exploded—
A surge of boiling rage burst from Shin as he charged like a storm, his blade slicing through the air with deadly momentum. Each strike radiated fury. Each blow screamed for destruction.
Four massive trees shattered into splinters, crashing behind him.
But still…
He couldn't even touch his opponent.
**
From behind—
Silence.
Shimazu emerged from the shadows like a phantom. His eyes gleamed with a cold green aura, his gaze sharp and deadly calm—like ice that never melts.
A sudden stab aimed at Shin's heart—
**
But—
Reflexes kicked in.
Shin twisted in midair, narrowly avoiding death by inches. He landed in a low crouch, breath short but eyes focused.
**
Their blades met.
A thunderous clash. A shockwave rippled across the ground.
Shimazu's expression didn't change. His silver hair danced with the aura, but his face remained still—like the surface of a silent sea.
**
Shin's Eye of Darkness awakened.
Dark veins lined his skin. His brows furrowed. Rage surged within.
Then—
He attacked.
Fast.
Faster.
Each strike faster than the last—his sword glowing crimson like flames from hell.
**
Shimazu blocked with grace, parried with ease, but—
One slash slipped through.
A shallow cut across his abdomen. Blood. Barely.
And still…
He remained calm.
Like a clever fox waiting in silence to strike the killing blow.
**
Shin snarled.
One more reckless charge—!
Lightning Fang Slash!
A technique he'd only seen in a book. He hadn't mastered it. He didn't care.
Power before logic.
**
Shimazu's eyes narrowed.
He dodged—just barely.
"This technique…" he muttered with slight surprise. "He's no amateur. But foolish…"
**
Then Shimazu moved.
With precision.
He tossed his sword high into the sky.
It spun above them, catching the light like a falling star.
Shin looked up.
Just for a moment.
A mistake.
**
Crack!
Shimazu's boot connected with Shin's face, sending him flying backward through the dirt.
Shin gasped. Blood dripped from his nose.
**
Above—
The sword descended like a divine strike.
Shimazu caught it midair.
Then, with chilling calm:
"Solar Style – Ninth Form: Blazing Severance."
**
BOOM—
Fire exploded from his blade, swallowing the earth around Shin.
The strike landed—cleanly.
Right into Shin's abdomen.
Fire.
Pain.
Burning agony spread through his body.
**
He coughed blood.
Dropped to one knee. Then both.
His vision flickered.
**
But in his mind—
"Why am I so weak…?"
"Is hope… just a lie