The Dance of a Lifetime

“A couple of years, but you are the best opponent that I had, since,” Hanzo said, “your energy efficiency is great; your swordsmanship is amazing! However, you still fall short, to your elder brother."

“Fall short? I have not used my technique, yet,” said Hideaki.

Wiping the blood off his sword, Hanzo chuckles, “Is that so? As you know, Hideaki, I was not bestowed a technique.”

“You were the one exception that my father made. I will not make an exception; I will kill you here, Hanzo," said Hideaki.

“The feeling is mutual, Hideaki,” Hanzo said, “Are you done with the warmup, kid? I would like to reach the climax of this duel!”

"If you insist, Hanzo," said Hideaki.

In that moment, Hideaki sheathed his sword; which took Hanzo by surprise. Hanzo kept his distance, trying to keep his guard up.  Afterwards, Hideaki put his left hand on the handle.

The first step to his technique is: to sheathe the sword. The culmination of Hideaki’s technique is a mixture of three things, which makes it difficult to understand.

Throughout the warring period, Hideaki began to develop his technique: a technique, which was capable of handling numerous opponents, at once. He desired, to create a technique that revolved around slashing. At first, Hideaki found this difficult to do.

Being an ekpómpos, he logically had to apply the aspects of that fragment, to his technique. However, it was his ingenuity that led to the next part. For the first time, in history, it was Hideaki, who applied the usage of radius towards the art of an Ekompósian technique. 

A radius is created for the user: to sense the movement around themselves. To his advantage, Hideaki used this aspect, and furthered it; by creating an activation trigger, so whenever an individual entered his radius: he was able to retrieve the sword out of its sheathe, and deliver slashes towards an opponent(s) within his radius.

However, Hideaki realized, that the activation trigger did not have the offensive spark; he would have liked. Instead, he casted, a Limiter upon himself.  It allowed him, to remove the limits of his technique, in exchange, he placed another limiter on the technique: forcing him to wait eighteen seconds, to charge up the release of his attack. Anything that is within the radius is sliced. It is impossible, to see the slashes.

After, a long four years, Hideaki resorted to using this great ability. By the time, Hanzo sensed the great surge of energy, it was too late.  Releasing the sword from its sheathe, Hideaki delivered, a powerful barrage of slashes towards his opponent. Caught in his range, Hanzo took the brunt of the attack head on, but this did minimal damage. 

‘Did he just cut me,' Hanzo thought, 'I was not in his range, though? I made some distance between us, but his attacks can still reach me?'

Amused at his confusion, Hideaki chuckled, “I tried, to cut you in three. It seems, I took you lightly; it will not happen again."

Hanzo recovered from the surprise attack, regaining his confidence. Not waiting for the fight, to come to him; instead, he took the fight to Hideaki. In the process, Hanzo hoped, to learn more about his technique.

Immediately, Hideaki resorted to sheathing his sword, again. This raised a question, to Hanzo, does sheathing his sword have to do with that attack, he launched earlier? An attack, which he was incapable of seeing? It only became noticeable, when the sword emerged, from the sheathe. However, he could not sense any energy on the sword, when sheathed.

The only energy, he could sense was the energy, Hideaki coated himself with. Taking the initiative, Hanzo engaged in an all out assault. Each attack, Hideaki blocked with his bare hands. The way things were going, Hanzo was not allowing Hideaki, to have the chance to release his sword. In response, Hideaki resorted to using one of the three properties of aura.

The property: Senses, heightens all five senses of the human body; to its maximum. His intentions, was to raise his five senses to their maximum, to effectively guard against his aggressive opponent.

However, Hanzo grew impatient of his ineffectiveness on the offensive end. Hanzo quit using the basic coating; instead, he used reinforcement: an intermediate technique that concentrates a portion of energy onto an object. In Hanzo's case, his sword. A different type of coating, that increases the impact and output of a user’s energy x2.5.

