The fight erupted in a whirlwind of deadly skill and fierce resolve. Kazuo Mori charged forward, intent on eliminating his former ally. He unleashed Spirit Edge Strike, channeling his ki into the Sword of Spirits, extending its reach with a sharp, energy-laden slash aimed at Kenjiro. Kenjiro reacted with precision, using Twin Blade Parry—his wakizashi expertly deflecting the incoming attack with minimal movement, conserving his energy as he awaited the perfect moment to counter.

  “Kazuo, the sword doesn’t choose its master based on power or victory,” Kenjiro tried to reason with him, his voice carrying the weight of experience. “It’s an unexplained affinity, a bond, like how the Sword of Spirits chose you! Can’t you see?”

  “Liar!” Kazuo spat, his voice filled with venom. “We’ll find out who it belongs to when I kill you and your nephew!” With that, he lifted his leg, executing Green Gale Kick—a rapid series of precise, aura-infused kicks that sent shockwaves rippling through the air, aiming to destabilize Kenjiro’s footing.

  Kenjiro met the assault with Honorable Retribution, a counterattack reserved for worthy opponents. Timing his strike as Kazuo’s attack reached its peak, he swung his katana downward. Kazuo, like a phantom, slipped out of reach, using Shadow Step Counter. He shifted position with aikido-inspired timing, phasing past Kenjiro’s attack and preparing to launch a devastating counter.

  But Kenjiro was ready. In a flash, he activated Whirlwind of the Samurai, a flurry of powerful slashes that formed a defensive barrier around him, attacking and defending in seamless coordination. The whirlwind forced Kazuo to step back, momentarily disrupted as he reassessed his approach.

  Despite wielding the Sword of Spirits, Kazuo found himself struggling to break through Kenjiro's formidable defenses. The disciplined strength of Kenjiro's bushido style proved resilient, even against a legendary weapon. To counter this, Kazuo began channeling the sword’s energy, initiating Zen Spirit Focus. Drawing from the meditative aspects of martial arts, he centered himself, heightening his reflexes and enabling himself to predict and react to his opponent's moves with supernatural precision.

  Noticing Kazuo’s intense focus, Kenjiro knew he had to act quickly to interrupt the process. He launched into Bushido Blade Strike, a series of precise, fluid strikes with his sword, showcasing his mastery of the samurai way. But Kazuo’s concentration had completed just in time. Kenjiro's strikes sliced through empty air as Kazuo, in a mere instant, activated Wraith's Whisper. With the technique, Kazuo silenced the area around him, using the stealth of ninjutsu to move undetected and strike from the shadows.

  Before Kenjiro could react, Kazuo appeared behind him, seamlessly transitioning into Jiu-Jitsu Spirit Lock. Enhanced by the sword's aura, the powerful jiu-jitsu technique immobilized Kenjiro, paralyzing both his body and spirit. Kenjiro’s eyes rolled back, his body suddenly rigid, standing frozen like a statue in the grasp of Kazuo's hold.

  Kazuo gave an ominous smile as he prepared his ultimate technique, Spectral Blade Dance—a display of kenjutsu where his swordplay became both an art form and a deadly onslaught. Channeling the sword's power, Kazuo unleashed a series of rapid, precise strikes, each blow landing on Kenjiro’s defenseless back. Kenjiro stood frozen, absorbing the attacks until his knees finally buckled. With a heavy exhale, he collapsed, his Daishō swords slipping from his grasp and landing just inches away from Jake, who stared in stunned silence at his uncle’s fallen form.

  Kazuo turned, glancing at Jake, who could only stare helplessly at his fallen uncle, paralyzed by defeat. Kazuo began to approach Jake, his slow steps casting an aura of grim certainty over the room. Victory seemed assured; everything was going exactly as he intended.

