Kizaru's attack bore down with such force that the mere sight of it left people frozen in fear.
Ain's expression was grave. The hand gripping her sword had grown damp with sweat, and tension gripped her heart. Kizaru was powerful, but she had to stop him with everything she had, even if it cost her life. The man behind her was someone she could not let him hurt, even if she had to die to protect him.
Power surged into her sword. Summoning every last bit of strength, she slashed fiercely at Kizaru.
An enormous sword beam seemed to light up heaven and earth in an instant. The air went still, then rang with tearing sounds as the ground split in two beneath it.
Boom!
The massive sword beam collided with the dazzling streak of light. A violent blast erupted, shaking the air with repeated explosions. Wind howled, and dust filled the sky.
"Well, you've got some strength. I'd expect no less from a student of Master Zephyr," Kizaru said slowly, curling his lip at Ain's desperate resistance. "But thinking that little bit of strength can stop my attack? You overestimate yourself."
Blood had begun to trickle from Ain's mouth. Her long hair whipped around her, and the sword in her hand gave a mournful cry as she struggled to hold back Kizaru's attack.
She no longer heard his words, but she saw the contempt in his eyes. Fierce defiance rose in hers. Determined to drive his attack back, she poured a sudden burst of razor-sharp force into the sword beam. For a moment, its power seemed almost equal to Kizaru's.
Kizaru snorted and stopped wasting time. He put more power into his light-speed kick. His shining right leg unleashed overwhelming force against the sword beam, sending a terrifying shock