 With all his precautions on the defensive end, Hideaki felt the force of this attack. On impact,  his hand was sliced off. This forced Hideaki, to withdraw from the fight, momentarily; resorting for the first time, in this fight, to regenerate his hand.

“So, the great Hideaki bleeds, after all! It was foolish, Hideaki, to use your dominant hand; to block my sword! You stopped the fight, Hideaki. Did you think, you had the luxury of that?"

Quickly, Hanzo closed the gap between them; attempting to use reinforcement, again. Opting  to use the regeneration technique, Hideaki used,  'Uce’  to revitalize the flow of aura throughout his body; in order to be more efficient with his energy. This allowed him, to regenerate his hand instantly; it was at that moment, Hideaki grabbed the handle of his sword, releasing it from its sheathe!

This time, Hideaki did not hold back. It put a stop, to Hanzo's assault. In a literal sense, Hanzo was a walking corpse; yet, he stood covered and dripping in his own blood.

“You may be the strongest of the branch, but the truth is, Hanzo, you can never measure up to somebody who’s a master of all,” said Hideaki.

Hanzo stumbled around, panting a bit. It was becoming difficult to breathe. Nonetheless to  maintain his footing. However, to Hideaki’s surprise, Hanzo quickly managed; to heal himself partially with the regeneration technique. Regaining his compuse, Hanzo chuckles, “Do not tell me, you thought, you were the only one capable of using that! If it were not, for my strong body; you would have killed me. That I have no doubt of.”

‘He only healed himself partially, only to the point; where he can move effectively,' Hideaki thought, 'if I waited another second, I would have been able, to kill him! He was using nullification, to weaken the damage; incase, I was to use my technique. He's figured me out...fucking #$@!*@*@*@*!'

Changing his plans, Hideaki chose, to use his Ultimate Art Slash. Hanzo was getting used, to his normal attacks. There was no choice. But this forces him, to charge his attack; for fifty-four seconds. 

Three times the amount of time, it normally takes. It was not a risk, he wanted to take. However, it was his hubris earlier, where he failed to kill his opponent; before they figured out his technique. Hanzo faced his technique twice. For a battle genius, like him, eventually he would figure it out.

'Hideaki’s technique is built upon three principles. 1). He has to cast a radius, in which; it allows him to cut anything within,'  Hanzo thought, '2). The sword must be sheathed away. In a way, it has to be charged up. If I am not mistaken, it took eighteen seconds; for each attack, so it also has a time requirement. 3). He keeps relying on his right hand, to draw the sword? That must have something to do with a ‘Limiter’, he casted on himself. It could explain, why the attacks are so deadly. Truly, a genius in his own right.’

Putting his hand on his sword, Hideaki would no longer hesitate. The last minute of this battle decides the outcome, and it no longer mattered, trying to hide his technique. Hanzo drooled from his mouth, his concentration was on full display.  A tremendous concentration, to kill the man before him; alas giving into the animalistic instincts within every human; those traits that they had discarded long ago.

Throughout sky and land, there is no creature alive, who experiences thrill in a life threatening situation, like, a human would. 

Like, a beast, coming from the depths of hell, Hanzo charged right at him. In response, Hideaki refused, to back down; refusing to defend against the attack, which led to him, receiving numerous of slashes across the body.

However, it was not enough to kill him. This time, Hanzo made sure, to use reinforcement; forcing Hideaki to defend. Quickly, Hanzo released another stroke, at him. Hideaki stood his ground, refusing to move a muscle! This was no longer a battle for survival, it became a battle of pride and ego. Taking the attack head on, Hideaki grunted, struggling to keep his hand on sword; the man refused to submit. Growing furious, Hanzo attempted, to deliver another stroke; however, the fifty-four second mark was nearing.

Releasing his second strike of reinforcement, in hopes of bringing the fight, to an end; Hanzo hissed, “You idiot, your body is not durable to handle another! What a pathetic way to go!"

