We moved quickly through the dark, narrow corridors, the tension thick in the air. The stakes were high, and every second felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the weight of what was coming. Suddenly, the sound of chains scraping across the floor echoed ahead of us. My grip tightened around my reverse blade.
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Something's coming.
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Before I could even react, a massive figure stepped into view, wielding a heavy iron ball on the end of a chain. Another member of the Oniwabanshū. His wild eyes locked onto Kenshin, and with a quick flick of his wrist, he sent the iron ball flying toward us. "Kenshin, watch out!" I shouted.
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Kenshin's reflexes kicked in instantly. He sidestepped the attack with ease, the iron ball crashing into the ground with a heavy thud, sending a shower of dirt and stone into the air. But Shikijō wasn't done. With a grunt, he yanked the chain back, readying for another strike. Just as he swung again, Sanosuke stepped forward, his hands outstretched. I barely had time to blink before he caught the iron ball mid-swing, the chain wrapping around his forearm.
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"I'll take care of this guy," Sanosuke said, his voice steady despite the weight of the weapon. "You guys go ahead."
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I hesitated, my eyes flicking between Sano and his opponent. "Sano, are you sure?" My voice came out more anxious than I intended. I didn't like the idea of leaving him alone to fight this brute.
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Sano grinned, the cocky edge I'd grown used to back in his eyes. "Don't worry about me, Aka. This guy's nothing. You've got more important things to deal with." He jerked his head toward the path ahead, where Aoshi waited.
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I wanted to argue, but I knew he was right. Sano wasn't one to back down, and we didn't have time to waste. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to trust him. "Fine. But you better be right behind us."
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He flashed me a thumbs-up, his grip tightening around the iron ball. "Go. I've got this."
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Reluctantly, I turned and followed Kenshin and Yahiko, leaving Sano behind to face this member of the Oniwaban alone. My stomach churned with unease, but I pushed it down.
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Focus, Aka. We still have a job to do.
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We reached the second floor, and my breath caught as Kenshin pushed open the doors to the ballroom. The room was vast, dimly lit by the soft glow of candles scattered around. At the center stood a figure clad in blue and black—Aoshi Shinomori. His cold, calculating eyes landed on us as we entered. "Aoshi," Kenshin called out, his voice firm but calm. "Where are Kanryū and Megumi?"
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Aoshi didn't respond immediately. His gaze flickered between the three of us, and then he stepped forward, pulling a short blade from his side. "If you want answers," he said in that same icy tone, "then ask me with your Sakabatō."
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I stiffened, my hand reflexively going to the hilt of my own sword. Kenshin narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on his weapon. "You really think you can beat me with a wakizashi?"
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Aoshi's lips curled into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Come and see for yourself."
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He pulled the blade fully into view, the metal gleaming in the dim light. But it wasn't a wakizashi like Kenshin thought. My eyes narrowed as I studied it.
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"That's not a wakizashi," I muttered, taking a step closer. "It's a kodachi."
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Yahiko glanced at me, confused. "A kodachi?"
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I nodded, my eyes never leaving Aoshi's weapon. "It's shorter than a katana, but longer than a wakizashi. It's ideal for defense—light, fast—but it doesn't have much reach. A weapon like that is risky in close combat."
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Aoshi's smile widened slightly, but it was clear he wasn't amused. "It's not the weapon that matters, Himura. It's the one who wields it."
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Kenshin's expression tightened. He knew as well as I did that Aoshi wasn't the type to take chances. For him to use a kodachi... it didn't make sense. He was a skilled fighter, calculating, and precise. Why would he choose a blade better suited for defense when Kenshin's Sakabatō excelled in both attack and defense? "This is unexpected," Kenshin said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else. "I didn't think a man like you would choose such a weapon."
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Aoshi's eyes darkened. "You'll find out why soon enough."
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The tension between them was palpable, like the calm before a storm. My heart raced as I watched them, knowing that this fight wouldn't be like the others. Aoshi was no ordinary opponent. Kenshin couldn't afford to underestimate him, kodachi or not.
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My gut was telling me that this fight was going to push Kenshin harder than any he'd faced so far. But I couldn't let that fear show. Not now. "He'll win," I said firmly. "He has to."
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Kenshin took a deep breath, his stance lowering as he prepared for the inevitable clash. "Aoshi," he called again, his voice resolute. "I don't want to fight you."
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Aoshi's eyes glinted dangerously. "Then you'll die."
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In a flash, Aoshi lunged, his kodachi slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kenshin moved just as quickly, his Sakabatō meeting Aoshi's blade with a sharp, metallic ring. The force of the clash sent a shockwave through the room, and I could feel the raw power behind both their strikes.
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This wasn't just a fight for information. This was a battle between two warriors at the height of their skill, each one determined to prove something. But what that was, I wasn't sure. As the clash continued, I kept my hand on my sword, ready to jump in if needed. But for now, all I could do was watch—and pray that Kenshin would come out of this in one piece. As Aoshi stepped forward, his voice was cold and steady.
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"Kaiten Kenbu," he declared, his blade gleaming in the dim light of the room. My heart lurched in my chest. I barely had time to blink before Aoshi charged, moving faster than my eyes could track.
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He's so fast!
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Kenshin raised his Sakabatō just in time to block the first downward slash, their blades ringing out in a sharp, metallic clash. But in the same breath, Aoshi's foot came up, slamming into Kenshin's face with brutal force. Kenshin stumbled back, his feet unsteady, and before I could even cry out, Aoshi was on him again.
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Kenpo.
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It hit me all at once. Just like Han'nya. Aoshi's not just a swordsman—he's using Kenpo strikes to keep Kenshin off-balance.
