Alright, so I'm not sure if I did a numbering mistake or if the chapter got deleted somehow, but this chapter originally said 86. I couldn't find a chapter that said 85 so I assume I was just an idiot that forgot how to count. Even if I didn't, I don't remember what I wanted to write so... Sorry in advance? Anyway, enjoy the chapter.
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"Arashi," Ryu called out as he teleported back to his smithy at Rukongai. "Ryu, you're back?" A cheerful voice came as Arashi came out of his smithy. Just like Nadare, Arashi received quite the glow-up over the century.
Arashi was simply impossible to overlook. Her sharply angled face was framed by her mesmerizing sea-green eyes. With a chiseled jawline and an expressive gaze, she radiated a challenge to any who dared meet it. Her hair, a cascade of jagged, flame-like blond waves, danced behind her as if echoing her fiery spirit.
Her physique was a masterpiece, a testament to years of dedication and discipline. Muscles rippled beneath her skin, her arms showcasing her prowess and agility with pronounced biceps and sinewy forearms. Her broad chest tapered to a narrow waist, a defined six-pack further underscoring her determination. Scars—worn like badges of honor—adorned her body, with a long jagged one across her right bicep, smaller ones on her abdomen, and the faintest trace of a recent one on her left cheek.
She donned a stylized Shinobi uniform, revealing her lower abdomen and thighs. Rough, calloused hands with long, nimble fingers hinted at her intricate swordplay skills. Her perfect posture and fluid movements displayed mastery over her craft.
"Yeah. Did Nadare tell you what happened?" Ryu inquired. "Yeah. He told me about his awesome fight with the Shinigami's Head Captain. Why didn't you bring me along!? I want to be in a fight like that!" Arashi complained. "...Is that so?" Ryu said in an ecstatic tone, causing shivers to run down Arashi's spine.
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"What did I do wrong?" Arashi said with a defeated expression as she faced Ryu in an open field with her Zanpakuto in her hand. "What do you mean? You wanted an intense fight, didn't you?" Ryu smirked as he held a simple training sword. But even though the sword didn't look impressive, Ryu coated it with his divinity to make it stronger.
"...Shit, I guess I'm getting a new scar today," Arashi said with a gleam of excitement in her eyes that didn't match her words. "Don't talk like you are ashamed of them. I offered to heal them, but you treat them like a badge of honor. You even asked for a modified uniform to show them off," Ryu chuckled. "They show my progress, I'm proud of them," Arashi said with a battle-hungry expression.
"Then don't play the victim, you idiot. And make your move, I'm waiting," Ryu said while fake yawning. "Oh, I'll make you regret that!" Arashi exclaimed as she lunged forward.
Arashi moved with lightning speed, her katana darting in and out in a flurry of slashes and thrusts aimed at Ryu's chest. Ryu responded in equal measure, his movements fluid and graceful as he countered each of Arashi's attacks with ease.
Arashi feinted to the left and then quickly darted to the right, her blade slicing through the air. Ryu effortlessly parried her attack, his sword moving in a seamless arc.
Arashi spun around, her Zanpakuto whistling through the air in a powerful horizontal slash. Ryu sidestepped, his sword flashing out to counter her attack. The two swords clashed with a deafening noise, sending sparks flying.
With a lightning-quick movement, Arashi thrust her Zanpakuto toward Ryu's neck. Ryu responded with a swift upward block, knocking her blade aside. Arashi twisted her body and swung her katana again, this time aiming for Ryu's legs. Ryu jumped over the blade, his own sword coming down in a powerful chop.
Arashi blocked Ryu's attack with a flick of her wrist, her Zanpakuto gliding smoothly along the edge of his blade. She spun around, her sword arcing out in a wide slash. Ryu stepped back elegantly, the blade's edge missing him by mere millimeters.
Ryu countered Arashi's raining strikes with a variety of techniques, from deflecting her attacks with the flat of his blade to using his footwork to avoid her thrusts. He moved with an effortless dignity, his movements were almost hypnotic in their fluidity.
