Kuroda lunged with deadly precision, his knife gleaming in the dim light. Renji barely had time to react, raising the metal rod in his hand to deflect the strike. The force of the impact jarred his arm, but he stood his ground, his eyes locked on Kuroda's cold, calculating gaze.
"Kaede, stay back!" Renji shouted, his voice echoing through the chamber.
Kaede hesitated, her amber eyes wide With tear, but she obeyed , retreating toward the edge of the platform. The rushing water below added to the tension, the sound roaring like a warning of what awaited if they fell.
"You're persistent, 'll give you that," Kuroda said, circling Renji with deliberate steps. "But persistence without skill is useless."
Renji didn't reply. He couldn't afford to. Every fiber of his being was focused on Kuroda, watching for the slightest movement, the faintest sign of his next attack. Kuroda lunged again, this time feinting to the left before striking from the right. Renji anticipated the move, twisting his body to avoid the blade and countering with a swing of the rod. The metal connected with Kuroda's forearm, drawing a grunt of pain.
"Not bad," Kuroda muttered, shaking his arm. "But you'll need more than luck to survive this."
Renji tightened his grip on the rod, his breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. His muscles burned from the exertion, but he couldn't stop now. Not with Kaede's life on the line.
Kuroda moved again, faster this time, his strikes relentless. Renji blocked and dodged as best he could, but the attacks were wearing him down.
Kuroda's smirk grew with each passing moment, a predator toying with his prey.
"You can't keep this up forever," Kuroda taunted, his voice calm despite the chaos. "You're outmatched."
Renji gritted his teeth, refusing to give in. He knew Kuroda was right-he couldn't match him in skill or strength. But he had something Kuroda didn't: a reason to fight.
With a sudden burst of energy, Renji swung the rod in a wide arc, forcing Kuroda to step back. He took the opportunity to glance at Kaede, who was still near the edge of the platform, her hands clutching the railing.
"Kaede," Renji called, his voice firm.
"Get ready to jump."
Her eyes widened in shock. "What?
Renji, no-"
"Trust me," he interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kuroda took advantage of the distraction, closing the distance between them with a swift strike. Renji barely managed to dodge, the blade grazing his side. Pain flared, but he pushed it aside, using the momentum to drive the rod into Kuroda's midsection.
Kuroda staggered but recovered quickly, his expression darkening."You're just prolonging the inevitable."
Renji didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at Kaede one last time, his determination unwavering. "Now, Kaede!"
Without hesitation, Kaede jumped, her body plunging into the rushing water below. Renji didn't give Kuroda a chance to react. He swung the rod one final time, aiming for the knife in Kuroda's hand. The impact sent the blade flying into the water.
Renji turned and leaped off the platform, the roar of the water swallowing the sound of Kuroda's curse.
The icy water hit Renji like a wall, the force of the current pulling him under.He fought to surface, his lungs burning as he gasped for air. The darkness was disorienting, the rushing water carrying him farther and faster than he'd anticipated.
"Kaede!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar.
A faint splash nearby caught his attention, and he turned to see Kaede struggling against the current. Without thinking, Renji swam toward her, his muscles screaming in protest. He reached her just as she began to sink, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the surface.
"Hold on!" he yelled, his voice hoarse.
Kaede clung to him, her eyes wide with fear. "Renji, what do we do?"
"Just stay with me," he said, his tone firm despite the panic threatening to consume him.
The current carried them through the drainage system, the narrow passages flashing by in a blur. Renji fought to keep them both afloat, his strength waning with every passing second. He scanned the darkness for any sign of an exit, his heart sinking as the walls seemed to close in around them.
Then, in the distance, he spotted a faint glimmer of light. Hope surged through him, giving him the strength to push forward.
"There!" he said, pointing. "That's our way out!"
Kaede nodded, her grip on him tightening as they let the current carry them toward the light. The tunnel widened, and the roar of the water grew deafening. Renji realized too late that the light was coming from a massive spillway—a sheer drop into the unknown.
"Renji!" Kaede screamed, her voice filled with terror.
Renji's mind raced as the edge approached, the drop looming like a chasm ready to swallow them whole. He spotted a metal ladder bolted to the wall near the edge and made a split-second decision.
"Grab the ladder!" he shouted.
Kaede reached out, her fingers brushing against the cold metal. Renji grabbed hold as well, the force of the current threatening to rip them away.
His arms burned as he held on, the weight of the water pulling at his legs.
Kaede managed to climb onto the ladder, her body shaking with effort. She looked down at Renji, her face pale. "Come on!"
Renji gritted his teeth, his grip slipping as the water tore at him. "Go! Get to the top!"
"I'm not leaving you!" Kaede yelled, her voice breaking.
The sound of rushing water drowned out everything else as Renji's fingers slipped further. He looked up at Kaede, his eyes filled with resolve.
"Kaeda," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "You have to—"
The current pulled him under before he could finish.