Chereads / The Journey to freedom / Chapter 33 - Chapter 33 : Shadows of the past

Chapter 33 - Chapter 33 : Shadows of the past

The sound of clashing swords echoed through the chamber, Katsuo's attacks growing sharper and more deliberate. Ash gritted his teeth, barely deflecting another strike that sent a jarring vibration through his arms. Katsuo's form was perfect, his movenments precise and relentless.

As Ash stepped back to regain his footing, a fleeting memory surfaced.

He was a young boy standing in the training grounds of the ninja organization. Katsuo's voice barked orders at him, Takumi, and Kei. They were Katsuo's prized students, molded into weapons through unforgiving drills. Ash remembered Takumi's encouraging smile after every grueling session.

"She was always the strongest among us," Ash muttered under his breath, the thought bringing a mix of fondness and pain.

Katsuo launched forward, breaking his train of thought. His sword seemed to shimmer as it struck in a flurry of precise movements. "Blazing Shadow Strike!" he roared, the air itself seeming to ignite with his blade's momentum.

Ash barely managed to evade, rolling to the side as the strike cleaved into the ground where he had stood moments before, leaving a scorched mark.

"You've gotten slower," Katsuo taunted, his eyes burning with disdain.

Ash pushed himself up, gripping his katana tightly. The weight of his memories surged within him. Takumi, Kei, and he had been inseparable. They were sent on missions together, watched each other's backs, and laughed under the stars after a successful mission. Those fleeting moments of happiness were rare in the bleak life Katsuo had forged for them.

He remembered Takumi's face vividly. Her beauty wasn't just in her looks but in her kindness-a rare trait in their ruthless world. Her laughter had been a sanctuary for Ash amidst the chaos.

But those memories were quickly drowned out by the screams of their brutal training sessions. Katsuo had pushed them past their limits, breaking their bodies and remolding their minds into tools of the organization. "1 didn't choose this life," Ash hissed as he surged forward, his katana clashing with Katsuo's in a burst of sparks. "You made me into this!"

Katsuo's grin widened. "And yet, here you are, proving my methods right. Without me, you would have been nothing-a weak, forgotten child.

Ash roared, his strikes growing more ferocious, but Katsuo deflected each one with ease. Katsuo stepped forward, his movements calculated and swift. His blade danced in the air, forcing Ash to retreat.

"You think you can defy me? You're still that child who sought approval, Ash," Katsuo spat. Ash's grip on his katana tightened. "l sought freedom. And l'Il take it-even if it means killing you!"

The fight continued with relentless intensity. Katsuo's mastery of the blade was unmatched, his every move a blend of precision and power. Ash struggled to keep up, but he refused to back down.

For a moment, Katsuo hesitated. "Do you think Takumi would approve of this rebellion, Ash? You're betraying everything she stood for."

The mention of her name sent a jolt through Ash. His hesitation was brief, but it was enough. Katsuo's blade grazed his side, drawing blood and forcing him to stagger back.

Katsuo's voice softened, a rare hint of emotion slipping through. "She believes in you, Ash. Don't throw that away."

Ash's breathing was ragged, his mind swirling with memories of Takumi and Kei. He pushed the pain aside, his resolve hardening. "l'Il fight for her. For Kei. For myself. I'l end this!"

With a cry, he charged at Katsuo again, their blades meeting in a clash that shook the room. Katsuo's overwhelming strength began to show, forcing Ash to his limits. But as the fight raged on, Ash's determination only grew stronger.