  Suddenly, the doors burst open once more. This time, Kaito and a bruised, battered Luna entered the room. "Mori-san!" Kaito’s voice rang out, halting Kazuo in his tracks. Kazuo turned, his eyes narrowing at the sight of his former ally. "Kaito, are you here to stop me as well?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.

  Kaito didn’t answer. His attention was fixed on Kenjiro, lying motionless on the floor. Rushing over, he checked for signs of life and, relieved to find him still breathing, let out a sigh. Luna, meanwhile, knelt by Jake's side, her voice soft with concern as she took in not only his physical injuries but the broken look in his eyes.

  Luna knelt beside Jake, her voice soft with concern. "Jake, are you okay?" she asked gently, sensing that the emotional toll on him might be more challenging to mend than his physical wounds. Jake looked up at her, his eyes clouded with pain, struggling to hold back tears, feeling defeated and shaken by witnessing his uncle’s downfall right before him.

  Kazuo, unfazed by their reunion, activated Wraith's Whisper, blanketing the area in silence. In a swift move, he appeared behind Jake, intending to end this confrontation once and for all. His sword descended silently, but Luna’s instincts kicked in just in time—she reversed the polarity of her lightsaber, creating a Plasma Shield that intercepted Kazuo's strike, deflecting it inches from Jake.

  “Jake, stay back this time,” Luna said, her voice resolute as she faced Kazuo. “Let me protect you.”

  Kaito, standing close by, readied his shinai. “Mori-san, what Nomura-san told you was the truth. If only you’d listen…” he implored, the weight of conviction in his voice. Kaito and Luna exchanged a determined glance, silently agreeing to take on Kazuo together.

  Earlier, on level 9, Kaito had been engaged in a relentless duel with Hiroshi.

  

  "You should know you have no chance, young one," Hiroshi sneered, intensifying his assault with the Plasma Blade Technique, unleashing swift, cutting strikes that sliced through the air with deadly intent. Kaito, aware of the skill gap, had been strategically employing Tactical Retreat to keep a safe distance, buying time to analyze his opponent.

  Using Intellectual Intuition, Kaito quickly assessed his options. He knew Hiroshi’s cybernetic enhancements gave him immense advantages in strength, speed, and precision. Yet, Kaito also understood that Hiroshi’s stamina might be limited by age, and his cybernetics could harbor vulnerabilities. If he could extend the fight and utilize psychological tactics, there might be a chance.

  “Hey, Ojisan! Think you can keep up?” Kaito taunted, hoping to keep Hiroshi distracted. In a decisive move, he lunged forward with Precision Thrust, targeting a pressure point in Hiroshi’s human side. The attack landed, momentarily disrupting Hiroshi's composure and buying Kaito a precious moment to regain control.

  Hiroshi, determined not to lose his advantage, activated his Enhanced Reflexes, moving with superhuman reaction speed to break through Kaito's defenses. But Kaito’s quick thinking and Mindful Defense allowed him to block Hiroshi’s relentless strikes with calculated, energy-conserving movements, hoping to outlast the cybernetic ninja’s stamina.

  Midway through their exchange, Hiroshi suddenly vanished, using Shadow Blend to merge seamlessly with the shadows, his ninja skills and cybernetic enhancements rendering him nearly invisible. Kaito scanned the room, maintaining his composure and taunting to lure Hiroshi out, "Ojisan, you can’t hide forever."

  However, Hiroshi’s Iron Will made him immune to such psychological tactics; his mental resilience, fortified by a lifetime of experience, shielded him from Kaito’s bait. Moving silently with Ninja Stealth, Hiroshi positioned himself behind Kaito, preparing for a surprise attack with his plasma saber.

  Before Hiroshi's attack could reach him, Kaito heard Luna's warning from across the room. "Kaito, behind you!" she shouted, her voice urgent. He reacted instantly, executing Feint and Parry to mislead Hiroshi and deflect the plasma saber just in time, narrowly escaping the strike. "Thanks, Luna!" he said, giving her a quick nod. "Were you able to hack him earlier?"

