The Legend's Behind the Mask "Swordsman's Era"

Chapter 11: Clash

"You broke my sword, Agatsuma Hit! Now try breaking my Proplica twin blades," he growled menacingly, raising both arms and fists and pulling out his proplica twin blades behind his back. 

He then notices Agatsuma Hit in front of him and Kiroshuku on his left side, both of whom are a distance away from him. They both looked at one other as lightning charged at Agatsuma Hit blade and wind charged at Kiroshuku blade. 

Kuraku swings his blade in the air, causing it to burst into flames. He then gave a sinister smile and looked around to see that both of them had vanished from where they were standing. They materialized in front of him, prepared to swing their blades down.

"This is a clash between Red Dark Shira Swordsmen versus Shira's and a Master Shira," Agatsuma Hit thought as he saw him put his blade in front of them and block their blades. Their blades met, causing a large impact. They both hover as the ground Kuraku is standing on deteriorates and sinks. It has massive cracks where he grunts and attempts to push up.

"Bursting flame! Proplica twin blades Style! Rotating Slash!" Kuraku exclaimed releasing a technique as they were pushed together and Kuraku rotated his proplica twin blades in the air. He was going to stab Agatsuma Hit and Kiroshuku Hakure in the chest with the chain between his twin blades. They both notice him becoming faster than he was previously. 

Suddenly, both of them swing down their blades, leaving Kuraku stunned as his replica twin blades stab the ground. Above his proplica twin blade, he notices a wind blade and a thunder blade. 

"How do they overcome that force so quickly?" Kuraku wondered frantically as he pulled his blade with a tight grip on the handle.

"Red Thunder Speed! Piercing Thunder!" exclaimed Agatsuma Hit as he vanished and transformed into thunder. He emerged behind Kuraku and slashed him, striking like thunder. Agatsuma Hit touches down behind him, a distance away from him, with black red blood flowing towards his chest. 

"Tsk! The slash is too shallow because my blade is only half-full! But that should make—" he said as he kneeled before being interrupted and spitting blood. Suddenly, he feels intense pain in his right arm. 

"Tsk! That damn snake whipped blade poison, I thought I've extinguished it!" Agatsuma Hit thought furiously as spits blood and puts his left palm in his mouth. Blood was also streaming from his right hand and sword, which were both touching the ground. He likewise has his knees on the ground as he gently moves to the left. 

"Agatsuma Hit is on his knees? What happened? I've come up with a plan, but I guess that would be just a dream, I've managed to build up time but that seems to have weakened me... Although my left eye is active I still can't compete with this Red Dark Shira Swordsmen, his power can compete with Red and that's what I've expected, I don't have my right eye and my sword has been snapped. What should I do?" Kiroshuku Hakure thought as he was about to touch the ground because he flew himself up. He landed roughly.

He gets up and his eyes widen as he notices Kuraku about to touch both of his knees to the ground. He notices him grunting and Agatsuma Hit panting behind him. 

"He wounded him and manages to take him down on his knees? Then this was his plan all along?! Then I'm pathetic! But his slash is too shallow, then he must've electrified him! Tsk...! Wind Formation!" He thought menacingly as all of a sudden he vanished from where his standing. He released as technique as soon as he said Wind Formation.

When he saw Kuraku about to kneel on the ground, he suddenly appeared in front of him and was about to swing down his blade and split into two. Because his right arm had been cut and electrified, he let go of his proplica twin blades in his right hand. As he spits out black and violet fluid from his mouth, Kuraku's brain was still in shock. 

"Damn you, Red Thunder!" he shouted as Kiroshuku ripped him in half and transformed him into ashes into nothingness in the twinkling of an eye. A sudden red particle covered Kiroshuku, which worried him, but it swiftly faded. 

He then kneels and strikes the ground with his blade. He also pants as he slowly raises his head and finds Agatsuma Hit laying down, blood streaming from the left side of his waist. As he stands up and rushes towards him, his eyes widen. He re-sheathed his blade as his right eye returned to its normal color. 

