Idoku was looking down at the sword that had impaled his body.
He wasn't feared nor was he in panic.
He was confused.
His aurasenses are really advanced, but still—
He hadn't sensed someone attacking.
Slowly, he turned his head towards the back.
Kouji stood there, hand still gripping the hilt of the katana.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were full of disgust
"You were looking for me, weren't you?" Kouji's voice was calm and steady.
"Why aren't you happy I finally showed up?"
Idoku growled, spinning and swinging his hand behind him.
Kouji let go of the blade and leapt back, "This is the third time we've met… though, not exactly."
Idoku pulled the katana out of his body as blood was dripping from his wound.
"Where's Meichi? Tell me where he is!"
Kouji raised his hand, sliding his foot back into an iaido stance. "You wouldn't enjoy a fight since he can't use his ability right now. Isn't that what you want?"
He moved his fingers into a position, like he wanted to scratch the air.
Then space tore around his fingers, as he was sliding down his hand.
It looked almost like a portal and something came out.
From the void, a katana was pulled into the world, but only its hilt was visible, the rest was still in the portal.
Its hilt pressing into his palm as if it had always been there.
"Thought so. Thats not enough to kill you."
Idoku froze for a breath, almost shocked.
"Impossible. Shinji stole your ability. How—?"
"You wouldn't understand," Kouji said, blade glinting. "All you need to know is that I've learned to fight without any curse."
The insult hit Idoku's honour directly.
"I wouldn't understand?" his teeth clenched. "You dare mock me?!" He lunged, swinging down with both hands.
The Katana hit the gloves.
Kouji's blade caught the strike—only for the katana to blacken, corrode, and shatter in his hands.
Rust powdered down to the ground.
Idoku chuckled, towering over him. "See? You might have your little tricks, but I am still the same. And you—you lack the experience. You can't win."
He slammed his fist forward, hitting into Kouji's guard.
The strike sent Kouji backwards.
But when Idoku looked with his eyes narrowed—Kouji was standing firm, having blocked with another sword, freshly pulled from the void.
In the same motion Kouji ducked.
A knife shone in his hand—then sliced deep into Idoku's thigh.
Idoku lunged at Kouji's hand, but Kouji dodged back.
"Maybe you're right," Kouji said. "Maybe I don't have the same experience as you. But…"
He ripped another katana from the void, rushing forward with speed that impressed even Idoku.
The blade clashed against his gloves—"But I'm not alone," Kouji added.
Idoku's fist pulled back, ready to cave in his skull.
Suddenly, he staggered.
Idoku lost his balance, because it felt like he was falling again.
His eyes widened. That girl—
Kouji didn't hesitate.
His katana swept forward with a clean, merciless cut—right through Idoku's torso and mask.
The body cave in, collapsing onto the floor with an unsettling thud.
Silence weighed over the square.
Kouji stood in front of the corpse, his breath exhausted.
Then, slowly, he turned, walking toward Yumi.
She stood where she had been.
But before he could take another step—
A hand clamped around his neck from behind.
His body stiffened and his breath choked off.
Kouji's eyes widened as he realized—Idoku stood behind him, whole again.
The stone and grass where his corpse had been, are corroded.
His grip was tight and strong.
"You thought it would be that easy?"