  Luna, still seated and slightly dazed, replied, "Yes, I managed to disable him temporarily, but when I tried again, it didn’t work." Kaito’s mind raced, strategizing other potential ways to exploit Hiroshi’s weaknesses.

  While they exchanged words, the battle continued relentlessly. Kaito employed Deceptive Agility, creating illusions of himself to confuse Hiroshi. But Hiroshi’s Tactical Combat skills allowed him to quickly analyze the situation, cutting through Kaito's feints and pinpointing his true location with ease. In a swift move, Hiroshi launched an Electro Shuriken, aiming to stun or incapacitate Kaito. Reacting quickly, Kaito utilized Cerebral Counter, deflecting the electrically charged projectile with calculated precision, effectively countering Hiroshi’s attack with minimal effort.

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  "Did you use the other move?" Kaito asked Luna frantically, striking Hiroshi with Strategic Strike in an attempt to exploit any weakness he could find. Hiroshi, however, blocked it effortlessly with Cyber Guard, the defense from his cybernetic enhancements absorbing the blow. "What move?" Luna asked, bewildered by Kaito's urgency.

  "The one that disrupts hearing—have you used it yet?" Kaito asked again, his tone edging on desperation. Luna shook her head, still unsure of the tactic Kaito was aiming for.

  Seeing Kaito's anxious expression, Hiroshi sensed the moment to end it. "Sorry, young one," he said in Japanese, his tone cold. "Experience outweighs intelligence." He prepared to unleash his ultimate move. But Kaito, knowing he had only seconds to act, spoke with steely resolve, "Do you know why Kazuo chose me as a horseman? Because he doesn’t trust you at all; he relies on me." His words struck like a blade, hitting Hiroshi right at the core of his insecurities—the true intent behind Kaito’s Psychological Warfare.

  Hiroshi hesitated, thrown off balance by Kaito’s pointed words. Seizing the moment, Kaito shouted to Luna, "Luna, use that move—now!" Without missing a beat, Luna stood up and activated Sonic Pulse, sending out a low-frequency wave from her lightsaber that disrupted Hiroshi’s electronic components, creating an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Sparks flew from his mechanical parts, smoke billowed, and his human eye spun erratically as the red glow of his cybernetic eye dimmed. His body lurched, then went lifeless.

  "You did it, Luna!" Kaito cheered, relieved that Hiroshi had been temporarily disabled.

  "Is he...dead?" Luna asked, surprised by the powerful impact of her usual move.

  "Just temporary—the old man will recover soon," Kaito replied. "For now, let’s get up there and help Jake and Nomura-san."

  Without another word, they rushed up the spiral staircase, driven by urgency to assist in the final confrontation against the strongest foe.

  

  The scene shifts back to the climactic battle as Kaito and Luna brace themselves to face Kazuo. "Kaito, what’s our chance of winning here?" Luna asked, her voice tinged with apprehension as her gaze lingered on the Sword of Spirits in Kazuo’s grip—one of the seven legendary swords she traveled through time to find.

  Kaito, having already analyzed Kazuo’s combat abilities with his Intellectual Intuition, gave Luna a grim but honest answer. "The two of us alone? Zero," he replied, understanding Kazuo’s strengths: his versatility, strategic mind, and mastery of martial arts, coupled with the Sword of Spirits’ powers, which enhanced his already formidable skills.

  "But with the three of us," he continued, glancing at Jake, still kneeling and seemingly lost to despair, "we have a 100% chance. Kazuo’s biggest weakness is his isolation. He’s vulnerable without loyal support."

  Luna’s eyes flicked between Kaito and Jake, uncertainty flooding her mind. Could Jake overcome his despair in time to join the fight?

  Before she could ask, Kazuo struck. He unleashed Green Gale Kick, a rapid series of precise kicks imbued with the sword’s aura, sending out shockwaves to unbalance them. Forced on the defensive, Kaito activated Mindful Defense, deflecting the force with calm precision, while Luna raised her Plasma Shield, reversing her lightsaber’s polarity to create a temporary shield to absorb the impact.