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"Kenshin!" I shouted, taking a step forward, but Kenshin regained his footing before I could reach him. His eyes were sharp, focused. I knew that look—it meant he was analyzing, figuring things out even while under attack. But still, Aoshi wasn't giving him any breathing room. Each strike came faster than the last, a blur of fists and Kodachi slashes that forced Kenshin to give ground. He managed to land on his feet after being sent flying from a particularly vicious strike, wiping blood from his mouth as he launched forward again. This time, he aimed directly for Aoshi's midsection, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision.
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Aoshi, however, was more than prepared. His Kodachi moved with lightning speed, deflecting every single one of Kenshin's strikes with ease. I could feel the tension rising, every clash echoing through the room, but Aoshi remained calm, collected. "Kenshin!" Yahiko shouted from behind me, his voice tight with fear. I felt it too. Every second felt like it was slipping away from us.
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Kenshin, breathless but determined, narrowed his eyes. "I see your technique, Aoshi. You're using the Kodachi as a defensive weapon while relying on Kenpo for your offensive strikes. Just like Han'nya."
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Aoshi's lips twitched into the faintest of smirks, his eyes glinting with cold amusement. "Han'nya?" His tone was almost mocking. "I taught Han'nya everything he knew about Kenpo, but don't mistake the student for the master. There's a vast difference in speed and power between us."
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In a blur of motion, Aoshi launched another flurry of strikes, his Kodachi flashing faster than I could follow. Kenshin tried to block, but he was struggling now, his body slowing under the onslaught. Each strike landed harder than the last, until finally, Kenshin stumbled, dropping to one knee. His body convulsed, blood splattering onto the floor as he coughed violently. "Kenshin!" I couldn't hold back anymore. I rushed to his side, my heart pounding wildly. Seeing him like this—coughing up blood, barely able to breathe—it was too much. My hand instinctively went to my own sword, the cool steel of my Sakabatō comforting under my fingers.
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"Aka, don't." Kenshin's voice was weak, but his hand shot out, gripping my wrist with surprising strength.
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"Kenshin, you're hurt! I can't just—" I started, my voice shaking.
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I won't just stand here and let you die.
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But Kenshin cut me off, his eyes locking onto mine. "I'm... fine. Let me handle this. Please."
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I wanted to protest, to draw my sword and stand by his side, but the look in his eyes stopped me. There was desperation there, but also resolve. He wasn't ready to give up. Reluctantly, I nodded, backing away slowly. My heart screamed at me to stay, but I forced myself to retreat. Aoshi stood tall, his expression unreadable as he regarded Kenshin. "I have no personal vendetta against you, Himura," he said quietly. "But as the strongest of the Ishin Shishi, I must defeat you. Only then can the Oniwabanshū reclaim the title of the strongest."
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Kenshin wiped the blood from his mouth, standing shakily to his feet. "Aoshi," he said, his voice steady despite the pain in his body. "You can have the title of strongest. I'm a Rurouni now, I can't allow you to keep hurting people in your quest for power. I won't let you."
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Aoshi's eyes darkened. "You don't understand anything, do you?" He took a step closer, his grip tightening on his Kodachi. "During the Bakumatsu, the Oniwabanshū were abandoned. The emperor fled, leaving his troops to fend for themselves. We were forced to sit on the sidelines, powerless to fight for what we believed in."
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There was bitterness in his voice, and for a moment, I glimpsed the pain beneath Aoshi's cold exterior. But it didn't change the fact that he was standing against us, and he wasn't backing down. Kenshin didn't hesitate. With a cry, he launched into a Ryū Tsui Sen, leaping into the air and bringing his sword down with the force of a falling dragon. But Aoshi was ready. He blocked the attack with ease and retaliated, landing several blows that sent Kenshin staggering back once again. I gritted my teeth.
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How is Kenshin supposed to beat him when Aoshi's this fast?
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And then, suddenly, Kenshin shifted his stance. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he adjusted his grip on the Sakabatō, holding the blade by the blunt edge and shortening its length.
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He's sacrificing range for speed.
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I gasped. Kenshin attacked again, this time faster, more precise. He struck with the shortened blade, then spun and slammed the hilt into Aoshi's throat. Aoshi staggered, surprised by the sudden shift in tactics. For the first time, I saw a flicker of uncertainty cross his face. But Aoshi wasn't finished. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he straightened, his eyes gleaming dangerously.
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"Impressive. But let's see how you handle this. Kaiten Kenbu," he declared again, the words sending a chill down my spine. Before Kenshin could react, Aoshi's Kodachi spun like a whirlwind, and he launched his ultimate attack. The speed and force behind it were overwhelming, and in a heartbeat, Kenshin was struck down, collapsing to the ground with a sickening thud.
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I felt my breath catch, my heart dropping into my stomach. Kenshin wasn't moving. Blood pooled around him, and for a terrifying moment, I thought... I thought we'd lost him. Yahiko's face contorted in rage and despair.
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"I'll kill him!" he shouted, his small hands gripping his shinai so tightly his knuckles turned white. "I swear, I'll kill Aoshi for this!"
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"No!" I grabbed Yahiko's arm, my voice hard and sharp. "You're a student of the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū, Yahiko. You don't end your life here in hatred."
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Tears filled his eyes, but he nodded, his breathing heavy. I stood up, unsheathing my Sakabatō. "If Kenshin's down, then I'll—"
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But then I heard it. A soft cough, followed by the sound of someone standing. Kenshin was back on his feet, swaying slightly, but alive. "I used my sheath," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. "At the last moment... to lessen the impact."
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Aoshi stared, clearly taken aback. "No one's ever survived my Kaiten Kenbu..." he muttered, disbelief flickering in his cold eyes. But Kenshin wasn't done. He gripped his sword tightly, his resolve stronger than ever. And despite everything, I couldn't help but smile.
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That's Kenshin for you. He never gives up.
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