At that moment, Hideaki drew his sword. The time had come, and so he released, his ultimate art; completely dicing the man apart. The climax had been reached, at last. Stumbling, he used his sword, like, a cane. He walked over, to see the deceased opponent, he smiled his display.

“You were glorious, Retta Hanzo. You gave the performance of a lifetime. You are one of one, warrior,” said Hideaki

Retta Hanzo, a simple ordinary man. He was a man, who desired to find their worth through hardships and challenges.

It’s what he lived for, and if there is anything, he could have ever desired, it was to have a glorious end.

Without a doubt, he fought with valor.

I have spent, the last twenty minutes, trying to find my opponent; yet I had no luck. Did Master, or Kosuke handle them?

No, I doubt it. They are not the type to enjoy a fight. So, if that’s the case, I should -!?

Suddenly, a big illuminus figure would block the entirety of the sun’s light, before Toshiero knew it; he was caught in its range. The figure leveled the entire part of the forest, which nearly served, as the finishing blow.

Landing onto the ground, a man clapped his hands, releasing the enormous arm from above. Making his way towards the boy, he declared, “I am Retta Kenshin. I am under the orders, to bring you back, alive. Of course, your end will be the result of the actions, you choose to take.”

Squinting his eyes, he struggled to keep his eyes open. As soon, as he was able to, he recognized the face; he was terrified. His fears were right, as immediately, a Buddha figure construct appeared, wrapping its arms around the man. It wrapped, its legs around his waist, displaying a gentle expression. However, it would sprout two chains, from its heart and stomach. One would pierce the user’s heart (Kenshin), and the other to the user’s (Toshiero) soul.

It connected the two souls, forcing the target into submission. As long as the technique remained active, the person in submission is incapable of removing the binds; and their aura that is siphoned from the captive (Toshiero), keeps the technique active.

“Of all people, why did I have to run into you?” said Toshiero.

“Greetings, Toshiero. Surely, you are aware of how my technique works, right? It revolves around three questions. I recommend you, to answer truthfully,” Kenshin said, “now for the first question, if I were to release my technique, at this moment, would you submit willingly to me and return to the clan?”

At first, I struggled trying, to answer. If there’s anything, I know about this technique, it’s one of the three techniques, passed down in our clan. It’s proven to be great, but the question, he asked is something, that I cannot lie about.

He’s not giving me any leg room, is he? No choice, sigh.

“No, I would refuse,” answered Toshiero.

“No lie detected, it seems. Moving on to my second question, why is it that you refuse, to see your superiority over others; and not take upon the role of successor?” asked Kenshin.

“I-I am not above anybody, and I am simply an ordinary person. I will not become the successor because it is not something, which I want,” answered Toshiero.

The answer provided did not satisfy, the Buddha. In response, the Buddha grew furious. In his fury, the Buddha increased the mass of Toshiero; Toshiero felt, as if he were being sucked into the ground. The chain, which sprouted from the almighty figure began, to siphon triple the amount of energy, as well. Toshiero squealed in pain, as he pondered; why this was occurring?

Disappointed at his lies, Kenshin sighed, “Young Toshiero, when I mentioned it’s best to answer truthfully, I meant it.”

“B-But, I did,” Toshiero groaned. “how is it that I lied!?”

“Outwardly you felt, as if you spoke the truth. However, he thinks otherwise. Something tells me, you answered partially in truth. However, a partial truth is not something; he would like to hear,” Kenshin said, “Before, we move on; I would like a truthful final answer, to my final question. It will not stop the unbearable pain, but it's to my interest that I know.”

Gripping onto the ground, he cried out. The unbearable force casted upon him, it was enough to subdue him.

“You can go to hell, get onto the next question!” said Toshiero.

“If you insist, young man,” Kenshin said,” Onto the final question, once my technique is undone, shall you engage me in battle to fight against the duties bestowed upon me, by our lordship?”

Momentarily, Toshiero tried to figure out an answer. However, there was no way, to come out unscathed. The Buddha would know, his true. There was no use in lying.