"Agatsuma! Are you okay? I mean yeah you're not okay, but seriously! Did he hit you? I'm sorry I can't keep up, my only reason is both of my eyes are damaged since my last fight four years ago, good thing you're still breathing huh!" Kiroshuku said as he pants and reaches for Agatsuma Hit who is also panting. Kiroshuku leaned him to his blade, he grab his blade first with its sheath coming from Agatsuma Hit left waist. He put it back together and stab the ground with his sword and sheath on it behind him and leaned him on it. 

Then Agatsuma Hit stopped breathing properly because blood was oozing from his left waist. After a few seconds, it abruptly stops, and Agatsuma Hit's eyes widen then eventually return to normal. They both sigh and breathe in and out. 

"The fight isn't over, but you should rest for now, kiddo, don't push yourself too hard, nowadays young men like you are still needed in this Era, but in the future you people are the most needed, this is still Swordsman's Era, don't forget it, there was once a Dark Era, Legend Eras, and the Era of Terror. There's more you need to know or even learn, but forget the past, you only need to focus on the present time, but we masters do focus on both for specific reasons," Kiroshuku Hakure said in a specific way, which made Agatsuma Hit curious because he has his left hand on his left waist.

"That Burraku is named Kuraku, one of the powerful unknowns I've ever met, he's powerful but he made the wrong call, he locked me up in a dimension and now it's rumbling and eating itself because the creator of it is no longer existing... He manages to hit me with his proplica twin blades with his left hand on my left waist just in time, good thing his bursting flames are gone in that time... Or else I would be dead or cooked," Agatsuma Hit said as he catches his breath.

"I hear rumbling and destruction, and the other part of the village appears quiet, implying that the civilians are safe with the sorcerer," Kiroshuku stated as he pulled apart his Kimono and reached for his left arm with his right hand. He then circled Agatsuma Hit and patched up his wound on his left side. He then feels better and cautiously rises up, grabbing his sword with his right hand behind him. 

Kiroshuku Hakure and the other Shira's are well trained, which is why they can keep up, jump high up, vanish when about to move, and speed that you can't conceive... I can't comprehend their tears, sweat, and blood compared to mine, tsk...! "I always compare myself to others, I shouldn't do that," Agatsuma Hit thought as he began to walk and proceeded to the peaceful side of the north wind village in front of him. He sees no light save in the far distance that has the banner indicating the north wind village.

"He left... Then he must've had something important to do, and Fudo Toka would mean a lot to him... Even though I killed that monster Red Dark Shira Swordsmen, I'm still no match for Kiroshuku in full power, he's been fighting for an hour or more, he even controlled the wind where I'm thundering into. I was just a particle and any normal human can't see me, Kiroshuku Hakure and the other Shira's are well trained that's why they can keep up, jump high up, vanished when about to move, and speed that you can't imagine and they've achieved that by just training... I can't imagine their tears, sweat, and blood that can be compared to mine, tsk...! I always compare myself to others, I shouldn't do that," Agatsuma Hit thought as he began to walk and headed to the quiet side of the north wind village which is Infront of him. He sees no light except in the far distance that has the banner symbolizing the north wind village.

"I need to get there fast and get healed by a yellow light sorcerer... And get back to this battlefield, I wonder where my other friends have gotten in, Katrina, Hashibira Kosuke, Hashibira Komoto, and Tsuyuri Shi, I hope you guys are still in good shape!" Agatsuma Hit pondered as he accelerated his pace. 

In the other part of North Wind Village. A flame swordsman stood seriously injured. Katrina stood by his side as he puffed. The flame swordsman holds his burning blade in his right hand as he stares menacingly towards an unknown violet Shira Swordsmen.

"What?! Are you done?! Looked at the women behind you! She did nothing but watch... Is he your disciple? Ugh! What a shame you both die in my hands, and this floating land outside the north wind is the one that will be your both graves, isn't that fun? The Flame Master Shira and his Disciple a woman who ha-" the unknown Violet Dark Shira said as he was interrupted and Katrina appeared in front of him and his blade bursting in black flame and was about to swing up her blade towards him. 