  "Kaito, what if Jake doesn’t recover?" Luna called out over the noise, bracing herself.

  "Leave that to me. You keep him busy," Kaito replied, using Tactical Retreat to slip out of Kazuo’s immediate sight and make his way to Jake’s side.

  Trusting Kaito’s plan, Luna focused on creating the time and space he needed. Activating Photon Flash, she unleashed a blinding burst of light from her lightsaber, forcing Kazuo to shield his eyes momentarily. Seizing the opportunity, she leaped forward, using Quantum Leap to teleport close, aiming for a decisive strike with Cyber Slice. Her precision, enhanced by her visor's augmented reality overlay, was almost perfect—almost. But Kazuo, unphased, performed Aikido's Phantom Grasp, redirecting her lightsaber away with the spectral energy of his own weapon, seamlessly turning her attack back against her.

  Kazuo’s sword settled on Luna's shoulder, and she felt her strength wane as he activated Banshee's Bind. The chilling aura of his sword sapped her arm’s power, leaving her defenseless. Kazuo raised his sword, preparing to finish her.

  But just then, he felt a searing burn on his leg, forcing him to redirect his spectral energy to counter the unexpected flames. Turning, he saw Jake, holding the Sword of Flame, its intense fire now blazing with renewed strength. Kaito, standing by his side, had his shinai ready, both boys now focused and prepared for the fight.

  In the moments that Kazuo had been distracted by Luna, Kaito had activated his ultimate, Psychological Warfare, but this time, not on his enemy. He had been speaking to Jake, reigniting his spirit and urging him back into the fight. "Jake, I don’t know what happened between you and Kazuo earlier, but every one of us is here for you. Look at Luna—she’s fighting for you, not for herself. Look at Nomura-san, who’s fallen, and your friends Carter, Akane, and Yoko, who are all out there, fighting to bring everyone back safe. We need you, Jake. Only you can wield the Sword of Flame against Kazuo's Sword of Spirit. We don’t have a chance without you. Please, pull yourself together and help us defeat Kazuo."

  Kaito’s words struck a chord within Jake, reviving his fighting spirit. Glancing at Luna, who stood defiant despite her injuries, and remembering the sacrifices his friends had made, Jake felt his resolve solidify. With newfound purpose, he picked up the Sword of Flame from the floor, gripping its hilt tightly. Immediately, the sword burst to life, flames engulfing the blade as if welcoming back its true master.

  

  Seeing Luna in peril, Jake acted without hesitation. He unleashed Searing Curveball, throwing the Sword of Flame in a boomerang arc, targeting Kazuo’s leg. The sword spun through the air with a fiery blaze, its unpredictable path forcing Kazuo to stay on the defensive. The flames licked dangerously close before the sword returned to Jake’s hand, leaving Kazuo momentarily off balance.

  Now, with Kaito and Jake standing side by side, Kazuo found himself facing an unexpected alliance, their combined energy reigniting hope that they could overcome his seemingly insurmountable power. The battle had shifted, and for the first time, Kazuo felt uncertainty as he glared at the determined faces before him.

  "Jake!" Luna cried out in happiness, seeing that Jake’s spirit had returned. Kazuo was not amused by her outburst. He swung the Sword of Spirit at her, intending to get rid of her and make Jake and Kaito understand the price of opposing him. Before his blade could reach Luna, however, Jake stepped in front of Kazuo and unleashed Ember Pinch Hit—a protective circle of fire, keeping threats at bay while he strategized, blocking the attack. The circle of fire also burned away the chilling effect that had bound Luna’s arm, allowing her to wield her weapon again.

