He had just finished using Dance of the Larch. Not daring to be careless, he immediately retreated two steps, opening up some distance as he watched Xuan Zhe's every move.
But Xuan Zhe gave his opponent no chance to catch his breath.
The moment the Zanpakutō was in his hand, he launched into Hatake Style Swordsmanship.
Black sword energy condensed into a massive blade silhouette and slashed down hard.
Kimimaro dodged sideways.
The sword energy carved a long fissure into the ground. Along its edges, black flames burned silently.
The spot where the two fought instantly seemed to turn into a sinister hell.
The stark white bone spikes on Kimimaro's body looked even more unnerving in the glow of the black flames.
Kimimaro understood the situation perfectly-if he clashed blades with Xuan Zhe head-on, the black flames clinging to that sword would burn straight through his bone blade.
He had no chance of winning a direct clash.
Then he would try another approach.
After dodging Xuan Zhe's slash, he reached back to his spine and forcibly pulled the entire bone out.
The sight made one's scalp crawl.
He would not even spare his own spine. Xuan Zhe inwardly admired the ruthlessness of Kimimaro's ninjutsu.
But the very next second, that extracted spine wrapped tightly around him.
Kimimaro's move not only restricted Xuan Zhe's movements but also completely avoided a clash with his Zanpakutō.
No matter how terrifying the weapon in his hand was, he was now at his opponent's mercy.
After trapping his opponent, Kimimaro did not stop.
He drew a bone blade straight out of his left arm, aimed it at the bound Xuan Zhe, and thrust down hard.
"It's over. I won't let you hurt for long."
Kimimaro's tone was very polite.
His hands had long been stained