Kenshin (Please Bookmark and Vote)

Zabuza was taken away by Kuryu, which was only natural. No matter what, he was the chief culprit behind the deaths of more than a hundred graduating students this year. Until a final verdict was reached, he would probably have to bear the label of a suspect.

Araki, on the other hand, had far fewer problems to deal with. Some might wonder why Zabuza had not killed him, or why he had not stopped Zabuza, but none of that was enough to convict him.

After returning to the Ninja Academy dormitory, Araki lay on his bed and entered the Consciousness Space once more.

"Come out, Himura Kenshin!"

As his summoning words rang out, specks of golden light drifted from the page bearing Himura Kenshin's image. The light gradually gathered, forming a swordsman dressed in red and white robes.

The moment Himura Kenshin appeared, he charged straight at Araki without a word. Just as he drew close, his feet shifted and his body leaped high into the air.

"Flying Dragon Flash!"

At the instant he drew his sword, he twisted and hurled the scabbard as a concealed weapon to distract Araki. Then the long blade in his hand carved a savage arc downward, as if it intended to split its enemy in two.

Araki remained unmoved. He calmly threw a shuriken, knocking away the incoming scabbard. Facing Himura Kenshin's downward slash, he slowly lowered his body, narrowed his eyes to slits, and fixed his gaze on the other man's blade.

Himura Kenshin's fierce Dragon Hammer Flash was heavy and powerful enough to blast ripples through the air itself. The sharp pressure of the wind had already tousled Araki's hair.

Yet he remained as calm as a venomous snake, searching for an opening in his opponent.

Suddenly, Araki's eyes lit up. Himura Kenshin had already begun the latter half of his descent. Under the overwhelming force of inertia, he could only make small adjustments now; it was impossible for him to drastically change his posture.

Araki pulled out another kunai and flung it behind Himura Kenshin, a confident smile appearing on his face.

Boom!

The kunai exploded the moment it reached the other man's rear. Another Araki appeared, drew his sword, and slashed out a crescent-shaped arc aimed directly at Himura Kenshin's back!

The trick may not be original, but that's fine. As long as it works!

Araki was slightly pleased with himself for using the same move again.

But just then, Himura Kenshin, suddenly attacked from behind, did not panic. He tensed his entire body and made himself drop even faster, then slashed viciously at the ground!

Rumble!

The earth exploded beneath them, and the ground at their feet shattered. Countless tiny stones flew toward the Araki behind Himura Kenshin under his control.

At the same time, he rolled forward with the momentum, trying to leave Araki's slashing range.

"Hmm?"

This swift response immediately disrupted Araki's attack. He could have ignored the dirt and stones and continued with his slash, but how much damage it could inflict on Himura Kenshin, who had already taken defensive evasive action, was uncertain.

To be safe, Araki changed his sword technique. His draw slash became Stardust Splash, and in an instant, the sword in his hand transformed into a blur that shredded the incoming obstacles. Then he immediately followed with a Flash Thrust toward the rolling Himura Kenshin.

The sword wind chasing him from behind was too sharp. After rolling away, Himura Kenshin sensed the danger close at his back. He had no time to turn around, so he could only crouch halfway and slash upward in a curved arc.

His body spun along with the strike, like a mad dragon ascending to the heavens.

Dragon Soaring Flash!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of blades colliding rang out in rapid succession. As their fierce exchange continued, Araki gradually gained a clear upper hand.

The speed and power of his sword techniques were no weaker than Himura Kenshin's, but he was clearly better at continuous slashes. Every movement between swinging and recovering his sword carried an indescribable rhythm, making his attacks flow like drifting clouds and running water, unceasing and seamless.

Himura Kenshin, meanwhile, was a swordsman proficient in draw techniques, and his explosive power undoubtedly surpassed Araki's. But in today's battle, aside from that first Dragon Hammer Flash, Himura Kenshin never again had the chance to calmly execute a draw technique.

He had been constantly pursued and forced into passive defense, before finally being dragged into a drawn-out battle.

This was the success of Araki's tactics. Although that kunai combined with the Transformation Technique had not allowed him to achieve an instant kill as he had against Asuna, it had still won him the initiative.

With that initiative, he successfully dragged his enemy into the field where he excelled most.

The sharp sword in Araki's hand swung faster and faster. He was no longer confined to the eight consecutive slashes of Stardust Splash, which he had learned from Asuna, and was continuously pushing beyond his limits.

Nine consecutive slashes!

Ten consecutive slashes!

Eleven consecutive slashes!

Twelve consecutive slashes!

The sword shadows grew more numerous, and the ringing of colliding blades grew more frantic. At the same time, the bloody cuts on Himura Kenshin's body became denser and denser.

In the end, having lost too much blood, Himura Kenshin could no longer hold the hilt of his sword. The instant his Reverse-Blade Sword left his hand, his entire body shattered into fragments of light feathers, spiraling into Araki's embrace.

Araki stood with his sword sheathed and his eyes tightly closed. Himura Kenshin's way of the sword unfolded completely before him.

"From executioner to the Reverse-Blade Sword, Himura Kenshin, is this your way of the sword?

"Only by understanding your own heart can you draw your sword without hesitation. Slash with your heart, not with brute force... Then what exactly does my heart desire?

"To become a great swordsman?

"That sounds too hollow. Why do I want to become a great swordsman?

"For power? Then why do I seek power?"

Araki questioned his heart over and over, trying to uncover its truest thoughts.

"Perhaps I only want to live freely, according to my own will, without being bound by external authority!

"And the sword is the means I rely on to sever every shackle!"

Once he understood this, Araki felt as though his entire being had become much clearer. His mind also seemed to have grown sharper.

"Is this what it means to see one's true nature by understanding one's heart?"

Araki was curious about the changes in his body.

"I never expected realizing my true heart to have such a miraculous effect.

"Then if I make some grand vow right now, could I gain an even greater improvement?

"For example..."

Araki thought for a moment. "My true desire is to break free from restraints and live freely. So what restraints am I under right now?

"Kirigakure?

"The Mizukage?

"Those do not really count as restraints.

"It seems I can only set my sights on the Otsutsuki. That clan has toyed with the entire Naruto World for over a thousand years. Because of their family's mess, the Shinobi World has been trapped in endless war.

"I've decided!

"My current small goal is—to shatter the moon with a single sword strike!"