Oni's smile twisted into a macabre grin, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. He took a deliberate step forward, his movements eerily fluid.
Before anyone could react, Oni vanished in a blur of speed, reappearing in front of Taro. His fist connected with Taro's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
The attack happened so swiftly that the others barely registered it. Akimitsu's eyes widened in horror as he shouted:
"Noooo!"
Before anyone could react to Taro's sudden fall, Akira had already bridged the distance between himself and Oni. His sword gleamed in the faint light, its edge pressed against Oni's neck.
Oni's eyes widened in surprise, his grin faltering. He tried to move, but Akira's sword remained steadfast.
"You can be fast," Akira said, his voice low and even, "but you can never be a good person, Oni."
The air seemed to vibrate with tension as the two enemies locked gazes. Oni's face twisted in a snarl, but Akira's expression remained resolute.
Taro, still dazed from the sudden attack, struggled to his feet. "Akira... be careful," he warned, his eyes fixed on Oni.
Akimitsu stepped forward, his own sword at the ready. "We won't let you harm anyone else, Oni."
Oni's laughter sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers. "You think you can stop me? I am the master of fighting!".
Akira's eyes narrowed. "Tell me, Oni... how can we cure Rina? And what is Kageyama's plan?"
Oni's laughter grew louder, more maniacal. "You fools! We just used Kazuki to distract you, to make you think you're getting closer to the truth about Kageyama!"
Akira's grip on his sword tightened. "What do you mean?"
Oni's grin twisted. "There is no cure for Rina, Akira. At least, not one that you'll ever find. Only a select few from ancient times know the secrets of the Shinseiki bloodline... and we've made sure to eliminate most of them."
Akira's eyes widened in horror. "What have you done?"
Oni's laughter grew even louder. "We've used the legend of the Shinseiki bloodline to our advantage. We've been hunting down and killing people in Hoshizuro, making it seem like the work of a crazed Shinji follower. And you've all fallen for it!"
Akira's face contorted in rage. "Why?! Why would you do such a thing?"
Oni's laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "Because, Akira... it's all just a game. And you're just a pawn."
With a swift movement, Oni drew his sword and charged at Akira. The two enemies clashed, their blades ringing out in a deadly dance.
Oni's grin twisted. "You want to know the truth, Akira? We need something from Shinji... something he refused to give us."
Akira's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
Oni's laughter sent shivers down Akira's spine. "Shinji was clever. He created multiple vessels, hiding the thing we need within them. And Rina... she's one of them."
Akira's face contorted in horror. "What do you mean?"
Oni's eyes gleamed with malevolence. "If we kill all the vessels, the thing we need will be revealed. And Rina... she's just a pawn in our game."
Akira's grip on his sword tightened. "You'll never harm her."
Oni's laughter grew louder. "We'll see about that, Akira. You can't protect her forever."
Oni's grin twisted. "You know what, Akira? Niwa was dead! And you fools believed Kōsei, who brought Rina straight to me."
Akira's eyes widened in rage. "You... you killed Niwa!"
Oni's laughter sent shivers down Akira's spine. "And we took Rina. But there's still one main vessel missing... a woman. I don't know who she is, but I'll find her."
Akira's face contorted in fury. His eyes blazed with a fierce determination. "You'll pay for what you've done!"
As Akira's anger reached its peak, his Koyo Ryu power surged through his body. The energy coursed through his veins, imbuing him with incredible strength.
With a fierce battle cry, Akira punched Oni with a devastating blow. The impact sent Oni flying backward, crashing into the elite soldiers behind him. They fell like dominoes, defeated.
But Akira's teammates were not so fortunate. They stumbled backward, clutching their chests as if an invisible force was suffocating them.
Kaito's voice was laced with concern. "Akira, your health condition is deteriorating. You need to rest, or you'll collapse."
Akira's eyes blazed with determination. "No, Kaito! We can't stop now. We have to save Rina and the others... the vessels."
Kaito's expression turned grim. "Akira, you're not thinking clearly. Your focus is scattered, and your body is weakening. You can't keep fighting like this."
Akira's jaw clenched. "I don't care! I'll fight with every last breath in my body. For Rina, for the vessels, and for justice!"
With a fierce battle cry, Akira charged forward, his Koyo Ryu power surging through his body. The air seemed to shimmer with energy as he clashed with Oni's elite soldiers.
The fight was intense, with Akira taking down soldier after soldier. His movements were a blur, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.
But despite his valiant efforts, Akira's health continued to decline. His breathing grew labored, his movements slowing.
Oni's laughter echoed through the battlefield. "You're a fool, Akira! You'll never save Rina or the vessels. You'll only die trying!"
Akira's eyes locked onto Oni, his gaze burning with determination. "I'll never give up... I'll never surrender."
With a final, mighty roar, Akira launched himself at Oni, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The outcome of the battle hung in the balance, as Akira fought for his life, for Rina, and for justice.
The air was electric with tension as Oni, Akira, and Akimitsu faced off in a triangle of tension. The three warriors circled each other, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.
Oni, the martial arts and sword master, sneered at his opponents. "You think you can take me down? I am the greatest warrior the world has ever known!"
Akira, his Koyo Ryu power coursing through his veins, smiled grimly. "We'll see about that, Oni. You may have skill, but I have the power of the Koyo Ryu!"
Akimitsu, his Seiryū-Ryū energy swirling around him, nodded calmly. "I will not let you harm my friends, Oni. Prepare to face the fury of the Seiryū-Ryū!"
With a simultaneous battle cry, the three warriors charged at each other. The air erupted in a maelstrom of clashing steel, flying fists, and swirling energy.
Oni's sword sliced through the air, aimed straight at Akira's heart. But Akira was too fast, dodging the attack with ease. He countered with a powerful Koyo Ryu-enhanced punch, but Oni was ready, blocking the attack with his martial arts skills.
Meanwhile, Akimitsu clashed with Oni, their swords ringing out in a deadly dance. Akimitsu's Seiryū-Ryū energy infused his blade, making it shine with a fierce blue light. Oni's eyes widened in surprise as Akimitsu's sword sliced through his defenses, aiming straight for his heart.
But Oni was far from defeated. With a swift kick, he sent Akimitsu flying across the battlefield. Akimitsu landed hard on the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp.
Akira saw his chance and took it. With a mighty roar, he unleashed a devastating Koyo Ryu-enhanced kick, aimed straight at Oni's chest. Oni tried to block the attack, but Akira's power was too great. The kick sent Oni flying backward, crashing into the nearby trees.
The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the three warriors. Akira and Akimitsu stood tall, their eyes fixed on Oni's defeated form.
But Oni's laughter echoed through the battlefield, sending shivers down Akira's spine. "You may have won this battle... but the war is far from over!"
To be
Continued.