Yahageshii's fiery fist collided fiercely with the Watcher 20's dark blade, unleashing a deafening roar that ripped through the air. The impact sent ruins and debris flying in all directions, cloaking the battlefield in a thick haze of dust and fragments. Fire and darkness clashed violently, embodying the collision of two worlds.
Yahageshii's fists, enveloped in flames, radiated an intense heat so powerful that the air around him seemed to warp. Yet, the Watcher 20's dark blade exuded an overwhelming aura of suppression. The blade's rising black mist devoured everything in its path, forcing back Yahageshii's flames with an oppressive might.
Their battle was a relentless clash of strength. Every swing of Yahageshii's fists carried explosive force, while each strike of the Watcher 20's blade exuded a chilling, abyssal power that repelled Yahageshii's assaults. The ground beneath them trembled, the rising dust creating an atmosphere of chaos and obscurity.
Exhaustion weighed heavily on Yahageshii. His body, riddled with wounds, teetered on the brink of collapse. Yet, he refused to retreat. His flaming fists still burned brightly, and the unyielding determination in his eyes blazed even brighter. Each punch was thrown with every ounce of strength he could muster, leaving no room for surrender.
The Watcher 20 smirked coldly, his dark blade gathering even more destructive force. The black mist coalesced into a tidal wave of darkness that threatened to engulf Yahageshii's flames completely. "You cannot defeat me," he said, his voice ice-cold and brimming with menace.
Despite this, Yahageshii's resolve did not falter. He inhaled deeply, preparing to unleash a final, desperate strike. Just as he charged forward, a radiant light swept down from the heavens, carried by a sudden gust of wind.
Startled, Yahageshii paused, his gaze shifting toward the source. A familiar figure descended gracefully from the sky—it was Harutemi!
"Harutemi?" Yahageshii froze in place, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What are you doing here?!"
Harutemi's face was streaked with tears, her flushed cheeks quivering as her shoulders trembled under the weight of unspoken grief. Her red-rimmed eyes overflowed with sorrow, and in that moment, her anguish was laid bare. Without hesitation, she rushed toward Yahageshii, flinging herself into his arms as though her very survival depended on his presence.
Tears streamed down Harutemi's face, soaking Yahageshii's battle-worn attire. Her sobs shattered the air, each one a piercing cry of pain and despair.
Yahageshii's heart clenched tightly as if caught in a vice. His throat felt dry, his voice heavy with unease. "Harutemi, what happened? Tell me!" he urged.
Harutemi couldn't respond immediately. Clutching Yahageshii's shirt with trembling hands, she cried uncontrollably, her sobs raw and broken, like a fragile melody torn apart by grief. Her pain resonated through her every shudder, and Yahageshii felt it echoing within him.
The Watcher 20 scoffed, his expression twisted with disdain. "Touching," he sneered. Raising his dark blade high, he gathered a surge of black energy, then brought it crashing down toward the unguarded pair.
But just as the blade descended, Yahageshii erupted in a surge of radiant orange flames. The firestorm engulfed the area, forming an impenetrable barrier that repelled the incoming darkness. The inferno surged with unstoppable ferocity, forcing the Watcher 20 to retreat. The blade's dark mist dissipated under the flames' oppressive heat, leaving the Watcher momentarily stunned, his expression darkened with unease.
"Troublesome fire," he muttered disdainfully, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
With Harutemi still clinging to him, Yahageshii inhaled sharply, steadying his trembling heart. His voice softened, tinged with urgency and concern. "Harutemi, please, tell me what happened."
Through her tears, Harutemi choked out fragmented words. Her trembling fingers gripped his arm as if holding on for dear life. "Grandpa... he…" she stammered, her voice barely audible.
Yahageshii's heart sank, his pupils constricting as dread flooded his chest. "What about Elder Kasamaki?" he demanded, his voice growing hoarse.
Harutemi raised her tear-streaked face to meet his gaze, her voice breaking with every word. "Grandpa… he's dead…" she cried, her wail piercing the battlefield like a dagger.
The revelation hit Yahageshii like a thunderclap. He stood frozen, his mind bombarded with memories of Elder Kasamaki—his stern yet kind demeanor, the countless lessons imparted, and the resolute strength that belied his aged form.
"Elder…" Yahageshii whispered hoarsely, disbelief and grief intertwining in his voice. His hands clenched into fists as rage and sorrow overwhelmed him. Flames erupted from his body, surging higher and brighter, consuming everything in their path. The ground cracked under the searing heat, releasing hissing steam into the air.
"Watcher!!!" Yahageshii roared, his voice a furious thunderclap that reverberated across the battlefield. The fury in his eyes burned hotter than his flames, a wrath so intense it seemed to scorch the heavens themselves. Turning to face the Watcher 20, he was a harbinger of vengeance, his fiery aura blazing with unbridled power.