### **Chapter 15: The Rise of the Clone**
Kai and Nohara stood over Kenji's unconscious body, the battlefield eerily quiet after the intense clash. The air was heavy with the scent of scorched earth, and the distant rumble of thunder echoed across the sky, remnants of Kenji's powerful attack still lingering in the atmosphere.
Nohara let out a breath, her voice soft with relief. "He really did it... He actually brought down the clone."
Kai nodded slowly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah. Kenji gave it everything he had."
But as they both stared at Kenji's still form, a creeping sense of unease began to settle in the pit of Kai's stomach. The battle had been too intense, too destructive, for it to end so easily. He glanced back toward the spot where the clone of the Flame Reaper had fallen, his heart pounding in his chest.
And then, the worst happened.
A low, raspy chuckle echoed from the charred ground where the clone had fallen. Kai's eyes widened in shock as he saw movement—slow at first, but then steady and deliberate. The clone of the Flame Reaper slowly pushed himself to his feet, his body still crackling with residual energy. His clothes were tattered, his skin scorched in places, but his eyes gleamed with a fiery, determined light.
"That... was close," the clone growled, his voice hoarse but laced with dark amusement. He staggered slightly as he stood, a trickle of blood running down the side of his face. "I'll give the kid credit—he almost killed me."
Kai's heart skipped a beat. "No way... he's still standing?"
Nohara gasped in disbelief. "How can he still be alive after that? Kenji's final attack should have—"
"—should have finished me?" the clone interrupted, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe it would've... if I were anyone else. But I'm no ordinary fighter, kids. I'm the Flame Reaper's clone, designed to survive even the fiercest of attacks."
He wiped the blood from his face and rolled his shoulders, the flames around him slowly reigniting. "I'll admit it—your friend's power is impressive. I wasn't expecting a mere kid to push me this far. But now..." His eyes locked onto Kai, a deadly glint in them. "Now, it's your turn."
Kai felt a chill run down his spine. Kenji had given everything he had to bring this monster down, and yet here he was, still standing, still radiating that terrifying aura of power.
"We can't let him fight anymore," Nohara whispered urgently to Kai. "Kenji's out cold. If that clone comes at us now..."
Kai swallowed hard, his mind racing. He wasn't sure if he had the strength to fight after everything that had happened, but he knew one thing for certain: he couldn't let this clone hurt his friends any more than he already had.
Kai took a step forward, putting himself between the clone and Nohara, his fists clenched tightly. "I won't let you lay another finger on them," Kai said, his voice trembling slightly but filled with resolve.
The clone smirked. "Brave words, kid. But you're nowhere near strong enough to take me on."
Kai knew that the clone was right. He wasn't nearly as strong as Kenji, and even Kenji had barely been able to bring him down. But Kai didn't care. He couldn't afford to back down now. His friends were counting on him.
Just as the clone began to advance, a familiar voice broke through the tense air.
"Step back, Kai."
Kai's head whipped around to see Sensei Ryu standing at the edge of the battlefield, his katana gleaming in the faint light. His expression was calm but serious, his eyes locked onto the clone with a steely determination.
"S-Sensei Ryu!" Kai gasped, relief washing over him.
Ryu approached with deliberate, steady steps, his spirit energy flaring around him in a controlled but powerful aura. "You've done well, Kai. But this fight isn't yours to finish."
The clone sneered at Ryu's appearance, but there was a hint of wariness in his eyes. "You again," he growled. "You were supposed to be dead."
Ryu smirked, his grip on his katana tightening. "You're not the only one full of surprises."
The tension in the air grew even thicker as Ryu and the clone squared off, the battlefield seeming to hum with the anticipation of another clash. Kai could feel the weight of their power pressing down on him, and he knew that this fight would be on an entirely different level from the one he had just witnessed.
Kai stepped back, pulling Nohara along with him. "Come on," he whispered. "We need to give Sensei Ryu space."
Nohara nodded, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "I can't believe that clone is still standing... How are we supposed to beat him?"
Kai didn't have an answer. All he could do was watch as Sensei Ryu prepared to face the clone of the Flame Reaper, the air between them crackling with spirit energy.
But even as he watched, Kai felt something stirring deep within him. Something that he couldn't quite explain—a flicker of power, of potential, that hadn't been there before. He clenched his fists, determination filling his chest. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
He wasn't sure how or when, but one day, he would be strong enough to stand beside Sensei Ryu and Kenji. And when that day came, no clone, no villain, would stand in their way.