Takamori and I ran towards each other, waiting to unleash our attacks the moment we entered each other's range. Takamori used his left katana to make a slashing attack. I swiftly raised Genki up and deflected Takamori's attack, causing a sharp tanging sound to fill the area. With Takamori being slightly caught off guard, I just barely managed to avoid his right handed attack which was a downward slice.
"Nice reflexes! Can you dodge this one though?!" Takamori shouted, turning his right katana's blade upward before making an upward slashing attack.
Just mere moments before his attack hit my face, I created a small explosive sphere beneath my left foot and set it off. The small explosion launched me far enough back to avoid the attack. Using the split second opening Takamori created by missing, I lunged forward and attempted to pierce the right side of his chest with Genki.
"You're naturally talented with the sword. Unfortunately for you, you're still a novice when it comes to form and technique!" Takamori's voice caused me to freeze up for a moment, giving him time to recover and prepare a counterattack with both katanas.
Takamori brought both his katanas up to his left and used a slashing attack against me, landing a clean hit against my chest. With where the katanas hit, part of my cloak was torn off. Leaving a large amount of grey cloth scraps on the stone floor.
Right as Takamori was about to hit me with another slashing attack, he stopped when he saw me crouching on the ground, picking up all the pieces of cloth that had been cut off.
"I take it that cloak of yours serves a lot of sentimental value to you?" Takamori asked, lowering his blades.
"This was the last thing my older brother gave me before heading into this tree. I know now that he's still alive and kicking but this cloak still means a lot." I answered, picking up the last piece of cloth from off the ground.
"I see. It would seem that the cloak has thanked you for the love you have given it by taking up most of the damage my attack would have caused you. If you would like, I will let you put it somewhere safe so that no more damage may come to it."
"I appreciate the offer. I'll be keeping the cloak on though. It's my good luck charm!" I looked back at Takamori with a grin as I placed the scraps of cloth next to Steven who was staring at me.
I walked back over to where I was before and activated Genki's flames once more, burning even brighter than they were originally. I changed into an attacking stance, with Takamori doing the same soon after.
"Ready whenever you are!" I said excitedly with a large grin.
"Good to hear!" Takamori said, responding with his own grin.
Takamori dashed towards me, thrusting his left katana towards my face. Thinking quickly, I raised Genki up and pushed him against Takamori's left katana. With Takamori being slightly turned to the side, I used this chance to land a slash attack against his left side.
"A good hit!" Takamori said with an overjoyed expression on his face.
Takamori turned his body around, using the momentum to increase the power of his right katana's attack. With little time to spare, I jumped backwards and managed to avoid any major damage the attack would have caused. The attack still did manage to graze my shoulder, creating a small tear on my cloak.
As I looked back at Takamori, I saw him switch stances. He raised his right katana upward but still kept it pointed at me while his left katana was moved lower. Both blades were then tilted a bit, making a shape similar to that of two fangs.
"Allow me to show you a sword technique I learned when I dueled a skilled sword user many years ago." Takamori said, planting his right foot back a little.
"A sword technique?" I asked.
Without giving me an answer, Takamori suddenly dashed towards me before I had time to react. A sharp pain appeared in both my left shoulder and right thigh. Takamori stepped back, showing that both his katanas had blood on the edges.
"You're still standing after taking an attack like that. You're just as strong as I was hoping for. My next attack shall be my last, so do everything in your power to stop me if you still wish to accomplish that dream of yours." Takamori said.
Takamori jumped back to create even more distance before changing his stance again. He crossed his two swords together, moving his right foot further back so he could lunge forward.
"John. Do not forget you have a technique of your own. The quickdraw technique. It may not be as complex as the ones he's using, but with the power created from my beam and the spell you have cast, I'm one hundred percent certain that you can defeat him." Genki said.
"Yeah, you're right. I won't let a little damage stop me from winning this and saving this island!" I shouted, putting Genki in his sheath but still keeping the Blazing Blade active.
I closed my eyes and concentrated, waiting for the perfect time to intercept Takamori's attack with my own. Despite having my eyes closed, I could see a red aura located where Takamori was supposedly standing. Takamori charged towards me, creating a trail of red aura in his wake. I could see his moves perfectly though, almost as if he had slowed down. Right as Takamori was about to unleash his attack, I pulled Genki out of his sheath.
All within an instant, Genki landed a clean slash on Takamori as we jumped past each other. The flames surrounding Genki vanished, signaling the end of my spell. I turned to face Takamori and saw that he was staring at me with a serious expression.
"Tell me, was I strong?"
I gave Takamori a big smile, "hell yeah you were!"
Takamori lowered his head and closed his eyes. A big smile began to cover his face before he dropped his katanas and fell to the ground.
"I thank you for giving me such a fun fight. You will find the treasure I have obtained from winning all my duels within a hidden room behind my throne. I will deactivate the spell now. I also grant you access to my two blades, Tranquility and Ruin. Although I will disappear, the swords will stay. Please take good care of them." Takamori said, still holding that same smile.