Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
No-
Rather than time being frozen by this weapon brimming with the world's killing intent, the weapon itself had all but frozen everything around it.
Suspended high beneath the cavern's vaulted ceiling, the frost-and-snow Tachi pointed down at Tagitsuhime. Its blade was crystalline and translucent, yet within it lay a resolute power Hayashi had never revealed before.
It was the result of the pure white killing intent born from his transformation in Ryūchi Cave merging completely with the unparalleled power of nature in the surrounding space.
Before the blade even fell, the air throughout Ryūchi Cave had already held its breath.
"Truly incredible..."
"Pure obsession, and a creation of Senjutsu?"
With the frost-and-snow Tachi pointed at her from afar, Tagitsuhime could not help letting out a startled laugh.
But a moment later, searing battle lust erupted in eyes that had until then regarded him as both a test subject and prey.
She finally understood.
She understood the inexplicable obsession of the boy before her.
"Staking your own life on your bonds and promises..."
"What a strange human boy."
Tagitsuhime murmured under her breath.
Then her eyes locked onto his handsome, ferocious face, and she shouted:
"Since you've staked your life on this fight!"
"I'll give everything I have to meet the full force of your obsession!"
"And then let the Sage judge the outcome of this trial!"
As those words left her lips, the aura around Tagitsuhime erupted wildly.
BOOM-!!
Scarlet waves of energy exploded around her, carrying the deep, imposing presence unique to the ancient serpent sages of Ryūchi Cave.
Crimson Senjutsu energy swept outward like a volcanic eruption, vaporizing every trace of frost that remained nearby.
Scorching waves pulsed outward from her in rings. The frost and snow that had blanketed