As Rengoku look at Kyoshi's figure he was stunned in surprise. He felt as if mountains just dropped on his head and for the first time in his demon hunting career, he felt his body shaking.
The grip on his sword was loosening and he felt his heart racing. The sinister aura from Kyoshi was undeniably one of the worst things Rengoku had ever felt and he was getting nervous.
But…at the same time he felt a rising sensation of joy and achievement. The grip on his sword tightened and he took in a deep breath as a big smile was drawn on his face.
'Even if my physical strength isn't up to his, I can wear him down and overwhelm him.'
Kyoshi took a step forward and in the next moment he vanished.
Appearing in front of Rengoku, Kyoshi whipped his leg out and struck Rengoku in the chest.
He blocked with his sword, but the impact sent him flying away. Kyoshi shot one of his tails forward and grabbed Rengoku by the leg before pulling him into the air.
As he was about to slam him into the ground Rengoku clenched his teeth and and gripped his sword. He slashed at Kyoshi's tail which was cut easily.
He fell to the ground and with no time to recover, Kyoshi appeared next to him and slammed his foot into Rengoku's ribcage.
He felt them creak before breaking while his body rolled along the muddy plains. He got to his feet with his hands still gripped on his sword.
'I need to focus…'
Rengoku thought as he slashed Kyoshi's oncoming tails and dodged what he could, but some attacks were breaking through. Cuts appeared on his face and forehead as he kept slashing.
Kyoshi was advancing towards him while his tails were regenerating at a crazy speed. Rengoku inhaled sharply and planted his foot into the ground.
'Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!!'
He dashed forward while delivering multiple slashes; cutting Kyoshi's tails easily.
Finally Kyoshi was within attack range and sent forward a punch straight for Rengoku's chest.
'Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!!'
He slashed his sword in a downward arch splitting Kyoshi's arm in two.
Kyoshi pulled back and his arm healed quickly. He ducked down and swept Rengoku's leg. Quickly recovering with a backflip, Rengoku raised his sword and blocked the punch Kyoshi launched.
Clenching his teeth, he kicked Kyoshi in the stomach sending him back a bit.
"Kyojuro, stop fighting me. I'll make it simple, at some point you'll get worn out and I'll win. Some of your ribs are broken, your movements are getting jagged and you're getting slower."
Rengoku didn't respond and instead stared at Kyoshi with eyes saying he'd keep fighting.
"You're fighting a pointless battle. In just a few moments, I'm supposed to be having a meeting with a few of the other Hashira and right now you're ruining the outcome I wished for."
"So they planned something like that…?" Rengoku muttered.
"Yes, we did. Instead of killing you, how about we hold this off till the meeting is over. Honestly, we don't need to fight. I feel like you and one of my sensei's could get along if you just-"
"Haha…hahaha…hahahahahahahahahaha!!" Rengoku laughed loudly with his head up to the sky.
"Kyoshi, while it is unfortunate that you're a demon I'll gladly have my last fight be against someone like you. As the Flame Hashira, it's my job and sincere obligation to take out demons!!"
Rengoku raised his sword over his shoulder and stepped forward. His calf muscles bulged as he took a deep breath and blasted forward.
He smiled with grit teeth as his sword seemed to be shrouded in a smothering golden flame. Kyoshi let his Ukaku rip from his back and cover his body defensively.
Rengoku slashed his sword down and the moment his sword collided with Kyoshi's wings he crystalized them.
Rengoku didn't give up and continued pushing down on Kyoshi's wings and he could see the crystallized feathers chipping away.
"Alright, I'm done with this!!"
Kyoshi burst open his wings which knocked Rengoku back. Kyoshi, kicked Rengoku in his chest which sent him flying back. He hit the ground and rolled over as he tried to get up.
Kyoshi walked over to him and opened his palms. The flesh from his sword was pulled into his body as he sighed.
Rengoku got back up to his feet with shaking legs while using his sword to stand. Kyoshi walked right in front of him and he tried to swing his blade, but the hit to his chest was devastating.
Just trying to move his arms was agonizing to the point he dropped his sword. He trued to punch Kyoshi who slapped the fist away and simply looked at Rengoku.
There wasn't much blood drawn, but Rengoku's body was busted up and just standing was extremely taxing for him.
"Rengoku, stop fighting. Like honestly, it's pointless. Tell me, why're you fighting demons? A family tragedy like the rest? Forced to do it? Or what?"
Kyoshi's tails and wings evaporated into red mist and he backed away from Rengoku as some sort if assurance that he wasn't hostile.
"My purpose of fighting demons? To protect the weak!! It's what my mother taught me to do!!" Rengoku said proudly with his hand over his chest.
"Then think about this. If humans and demons learned to coexist we'd be able to live in harmony. That's what the meeting is about.
No need to fight. No need to kill. And no need to stay hostile. Sure my grandpa has done some horrible things in the past, but so has other people and people will continue to do bad in the future.
At the moment he's changed and is making corrections for all the wrong he did. How about Instead of holding grudges, we try to get past our problems?"
In his attempt to end their fight, Kyoshi explained his ideas for the future and indirectly asked for Rengoku's help in securing it.
Did this mean the extinction of demons or the enslavement of humans? No.
This meant the hope of the future could be a bright one for both demons and humans if all goes well.
Besides, what's the worst that could happen?
…
(Ishikari River)
The Hashirs that were supposed to be present had arrived and only saw Rin there they were confused.
"I suppose you're the student of Kyoshi. Is he handling other business?" Shinobu asked.
The two of them were standing on rocks which peaked out of the rivers running water as they spoke to each other.
"He ran into a problem on our way here. I believe he should be coming in a bit." Rin answered, keeping her voice in a neutral tone.
"I see. Then we'll wait for a bit but after a while we might have to reschedule this meeting." Shinobu said.
Rin nodded her head and they both went to their respective sides of the river.
…
"Is it true the other Hashira planned a meeting with you?" Rengoku asked in a low voice.
"Yeah, in fact I'm running late right now."
"So they really didn't consult anyone with this? I can imagine who it was." Rengoku said with a chuckle.
"Kyoshi…over the past few moments, you've really shocked me. Not only with your abilities, but with your ideals. I makes me question if you're really a demon."
'Oh you'd be surprised about my ideals years ago.' Kyoshi thought as he awkwardly laughed and scratched his head.
"Fine, I'll go along with this plan of yours and we can stop fighting. It is indeed pointless if what you say is true." Rengoku said.
He dropped to the ground on his back and closed his eyes as he breathed calmly.
"I can get you to the others if you want. It's better than laying on the ground in the rain." Kyoshi suggested as he stepped next to Rengoku's figure.
"No, I'm fine. Leave me here and go to the meeting!!" He said with the bit of vigor and energy he could draw from his spirit.
Kyoshi was a bit hesitant, but ran off. His clothes were messed up and torn, but there wasn't much he could do. His hair was also cut lopsided by Rengoku's blade.
'I guess I coulda used a haircut anyway.' He thought as he ran iff to the river.