The moisture cracked around him… the heat now almost reached him.
Yet his figure revolved in the air — his Katana taking down all the Kunai moving toward him.
TING
TING
The moment he struck the last Kunai… he felt it. The strain. His tendons creaked beneath him; his arms stung.It wasn't as extreme as using the Ninth Form, but it was still taxing.
His Sharingan, on the other hand, tracked it all… the huge tornado now almost had him — the heat searing his skin.
'There is only one way now.'
The easiest jutsu in the book, yet the most helpful in such a situation. His hands blurred; three hand signs were all it took.
'Full Concentration Breathing + Body Flicker.'
His legs rushed in with unimaginable vitality. The burning pain paused for a second — before the tornado could even reach him, he moved, unbothered by the mud blocking him or the Kunai spread around him.
SWOOSH
BOOM
He was just a second faster — the explosion hit barely a few meters behind him. The heat traveled along, hitting his back in untold fury.
His clothes burned, his skin charred around his back. His eyes widened as the shockwave and the heat hit him.
"Argh!" he shouted in pain, his figure flying through the air — uncontrolled.
THUD
THUD
He rolled on the ground a few times, his left hand barely stopping his momentum. The pain arched through his back like molten lava.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see Jiraiya approaching, and for a second he forgot that he was in a mock battle.
The man seemed like a demon… a monster of chakra and physical strength.
His heart palpitated in fear.
THUMP
THUMP
Goosebumps spread across his skin as he saw the man approaching with a Kunai in hand.
And suddenly it was all quiet…The place disappeared in a flurry.He forgot it was a simple match to understand his capability — it seemed like he was stuck between life and death.
'Will I die… just like this—' His eyes widened despite the pain.
And suddenly a memory entered his head…
Kyojuro Rengoku panted in disbelief — his father had just been injured heavily by a demon… and most of all, he was depressed.
He had grown up always idolizing his dad — the man was a figure of strength and worship to the young Kyojuro.
So when he finally embarked on a demon extermination mission and found a demon with Blood Demon Art…
Reality struck him.
'Father might not have been wrong… Maybe I really am talentless.' He remembered the fight — the demon was faster, unpredictable, and almost read through all his attacks.
His Flame Breathing, which he prided upon, was left almost vulnerable. 'Can we really not win against the demons like Father said?'
Yet, unlike his doubts, his heart thundered with passion. The demons were strong — bloodthirsty monsters with supernatural powers.
The demon had overpowered him… had confused him.
Yet as he looked down… he saw the disappearing head of the demon.
That demon was beneath his feet… decapitated. Destroyed.
His heart thumped faster and faster. He clenched his fist. 'It doesn't matter if I am weaker… If my swordsmanship is incomplete.' His eyes hardened with an unnatural gaze.
A fiery passion rose in his heart.
'I am the future Flame Hashira… and no matter who is in front of me — I will always fight back.'
He stepped forward under the gaze of the disappearing demon.
'This is my will — the will of Rengoku Kyojuro.'
…
Kyojiro immediately snapped back into the scene. His heart thundered from the memory that graced him.
THUMP
THUMP
The goosebumps spread once more — but not in fear. In courage. In strength.
Adrenaline crashed through his body, the pain from the injury lessening more and more.
For the first time he realized, 'Even in death… your memories are truly a guiding light.'
His Sharingan blazed open — the tomoe revolved in a crimson, fiery light.
Chakra rushed through his optic nerves. The single tomoe became double in both of his eyes.
'I understand your will, Kyojuro… I too will try to live up to it.'
SWOOSH
He breathed in, the breath filling him like an inflated balloon. 'Flame Breathing — Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation.'
His figure jumped up in an instant. His Katana moved through the air in a beautiful arc. The Kunai held by Jiraiya fell from his grip in an instant due to the surprise attack.
Kyojiro knew he didn't have long. Even his newfound strength would only last a few moments.
His arms bulged, veins spreading across — his Katana struck forward in a singular arc.
The aim —
Jiraiya's neck.
…
Jiraiya stared in shock at the incoming blade. His eyes, sharp as ever, tracked the new change in Kyojiro.
'Double tomoe… this brat…'
Jiraiya couldn't help but feel awe at the man in front of him. The Uchiha was weaker than him, younger than him.Yet seeing the will he carried made him pause. 'Truly, sensei… you have found someone worthy.'
The decision that had been juggling in his head for a few days cleared in an instant. 'This boy…' A soft smile graced his face. 'You are my disciple from forth.'
Seeing the blade now reach his neck, Jiraiya smiled. 'You achieved this much, brat — so have at it.'
Seeing Jiraiya make no counter, Kyojiro almost panicked before turning his blade at his collarbone. The speed and power behind it was too much to stop, so he tried to lessen the damage as much as he could.
However, unlike what the Uchiha thought…His opponent wasn't a simple man. He was crowned as a Sannin… a Kage-level ninja with perhaps the most combat intellect among the three.
The moment the sword entered his neck, Jiraiya's figure burst into smoke.
Kyojiro couldn't help but widen his eyes. The very next second — before he could think any further —
A sharp Kunai was placed near his neck. Jiraiya had come up from behind him.
And somehow, Kyojiro could tell…
The Sannin was smirking.
.........
hehe, I felt this was a good end to the fight.. tell me if any of y'all expected it.