Zhao soon got back into his stance, as he focused his gaze on Minoru. For some time following, neither of the two moved. A smirk tugged at his lips as he began his response to the apostle.

Zhao: If we were that easy to kill, do you think we'd make it this far?

Zhao bent his knees, As Minoru did the same in response. As he threw his Dao into his left hand, he began rushing at his opponent, bringing his left palm behind his torso, as he twisted his body. Minoru put his blade up in front of him, as Zhao thrust it forward, The sound of a loud boom filled both of their ears, as the roof within Zhao’s path was ripped apart, and Minoru was thrown off of his footing, sent flying away. It was after this that Zhao’s speed increased Until he found himself within a foot of Minoru. He soon gripped his blade with both hands once again. As he swung at Minoru’s torso. Though, it was a trivial wound. He was not finished yet, however, he soon went for yet another strike, this one, aimed at his shoulder. But, Minoru moved his blade, parrying the strike, and pushing his blade away seconds after.

Zhao(Though)His defense is too strong, even without his Qi barrier intact - due to our respective auras… He's still capable of stopping my attacks, I'll get nowhere like this.

Minoru swung at Zhao once again, aiming for his shoulder. But, Zhao soon brought his blade forward, swinging at the man’s torso once again. Minoru took notice, moving to block his strike. But, it proved to be a feint, as Zhao quickly twisted his body, and sent a kick at the man’s side. He took notice easily, however, moving back away from him, before flying back at him, sending a swipe at his neck. His opponent was quick to duck under his strike, however. Before slamming his fist into his stomach. As a quiet crunch was heard. Minoru’s torso bent as his head lurched forward But, he would soon grasp hold of Zhao’s fist, and pull his body further toward him, as he brought his blade up, before swinging it down at the youth’s head, in a clear attempt to bisect him. However, Zhao would soon land his feet onto Minoru, as he would soon kick his arm, again and again, until he was forced to release his grip. Regardless, Minoru continued his strike. Though Zhao would weave out of the way, he soon found some of the cloth on his sleeve cut by the force. The buildings and streets that lie under them, and the skyscraper that they formerly stood upon, however, were not so lucky. As they were soon cut cleanly in half by the force, while the ground was left scarred. Though, neither of the two paid it any mind.

Zhao soon moved away once more, as he twisted his body and launched a left kick at the man’s face. Which forced his head right. Minoru soon regained his composure, but as he prepared to return with another punch, He was soon interrupted by a palm striking his chest, knocking the wind out of him. Soon, Zhao would clench his fists, before he began launching a storm of strikes at him. He began to spread out his blows, hitting his opponent around his torso again, and again, The stomach, chest ribs, nothing was left safe. Soon, a small amount of blood filled Minoru’s mouth, as he felt yet another break in his ribcage, in the same location as before. He gritted his teeth as he arched his brows...He would no longer allow this to continue. As Zhao prepared to launch another strike, the man would soon stop his storm of punches with his arm, putting them in the path of his last hit, and stopping it there. Soon, he began throwing his strikes, landing strike after strike on Zhao’s face. Before he kicked him away once again. Zhao, unrelenting in his attack, would soon return to attempt to continue his assault, grasping his blade, as did Minoru.

As Minoru swiped at his shoulder, Zhao moved back, attempting to land thrust at his opponent’s chest, but he soon flashed out of the way, moving to the man’s left, and quickly circling behind him, as he launched a downward strike at his back. Zhao took notice of this, as he heard the movement of the blade, he soon rotated his body, as he moved to parry the blade. With a clang, the blades clashed once again.

Zhao moved back once again, as he quickly moved above Minoru, launching yet another strike, But his opponent once again moved out of the way. Soon, the two were caught within an exchange of slashes once again. The two threw swipes at each other but soon found that their opponent would parry them. As they found an opening and attempted to take advantage, neither would let them, taking notice and closing off their chances of landing a fatal blow. Any cuts either made were made trivial at best. Both of them took notice, and they both gritted their teeth. The two fighters, normally calm and collected, looked to be out of character. Frustrated by the fact that their opponent simply would not fall.

Zhao(thought): Even with how good he is… Why can’t I finish the job, was our training not enough?!

Soon, The two reeled back, as a violent light swirled around their bodies, they soon took swipes at one another, and their blades clashed between them, the force sent outward coming out as a shockwave, which shook the area around them. Despite their best efforts, both were sent flying back, thrown away from another. But, the two would soon stop themselves. As they gripped their blades once again, they began their charge at one another, as Zhao began to let out a war cry, that resounded throughout the city, Minoru did the very same, as the two got close, they both flew past each other, their eyes darting over their shoulders, as they turned, launching swipes once more. They soon began streaking across the darkening sky. That was, until, Minoru flew backward, pulling out of the exchange.

Minoru: That's the limit… I wanted to avoid more damage to the city if possible, but it looks like I'll have to do this if I'm to end this quickly.

Zhao(thought): He has something else up his sleeve?!

Minoru: All this time I've focused on balancing my offense and defense, but it seems that you're a Special case…

Soon, a green light swirled around Minoru, more intense, and larger than it had been before. Soon, his Auburn hair began to flow freely, as it became much wilder. He tightened his grip on the blade once again, as he yelled.

