Chapter 116: The Flower Doesn't Bloom Even When Intentionally Planted
Although Darui shouted 'What a drag' with his mouth, blue and white lightning instantly crawled all over that heavy folding greatsword.
The Lightning Release Chakra Blade, one of the trademarks of a Cloud Hidden Ninja.
Haruko's eyes narrowed slightly, Chakra flowing along the blade, gradually condensing into blazing flame patterns.
Boom! The two of them moved almost simultaneously.
Darui transformed into a bolt of black lightning, his Chakra Blade slashing out a sharp arc of light.
While Haruko's figure was like a burning sun, the blade dragging out a crimson trail.
'Sun Breathing, First Form: Waltz."
Clang—! The moment the blades crossed, fire and lightning exploded in the air.
The shockwave spread outwards, the debris on the edge of the earthen platform was blown away, and the onlookers subconsciously stepped back a few paces.
Haruko felt a surge of joy. The quality of Darui's Chakra Blade was indeed excellent; after this strike, the ordinary katana in his hand should— He looked down. The blade was completely intact. "...Huh?"
Haruko was stunned for a moment. That's not right; logically, with a collision of this intensity, an ordinary katana should have cracked long ago. Could it be that he had subconsciously controlled his strength?
'Then I'll just have to put in more effort!" 'Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux."
A deep blue water dragon spiraled out along the blade. With each rotation of Haruko, the water dragon's power grew stronger.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
'Using Water Release to counter Lightning Release, and yet remaining unscathed..." Darui, who was being forced back step by step, couldn't help but exclaim, but Haruko had no intention of listening.
'Come on, take this chance to break this lousy blade! This is a double impact of Lightning and Water attributes. You cheap katana, if you know what's good for you, just snap in two!"
However, reality slapped him hard in the face. Perhaps to protect itself from being damaged by the Lightning Release, Chakra had quietly wrapped around the blade without him realizing it. The katana not only didn't break, but was instead tempered to be even brighter.
'So strong!" 'Lord Darui is actually being suppressed!" 'Is this the true strength of the Demon Slaying Style?!"
Exclamations rose and fell all around, but Haruko had no intention of paying attention. His mind was now completely filled with: How do I break this damn sword?
'Mr. Yoriichi, you are strong." Darui took a deep breath, blue and white lightning exploding from his body, 'But I won't just admit defeat like this."
Lightning Release Chakra Mode—this was also one of the signature secret techniques of the Hidden Cloud Village. At the same time, the blue and white electric arcs on the great sword turned blue-black.
'Storm Release? What happened to holding back?" He had even used a Kekkei Genkai; the opponent was getting serious....But that's just as well, the blade will definitely break now.
'I'm coming." Before the words fell, Darui's figure disappeared, and one could only see a bolt of lightning shuttling back and forth on the earthen platform.
'So fast!" 'Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation."
The naked eye couldn't keep up with the opponent's speed at all. Haruko immediately unleashed a wide-range slash, temporarily preventing the opponent from getting close, while closing his eyes.
" Byakugan!" As Natural Energy concentrated in his eyes, a black-and-white field of vision unfolded, and Haruko captured Darui's figure.
Seeing the opponent attacking with his sword again, Haruko also raised his sword to meet him.'Sun Breathing, Third Form: Burning Sun Red Mirror."
'What?" Darui clearly didn't expect Haruko to be able to keep up with his speed. An irresistible heatwave rushed towards him, and his pride-and-joy Lightning Release armor actually showed signs of melting in the face of this heat.
'Not good!" Darui's expression changed drastically, and he blocked horizontally with his sword. Clang— As the blades crossed, Darui was even more surprised—he had already used Lightning Release Chakra Mode, yet he couldn't suppress the opponent in terms of strength!
Furthermore, the ordinary-looking katana of the opponent could actually block a chakra metal weapon infused with Storm Release!
The battle gradually entered a white-hot state. Darui, using Lightning Release Chakra Mode and a Storm Release Chakra Blade, attacked with full force. Haruko, on the other hand, used sword techniques from various breathing styles in succession, clashing head-on with Darui.
The scene was once very spectacular, with electric arcs and various sword techniques blooming on the earthen platform. Finally—'Sun Breathing, Eleventh Form: Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance."
Darui was hit head-on by the dancing fire dragon, tracing a long arc in the air before landing on the edge of the earthen platform.
Darui knelt on one knee, his Chakra Blade stuck in the ground supporting his body, his chest heaving violently. Haruko, however, was still standing, though his sleeves were slightly scorched. The winner had been decided.
'I lost." Darui stood up with a wry smile, 'Mr. Yoriichi's strength is indeed above mine." 'You flatter me."
Haruko sheathed his sword, remaining calm and composed on the surface, while actually wanting to bang his head against a wall. 'I just wanted to break a sword, dammit!" He had pushed his limits, even using the Superhuman Strength Technique, but this katana was still intact. This quality was just, absurd.
'He won... that Ronin actually defeated Lord Darui?!" 'What kind of fire is that? The temperature is absurdly high, just like the sun!"'Sun Breathing... is this the ultimate technique of the Demon Slaying Style?"
The surrounding Cloud Hidden Ninja were in an uproar, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at Haruko. Even those Jonin who were originally unconvinced had to admit at this moment that this Ronin named Yoriichi truly had some skills.
'Sigh, forget it. At least if I can befriend Darui... Where did he go???" In the time it took to turn around, Darui had disappeared into the crowd, leaving Haruko confused.
'Seriously, man? Isn't this supposed to be the script where we make friends through martial arts and get to know each other through a fight? Shouldn't you invite me to dinner to befriend me?" Miscalculating the opponent's attitude and the completely deviated script gave Haruko an ominous premonition, so he could only make a tactical retreat.
'Everyone, the battle just now has left me feeling quite exhausted, so let's stop here for today. See you all tomorrow." Haruko turned and stepped off the stage, his back looking desolate, maintaining his image as a lonely master.
Samui stood in the crowd, her blue-green eyes tightly fixed on the red-haired swordsman's departure. She saw it. That technique of perfectly integrating nature transformation with sword moves, that fluid battle rhythm, and that composure of remaining at ease even when facing a strong enemy. This was what she had been looking for all along.
Walking on the road back to the inn, Haruko was calculating his next move. 'Mr. Yoriichi, please stay."
A cold, yet slightly anxious voice stopped him in his tracks. A beautiful woman with features as exquisite as an ice sculpture was standing behind him, with a sizzling figure comparable to Tsunade, as if carrying infinite dreams.
The other party bowed deeply, her blue-green eyes full of determination. 'Mr. Yoriichi, please take me as your apprentice!" The sudden request for apprenticeship left Haruko completely stunned. 'Huh?"
Want To Read More Chapters? Check Out 80+Advanced Chapters At PA Treon
patreon.com/SloppyGuy