  Luna sprang into action with Neon Arc, a sweeping motion with her lightsaber that left a trail of neon light in a graceful arc. This forced Kazuo to turn his attention to her attack. As he attempted to use Aikido's Phantom Grasp to redirect the incoming attack back at her, Kaito seized the opportunity. With Strategic Strike, he exploited the opening in Kazuo's attention, striking precisely with his shinai at Kazuo's back. The bamboo connected with a sharp "Plak!"

  Kazuo, irritated, growled, "You traitor—you shall pay!" He turned his focus to Kaito, channeling ki into his blade and unleashing Spirit Edge Strike, creating a sharp extension of energy aimed at Kaito. Anticipating the attack, Kaito employed Feint and Parry, misleading Kazuo with a feint and following it with a quick parry, demonstrating his strategic approach over brute strength.

  In that moment, Kazuo was struck again, this time by Inferno Home Run as Jake swung the Sword of Flame. The blade ignited as it cut through the air, creating a blazing trail of fire aimed at overwhelming Kazuo. The impact forced Kazuo back, flames engulfing at his form as he staggered to recover.

  Kazuo’s icy composure began to crack under the relentless assault, his rage mingling with desperation as he realized the trio’s coordination and resilience could indeed turn the tide. Overwhelmed by three simultaneous attackers, he struggled to decide who to target first. Desperate to regain control, he attempted to activate Zen Spirit Focus, hoping to center himself and enhance his reflexes to supernatural levels, allowing him to predict his opponents’ moves with perfect precision. But the trio gave him no time to finish.

  "Now, everyone!" Kaito shouted, seizing the perfect opportunity. He moved first, executing Precision Thrust with his shinai, striking specific pressure points to destabilize Kazuo without causing serious injury. Jake followed with his ultimate move, Volcanic Grand Slam—a fiery, downward slash that cracked the ground on impact, sending intense waves of flames toward Kazuo. Simultaneously, Luna unleashed her ultimate, Ephemeral Edge, channeling extra power into her lightsaber to extend its range and increase its cutting force, making her strike capable of cleaving through even the strongest barriers.

  The combined force of their attacks forced Kazuo to abandon his focus, compelling him to employ Shadow Step Counter, phasing through their strikes at the last second. He positioned himself behind Kaito, seeing him as the greatest threat due to his strategic mind. "You traitor! I’ll end you!" he snarled, swinging with deadly intent. Jake’s attack shattered the floor around them, while Luna’s lightsaber sliced into a pillar, further destabilizing the building, which began to shake violently.

  Kaito, however, had anticipated Kazuo’s next move. Using Cerebral Counter, he effortlessly parried Kazuo’s attack, conserving his energy with minimal effort. Swiftly, he enacted Disarming Maneuver, skillfully knocking the Sword of Spirit from Kazuo’s grasp. The sword clattered to the floor, its spectral glow fading into nothingness as its power ebbed away, leaving Kazuo defenseless.

  The trio stood united, each aiming their weapon—Kaito’s shinai, Luna’s lightsaber, and Jake’s Sword of Flame—at Kazuo’s neck. “Mori-san, it’s over!” Kaito declared, their victory a testament to the strength of unity, something Kazuo had never understood.

  But Kazuo only laughed, a harsh, bitter sound echoing through the unstable room. “Hahaha! My defeat isn’t your doing; it’s my mistake for letting you join Kurokaze-kai as a horseman! I should never have allowed it!” His voice was laced with disdain, unwavering in his mistrustful belief that his downfall was caused by others and not his own choices. To Kazuo, relationships were mere transactions, and he saw even his closest allies as expendable pieces in his grand strategy.

  “You’re wrong, Mori-san,” Kaito countered, unwavering. “Your mistrust is your downfall. If the other horsemen were here, we’d have no chance.” He paused, his voice firm. “Nomura-san always said the sword chooses its owner by affinity. If you’d trusted him, none of this would have happened.”

  Kazuo’s proud demeanor shattered, but he remained silent, his face a blend of bitterness and reluctant acknowledgment as the building around them groaned ominously, its structure threatening collapse at any moment.

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