A thunderous crash reverberated as two figures burst through the wall.
Andy and the Shura-empowered Tsukimi Soukaku landed hard, their battered bodies heaving as they fought for breath.
The scene was grim. Andy had suffered grievous injuries, and his movents were sluggish. However, Tsukimi Soukaku, despite his monstrous transformation, was no better off. His massive, demonic fra bore deep wounds inflicted during the chaotic lee.
Not long after, a fiery blur erupted from within the dojo's wreckage. Shiranui Hanzou, bleeding but unyielding, charged forward, his hands blazing with flas.
"Ninpou: Shiranui Phoenix Dance!"
A cascade of fiery strikes hamred Tsukimi Soukaku, forcing him onto the defensive. But the Shura Demon refused to yield, retaliating with ghostly claws and energy-infused strikes.
Soukaku, teetering on the edge of defeat, let out a guttural roar. His body emanated a nacing aura as a massive ghostly figure materialized behind him. The phantom unleashed a deafening howl, triggering a violent shockwave.
B-Rank Ultimate: Shura Oni!
The shockwave erupted outward, toppling everyone in its path. Hanzou, Andy, and even the adventurers Wind and Qin Ming were hurled backward.
As the dust settled, Soukaku's shadowy phantom grabbed him, its spectral claws rging with his body.
Enhanced Shura Bomb Activated!
With a burst of spectral energy, Soukaku launched himself at Hanzou like a missile, his monstrous form blazing with ghostly flas.
Hanzou, injured and exhausted, clenched his teeth. Glancing at the weakened dojo behind him, he made his decision.
"Enough running!"
His body ignited with golden flas as he lunged forward to et Soukaku head-on.
"Ninpou: Shiranui Tornado!"
BOOM!
The collision sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. When the smoke cleared, both combatants lay sprawled on the ground.
Soukaku's monstrous form had been cleaved in half, his body lying in two lifeless heaps. The ghostly aura dissipated, and his glowing red eyes dimd.
Hanzou, though victorious, was gravely wounded. Blood oozed from multiple gashes, and his breaths ca in ragged gasps.
Yet, clutched tightly in his trembling hand was a stone—the Sesshō-seki, or Killing Stone.
The Sesshō-seki
An artifact of imasurable power, the Sesshō-seki was the secret behind Shiranui's bloodline abilities. It allowed the clan to grant outsiders their fiery heritage and amplified the strength of their techniques.
The stone was said to contain the malevolent essence of the Nine-Tailed Fox, imbuing its wielder with unparalleled destructive power.
With it, Hanzou had been able to overco Soukaku's ultimate attack.
Soukaku's lifeless eyes stared skyward, his lips moving faintly as he whispered his final words:
"Master... I've failed..."
And with that, the last remnant of Tsukimi Soukaku faded into the void.
The battlefield was in shambles. The adventurers and Shiranui clan alike lay injured, their forces spent.
Only Wind remained standing, and his gaze locked onto the stone in Hanzou's hand.
"Finally... the Sesshō-seki!"
His voice trembled with excitent.
Wind had been after the artifact since the mont they entered the world of Fatal Fury. His team's research had revealed that the Sesshō-seki would only appear if Hanzou was forced to use it in battle.
It was an S-tier item, its power coveted by countless adventurers. However, obtaining it required more than just defeating Hanzou. The artifact had to be wrested from his possession during his mont of vulnerability.
With a predatory grin, Wind abandoned his fight with Qin Ming and sprinted toward Hanzou.
"You're mine!"
Hanzou, staggering to his feet, gripped the Sesshō-seki tightly, but his body was too battered to defend himself.
Wind's figure blurred as he used Ice Gale to close the distance. His claws glead with malice as he prepared to strike.
"No, you don't!"
A fiery projectile suddenly intercepted Wind's path, forcing him to dodge.
Shiranui Mai erged from the wreckage, her body bruised and bleeding. Despite her injuries, her eyes burned with determination.
She hurled another fireball at Wind, forcing him to retreat.
However, Wind's irritation quickly turned to fury.
"You again?!"
He dodged Mai's attack with a swift sidestep and raised his hands.
"Die, you nuisance!"
B-Rank Ultimate: Orochi Storm Fang!
Mai barely had ti to react as Wind unleashed a flurry of devastating strikes. His claws tore through her defenses, each blow driving her closer to the brink.
With a final, savage attack, Wind hurled Mai across the battlefield. She landed in a crumpled heap, motionless and bleeding.
Hanzou's heart sank as he watched his granddaughter fall. His fists clenched around the Sesshō-seki.
"This ends now!"
Summoning the last vestiges of his strength, he flung the Sesshō-seki toward Mai.
"Mai! Protect our legacy!"
Wind's eyes widened in horror.
"No!"
The Sesshō-seki flew past him, landing near Mai's outstretched hand.
She weakly grasped the stone, its crimson glow enveloping her battered fra.
For Wind, the Sesshō-seki was now out of reach. Once passed on, the artifact would never drop upon death. His dream of claiming it was shattered.
Enraged, he turned his fury toward Hanzou.
"You bastard!"
Drinking a restorative potion, Wind prepared to unleash his ultimate technique.
A-Rank Ultimate: True Orochi Yashiro!
Wind's body was engulfed in a maelstrom of crimson energy as he charged at Hanzou.
Hanzou, bloodied and battered, stood his ground. Flas erupted around him as he activated his most powerful skill.
S-Rank Technique: Nine-Tailed Inferno Dance!
The two collided in an apocalyptic explosion of fire and wind.
Nine searing strikes tore through Wind's defenses, each one punctuated by a fiery detonation.
By the end, Wind's mangled body collapsed to the ground, charred and broken.
Hanzou fell to his knees, his energy spent.
The battlefield fell silent.
For the first ti, there was peace.
(Chapter End)
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