Ryutarou, with a smirk of supreme confidence, said, "If you think you can defeat me without drawing your sword, you should forget about it." Without another word, he unsheathed his long katana, the ground seeming to tremble in response to his swift motion.
With incredible speed, Ryutarou charged toward Kage. Kage, maintaining his calm expression, sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his thoughts briefly noting Ryutarou's apparent slowness. But just as he did, Ryutarou launched another swift strike, causing Kage's eyes to widen as he dodged. Another rapid attack followed from the opposite direction, and Kage narrowly avoided it.
When Kage finally steadied himself, he looked to where Ryutarou stood, noticing that his opponent's sword was still sheathed. "You dare face me without drawing your sword? Show some respect!" Ryutarou demanded, his voice filled with both anger and pride. "This is the skill of Tenga Ryū, a style I taught myself through years of rigorous training and countless battles."
Kage, still relaxed, responded, "Due to your hard work, I shall draw my sword." With a slow, deliberate motion, he unsheathed his blade. The sound it made was almost addictive, a sharp, clear note that resonated through the hall. Even Yū-chan, still on his knees and awestruck by the beauty of the sword, had never seen anything like it.
Ryutarou, equally amazed, asked, "That sword... where did you get it?"
Kage, with a chilling smile, simply replied, "Wouldn't you like to know?" before shifting his stance, ready for the final showdown.
With incredible speed, Ryūtarou charged forward, his katana slicing through the air with deadly intent. However, this time Kage was ready. In a blur of motion that seemed almost supernatural, Kage deflected every strike with impeccable precision. His movements were so swift and fluid that it appeared as though he hadn't moved at all. The clashing of their blades echoed through the grand dance hall, a symphony of steel that left Yū-chan and Ryūtarou in awe.
Ryūtarou, panting from the exertion, his eyes filled with frustration, demanded, "What is your skill? At least tell me the name of your technique!" His brows furrowed, clearly trying to make sense of Kage's effortless defense.
Kage, still as calm and composed as ever, let a small, cold smile play on his lips. He paused, as if deep in thought, before finally saying, "It's called Flibberflazen," his voice dripping with mockery and confidence.
Ryūtarou, his eyes blazing with determination, raised his sword, which began to glow with a fierce light. "I won't be going easy on you," he declared, the energy from his blade crackling in the air.
Kage, maintaining his calm demeanor, replied, "You shouldn't."
With that, their fight began in earnest. Ryūtarou charged forward, his glowing blade slashing through the air with deadly precision. Kage met his attack with a measured, almost lazy grace, his movements fluid and controlled. Despite the intensity of Ryūtarou's strikes, Kage deflected each one with ease, his own blade moving almost effortlessly.
Ryūtarou pressed on, his attacks growing more frantic and desperate as he realized Kage was holding back. Each swing of his glowing sword was met with a calm parry, each lunge deflected with minimal effort. Kage's expression remained composed, almost bored, as he countered every move with impeccable precision.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Kage was merely toying with Ryūtarou. His strikes were precise but restrained, designed to tire his opponent rather than injure. Ryūtarou's frustration mounted with every failed attempt to land a blow, his breathing growing heavier, his movements more erratic.
In one fluid motion, Kage sidestepped a particularly wild swing from Ryūtarou and delivered a light but forceful blow to his side, sending him stumbling. "You see, your strength is admirable, but it's not enough," Kage said, his tone almost mocking. "You're trying so hard, and yet..."
Ryūtarou, panting and struggling to regain his footing, knew he was outmatched. Kage's relaxed demeanor and effortless defense highlighted the vast difference in their skills. The dance hall, once a place of elegance, now bore witness to the clash of wills, the sound of their swords echoing through its grand expanse.
The fight continued, but it was clear to all present that Kage was merely biding his time, waiting for the right moment to end the battle decisively. Ryūtarou's glowing sword, once a symbol of his power, now seemed a futile weapon against Kage's superior skill and unwavering calm.
Kage never wanted to fight his current opponents for several reasons. Firstly, their weaknesses were glaring. The first two adversaries he encountered were only B ranks, while the next three were A ranks. Even their leader, Ryūtarou, was merely an AA rank. None of these battles provided him with significant challenges or valuable experience points.
Despite this, there was one thing that Kage could gain from these encounters—using his Soul Eater ability. By devouring the souls of his defeated foes, he gained permanent enhancements to his physical prowess. This ability allowed him to control and refine his skills beyond ordinary limits.
Kage had chosen this journey with a specific purpose in mind. He aimed to focus on enhancing his physical abilities and pushing his own limits without relying on his powers, even those as potent as regeneration. This self-imposed challenge was his way of growing stronger, honing his combat skills, and truly testing his capabilities.
Kage stood silently, gazing at the door in front of him with an unreadable expression. The grand dance hall now lay in ruins behind him, evidence of the fierce battles they had fought. As he contemplated his next move, Yū-chan leaped through the air, landing gracefully beside him.
Kage glanced at Yū-chan, his brow furrowing slightly in surprise. "How did you heal so fast?" he asked, noting that Yū-chan's injuries seemed to have vanished.
Yū-chan gave a faint smile, touching his chest where the wounds had been. "I was taught a skill by a friend," he explained. "It's a technique that harnesses the body's natural energy, allowing me to accelerate my healing process and strengthen my physical abilities. By focusing and channeling this energy, I can mend my wounds much faster than usual."
He paused, his expression thoughtful as he continued. "This skill isn't just about healing, though. It's about understanding the flow of energy within oneself and using it to enhance one's strength and resilience. It's a discipline that requires deep concentration and balance."
Kage nodded, his eyes still on the door ahead. "Interesting," he said quietly. The explanation made sense, and it seemed to align with what he knew of certain advanced techniques.