The tension in the arena thickened as the fight resumed without pause, both fighters now fully aware that this was no ordinary exchange. The earlier clashes had already revealed enough this wasn't a fight that could be ended quickly. It was a battle of adaptation, control, and endurance.
Tatsuo moved first again, his pace sharper than before as his Reikou energy surged visibly around him. A weapon formed instantly in his hand, this time a long spear-like construct, its edge shimmering with condensed energy. Without hesitation, he thrust it forward, the speed of the strike cutting through the air with precision aimed directly at Kimimaru's center.
Kimimaru reacted just in time, shifting his body slightly while bringing his zweihander down to intercept. The clash echoed loudly, the force of the spear pushing against his blade before he redirected it away. But Tatsuo didn't stop there. The weapon dissolved mid-motion, reforming into dual short blades as he stepped in closer, attacking from both sides in a rapid sequence that forced Kimimaru to block repeatedly.
Each strike came faster than the last.
Each angle different.
"…He's switching too fast," Kairo muttered from the stands, his eyes locked onto the fight.
Tyouro leaned forward, his usual grin gone. "Yeah… that's annoying to deal with."
Back in the arena, Kimimaru stepped back again, his movements still calm, but the pressure was undeniable now. Tatsuo's constant weapon shifts made it difficult to settle into a rhythm, forcing him to adjust every second.
"…You're holding out," Tatsuo said, his voice steady as he circled slightly. "But you're not attacking enough."
Kimimaru didn't answer.
He watched.
Analyzed.
Waited.
Tatsuo didn't give him time.
His energy flared again as he raised his hand, forming a massive weapon this time a heavy axe-like construct that carried far more weight than his previous creations. He swung it down with overwhelming force, aiming to break through Kimimaru's defense entirely.
Kimimaru lifted his zweihander.
The impact-
Was heavy.
The ground beneath him cracked slightly as he held the strike, his arms absorbing the force while his feet slid back just enough to show the difference in power. Tatsuo pushed harder, his strength amplified by Reikou, forcing the clash into a contest of raw force.
"…You can't block everything," Tatsuo said, his tone low.
Kimimaru's grip tightened.
"…I don't need to."
With a sudden shift, he redirected the axe's force to the side, stepping out of its path before immediately countering with a horizontal swing. The zweihander cut through the air with weight, forcing Tatsuo to abandon his weapon and create a new one just to block.
The clash rang out again.
This time, Tatsuo stepped back.
For the first time-
He gave ground.
The crowd reacted immediately, the shift in momentum drawing attention.
"…He pushed him back," someone whispered.
Kimimaru didn't chase recklessly.
He stepped forward, controlled, his movements steady as he began applying pressure of his own. His strikes were slower compared to Tatsuo's, but each one carried weight that demanded respect. Every swing forced Tatsuo to respond properly, preventing him from freely switching between weapons without consequence.
"…So that's your style," Tatsuo muttered, adjusting his stance. "Heavy… but precise."
Kimimaru's voice came quietly.
"Efficient."
Tatsuo smirked faintly.
"…Then let's see how long that holds."
His energy surged again, stronger this time, as he began pushing beyond his earlier pace. Weapons formed and vanished in rapid succession blades, spears, hammers each one used for a specific purpose before being replaced instantly by another.
The speed increased.
The pressure returned.
Kimimaru blocked, dodged, redirected, but the sheer variation in attacks forced him back again. A blade slipped past his guard, grazing his side before he adjusted, his expression unchanged but his body clearly taking damage now.
Tatsuo didn't miss it.
"…You're getting hit."
Kimimaru didn't respond.
But he moved.
This time-
He stepped in closer.
The distance between them shortened instantly, removing the space Tatsuo needed to freely create larger weapons. Tatsuo reacted quickly, forming a short blade to counter, but the reduced space limited his options.
Kimimaru's zweihander swung upward, forcing Tatsuo to block at close range. The impact disrupted his stance, his balance shifting slightly as he tried to adjust.
Kimimaru followed immediately.
Another strike.
Closer.
Heavier.
Tatsuo stepped back, creating distance again, but this time-
It cost him.
His breathing grew heavier.
The constant weapon creation was taking its toll.
The limitation of Tatsuo's ability becomes more apparent in prolonged combat. While versatile, each creation consumes energy, and maintaining high output over time places strain on both body and focus.
Tatsuo exhaled sharply, his grip tightening as he formed another weapon.
"…So you noticed," he said.
Kimimaru nodded once.
"…You're slowing down."
Tatsuo's smirk returned, though lighter now.
"…So are you."
For a moment, they stood still again, both feeling the strain, both aware that the fight was reaching a turning point.
From the stands, Tyouro crossed his arms. "This is getting serious."
Kairo nodded. "…Yeah. One mistake now and it's over."
Back in the arena, Tatsuo raised his hand again.
This time-
He didn't create multiple weapons.
He focused.
A single blade formed, sharper, denser than before, its energy more concentrated as he prepared to end it with precision instead of variation.
"…Let's finish this," he said.
Kimimaru adjusted his stance, his grip firm on his zweihander.
"…Yeah."
They moved at the same time.
Speed met power.
Precision met weight.
Their weapons collided once more, the impact louder than any before, the force pushing both of them to their limits as neither backed down.
The fight wasn't over.
But now-
It had reached its peak.