As the battle continued, Arashi and Ryu each used a variety of techniques from different sword styles. Arashi's movements were fluid and precise, her sword flashing out in a series of quick strikes. Ryu was even more skilled, anticipating Arashi's moves and countering them with ease.
The two of them continued to clash, their swords ringing out in a symphony of metal.
"I think you had enough fun, how about I fight back?" Ryu asked. "I thought you'd never ask!" Arashi replied with a frenzied smile as Ryu launched a thrust at her.
Arashi dodged the thrust, but Ryu's sword still grazed her arm, leaving a thin red line in its wake. Despite the pain, Arashi remained focused, the real challenge will begin now.
Ryu's movements were fluid and precise, his sword flashing out in a blur of silver. He used a variety of techniques and styles, seamlessly transitioning between them to keep Arashi off balance. His sword moved with a grace and precision that seemed supernatural.
Ryu's next move was a forehead strike which he launched with impeccable speed toward Arashi's forehead. Arashi bearly managed to dodge before responding with a sweeping move, which Ryu effortlessly evaded. Ryu followed up with a thrust aimed at Arashi's chest, but Arashi deflected at the last second, only allowing the blade to leave a shallow wound.
Ryu then used a hilt strike, using the handle of his sword to strike Arashi's sword and create an opening for an attack. Arashi, caught off guard, tried to counter with an upward cut but Ryu easily parried it before leaving a deep stab wound on her forearm.
"I guess we know where your new scar is," Ryu said as Arashi grimaced with pain.
"It's not over!" Arashi said in determination as she started her assault once again.
Arashi began with a swift and controlled slash toward Ryu's torso, but Ryu responded with a quick sidestep. Arashi attempted a feint and a lunge, but Ryu effortlessly parried the attack with a lightning-fast upward motion of his sword.
Ryu then countered with a sharp downward cut, aimed at Arashi's shoulder. Arashi spun around, her Zanpakuto following her body's motion, deflecting the attack. Ryu took advantage of the opening and launched a rapid flurry of attacks, each move perfectly calculated to find a weakness in Arashi's defense.
Arashi responded with a series of fluid defensive moves, parrying and deflecting each of Ryu's strikes with grace, her newfound determination acting as fuel. Her movements were like water, flowing smoothly around Ryu's attacks. Ryu, impressed with Arashi's skill, adjusted his stance and launched a swift, low sweep that caught Arashi off guard. She stumbled, her balance thrown off by the unexpected move.
Ryu capitalized on the momentary weakness and launched a series of quick jabs, each aimed at a different point on Arashi's body. Arashi tried to block them, but Ryu's speed and precision were too much for her to handle. Her defense began to falter, and Ryu seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful thrust aimed at Arashi's chest.
Arashi deflected the attack with a swift sideways motion of her Zanpakuto, but Ryu was already in motion, using the momentum of his thrust to spin around and strike again. Arashi dodged and countered with a quick slash toward Ryu's arms, but he already anticipated the attack. By the time the slash reached him, Ryu was already outside its range and with a powerful overhead attack ready.
Arashi blocked the attack with a swift upward motion of her katana, but the force of Ryu's strike was too much for her to handle. She stumbled back, her footing unsteady. Ryu saw his chance and launched a flurry of attacks, each one aimed at a different point on Arashi's body.
Arashi tried to defend herself, but her movements were slow and clumsy, her energy drained by Ryu's relentless assault. Finally, with a powerful downward strike, Ryu ended the fight as he knocked Arashi's Zanpakuto outside her hand and bashed her down to the ground.
"It was a good fight, you really improved," Ryu said cheerfully. "Shut up, you aren't even sweating," Arashi cursed in frustration. "Well, yeah. I can't have you surpassing me already," Ryu chuckled as he offered Arashi a hand, which the latter took with a smile.
"Man, now I have to rip off my sleeve to show this scar. It's gonna be cold," Arashi complained as the two walked. "Then maybe don't do it?" Ryu asked jokingly. "No way in hell!" Arashi exclaimed.