Kokushibo, realizing time was short, said: "Looks like we've only time for one move. Wonder if it'll satisfy."
Horitake responded: "It'll be… quite satisfying."
Kokushibo slowly drew his katana, primarily black, its blade, body, and hilt covered in eyes. "This blade is Kyokukami-yari."
Horitake smiled, drawing his Nichirin Blade, a Tang-style sword, its vibrant purple blade etched with mystic thunder patterns. "This blade is Igokochi."
Just as introductions finished, a surprising incident startled both.
Horitake's Igokochi buzzed and trembled, radiating intense battle intent—not toward Kokushibo, but…
Kokushibo's Kyokukami-yari also buzzed, exuding bloodlust and cold killing intent, clashing with Igokochi!
Both were astonished; their blades had spirits.
Horitake knew Igokochi's innate spirituality was rare and unique.
What about Kyokukami-yari?
He recalled it was forged from Kokushibo's flesh and bone, capable of regenerating if damaged. It being alive, with its own spirit, wasn't surprising.
Or was its spirit a fragment of Kokushibo's consciousness? No point guessing—it didn't matter.
Feeling Kyokukami-yari's spirit, Kokushibo grew unusually excited, showing a rare battle-hungry smile: "Even it's excited? I must get serious."
Horitake grinned: "Facing you, I have no choice but to be serious."
Words barely spoken, both got serious!
How did it manifest?
Kokushibo took a deep breath, unleashing his unique Blood Demon Art, revealing his true power. Kyokukami-yari transformed into a longer, jagged, alien blade!
Horitake, silent, activated Thunder Breathing, Third Form, entering Overdrive Mode! Purple lightning roared across his body, enhancing his attack, speed, and defense!
One side demonic, the other thunderous, their auras erupted in the cramped tatami room, clashing with a shockwave!
The collision unleashed fierce air currents, shattering the room's shoji doors!
Outside, Miri felt the clash! The terrifying auras made her face pale.
"Such… terrifying presence!"
A near-Hashira, yet she trembled, instinctively fearful.
"No, bad! Horitake-bro's in danger!"
Miri wanted to rush in despite the pressure but stopped, seeing the dawn breaking. No matter how fearsome the enemy, sunrise was near. Horitake-bro would be fine.
Rushing in recklessly might burden him.
So, Miri stayed put, nervously watching the second floor.
Inside the tatami room, Horitake and Kokushibo didn't waste time!
As if in sync, they roared, struck, and charged!
"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Full-Power Thunder Slash!"
"Moon Breathing, Eighth Form: Moon Dragon Tail!"
Horitake's side: roaring purple lightning surged into Igokochi, turning it into a dazzling purple blade, razor-sharp and unstoppable, like a god's blade of divine punishment. Gripping it tightly, he slashed at Kokushibo with full force!
Kokushibo's side: Moon Breathing, paired with Kyokukami-yari, conjured massive crescent moon blades, brimming with power. He slashed forward, unleashing a wide horizontal sweep, like a moonlit dragon's tail sweeping toward Horitake!
With only one move, both abandoned finesse, attacking with full power!
Thunder Slash and Moon Dragon Tail collided!
Two ultimate techniques clashed in a brief moment, within a tiny space, like Mars crashing into Earth! The instantaneous force was unimaginable!
So, which blade—Igokochi or Kyokukami-yari—prevailed?
Neither did.
Kokushibo's Moon Dragon Tail was vast and ferocious, its endless moon blades deadly.
Horitake's Thunder Slash, concentrated and razor-sharp, broke through with precision.
Both succeeded and failed.
In the clash, Horitake's Thunder Slash pierced Kokushibo's defense, slashing a deep, long wound across his chest, blood spraying!
Simultaneously, Kokushibo broke Horitake's offense. His longer blade's sweeping moon blades cut Horitake's shoulder, blood gushing!
Horitake's cut was long but bled less; Kokushibo's was smaller but bled more!
In this, they were evenly matched!
Their techniques' collision exploded! The terrifying shockwave and airflow, concentrated at one point, burst outward!
A deafening boom and a blinding explosion—the entire second floor detonated instantly!
Miri witnessed the shocking scene.
As the floor exploded, fierce currents tore the wood into splinters. The clashing forces erupted!
Countless crescent moon blades shot outward, effortlessly shearing treetops flat!
Roaring purple lightning scattered, blasting and snapping surrounding trees!
The terrifying force and shockwave forced Miri to shield her face with her arm, turning aside.
Far off, in another mountain, Shinobu Kocho and Obanai Iguro, rushing to aid under Corps orders, saw the distant flashing lightning and scattering moon blades.
Then, they heard the massive collision.
Feeling the fearsome power, they exchanged shocked glances, redirecting from Kusatsu to investigate.
Moon blades dissipated, lightning faded, and Horitake and Kokushibo's clash paused.
Horitake wanted to continue, but for Kokushibo, time was up.
"You're a formidable opponent. We'll fight again!"
Horitake looked up, but Kokushibo was gone.
He'd heard a biwa's note.
The sun rose, bathing Horitake in golden light, casting a long shadow on the barren second-floor remnants.
Holding Igokochi, he stared solemnly where Kokushibo vanished.
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