-----
The colossal floating island in the sky was gradually being devoured by the Rasenshuriken barrage. One by one, the shadow clones disappeared in puffs of smoke. Finally, as the last clone vanished, the enormous island disintegrated completely, reduced to nothingness.
"Bwahahaha!"
Seeing Uchiha Kitaro's shadow clones completely disappear, Shiki burst into maniacal laughter.
"Brat, all your damned clones are gone! Now let's see what else you've got! Come at me with everything you have!"
Gion gripped the hilt of her sword tightly. She knew that using such a technique must have drained Kitaro significantly. His body was likely weakened, leaving her to step in.
Smack.
Kitaro's hand landed on Gion's sword, stopping her.
"I'm fine. This guy is mine to deal with," Kitaro said calmly as he rose into the air, his movements smooth and controlled.
"What?!"
Shiki's eyes nearly popped out of his skull as his jaw dropped in disbelief.
Even Gion was stunned for a moment before recalling that Uchiha Akira's older brother was capable of flight, earning him the title Heavenly Emperor, the ruler of the skies.
Gion remembered that Kitaro (disguised as Akira), had once explained that his older brother taught him many ninjutsu techniques. Whatever he wanted to learn, Kitaro would teach—though mastering them was another story.
This meant to her that the ability to fly was something Kitaro had teached to his younger brother, too.
---
Soon, Kitaro floated directly in front of Shiki.
"You damn brat! You can fly?!" Shiki snarled, his voice dripping with disbelief. "I am the man destined to rule the seas from the skies! There's no room for another flying man under my sky!"
Shiki was fuming, his territory—his very domain—invaded by this upstart. His rage boiled over, threatening to explode.
"Die!"
"Slash Wave!"
Shiki kicked out a sharp wave of energy, slicing through the air toward Kitaro.
"Moon Breathing: First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace!"
As Shiki's attack neared, Kitaro unsheathed his blade in a single swift motion, unleashing a powerful counterstrike.
Boom!
Shiki's energy slash shattered.
"Shishi: Senjindani ~ Scattering Valley!"
Shiki launched with his leg-swords, a flurry of compressed air-based slashes.
"Moon Breathing: Tenth Form: Drilling Slashes, Moon Through Bamboo Leaves !"
Kitaro swung his sword with precision, creating two massive crescent-shaped energy waves. They spun violently, tearing through Shiki's attack before continuing toward him.
Shiki dodged swiftly, his face twisting in frustration.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Kitaro's mastery of swordsmanship, Shiki became wary, unwilling to underestimate him any longer.
With a wave of his hand, fragments of shattered islands around him gathered, forming countless razor-sharp spikes that shot toward Kitaro like a hailstorm.
"Moon Breathing: Fourteenth Form: Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon!"
Kitaro responded with overlapping curved Crescent-like slashes that surged like tidal waves, creating an omni-directional vortex of crescent moon that is protecting Kitaro.
Whoosh!
Kitaro propelled himself forward, his speed blinding as he closed the gap between them.
Clang!
Shiki's blade-embedded leg met Kitaro's sword, the clash creating a powerful shockwave.
Clang, clang, clang!
Blades and kicks collided repeatedly in mid-air as the two exchanged blows in rapid succession.
"Brat! I was cutting men down before your mother was even born!" Shiki roared.
"I've slain people old enough to be your father!"
"Damn you, cocky little punk!"
Kitaro activated his Sharingan, its crimson glow locking onto Shiki.
"A pitiful old lion, if this is the extent of your swordsmanship, then it's time to end this fight."
"What did you just say?!"
The sight of the Sharingan sent a shiver down Shiki's spine. While he had been in hiding for years, he kept up with the world's news. The Uchiha clan had risen to prominence, with their iconic red eyes often mentioned.
Through reports, Shiki had learned of the Sharingan's fearsome abilities: enhanced perception, replication, and hypnotic powers. One glance could ensnare an opponent in a genjutsu.
Although Shiki prided himself on his strong will, he wasn't about to risk underestimating such an ability, especially in the heat of battle. He immediately closed his eyes and relied on his powerful Observation Haki instead.
"Transparent World, activate!"
The Transparent World is a supernatural ocular ability only accessible to Demon Slayers that have awakened the Demon Slayer Mark.
Kitaro's world shifted as his eyes adjusted. He could now see Shiki's every movement—his breathing, muscle contractions, even blood flow. Shiki's weaknesses were laid bare.
Whoosh!
Kitaro appeared in front of Shiki in an instant.
Shiki instinctively swung his bladed leg at him, but Kitaro's sword intercepted it effortlessly.
Shiki's other leg shot forward, but Kitaro stomped down on it, pinning it in place.
"What?!"
Before Shiki could react, Kitaro's foot smashed into his face.
Bam!
"Ughhh!"
Whoosh!
Shiki's body hurtled through the air before crashing into the royal palace below.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The palace crumbled under the impact, reduced to rubble.
Moments later, Shiki emerged from the debris, blood streaming from his nostrils, several teeth missing. His disheveled appearance was pitiful, but his twisted expression of rage made him appear even more menacing.
"You brat... You've gone too far! I'll show you a hell far worse than anything you can imagine!"
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