Just before entering the next room, Ryōshi and Kage were confronted by Saito, who, despite his battered condition, managed to muster enough strength to speak. His voice, though strained, was filled with a chilling conviction. "You... You think you've won? You could never, ever, even in a thousand moons, defeat our leader."
Yū-chan clenched his fists, ready to respond, but Kage stepped forward, a calm, confident smile playing on his lips. "We'll be sure to keep that in mind," he said, his voice steady and unwavering.
As Ryōshi and Kage approached the next room, they felt a palpable shift in the air—a foreboding presence that seemed to press down on them with an almost tangible weight. The door creaked open to reveal a vast, brightly lit chamber. In the center of the room stood a figure who exuded an aura of raw, unrestrained power.
Their next opponent was a towering man, easily over seven feet tall, with a muscular build that seemed almost inhuman. His skin was marked with an array of scars, each one telling a story of countless battles fought and survived. His eyes were dark and unyielding, and his gaze alone seemed capable of instilling fear in even the bravest of souls.
He wore a set of ornate, dark armor that clung to his massive frame, each piece meticulously crafted and designed to both intimidate and protect. At his side hung a massive kanabo, a spiked club traditionally used by ancient warriors known for its devastating impact in close combat.
Ryōshi, recognizing the formidable foe, leaned in and whispered to Kage. "That's Hiroshi, the fourth-ranked member of the Oni's Wrath. His strength is legendary, said to be able to crush a man's skull with his bare hands. He's known for his mastery of a brutal combat style that focuses on overwhelming force and relentless attacks. Many have fallen before his might, unable to withstand the sheer power of his strikes."
Kage, taking in the information, stepped back, his expression unreadable. "I won't fight him," Kage stated simply.
Ryōshi glanced at Kage, confusion and surprise evident on his face. "Why not?" he asked.
Kage's eyes never left the towering figure. "This man... he's a force of nature. Fighting him would be a waste of energy and time. Our goal is to stop the distribution of Eclipsium, not to engage in unnecessary battles."
Hiroshi, sensing Kage's hesitation, let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "So, you choose to run, little one? Very well. But know this: you cannot escape the wrath of the Oni."
Ryōshi, understanding Kage's reasoning, nodded. "Stay focused," Kage said, his voice steady. "We need to find the source and put an end to this."
As Ryōshi and Kage passed the towering man, he suddenly roared, "I won't let you ignore me!" With a swift, powerful punch, he sent Kage crashing into a wall, the impact so forceful that Kage went through and tumbled into an adjacent room.
The man then turned his attention to Ryōshi, launching a massive fist towards him. Ryōshi exhaled calmly, lifting his katana just a few inches from its sheath. In a flash, the man fell to the ground, blood oozing from several vital points. Ryōshi's precision was deadly, his skill undeniable.
As the huge man lay there, he gasped out, "Iaijutsu... The art of drawing and cutting with a single stroke, capable of striking down an opponent before they can react."
Kage, having re-entered through the newly created hole in the wall, dusted himself off and quipped, "I always wanted an open floor plan, but this is a bit extreme!"
With their opponent incapacitated and unable to move, Ryōshi and Kage proceeded to the next room, their resolve unshaken and their mission clear.
As Yū-chan and Kage entered the grand dance hall, they were met by the imposing figure who had previously stood beside the merchant, Kurokawa. The man exuded an aura of authority and danger.
Yū-chan, still nursing injuries from his previous fight, winced in pain but kept his composure. He recognized the man immediately and turned to Kage, his voice strained but urgent. "That's Ryutarou, the leader of the Oni's Wrath. He's accomplished in countless battles, known for his unmatched strategic mind and lethal combat skills. In your state, I can't win against him. You need to run away, now."
Ryutarou, observing the scene with a calm, almost amused demeanor, kept his gaze fixed on Kage. He didn't move, his confidence unwavering. Kage, however, simply gave Yū-chan a side-eye, clearly tired of the constant warnings and teachings.
Yū-chan, ignoring his own pain and Kage's nonchalant attitude, charged forward, determined to take on Ryutarou despite his injuries. But Ryutarou was prepared. With a swift and powerful movement, he easily sidestepped Yū-chan's attack and delivered a brutal punch to his midsection, sending Yū-chan sprawling.
Before Yū-chan could recover, Takeda grabbed him by the collar and, with a display of immense strength, hurled him across the room. Yū-chan crashed into a wall, slumping to the ground near Kage's feet.
Kage looked down at Yū-chan, then back at Takeda, his expression a mix of determination and irritation. "Well, that was a short trip," Kage remarked, a touch of humor in his voice.
Ryutarou, maintaining his calm and composed demeanor, simply smirked. "You think you can stand against me?"
Yū-chan, battered and bruised, struggled to get back on his feet. His body trembled with the effort, and he leaned heavily against the wall for support. "Why... why are you doing all this?" he began to ask Ryutarou, his voice filled with pain and confusion. "What do you gain from all this destruction?"
Before Yū-chan could finish his plea, Kage stepped forward, his expression calm and resolute. "Yū-chan," Kage said, his voice cutting through the tension in the room, "a wise man once said, when you meet a swordsman, draw your sword. Don't try to reason with him like he's a poet."
Kage's eyes locked onto Ryutarou's, a smirk playing on his lips. "I don't need to unsheathe my sword to defeat you," he said with quiet confidence.
Ryutarou's calm demeanor remained unbroken, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes at Kage's words. Yū-chan, sensing the gravity of the moment, fell silent, his earlier complaints forgotten as he watched Kage step up to face their formidable opponent.