"She could do black flame? That black flame can't be extinguished until the black flame extinguished the living that it hit... And her blade is not just any kind of blade, yeesh! I want it!" He thought as he sprang up and dodged Katrina's blade except for her black flame. As soon as she raised her blade, she was engulfed in black flames beneath his feet, which followed him as she sprang up. 

"Katrina! Don't rush! Just give me some time! He warps us both to this floating island that I had no idea existed!" the flaming swordsman yelled from behind her, a distance away. The black flame was a hidden technique that only her master knew about. 

He was on his knees. He was dressed in a bright orange coat with a white oranged kimono underneath. He was wearing orange boots and a flame mask that had been split in half, revealing his bright orange eyes. He was panting and still had his knees on the ground as he looked around.

He looked around and noticed that the floating island was large, although a little one. There were trees around them, but they were spread out and not particularly tall, with the exception of the massive trees in the distance behind them. 

"Where the hell is this floating island?! Is this a doing of a powerful Burraku like him?! The giant vines were there and an hour has passed, this can't be right! I lost sight inside the village and outside, now this floating island exists! Then this floating island must be near the far north, maybe we could ask for some help so that they could send a couple of Shira's inside their village, but that's risky because were risking their village too...! Then it leaves me no choice I need to bring back my stamina in time. I just need a couple of minutes and my bursting flames will be back, Katrina can't hold him much, but once she's done I'll quickly get involved with the Dark," The unknown flame swordsmen said as he smiled and has both of his eyes wide opened as he stared at them both. They began fighting on the floating island.

Katrina was standing on her ground when she sees the Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen in the distance touch the ground with both of his feet menacingly.

"You know! You just got me excited! My crystal blade hasn't got powerful foes like you! Katrina! I heard him speak your name, that's why I'm here to kill you, he would be really upset if I kill you right now so I'll toy with you since I don't like people who essentially don't have the stamina to keep up with me, he'd regained his stamina and that is when the real fun began. 

He finished one of the powerful Violet Red Dark Shira Swordsmen, meaningly he must be powerful, additional to that, he's fighting more and that Violet Red Dark Shira has powerful Dark Shira Swordsmen on his side while fighting the flame swordsman, menacingly his that powerful, and we Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen can surpass that power over time," the unknown Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen menacingly as he draws his crystal sword with his right hand from his left waist.

"He can surpass them over time, what does he mean?! Katrina... I hope you've been preparing for this and training, you've been adventuring for the past couple of years, and this is the first time you've come to help me I would've died if she hadn't come, so I'm grateful and ashamed of myself as her master," the flame swordsman sighs and looks in the distance. 

"Is that how it is? Then try to keep up with me, Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen!" Katrina exclaimed, completely unfrightened. She is standing menacingly with her black flaming blade aimed at him. They're both quite separated from one another. 

"Big words! Like a student like the master, likewise, speak wisely... Student! Kiddo," the unknown swordsman exclaimed as he kneeled on his left knee. With his right hand, he menacingly pointed his crystal sword at her.

"This woman almost caught my feet, if she had caught my legs, I'd be done for a while, and him? What's he trying to do? But oh well... I'll just wait for him, even though they survived," the unknown swordsman said as he was interrupted and Katrina appeared to his left, paralyzing him for a second as she saw her flaming black blade about to reach his left arm. 

"I just have to get closer and catch him with my black flames and his done! The flames will spread all over his body and then dust away!" Katrina thought as she hovered near his neck when he looked at her menacingly with both of his eyes. He quickly turned to his left and brought his crystal sword up to meet her sword.

Suddenly, his crystal sword didn't get the effect of his black flame but they both got sent back. They rolled on the ground and slammed on it making a great impact and crack on the ground. The unknown swordsmen quickly got back to their feet and flew towards Katrina who was just about to get on her feet. 

"My black blade didn't affect his crystal blade?! W-what?!" Katrina exclaimed furiously as she rose to her feet and saw the Violet Shira Swordsman in front of her swing up his crystal weapon. She swung her blade down with full force, and their blades met, destroying the ground they were standing on. They both sank due to enormous fissures.  

"Tsk...! Katrina!" the flame swordsman yells angrily as he watches Katrina and the Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen sinking. The flame swordsman stands up and notices Katrina staring at him menacingly, prompting him to sit down again.

