After his fight against the Nine, Takeshi noticed that neither Karui nor Anko were present. After a few seconds of reflection, he decided to go look for them — he had to follow through with his plans. But an unexpected event had just occurred.
The moon, veiled by clouds, cast a pale glow over the clearing where Takeshi, katana drawn, stood facing Omoi.
The Kumo ninja, nervously chewing on a lollipop, held a curved sword crackling with Raiton chakra, its edge sparking with blue lightning.
The two men, alone after a relentless hunt, stared each other down, their eyes burning with deadly intensity.
"You killed my brothers," growled Omoi, his voice low, trembling with restrained rage. Takeshi, a smirk on his lips, twirled his katana. "Then come avenge their ashes."
Takeshi charged, his katana slashing toward Omoi's chest in a blazing arc. Omoi blocked with his sword, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks, the Raiton electricity biting into Takeshi's fingers.
That was truly what he hated most about Raiton — with every strike, he had to fight the numbing sensation.
He growled, pivoting to strike with his elbow, aiming for the jaw. Omoi dodged, his sword retaliating with a swift slash, slicing Takeshi's shoulder.
Blood dripped onto the ground, the sharp pain fueling his fury. He feinted high, then dove low, aiming his blade at the legs.
Omoi leapt, his heel striking Takeshi's wrist, causing his hand to tremble.
Kenjutsu turned into a wild dance, every blow meant to maim. Takeshi, using the Body Flicker Technique, vanished and reappeared behind Omoi, his blade descending toward his neck.
Omoi, quick, spun around, his sword blocking the strike, the electricity numbing Takeshi's arm.
"Too slow!" sneered Omoi, hurling a Raiton-charged kunai. Takeshi dodged with another Flicker, the kunai obliterating a rock — but Omoi seized the opening, his sword slashing Takeshi's side.
Blood spurted, soaking his jacket, and he staggered, breath ragged.
Cunning, Takeshi threw a kunai as a diversion, feigning retreat. Omoi, expecting it, charged in, his blade slicing the air.
Takeshi used Flicker again, reappearing five meters away, his blade targeting Omoi's torso. Omoi parried, their blades grinding together, electricity crackling like a storm.
Takeshi tried an uppercut, but Omoi blocked with his forearm, countering with a deadly arc of his sword.
The blade grazed Takeshi's throat, a drop of blood trickling down, and he retreated, heart pounding wildly.
"You're finished," Omoi growled, forming a jutsu seal.
"Raiton: Lightning Blade Extension!"
His sword extended, a surge of cutting lightning aiming straight for the heart. Takeshi dove, reappearing ten meters away with Flicker, but a bolt grazed his thigh, the numbness slowing his movements.
He charged, feinting with his katana but kicking Omoi in the gut. The impact knocked him back, blood dripping from his lip, but Omoi retaliated, his blade slicing Takeshi's arm. Blood splashed on the ferns, the pain drawing a grimace.
The battle intensified, a dance of blades and blood. Takeshi, using Flicker repeatedly, struck from various angles — left, right — his blade aiming for vital points.
Omoi, unshaken, blocked every blow, his sword crackling, the electricity dulling Takeshi's limbs.
Takeshi threw a kunai laced with an explosive tag — the explosion rocked the clearing, hurling Omoi against a tree.
Wood splinters flew, but Omoi stood up, sword gleaming, a cold smile on his lips.
"Nice try — not enough."
Breathing hard, Takeshi tried a trick. He faked collapsing, sagging slightly, luring Omoi in.
Omoi charged, sword aiming for the throat. Takeshi activated Flicker, reappearing behind him, blade descending toward his back. Omoi, anticipating, spun around, his sword blocking the attack, the electricity nearly paralyzing Takeshi's arm.
Omoi drove his fist into Takeshi's stomach, sending him crashing to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth.
"You're pathetic," Omoi murmured, raising his sword.
Takeshi, on the brink, got to his feet, katana trembling.
He charged, his blade tracing a desperate arc. Omoi parried, his sword slashing Takeshi's chest, a deep gash spilling torrents of blood. Takeshi staggered but used Flicker again, reappearing five meters away, blade aiming at Omoi's side.
Omoi dodged, his sword countering with a flash, severing Takeshi's left arm. The blade fell, blood spraying, a scream tearing through the night. Takeshi dropped to his knees, breath ragged, body trembling.
"You really thought you could win?" Omoi whispered, stepping closer, sword glinting. Takeshi, eyes blazing, attempted one final strike, katana aimed at the heart.
Omoi, relentless, blocked and drove his blade into Takeshi's shoulder, shattering bone. Blood splattered the ground, and Takeshi collapsed, his katana rolling out of reach.
Omoi, his gaze cold, raised his sword. "For my brothers," he murmured — and with a clean slash, he cut Takeshi's throat.
A spray of blood drenched the earth as Takeshi's body collapsed, lifeless, his black eyes going dark. Omoi, panting, wiped his sword on his sleeve, his chewed lollipop dropping to the ground.
The clearing, now a slaughterhouse of blood and debris, fell into a heavy silence, the wind carrying the scent of death. But just as Omoi turned to leave—
Poof.
His opponent's mutilated body vanished in a puff of smoke.
"It was a clone…!" Omoi muttered, clenching his teeth. He had sensed something was off…