The garden of Tsuki no Kyūden was a masterpiece of nature and human craftsmanship, a sanctuary where the mortal and divine intertwined. The koi pond, its surface as smooth as polished glass, reflected the pale morning light filtering through the canopy of wisteria and cherry blossoms.
The air was fragrant with the scent of blooming azaleas and jasmine, and the gentle hum of cicadas harmonized with the soft trickle of water from a nearby bamboo fountain. Stone lanterns, weathered by time, stood sentinel among the meticulously raked gravel paths, and a crimson bridge arched gracefully over the pond, connecting the realms of serenity and discipline.
Gin Tsukihiko stood at the center of the koi pond, his bare feet resting lightly on the water's surface as if it were solid ground. The faint silver glow that always seemed to accompany him shimmered faintly, rippling outward like moonlight on a restless sea. His long white hair, tied in its signature spiky ponytail, swayed gently in the breeze, and his purplish-gray eyes were sharp and focused.
In his hands, he held Ryūjin no Kiba, Fang of the Dragong God. The katana's blade was a void of pitch black, absorbing the light around it rather than reflecting it. Its hilt was wrapped in deep indigo silk, and the tsuba bore the intricate carving of a dragon coiled around a crescent moon.
As Gin unsheathed the blade, the air seemed to grow heavier, charged with an almost imperceptible hum of power. He gazed at his reflection in the blade, his scarred face calm but resolute.
Raising his index and middle fingers to his face, he whispered, "Moon's Mirage."
A faint blue aura enveloped his body, and in an instant, ten identical copies of himself materialized around the pond. Each clone stood on the water's surface, their forms shimmering faintly like reflections in a dream.
They moved in unison, adopting the same battle stance as Gin - the"Lunar Fang Stance," a posture of perfect balance and readiness. Ryūjin no Kiba was held horizontally at chest level, the blade angled slightly upward, while his free hand hovered near the hilt, ready to strike or defend at a moment's notice.
The clones moved first, their blades slicing through the air with precision and speed. Gin met their attacks head-on, his movements a blur of grace and power. The first strike came from his left, a downward slash aimed at his shoulder. Gin parried with a sharp upward block, the clash of blades ringing out like a bell. He countered with a swift horizontal slash, forcing the clone to leap back.
Another clone lunged from behind, its blade arcing toward his spine. Without turning, Gin pivoted on his heel, bringing Ryūjin no Kiba around in a sweeping arc that deflected the attack and sent the clone skidding across the water.
Two more clones attacked simultaneously from opposite sides, their blades aimed for his torso. Gin dropped into a low crouch, the tip of his katana skimming the water as he spun in a full circle, forcing the clones to retreat or risk being cut down.
The battle intensified, the clones attacking in coordinated waves. Gin's movements were a symphony of offense and defense, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. He ducked under a high slash, his blade flashing upward in a counter that dissipated one of the clones in a burst of blue light.
Another clone came at him with a thrust aimed at his heart, but Gin sidestepped with fluid ease, his katana slicing through the clone's midsection in a single, decisive motion.
The remaining clones adjusted their strategy, circling him like wolves around prey. Gin's breathing was steady, his purplish-gray eyes tracking their movements with unerring focus.
One clone feinted a high strike while another aimed low, but Gin anticipated the maneuver. He leaped into the air, flipping over their blades, and brought Ryūjin no Kiba down in a powerful overhead slash that cleaved through both clones simultaneously.
As the final clone charged, Gin shifted into a defensive posture, his blade held vertically in front of him. The clone's attack was relentless, a flurry of strikes that tested his reflexes and endurance.
Sparks flew as their blades clashed, the sound of steel on steel echoing through the garden. With a sudden burst of speed, Gin sidestepped the clone's final strike and delivered a precise thrust to its chest, dispersing it in a flash of blue light.
The garden fell silent once more, the koi pond's surface rippling gently from the aftermath of the battle. Gin sheathed Ryūjin no Kiba with a practiced motion, the blade sliding into its scabbard with a soft hiss. His silver glow faded, and he stood alone once more, his reflection in the water staring back at him.
This was his path, the path of discipline, strength, and self-mastery.