After cauterizing the wound, Kazutaka charged his prana and leapt towards Kagero. "Saishū maku (Last Act)..." he said, driving Kajin's blade into the ground when he got within range. "Jigokuhenomichi (Last Act: Path to Hell)!"
Scorching flames erupted from the ground and encircled them in a conflagration.
"There's no running away this time!" Kazutaka ran and sliced through Kagero's staff in a single swing. He followed up by kicking his torso and the Shadow King fell.
Kazutaka was quick to subdue his uncle with a heavy knee to the chest. He brought the edge of his katana near Kagero's face. "What do you want from my grandson?"
Although the flame had reduced, the blade was still red hot.
Kagero remained as silent as a monk in meditation.
"Speak! Before I burn you straight to hell!"
Kagero snickered. "I do not fear death… if you kill me, my Shadows will avenge me."
Kazutaka placed the scorching sword on Kagero's cheek and the latter let out an agonizing roar. The gruesome torture continued, targeted at every inch of exposed skin.
Kagero's skin had taken on a red hue with severe burns on his face and torso but he refused to answer. He turned to his son–still engaged in a game of cat and mouse with Asuka. "K–Kagemaru! Break her shadow!" he screeched in pain and saw the prince freeze. "Do it now! Or I'll use that!"
Kagemaru made the Chinmaya mudra and mouthed a phrase.
Kage genzō: Yume no fūkei (Shadow illusion: Dreamscape)!
A black aura materialized around Kagemaru, growing denser as it consumed him. His pupils rolled back, making his eyes appear white as he pointed at Asuka.
After a few moments, both of them fell down and started convulsing.
"Oh no, Asuka!" said Kazutaka, noticing her seizures. Ignoring Kagero–he jumped out of the flaming ring and raced for Asuka who had started frothing saliva.
With the Chinmaya mudra on one hand and a thumb on her forehead, Kazutaka teleported his psyche into Asuka's shadow plane. Inside, he found her bound by several snakes. "Asuka-chan!" he said, pulling the vipers away and freeing her.
Asuka remained motionless.
"None of this is real." Tears dropped on Kazutaka's wrinkled face. "You're the strongest shinobi in this village and soon enough, you shall be its Sage. I know you can fight this! Wake up my dear!"
A few minutes later, the seizures and the frothing stopped. However, she was still unconscious so he urged her even further. After a short while, her fingers twitched.
"Yes! You can do this Asuka-cha–" he said, spewing blood from his mouth.
Kazutaka returned to his body and found a spear impaling him through the gut.
Luckily, his vitals had been missed but he tasted metal as he spat blood on his hand. He made the Prana mudra and slowed his breathing. "Tell me Kagemaru," he said, staring into the Shadow Prince's eyes. "What does he want from my grandson?"
"I–I don't k–know." Kagemaru stammered trying to piece the words together.
"Shadow cursing, huh? And deep down you're still fighting it so I shall spare you for that." Kazutaka switched to the Vyana mudra and exhaled. "Jinsoku!"
The Sage vanished and appeared within the fire prison. He staggered towards a crawling Kagero and raised Kajin in the air. "Father spared your life back then... alas I am not him," he said with a pause. "Jigoku no mon: Kasō (Hell's Gate: Cremation)!"
Kajin's orange flames encircling them faded to blue and drew closer at a rapid pace. The inferno–one thousand times hotter, reduced everything within its radius to ash.