At that instant, Kazuo's face turned red and veins formed on his temples. A violent indigo aura engulfed his entire body and it could be seen without activating the Third Eye. He drew Raijin, one of the two swords that were sheathed on his waist and made the Chinmaya mudra.
"K–Kagero, y–you'll fucking pay for what you did to my mother!" Kazuo pointed his chokutō towards the king. Raijin: Rakurai (Raijin: Lightning Strike)!
"Kazuo! W–" Asuka tried to stop him but he was gone with a stream of lightning tracing his path.
Kazuo had shortened the distance between him and the Shadows in a split-second and he was stopped by Kagemaru as he was about to cut down Kagero.
A loud clang followed when Raijin clashed against Kajin and sparks of electricity dissipated from the lightning blade.
"Kuso…" Kagero perspired with raised eyebrows. "Thanks son. That could've been me." He wiped the sweat off his face, "Now finish him!"
With those words, Kagemaru moved as if under a spell and he prepared to attack. He made the Agni mudra and his body was surrounded by a yellow aura.
Kajin: Moeru (Kajin: Blaze)!
Kazuo blocked the flaming sword using Raijin. The battle between fire and lightning had begun.
Meanwhile, the other two warriors clashed. Asuka charged at Kagero with her dusters in each hand and the latter pulled out two kunai to defend himself with.
"Kazuo!" said Asuka as she blocked an attack from Kagero. "Remember what I said!"
Don't worry Asuka, "I got you!" Kazuo nodded at his senior before he advanced towards Kagemaru with both hands gripped on Raijin. I won't let these guys get to me.
At least he seems to be holding his own against Kagemaru, thought Asuka after counterattacking her opponent. "What's wrong Kagero? No shadow staff today?"
"Tch…you think I need my bō against the likes of kunoichi like you, Asuka-chan?"
"You don't know me so don't refer to me like that, you old perv!" said Asuka, her face as red as her hair. This is for Taka-sensei! She struck at Kagero.
☯
A loud bell tolled as a call to action for all the ninjas that were on patrol around the village and those that were still asleep. The sound filled everyone else with confusion as no strange activity had been seen or heard.
One group of foot ninjas led by an assassin gathered near the main gate entrance and searched the area carefully. There were no signs of forced entry so they raced towards the ninja school to see what was going on.
☯
A few Battalion Corp ninjas had arrived on the scene and were being brought up to speed by Shin and Mikoto when they noticed Shadow ninjas begin to swarm the school. The Shadow group had a total of fifty ninjas, this including a few assassins among them.
"Damn it," said Natsumi when Hideo and Takumi joined them outside the school block. We're screwed.
The two intellectuals who had just defeated two assassins looked like they had seen better days. The group of Lightning ninjas added up to twenty without Asuka and Kazuo who were still busy with their own fights. It was suicide! They thought as they saw the legion of Shadows charge at them in full sprint.
"Mina-san (Everyone)!" said Hideo. "Do not falter... Remember our fallen comrades, what would the Lord Sage have done in a situation like this? Would he have cowered in fear? Absolutely not! For six months we have let these people do as they please in our village and now it is time we showed them what we are made of! Take up your weapons and fight! Let us bring these shadows into the light!"
The Lightning ninjas screamed out battle cries after Hideo's message riled them up.
"Archers!" said Natsumi, taking out three arrows from her quiver and readying to shoot.
Five other bowmen also took aim.
"Loose!"
A torrent of arrows rained on the Shadow ninjas and brought their numbers down to their forties. When their enemies had gotten close enough, the Lightning ninjas advanced.
Natsumi and the other archers kept dropping foot ninjas to the ground like flies. Mikoto used her air affinity to swiftly outmaneuver the enemy group and take them out with her tantō blade.
As for Shin and other swordsmen, they charged with their katanas and attacked the remaining enemy ninjas. In under a few minutes, the Shadows and Lightning group were reduced to nineteen and eight respectively.
☯
When Kagero realised that it was now daybreak, he signaled to Kagemaru and pointed upwards.
What is he planning? Asuka thought.
Kagero jumped backwards, creating some distance between him and Asuka. When his son did the same, he tossed a smoke bomb on the ground.
A white cloud exploded. As the smoke dissipated, the Lightning ninjas looked at each other before shifting their gaze to the ceiling.
"Let's go!" said Asuka and they gave chase. She led Kazuo to the rooftop along a short flight of stairs.
On arrival, the gentle snowfall from the cloud sky gave off a chilling breeze. Kagero and Kagemaru stood atop the flat surface, readying their weapons.
"It's time we ended this..." Kagero removed his kasa and haori, revealing the bandages covering his torso. "Kagemaru, Kurokunaru!" On command, his son grabbed him by the shoulder.
Suddenly, a black fluid rose from Kagero's shadow and covered his entire body. "Let's see if your tekkō can punch through my shield." He broke his staff and charged towards the Lightning kunoichi.
Asuka blocked most of the attacks but for the few that landed, the pain was excruciating. She leapt backwards and threw a bomb at Kagero but the small explosion did not even dent his black armour. Out here in the open... She held her throbbing arm and thought of a plan. We're the ones now at a disadvantage.
"Don't worry Asuka-chan, I'll put you out of your misery soon," said Kagero as he closed the gap between them.
Meanwhile, Kazuo and Kagemaru's fight was also underway. Using projection instead, Kagemaru had sheathed Kajin and switched to his guided spear attack. His opponent, Kazuo kept blocking and dodging and he made the Adi mudra.
Kage no yari: Hari hyaku-pon!
(Shadow spear: One hundred needles)!
The spear broke into smaller pieces which dispersed and rained on Kazuo at an alarming rate. He dodged and blocked a few whilst some pierced through him. "Arrgh!" he groaned, trying to ignore the pain as the black needles flew at him. Facing these head on is out of the question. But can try that... He made the Chinmaya mudra.
Raijin: Seidenki (Raijin: Static electricity)!
An invisible spark streaked from Kazuo's chokutō, charging the air around him. Just as they entered his static shield, the needles stopped midair. He took a quick breath and exhaled visible steam.
Raijin: Kanden (Raijin: Electrocution)!
A streak of white lightning appeared, forming a lattice around the static shield. As the needles were struck, they fell on the roof. For a moment, Kagemaru was unarmed. Now's my chance! Kazuo—taking advantage of the fact, dashed towards the Shadow Prince in a flash.
By instinct, Kagemaru drew the fire sword.
Kajin: Onibi (Kajin: Demon Fire)!
An enormous orange flame exploded from Kajin's blade. Kagemaru charged forward, meeting Kazuo halfway.
Ngh! Shit! A sweat formed on Kazuo's temple as he approached the flames. He thought quick and grinned as he made the Varuna mudra. Using his free hand, he unsheathed a second sword.
Sūijin: Nagare (Sūijin: Flow)!