The remains of Kaya's shattered mansion groaned beneath the weight of the battle.
Ash stood tall amidst the ruins, violet eyes sharp as the flickering flames cast dramatic shadows on cracked walls and shattered glass.
The acrid smell of smoke and ash filled the air, mingling with dust kicked up by their fierce movements.
Captain Kuro stepped from the smoke, his presence a dark storm—moving with predatory grace, his sharp claws gleaming like torn steel under the moonlight.
His cold smile twisted with deadly intent.
"So, the 'Grim Reaper' graces my ruin,"
Kuro hissed, claws flexing.
"No fairy tale hero saves anyone here."
Ash drew his blade in one fluid motion, the steel gleaming as if infused with rushing water.
"My my ...How lively. aren't we ?"
Kuro attacked, a blur of claws slashing in jagged arcs aimed to tear Ash apart.
Ash responded with calming precision, his sword flowing like water.
"Water Breathing — First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
His blade swept in a rhythmic, razor-sharp arc that deflected Kuro's claws and sent splinters of wood and stone flying.
The shimmer of his attacks echoed the rushing river—always flowing, precise.Kuro snarled, circling like a black panther.
"Impressive... but not fast enough."
His claws spun as he launched a rapid succession of slashes.Ash parried gracefully, stepping backward fluidly.
Ash intensified, moving as a current bends to strike.
"Water Breathing — Second Form: Water Wheel!"
He spun, swinging his sword in a circular arc that struck with relentless power and speed.
The air seemed to ripple around him, each strike like a crashing wave.
Kuro was forced back a step, eyes narrowing with newfound respect amid frustration.Ash pressed his advantage, the dance of steel and claws echoing like thunder.
Kuro leapt fiercely, a lightning-fast slash aiming at Ash's side.
Ash twisted on his heel, smoothly flowing into the next form while muttering in a ghastly voice.
"Water Breathing — Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
His blade moved in graceful arcs, cutting circles and spirals, deflecting Kuro's assault with effortless fluidity, almost tauntingly.
A snapshot of an unstoppable force—the river that wears down stone.
But Kuro was ruthless.
He snarled and accelerated his blows, claws a blur.
Ash's breathing slowed but strengthened.
"Water Breathing — Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
With sudden force, Ash lunged forward, the steel crashing down like the breaking sea. His strike sent Kuro staggering, slicing through debris and scoring a deep wound on the pirate's arm.
Kuro hissed, pain flaring, but retaliated—his claws spinning in deadly circles.
Kuro launched a spinning attack reminiscent of a cyclone, claws outstretched.Ash centered himself, gazing calmly.
"Water Breathing — Sixth Form: Whirlpool!"
His sword spun vertically, a vortex of water in steel form, sweeping away Kuro's spinning claws and nearby debris like a raging eddy.
Their battle tore through the broken mansion as walls crumbled and dust filled the air.
The battle slowed as Ash invoked the calmest form.
"Water Breathing — Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent!"
Ash moved with stealthy speed, misty afterimages rippling as he flowed through Kuro's defense, slipping strikes aimed with cold precision.
But Kuro's claws caught Ash's sword arm in a savage blow, pain blooming fiercely.
The battlefield trembled beneath the heavy breaths and clashing blades of the two warriors—Ash, embodying the relentless flow of water and the blazing precision of his swordsmanship.
Kuro, the shadowy predator clawing desperately to cling onto his vanishing dominion.
The ruined mansion seemed alive, its shattered walls echoing their combat—a symphony of crashing stone, ringing steel, and whispered threats.
Ash's sword gleamed like a silver stream against the dark chaos.
"Water Breathing — Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
Ash leaped high, his blade descending like a cascade of furious water. The strike was immense, aimed to crush the will and spirit of his foe.
Kuro twisted, his claws spinning to parry, each contact sending vibrations through the debris-strewn ground.Countering, Kuro lunged with a vicious growl.
"Shadow Fang Barrage!"
His claws sliced through the air in rapid succession, a storm of blades aimed at Ash's form.
But Ash flowed perfectly, steps a silent river breeze, dodging lightly while maintaining eye contact with his foe.
"Water Breathing — Seventh Form: Drop Ripple!"
Ash's blade flicked in quick, precise cuts that seemed to caress the air, delicate but deadly as drops disturbing the surface of a still pond.
Each slash destabilized Kuro's relentless assault.The mansion's fractured ceiling collapsed, dust blinding, and rocks hurtling down.
Both warriors rolled aside, eyes blazing in the choking haze.Ash's voice rose, resolute.
"Water Breathing — Fifth Form: Blessed Rain, Death of the Gods!"
His blade moved in a swift, downward arc, blade glinting like a waterfall's deadly spray.
Kuro raised one claw to block, but the sheer force staggered him back, a gasp escaping his lips.
Now, the air grew tense with finality as Ash readied himself, pulling forth his noble phantasm's radiance.
Ash intoned, voice steady and strong:
"I am the bone of my sword.
Steel is my body, and fire is my blood.
I have created over a thousand blades,
Unknown to death, nor known to life.
Have withstood pain to create many weapons,
Yet, those hands will never hold anything.
So as I pray.....Unlimited Blade Works!"
The world shifted—the shattered walls and broken wood melted into a glowing landscape of blades.
The very air shimmered as Ash called down the power of his legendary Noble phantasm.
Dozens of Blades howered in besides Ash, silent but with the weight of fate.
Ash released.The swords tore through the smoky air with ethereal wails, striking Kuro squarely.
The force threw Kuro across the rubble-strewn floor, his claws clattering uselessly.
Kuro struggled, breath shallow, aura fading.
Ash stepped forward, offering a final solemn proclamation.
"This is the end of your shadow."
Kuro looked up once more, respect and defeat mixing in his eyes.
"Maybe… this village deserves peace afterall huh ?."
And with that, Kuro's reign was broken.
The mansion settled into quiet ruin as Ash lowered his blade and ended the noble phantasm, breath slow and steady.
The night was silent but alive—renewed hope whispering on the breeze—a testament to the unyielding spirit of a warrior who fought like water: for those who cannot fight for themselves.
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______to be continued ______