slowly—she couldn't even perceive his movements. It was as if he had become one with the wind itself, manifesting without warning.
Such an unnatural and formidable technique left Mai shaken.
Rising to her feet, she gripped her fan tightly, her entire body tense and ready.
Wind, meanwhile, casually flexed his limbs and smirked.
"Fighting styles vary in quality," he began, his voice filled with scorn. "And your Shiranui clan? Let's be honest: it's third-rate at best. A pathetic inheritance compared to the power of true bloodlines."
He raised a hand, allowing a swirling current of wind to coil around his arm.
"And compared to the power of the Hakkesshu? You're not even worth mentioning! Have you ever seen a force as divine as this?"
As he stepped forward, preparing to strike again, a loud explosion interrupted him.
The dojo's main door burst open, and a glowing energy sphere hurtled toward him.
Wind's eyebrow twitched, but he didn't move. His companion, the brute known as Earth, stepped forward and smashed the projectile with a single, forceful punch.
The energy sphere dispersed, and Earth glared at the source: Andy Bogard, who leapt from the doorway to Mai's side.
"Mai, are you alright?" Andy asked, his voice firm.
"I'm fine. But their techniques are bizarre. Be careful."
The two exchanged quick glances and assumed defensive stances, ready for the next attack.
At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps drew everyone's attention.
Hanzou Shiranui, Qin Ming, and Blue Mary appeared, joining Andy and Mai on the battlefield.
Seeing Qin Ming and Mary, Wind's gaze sharpened, and a sardonic grin spread across his face.
"So, you're the two from the plane," he sneered. "It wasn't easy finding you. I must say, I'm curious how you managed to survive."
Qin Ming's brow furrowed.
"You're Adventurers?"
"Of course."
"And there's just two of you?"
"Two of us? Certainly not."
Wind chuckled and gestured around. "Do you think we'd be foolish enough to face four plot characters with just the two of us? No, no. We brought reinforcements. And it's someone you know quite well."
Clapping his hands, Wind smirked as a shadow streaked across the sky.
With an earth-shaking crash, something massive landed between the two groups, shattering the ground into a web of cracks.
As the dust settled, a monstrous figure stood revealed.
Standing over three meters tall, clad in the tattered robes of a monk, and clutching a staff in one hand, it resembled a grotesque amalgam of human and demon.
Its left arm was no longer flesh but a glowing, translucent claw of spectral energy.
Its face, twisted and ghastly, bore a striking resemblance to a familiar foe.
It was Tsukimi Soukaku—transformed by the forbidden power of the Onigami Blade into a monstrous demon.
"Tsukimi Soukaku!" Mai exclaimed, her voice filled with shock.
"No," Qin Ming corrected grimly. "Not anymore."
This was no longer the Tsukimi Soukaku they had faced before.
This was the Demon of Tsukimi—a terrifying fusion of man and spirit.
The Onigami Blade has been unleashed!
(Chapter End)