NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Akira vs Asashi II
Kinshiki watched the scene unfolding on the ground with increasing concern. He had recognized Akira, the prodigy of the Otsutsuki clan, as soon as he appeared on the battlefield. His mind raced, trying to understand the young man's intentions. Why was he here? And above all, why was he opposing Asashi, a member of their own clan?
A bad feeling suddenly overwhelmed him, a hypothesis forming in his mind. No, it couldn't be... And yet, everything seemed to align. Akira's presence was not planned.
Kinshiki clenched his teeth, his face twisting into a grimace of frustration and anger. "Damn..." he muttered through gritted teeth.
Without wasting another moment, he took flight, heading in a specific direction. He had to be certain. According to rumors, the one in charge of Akira was that damned woman. Considered the strongest after the patriarch, but what he feared most was her unpredictable nature.
When he arrived at his destination, a scene of desolation greeted him. Hundreds of corpses littered the ground, both monsters and hunters alike. The metallic smell of blood permeated the air, mixing with the acrid smell of smoke rising from the rubble.
In the middle of this carnage stood Elder Yumi, confirming his doubts. She was surrounded by a group of people, protected by a shimmering energy barrier. Kinshiki felt bile rising in his throat, a deep disgust overwhelming him.
Nevertheless, he forced himself to maintain an impassive face as he began his descent, his feet landing softly on the devastated ground. The people surrounding Yumi tensed at his approach, their hands tightening on their weapons.
"I greet Elder Yumi," Kinshiki finally said, bowing slightly in respect. Despite the situation, formalities had to be observed. "May I inquire about the reason for your presence here?"
Yumi stared at him with an unreadable gaze, a slight smile floating on her lips. "Kinshiki," she responded in a sweet voice. "What a surprise to see you here. Shouldn't you be supervising the mission?"
Kinshiki clenched his fists, barely containing the anger boiling within him. "It's precisely about the mission that I've come to talk to you," he said, his voice tense despite his efforts to appear calm. "It seems we've encountered... certain complications."
Yumi's smile widened, taking on an almost mocking turn. "Ahhh, you're talking about Akira?"
"It wasn't planned that you would be here," replied Kinshiki.
"How is that a problem?" asked Yumi, then continued, "We are here at the patriarch's request," she finished, her face turning cold.
"But..." As Kinshiki was about to speak, a crash resonated.
'Boom....'
"Looks like it's already begun," said Yumi with a smile that was anything but friendly.
********
Asashi emerged from the rubble, his body covered in dust. His eyes, burning with anger, fell on Akira who was waiting, smiling.
In a split second, he threw himself at Akira. He launched a punch that Akira managed to dodge effortlessly. Without wasting a moment, he followed up with an elbow strike aimed at Akira's jaw. The latter blocked the attack with his forearm, but the force of the blow made him step back several paces.
Taking advantage of this opening, Asashi leaped forward, his knee seeking his opponent's ribs. But this time, Akira caught Asashi's leg and used his own momentum to throw him.
Asashi violently hit the ground, the impact momentarily knocking the wind out of him. He quickly rolled to the side to avoid Akira's foot that crashed down where his head had been a fraction of a second earlier, cracking the concrete.
Rising with a jump, Asashi felt a trickle of blood running down his mouth. He had no time to worry about it. Akira was already bearing down on him, his fists tracing deadly arcs through the air.
The first blow hit Asashi in the shoulder, drawing a cry of pain as his joint emitted a sinister crack. The second fist struck his ribs with devastating force. The impact was such that Asashi vomited saliva.
Staggering backward, he desperately tried to catch his breath. But Akira gave him no respite. A knee shot up brutally, crushing Asashi's nose in a scarlet spray. His vision blurred, the world spinning around him as he stumbled.
Akira continued with a series of precise and devastating strikes. Each impact resonated like thunder, making Asashi's bones tremble. A particularly violent hook exploded his right cheekbone, sending bone fragments under his skin.
Desperate, Asashi attempted a counterattack, launching a spinning kick. But Akira had anticipated it. He caught the leg in mid-air and, in a fluid motion, brutally twisted it. The crack that followed was accompanied by a piercing scream as Asashi's knee gave way.
Collapsing to the ground, Asashi spat out a spray of blood. His lungs burned, and every breath was torture. Through his blurred vision, he saw Akira approaching calmly, smiling.
With a quick gesture, Akira grabbed Asashi by the throat, lifting him from the ground as if he weighed nothing.
"You're skilled," said Akira, his smile widening further. "But it's not enough."
In a final survival instinct, Asashi tried to strike Akira's face. But his weakened fist was easily caught. Without hesitation, Akira crushed Asashi's fingers in his hand, transforming his phalanges into a shapeless mass.
The scream that followed was muffled by Akira's hand. With a sudden movement, he threw Asashi against a concrete wall. The impact was so violent that the wall cracked, pieces of cement raining around the broken body.
Before Asashi could slide to the ground, Akira was already on him. A first punch crashed into his liver, causing searing pain that momentarily paralyzed his muscles. A second impact burst his spleen, spreading internal bleeding.
Asashi's eyes, now almost completely closed from swelling, could only make out the blurry silhouette of his tormentor.