Minoru: Guren Art- Kogeki Keitai!!! ((attack form))

Zhao: Dammit, his Protomis just jumped-

Though Zhao kept his gaze forward, he soon found that his opponent was no longer in his sights, his eyes widened as his pupils darted around.

Zhao: Where did he go?!

Soon, Minoru appeared once again, at Zhao’s right. As he took notice, he attempted to withdraw, starting to dash away. But, Minoru soon just moved to follow him, as he began to take swipe after swipe, leaving gashes all over the man’s body. In an onslaught that continued for what felt like minutes.

Minoru: Guren Art - Hayauchi.

Zhao would soon manage to avoid a cut aimed at his neck, though, it was a near miss... He had realized that if he was just a moment slower, their fight would’ve been over, right there.

Zhao(thought): He's a league above where he was before. I didn't even see him move.

Minoru: Guren Art - Shinku Senkō

Soon, Minoru began flashing around Zhao once again, forward, back, revolving around him. However, Zhao remained in the center of his attack zone, powerless to stop it. He gritted his teeth.

Zhao(thought): I knew I wouldn't have been able to stop him without using that… it's time to open up…

Part B

Within a rather barren area of Southern Zhuhong, there sat a Lone temple, sat upon the top of a hill. The temple was mostly quiet, save for the chirping of Cicadas, and the quiet tap of a rather tall man’s feet on the ground. His head shaved bald and shining from the sunlight that reflected on it. Just below the bald head, there were three marks. Revealing that the man was in fact, a master of the Guo arts, in addition to the robes he wore, Guan Jun. In front of him, stood a child that only came up to his hip, though the hair was cut low, it was not bald. He wore the very same robes that the Guan did, though they were, of course, smaller. Guan would eventually stop pacing around, as he focused his gaze on the boy.

Guan: Lei… I believe that you will be the one to eventually surpass me. But, be that as it may, there is a technique that I need to have you learn.

The boy stepped forward, as he smiled at the proposition.

Lei: Alright. Let’s do it!

As Zhao came back to the present, he took note of the fact that Minoru’s onslaught had ceased. He looked down at his body, now bloodied and riddled with cuts. He clenched his fists, as he closed his eyes.

Zhao(Thought):It's my obligation to surpass you… you took me in, it would only be courtesy to accept your wishes… Guan.

His eyes opened once again.

Zhao: Guo Art - Quán Shì Sān Yǎn(All-seeing Third Eye).

Soon, the skin on Zhao’s forehead parted, with an eye forming a moment after, where the skin used to be.

Zhao: you are powerful indeed, but I would not come here unprepared…

Minoru: Your preparations were for naught, you will not stop my attacks.

Minoru flashed forward once again. But, Zhao would soon get out of the way the moment he began moving, and, though Minoru flew past him, he quickly changed his direction, turning mid-air and coming at Zhao once again, Preparing to send a diagonal swipe down his chest. Zhao, however, quickly moves to stop his attack, intercepting his opponent with the blade. But his opponent drew back once more, before launching yet another strike, breaking through his guard, seemingly, even casually. However, as Minoru prepared to capitalize, launching yet another strike, Zhao moved out of the way of his blade once again.

Zhai(thought): no matter how fast you are, it doesn't matter to someone who knows your moves before you make them!!!

Minoru swiveled, as he sent yet another swipe at the man’s neck. However, he ducked under this strike, and thrust his dao at the man’s chest, in an attempt to end the battle. Minoru however, soon flipped his blade in his hand, Before changing the direction of his swipe, moving the edge toward Zhao’s head. However, Zhao managed to narrowly dodge the attack, as he brought his blade toward Minoru, as he tightened his grip.

Zhao: Guo Art - Blade song!!

Soon, Zhao began cutting Minoru all over his body, returning the favor for the injuries he had gained earlier. This time around, Minoru was the one unable to stop the attacks.

Zhao(Thought): By using this, and seeing how you'll block in the future, I can end this easily. Now, it's time to end--

However, he soon saw a vision once again, which showed his assault being stopped. This surprised him, and though he pulled away, and launched a swipe at his left, instead of his right, where he’d been stopped. He found that it was pointless, as he was simply stopped there. His visions did not prevent this. As Minoru pushed Zhao away, he brought his blade behind his body, before swinging it, with the end of the blade facing the sky. And, though Zhao put his blade up in his defense, he was thrown back by the force regardless, stopping himself as he landed on the wall of a building. Minoru soon got back into his stance, holding his blade behind him, as he bent his knees.

Minoru: That's enough… I've allowed this fight to carry on for long enough, it's time that I finish this. I need to get back to helping the forces, and I need to get back to Hajime.

Soon, the ground around them began to tremor, as the light that swirled around Minoru began to grow larger once again. His blade, even seeming to warp, seeming to extend, with the hilt extending as well. Zhao grunted as he looked upon this.

Zhao: This doesn't get any easier… I don't know what he's planning, but it will surely be an issue.

To Be Continued