Chapter 402: Hisoka and Orochimaru Plan a Rematch
The following day, Artoria trailed behind Jin, her face flushed with embarrassment. Though shy, her heart was alight with joy. She had finally overcome her hesitation. From this moment forward, she resolved to be bolder, no longer fleeing in haste only to regret it later.
Time slipped by swiftly, and evening approached once more.
A figure emerged from the direction of Numera Island. It was Unohana Retsu. She glided across the sea, her steps sending ripples scattering around her feet. The waves danced gently, creating a breathtaking scene.
Moments later, Unohana Retsu arrived at a valley on Rusukaina Island. The soft strains of a piano filled the air as she approached a familiar flowering tree. She stood quietly, gazing at two figures bathed in the glow of fireflies under the night sky, her thoughts drifting.
Ding-ding-dong, ding-ding-dong.
The melody was serene and beautiful, its ethereal notes lingering in the air. Time passed slowly. The piano fell silent, and the fireflies dispersed.
Kai, seated at the piano, gently pulled Yin, who had been playing alongside him, to her feet. They approached Unohana Retsu, hand in hand.
"You lead quite a leisurely life, Kai-san," Unohana Retsu said, her gentle voice laced with a subtle edge. It was unclear whether her sharp tone was aimed at Kai or the delicate, lovely girl beside him.
Initially, Unohana Retsu had been fond of Yin. But those feelings grew complicated. The girl was far too attached to Kai. It was one thing under normal circumstances, but when Yin would barge in and nestle into Kai's arms just as Unohana Retsu and Kai were about to retire for the night, it was simply too much.
"Retsu, you know I'm terribly busy. I'm just out of your sight," Kai replied with a smile, countering her words. Though he appeared relaxed, he was deeply engaged in research. His leisurely demeanor masked serious work. Within the depths of his soul, he continued to refine his understanding of power.
"Yin, Retsu and I have some matters to attend to," Kai said warmly, stroking Yin's smooth silver hair.
Yin nodded but didn't leave immediately. Her crimson eyes, shimmering like water, locked onto Kai's. Seeing her hesitation, Kai understood her thoughts. He cupped her flushed cheeks and pressed a gentle kiss to her pale forehead.
As Yin's figure retreated, Unohana Retsu stepped closer to Kai, her tone sharp. "To think you'd pursue such a young girl. How perverse, Kai-san." Yin appeared no older than thirteen or fourteen, undeniably a child in her eyes.
"We're not so different, Retsu. Don't forget, I'm not that old myself," Kai replied casually. He reached out, pulling Unohana Retsu into his arms, his hands playfully searching within her collar.
Unohana Retsu leaned into him with practiced ease, ignoring his mischievous hands, her expression calm. Only the faint flush at the base of her ears betrayed her. Seeing her composure, Kai settled beneath the flowering tree.
Time drifted on. Unohana Retsu's calm began to falter. Her cheeks grew rosy, like a ripened peach, and her voice softened. "Stop fooling around. Didn't you say there was serious business?" She was furious, but duty awaited. She vowed to make him pay once their task was complete.
Kai gazed at her, charmed by her flustered expression. His hands stilled, knowing further teasing would lead to trouble. He straightened her disheveled collar and helped her to her feet.
Buzz, buzz.
A gate materialized before them, its gray, black, and purple hues exuding an eerie aura. Twisted carvings of beasts, birds, humans, and evil spirits adorned its surface, grotesque and unsettling. This was Rashomon, summoned by Kai.
Orochimaru's Rashomon had reached S-level, surpassing its previous A-level form. The S-level Rashomon drew greater power from the underworld, rendering it even more formidable. It boasted rapid self-repair, fueled by the energy of Underworld—a chilling, unyielding force. Its durability was terrifying, and even if shattered, it could mend itself swiftly. During repairs, the escaping underworld energy was bitterly cold. Moreover, this level allowed the summoning of three Rashomon gates simultaneously, unlike the A-level, which permitted only one at a time.
In a past battle within Hisoka's conscious world, Orochimaru had wielded this ability against Hisoka. Even Hisoka, formidable in that realm, couldn't shatter the gates instantly. Orochimaru summoned three gates, using them as a shifting shield. If one was damaged, another would mend, cycling to prevent total destruction. With only two gates, Hisoka might have prevailed, but three left him powerless. Orochimaru outlasted him, dragging the battle to a stalemate.
This ability, formidable as it was, had a weakness: its connection to the underworld. If that link could be severed, the gates would collapse. For Hisoka, a master of consciousness, this was within his expertise. With a few more battles, he might have disrupted the connection, rendering Rashomon useless.
Orochimaru, aware of this vulnerability, avoided further confrontations after their initial clash. Hisoka, drained after his ultimate move, would have faced Orochimaru in a weakened state, risking defeat. Though he bluffed Orochimaru into believing he retained strength, repeating the ruse would underestimate Orochimaru's cunning.
Both held back, wary of the other, and so they never clashed again, until now. With their core abilities upgraded to SS-level, confidence surged. The idea of a rematch sparked, though when this battle might ignite remained uncertain.
( End of this chapter )