Prideful as ever, he grinned, “Once, your technique comes to an end, Kenshin, I will make it my goal, to kill you.”

“How troublesome. Still, I will not have trouble bringing you back, to the district. Hopefully, our battle does not drag out,” said Kenshin.

In result of the three questions being asked, and each being answered: the technique is released naturally, without the user having to dismiss it. Immediately, the burden of the weight would be released from Toshiero, allowing him to stand up.

Stumbling about, he groaned, ‘Even with it released, I still feel the pain. The fact, he managed to siphon a good chunk of my energy. Wait, did he declare, that I can be brought back alive, to activate that? That's odd. When activating his technique, can he not tell a lie?'

‘ So, if I were to end my life, what would be the consequence of that be? Surely, he could have thought of this? If my options are: to die at my own hand, or return back to the clan. I rather die!’

Building the courage, Toshiero drew his sword, readying himself to make a choice. Kenshin did not take this lightly, he lashed out, trying to prevent it. Kenshin knows, if this went through, the consequences would be dire. Not because, it violated the orders of the Head; also, because it would violate the breach of the declaration, he made earlier to activate the technique. Toshiero's hunch was right, Kenshin cannot tell lie.

“You stupid kid, have you any idea what you are doing!” said Kenshin.

Toshiero chuckled, enjoying his opponent's panic, “You forced my hand, Kenshin. You should have not made that declaration. Give it your best, I will be going first, friend,” said Toshiero.

Right, when he was about to end his life, by his own hands; Hideaki arrived and grabbed ahold of the blade, putting an end this suicide attempt!

“Now, Toshiero, what’s the situation? Surely, you are not going to do something cowardly, just because he’s stronger than you.” said Hideaki.

“Master!” said Toshiero.

Sighing in relief, Kenshin said, “You saved me from a world of pain, but just who could you be?” 

Chiming in, Toshiero chuckled, “Do you not know? He has that air to him, does he not? The air of royalty!”

“Air of royalty? Are you referring to our clan's royal family," Kenshin said, "No, it could not be. Wait, that face! Could you be...” 

“You are awfully young, to recall my face, but I will have you know, to not wait on Hanzo. He will not be coming back, and frankly, I would not bother trying to retrieve his body. You will be spending quite some time, trying to gather all those pieces,” Hideaki said.

Resuming back, to where we left off; Himari and Thuarion continued to double, Hashi, in hopes of buying time, to regenerate the loss organs of Maki.

“Fighting me yourself, are you? Since, when did you get a backbone!” said Hashi.

Ignoring the taunts, Himari continued to strike the opposition; however, she began to notice something. Something was off about Thuarion. Usually, spirits are creatures with no will of their own, but she noticed: how the beast began to refuse, to follow through.

‘Has it gained a will of its own?’

Right, as she thought this, Thuarion movement’s came to a halt. The beast brought its hands together, imitating Himari's chants.

“What the!? Is it trying to summon another spirit!” said Hashi.

“Thuarion? I did not command ask you, to stop; just what is happening?” said Himari

This action of Tharion's shocked the mortals. It slightly chuckled, as two miniature versions split from its own body; showcasing another ability of the great incarnated spirit!

“This thing. It's evolving, as it fights! If I fail to kill it, it will learn more about itself,” Hashi said, “I have no choice, but to release my realm.”

“Release it? Like, if I will give you a chance, to do it! Thuarion, I beseech you, attack!” said Himari.

The beast hesitated, to follow the command, but it followed through with the command. Thuarion blitz through his defenses, however, it was too late. The opponent succeeded in dismissing the barrier, if Himari does not find a solution, her sister will die.

The barrier began to shatter, signaling its dismissal and end. This caused Himari, to panic; foregoing the assault against Hashi. She turned to her sister, mumbling, 'If I do not do it, I will regret it. If cursing myself, is what it takes, so be it. Let's hope this works, sister!'

