The three of us moved quietly, Jin's past and the anticipated confrontation with Takeda hanging loose in the air. The further we walked through the forest the more it brought us closer to something inevitable.
We tracked the thugs through the deep forest, following the path they had fled along. Jin's determination was clear, the look in his eyes—fierce yet determined.
We came to the edge of a clearing, a chamber set up with several guards patrolling the area. In the center, stairs leading to a platform which sat a man on a throne, with a mask signifying the Shirai Clan. His aura was oppressive, almost like he was constantly leaking Spirit Kenki. This was the man we had been searching for—Takeda.
Jin's body tensed as he spotted him, the man who had destroyed his family and shattered his life in one night. His hands clenched his sword, and without a word, he moved forward. I glanced at Li, he gave me a nod. We knew this confrontation was unavoidable, but we also knew Jin needed our support.
The three of us stepped into the area, and the guards immediately drew their weapons, surrounding Takeda. He turned to face us, as he takes his mask off, a wicked smile spread across his face. His eyes were sharp and calculating, his hair ruffled as he looks at us with malice.
"Well, well, well" Takeda said, with a mockery tone. "The last survivor of the Hanzo Clan. I had heard rumors that a young boy survived… but I never thought you'd have the guts to show your face before me."
Jin's hand twitched towards his sword, but he held back. He was not the same boy Takeda had left behind. He was stronger, more disciplined.
"You'll pay for what you did. " Jin said, his voice low but full of fury. "For my father, my mother, my clan—everything you took from me."
Takeda laughed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You think you're ready to face me? Your pathetic clan couldn't stop me back then, what makes you think you can stand up to me?"
With a snap of his fingers, the guards charged at us, swords drawn. Me and Li ready ourselves, focusing on my breath. I swung my blade like it was an extension to my body, I parried and struck with deadly precision. Each opponent was taken down swiftly.
Li was moving seamlessly, enemy after enemy— wiping them out with an unfamiliar swordsmanship. Swiftly, and effortlessly wiping out anyone who stood before him.
Jin stood there quietly, he then looks up with a fierce expression— he releases his spirit kenki, which invoked fear into all of the guards. He was unstoppable, as some of the guards passed out, he ran towards the ones that stayed up. Finishing them off with precise, and quick slashes.
Then, as the last of the guards fell, the chamber was quiet, the only thing you can hear is the wind rustling the trees. Takeda was alone now, his arrogant smile gone, replaced with a cold expression.
"Impressive" Takeda said, drawing his own sword, a dark blade—one that was pure black to where it didn't even reflect in the light. "But you'll find that I am not so easily defeated."
Jin walked forward, his sword raised. The two stared at each other for a brief moment , and then in a blink of an eye, a sudden clash of swords, they both moved fast— I couldn't comprehend the speed.
Takeda was strong, his strikes heavy and precise. But Jin was faster, more agile, weaving through Takeda's attacks with an almost supernatural grace. The air around them crackled with kenki as they exchanged blows, each strike sent Kenki flying.
I can't even dare to compete with them, their swordsmanship is on a different level.
Takeda grunted in anger, his eyes showing frustration as Jin deflected another one of his attacks. "You're stronger than your pathetic clan, boy. But strength alone won't save you." Takeda yelled, blood dripping down his mouth.
Jin didn't respond. His focus was absolute, every muscle in his body moving with purpose. He was relentless, pushing Takeda back step by step.
But, in the middle of the battle, something changed. Takeda, noticing his disadvantage, dodged to the left, and as Jin moved to counter, Takeda's blade exploded with a sudden, vicious speed. Jin barely dodging the strike, but it left him open for an instant—an instant that Takeda used to his advantage.
Takeda's sword came down with a powerful swing, but before it could connect with Jin, I jumped in, my sword intercepting the blow. The force of the impact sent a shockwave up my arm, and I felt the sting of Takeda's blade slicing through my side.
I took a few steps back, clutching my wound as blood soaked clothes. It wasn't that deep, but it was enough to slow me down. Takeda's eyes flicked to me, a cruel smile tugging at his lips.
"It seems a fool wants to die in your place!" he sneered.
Jin looked at me shocked—then his expression went dark. He looks over to Takeda, releasing an aura of pure killing intent. It couldn't be compared to any aura that he's released before. His blade covered in Saint Kenki, darted in the dim light faster than I'd ever seen. Takeda had no time to react, his eyes widening in shock as Jin's sword sliced through his defenses.
With a final, powerful strike, Jin's blade cut through Takeda's chest, the sound of his blade slicing through flesh echoed in the chamber. Takeda stepped back, blood pouring from the wound, his sword slipping from his hand as he collapsed to his knees.
Jin stood over him, his sword still raised, his breathing heavy. For a moment, there was only silence.
Takeda coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he looked at Jin. "You… think you've won?" he spoked with a raspy tone. "There will always be others… others who seek… power…"
Jin didn't respond. Ending the battle with a final, decisive strike. Takeda's body slumped to the ground.
Jin sheathed his sword, standing over the dead body of his enemy, the man who had haunted him for so many years. He looks up and lets out a deep sigh, his eyes showing a sense of peace.
I stumbled to the ground, still holding my side, and Jin turned to me, concern flashing across his face. "Hatori… you're hurt."
"It's… nothing," I grunted, wincing from the pain. "We did it. You did it, Master."
Jin nodded, his expression softening and a smile appeared on his face. "yeah, it's over."
Li stepped forward, scanning the chamber. "Not yet. We need to make sure no one else comes after us. Takeda may be dead, but his influence…"
"We'll deal with that later." Jin said, his voice firm. "But for now… it's over."
As I looked at Jin, I could see that something had changed in him. the way he spoke, and the way he acted felt… genuine. Takeda was dead, but our journey was far from over.
I pressed my hand to my wound, gritting my teeth. This battle had taken more from me than I expected, but I couldn't afford to slow us down. The real challenge is still ahead.
"We need to go" I said, glancing at Li and Jin. "Takeda's death will send tremors to his allies. We have to stay ahead of them."
Jin and Li nodded. "yeah, we will. This journey isn't over, this is only the beginning." Li spoke, with a firm tone but excited.