"Oh yeah! Since you've just arrived, let me state my name, Nanimonai! The one who will force you to show me everything you've got!" The Violet Dark Shira Swordsmen who is named Nanimonai growled menacingly. The ground they were standing on suddenly collapsed, causing them both to jump again, but Katrina was kicked in the left arm, causing her to collide with a big tree and land on a rock. She rested for a moment, then swiftly stood and circled the blade between her fingers. 

She drew a circle around it and aimed it towards him. His pupils dilate as he notices her hurling black flames at him. The black flame wind didn't flinch as he swung his crystal sword into the air. He jumped and landed on a tree branch, stopping menacingly. 

"Tsk! She got more tricks in her sleeves than I thought. I should be careful next time, or should I finish her with one move? That could profit me and kill that flame swordsman, he has a bounty on his head and he is a treat to our Fortress since she can burst flames unlike any other human, also the Red Dark Shira Swordsmen can't compete with his flames, I wonder if I can beat him at full power," Nanimonai thought as he looked to his right and glance seeing the flame swordsman standing and was completely unfazed. The flame swordsman was looking down at the ground while he has his sword in his right hand. 

Katrina suddenly flew up and appeared in front of him. He took a step back, but the tree branch he was walking on was insufficient to prevent another large branch from falling behind him. He locked his gaze on Katrina, who was preparing to lash her blade down on him. 

"What the hell are you looking at?! Blazing black flame!" she yells angrily as she approaches him. She swung her blade down and received a hit. His dark flame dissipated as soon as she aimed her blade down. She widened her eyes as she glanced at him. His face crystallizes and deflects her black fires.

"You thought you had me, didn't you?" he asked menacingly as he kicked her in the face and fell back. She let go of her blade as soon as she collided with the massive tree and fell to the ground. Her sword stabbed the ground near her right arm, and the black flame went out on its own. 

"Hmmm! She made the wrong call! Now! Flame swordsman! Are you done?" he asks, slowly turning to his right and leaping down from the big branch. He sees the flame swordsman still peering down menacingly with his right hand holding his flame sword. 

"What are you looking down for, huh?! Or are you upset because I almost killed her, be grateful that I didn't kill her but she has th-" he began as he was abruptly interrupted by a black flame blazing behind him. As he slowly turns around, he notices Katrina stabbing him in the chest. 

"Bursting black flame! Die! You Moron!" she said angrily as she stabbed him in the chest, causing black flames to burst in his insides and toast him. She then swings her blade up and slashes his head. She toasts him, and he transforms into pure crystal. She took a step back and straightened up as she catch her breath.

"Katrina..." the flame swordsman said as he gently turned to his right and stared into the distance. She also looked to his left, where the flame swordsman was looking. 

"What?" she questioned, gently turning to her left and saw Nanimonai sitting on a massive rock. The rock was spherical and at least 30 feet high. Nanimonai was seated on it, clapping and smiling. 

"Bravo! Bravo! You killed my crystalized clone! Bravo! Bravo! I can't imagine my gratitude for you, Ms. Katrina. I wonder why the flame swordsman or I'd say your master didn't warn you that you are fighting a clone. I've been watching your moves and I didn't expect you to still stand, and adapt to my speed, you suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stab my clone and toast him in the inside. Now that my clone is gone, it's time for the real one to fight... And I think you, your master done regaining its stamina back, flame and black flame combine... I wonder why I'm not meeting any blue flame swordsman these days," Nanimonai wondered as he continues to clap and giggled. 

All of a sudden the flame swordsman who is her master gives a different vibe and strokes his blade menacingly. His blade suddenly burst up in orange flames and slowly turned into blue. 

"Blue flame, secret swordsmanship style of the flame clan," he whispers as he exhibits smoke pouring out of his mouth and blazing orange eyes slowly glowing blue. His blade, a blue flame blade, suddenly burns even brighter.

"Fascinating! I can't believe you can do such a thing!" Nanimonai grinned and laughed menacingly. He gently stands up and draws his crystal sword, which he strokes menacingly as he slowly rises to his feet on top of the massive boulder.