The great sacrifice, Himari made was to limit the output of her energy: to increase the proficiency of her energy. When a person casts a limiter upon themselves; they have no other way, to bypass these limiters. They can reverse these limiters, but they will be casting; another limiter upon themselves. Limiters can provide, a great power up; but they also are difficult, to reverse. A limiter is impossible, to violate technically speaking; unless the limiter is made between two people.

As the imaginary world collapsed, the fighters returned back into the external world, chuckling at her would-be despair, Hashi said,  “So, it seems you failed, to heal her. What a shame, but do not worry, you will be joining her soon enough.”

In response, Himari grinned, “No, I succeeded! You pushed me, to do something; I never thought myself capable of! It was that simple, huh?"

Confused at her response, Hashi sensed the energy nearby; and to his shock, Maki's energy signature could still be felt.

“She’s alive!? I was aware of the spirit healing her, but with that amount of energy; there was just no way, it restore those organs,” Hashi said, “unless, you -!”

Before, he could finish his sentence, Hashi was struck from behind; almost knocking the life out of him! It was a devastating attack, its force was powerful enough, to send him crashing into a nearby tree.

Dusting the dirt off, Kosuke commented, “Geez, you two struggled a lot! If it were not for that limiter, Maki would be dead. Himari, was that worth it? Your output will never return. You did know that, right?

“It was a risk, I was willing to take, brother,” said Himari.

Squatting down, Kosuke put the palm of his hand onto Maki's chest; finishing the healing. In response, Himari, released the spirits with the arrival of Kosuke onto the battlefield.

“I take it, I should leave this in your hands?” said Himari.

“Yeah, but get far away from here, Himari. Hopefully, this one is not as disappointing, like, the last one,” said Kosuke.

Himari followed through, carrying Maki in her arms; the two fled. Hashi finished recovering, but he surprisingly allowed the girls, to flee. He took an interest, to this new arrival.

"What confidence, you managed to kill off one of my comrades, huh? Just who did you manage to kill them, boy?” said Hashi.

“A women, but it is not my right; to talk down on her. However, I will warn you, if you are to cast your realm, it will not be enough," said Kosuke.

Hashi chuckled, “No surprise, kid. Realms may be the peak of one’s ability, but at times, they do not prove to be very useful against versatile opponents. Nullification helps, a bit. Do not underestimate the skill, it takes to guard against such a technique, though; it takes a second or less, at most to release a Realm.”

“So, that's how you caught them off guard. So what you are saying, is that only the best of the best are capable of reacting on time, to defend against it?” said Kosuke.

“You would be correct, but you speak, as if you have great experience. What monsters have surrounded you, my boy?  State your name, kid, you have peaked my interest,” said Hashi.

"Nawaki Kosuke the Younger, Disciple of Akiyama Hideaki and Son of the Elder Nawaki Kosuke," said Kosuke.

"What pleasure," Hashi said, "I am, Retta Hashi. Son of Retta Makoto, and I have no master. I do not care of your origins, fight me, instead. An opponent shows more of themselves in battle than their words ever could. It's been ages, since I had a good opponent, do not disappoint me. I will display to you, a power that I have cultivated, for as long as I drawn breath. And once more, I present the eyes of the gods, the realm of Ragnarok!"

Once again, Hashi made the impossible, possible! Up until today, Kosuke never thought it possible, to cast a Realm twice in a day! A rush of adrenaline kicked in, as his instinct forged by battle emerged; immediately coating himself in Nullification.

Inside the imaginary world, the two fighters engaged in hand-to-hand combat. The exchange was equal, and each fighter failed, to connect their punches. However, like, everybody who fights Kosuke, Hashi noticed the abnormal strength of those punches.

This did not bother him, instead, he decided to strike Kosuke’s left arm; in which, it would interrupt his balance, completely altering the trajectory of his jab.

For his age, Hashi was surprised to see a boy; so young, who was capable of fighting him head-to-head, while using Nullification at the same time.

