Chapter 22: Nazuhi Beach(3)
A lone figure moved through the battlefield. Every strike fell an enemy as they were cut down like grass before him.
When Jason had caught up with the Shogunate Army. It was already too late. There wasn't even time for him to do his scouting. Yoshihiro's army was surrounded and would be completely wiped out if he did nothing.
He had decided to try and create an opening for them to escape.
"Stop him!"
"It's just one person-"
Another wave of rebel soldiers charged at Jason. However, he no longer paid them any heed. From his initial engagement, he had a rough impression of the difference in strength between them.
There was no way soldiers of that caliber would be able to defeat him. Yoriichi's sword skills were so godly back then that they killed even Muzan. The master swordsman would be turning in his grave if he knew he lost to some cannon fodders from the rebel army.
"Sun breathing: Fire Wheel."
The air around him shimmered with intense heat. His blade was bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, cleaving through his approaching enemies like a knife through butter in a single, fluid motion.
He moved forward, corpses left in his wake.
"S-stand firm! We can't let one person break our ranks. Guppy One and Guppy Two. Charge!"
Jason could see a man clad in ornate armor, giving out orders behind several rows of enemies. That was likely the rebel commander for this rear army.
He could already see glimpses of the banners of the Shogunate army behind him. Once he broke through the rear, they would be able to escape.
"Your struggle is futile." Jason coldly declared, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade through the night.
He closed the distance with his oncoming foes and spun on his axis, his sword an inferno of torching light. Flames danced along the edge of his blade, creating a mesmerizing wheel of fire that seemed to defy the very laws of nature. The radiant inferno expanded outward, a deadly maelstrom consuming everything in its path.
"Arghh!"
"Help me!"
"D-demon!"
The rebel squads were left devastated. Everyone caught within the vortex was turned into charred corpses.
He continued his relentless assault, his spinning figure a sight of terror for the hapless soldiers who fell like leaves in a raging wildfire with each revolution Jason unleashed.
Realizing the enemy's blade would soon reach him. The rebel commander could no longer hide his terror and broke ranks.
The shouts of retreat spread like wildfire among the rebel ranks, soldiers casting aside their weapons in a desperate bid to avoid Jason who in their eyes was simply a God of Death.
Amidst the chaos, Jason could now see the distinctive purple armor of the Shogunate Army. It was clear they were in disarray as there was no semblance of a formation to be seen anywhere.
His allies, realizing the path had been cleared, fled in his direction. Their gazes a mix of gratitude and awe when they realized that Jason had single-handedly saved them all.
A familiar figure was among the retreating ranks. The man ran towards him.
"J-Jason! Thank you. The entire Shogunate Army here owes you our lives. If we had been completely wiped out, the consequences would have been … unimaginable. "
"It's fine. Kazuki. Where's the general?"
Kazuki seemed to hesitate, his eyes conveying a mix of sympathy and reluctance. At that moment, Jason felt the weight of the impending revelation.
"He's dead."
The gravity of the words hung in the air for a moment.
"I see …" He looked on, banners of the Resistance Army in the distance getting closer by the minute. "Retreat with your men. I will buy time for you to do so safely."
"Thank you, Jason."
Kazuki gave a heartfelt bow and then rallied the remaining soldiers to continue.
The advancing rebel army that gave chase approached.
Jason faced down the army, a quiet determination burning in his eyes. He raised his sword, flames dancing along the edge of its blade.
"If any of you wish to be an audience for the dance of the sun, please step forward." He spoke calmly. "But the price ... will be your life."
===
Kokomi surveyed the unfolding battlefield on a hill, her eyes reflecting a mix of serenity and concern.
"What I surprise. I did not expect the Kujou Clan's lost art to be still practiced."
"Lost art?" An officer beside her asked.
"In the days of the Cataclysm, it was said almost all of Inazuma was engulfed by the forces of darkness. The Kujou Clan, spearheading the defense of the island, began teaching all the vision bearers a unique skill. Based on the history books, It was a forbidden art that was banned afterward by the Shogun when the general Sasayuri used it to defeat a mighty foe at the cost of his life."
"W-what!"
"But more importantly. To think that the Shogunate had someone that strong hidden under its wrap." she looked on at the single soldier who was blocking her army from pursuing the retreating Shogunate Soldiers ... "However, I have prepared for such a possible scenario among the 100 possibilities I considered."
Kokomi's eyes widened in awe at the way the man in the distance seamlessly blended martial precision with the fluidity of a dance. The sunlight seemed to embrace him, casting a golden aura as if nature itself acknowledged the mastery he possessed.
A sense of inspiration and reverence began to build within her, and she could feel her heartbeat quickening.
She shook her head. T-this wasn't the time to be impressed!
What she would give to have such a soldier under her command. The Shogunate Soldier knew what he was doing - fighting off her entire army just to buy time for his allies to escape. Even though he was her enemy, she respected the act.
Just who was that man? She couldn't make out the features of the person as he was too far from her.
Should she give the signal for Gorou to fight? The general survived but was injured. She couldn't afford to lose him.
"So, is it time for me to make my move?" A confident voice, full of authority sounded from behind.
"Yes … I was planning for you to make your first appearance by launching a surprise raid on one of Inazuma's prized naval ports. But it seems I can't afford to hold back here."
Kokomi turned to look at the figure beside her.
"I`ll be counting on you … Captain Beidou."
A/N: 3-chapter mega release. Thanks for reading! :3
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