The increasing output was apparent, and as Kosuke cleared the gap between them, he released a right jab, which Hashi would slide over to evade. In response, Hashi struck from behind, since he thought him to be open. However, Kosuke was aware of this blind spot; and crouched down. Taking the initiative, Kosuke used his small stature, to his advantage and struck Hashi's side.

It connected, and Hashi quickly wrapped his arm around Kosuke’s; turning his body around, forcing the boy's back to touch his own. Skilled in every aspect of martial arts, Kosuke was in awe, how could this man move and fight at such an efficient level? Escaping the lock of arms, Kosuke created some distance, at long last deciding, to use his technique.

Hashi, soon found himself, immobilized to the ground, trying to move was troublesome. Manipulating his own gravitational force, Kosuke dashed towards his opponent; and landed numerous attacks to the head. However, this assurance of victory would not last; Hashi regained his movement. Right before, Kosuke could notice his movement, he would try to land the finishing blow.

It was at that moment, where Hashi broke from the binds, grabbing upon the boy's right arm, and lunged him onto the ground; thinking, that would be the end of it, Kosuke laughed it off, but Hashi proceeded; to grabbed onto his left arm, pulling it off its socket! The boy screamed in agony, while Hashi enjoyed his pain, saying to him: 'You may be great, boy, but let’s see how you do, without that arm of yours. Regeneration is not capable of healing something that is not "missing". Just how did you manage to kill her? Your technique is so basic, how in the world could she not have seen through it?'

Unwilling to take the taunting, Kosuke managed to escape his grasp; panting, as he grabbed onto his dislocated shoulder. Kosuke failed to realize, the shift of energy within the opponent. He may suffer from a dislocated shoulder, but it was nothing compared to the damage, Kosuke had done, prior to the activation of Null.

With just one arm, engaging him in hand-to-hand combat was out of the question! There was only one technique, he had capable of killing an opponent. However, his output still had not recovered, to reactivate it. In his arsenal, Kosuke had access, to the technique opposite of the black sphere, which attracted all types of matter towards it. However, it is not a technique capable of wiping an opponent out, per se.

Instead, he decided to concentrate, a portion of energy onto his fingertip; applying the properties of the black sphere, however, it will instead have a repulsive force; not an attractive force, like the coating, for his punches and his signature black sphere. At the tip of his finger tips, he released, a powerful blast. Logically, Hashi saw this; and found it, to be a poor attempt at trying to fight back. He could easily evade that, Hashi thought, just what is this kid thinking? Kosuke was thinking the opposite of what he had mind; he was not going to let him evade it.

Hashi had not realized it, but Kosuke had activated his downforce, in small increments. Kosuke slowly began, to increase its grip onto his opponent, increasing the weight of gravity around him. At the release of the repulsive blast, he increased its weight times five! Hashi's gravitational force became, so heavy, he struggled to move his lip! If he were not worn out, Hashi thought, he would not be in this predicament!

But the truth of the matter is, his activation of realm twice, and his earlier fight against wore him out significantly.

The blast would completely destroy a portion of his torso, which was the finishing blow. The magnitude of the repulsive force was enough, to completely obliterate his left side. No amount of energy could heal a body, so worn out, like Hashi's.

Resting in a pool of his own blood, he was suffocating upon his own blood. There was no greater, but in his last moments, the man smiled. Kosuke was unsure of what was there to smile about, I mean, his opponent suffered such a cruel fate. What could make someone so happy at such a time?

Unbeknownst to Kosuke, the last thoughts of Hashi, were the cause of his smile. He held the boy, who just took his life, in high regards for his skill. He thought, his skill in combat was ridiculous! The lower half of his body began to feel cold; his time was nearing. Like his colleague, Hanzo, Hashi cherished this conclusion. 

Stamping his foot on the man's body, Kosuke exclaimed, "Just what are you mumbling on about?  Pitiful man, so little time on this world of ours. It is this time, that I deprived you from, but you lived out your purpose; as you should have. You faced your superior, and lost to his greatness, may your pitiful soul find peace."