Chapter 37

"What is this dome of darkness? It doesn't budge. No matter how I strike it with light attacks, it just swallows it. I also can't feel anything inside." Jeimi said as she touch it.

"I came here to say goodbye to that kid, but this… is not good. Just when I decided to return to exploring." She sighs. Seeing the phantom of his deceased husband on Hisashi, she decided to go out and explore the world once again, as they did.

In that way, she can feel her connection to him again even if he's no longer of this world.

…

"You got weaker, brother," Gentsu said. They're only fighting for less than an hour but he has already seen the decline in his brother's strength. Something that disappointed him.

"I would love to do the honors of killing your most beloved when Father finishes with them! KYAHAHAHAHA!" Gentsu mocks. Suddenly, a cold chill pierces through him and he can't help but back away quickly. Feeling the change in his brother's Ki, he can't help but back away while smiling.

Itsuki just looks him straight in the eyes. With a calm rage inside of him, he starts to gather his yoryoku. Although the dome was useful, he found that it isn't as potent as Gentsu can look through his clone's eyes. He can also use his Ki to make out where all the attacks were.

The dome then starts to shrink and covers his whole body. He closes his eyes and a vivid memory appears on his brain.

"Let me borrow your last move, Genji. Just like how you vanquished those demons, I'll do the same here. To cut the loose ends."

[Dark Sorcery: Kuroi Taiyou no ha] (Blade of the Black Sun)

The darkness then went from his body to his katana. His Ki then swelled up which made Gentsu lose all the smug in his face. The ground cracks and Itsuki reappears in front of him. Without any chance to react, he felt a pain in his chest and he sees his heart getting stabbed by his brother's sword.

"Zetten."

Itsuki twists his katana and a large sonic boom explodes. The next moment, everything behind was obliterated. The houses, fire, and even the ground caves in, obliterated.

Destroying his brother's heart, Itsuki finally felt his Ki disappear and his last breath dissipate. The attack took little of his stamina but large of his yoryoku. But he knows that he can't rest. Turning around to chase after Ichika, he almost had a heart attack at what he sees.

"I'm disappointed, Itsuki." Itsuki heard the familiar voice.

"Kusho!" It was his father. Itsuki's eyes then darted to a person beside him. "LET GO OF HER!" Yuna continues to struggle to escape but it was fruitless.

"Still disrespectful. Does it hurt you to call me father in my face?" Kusho has disappointment all over his face. It didn't even look like his child's death affected him in any way.

"Is it worth it!? To ruin my life, in exchange for your people's!? Your remaining son!?" Itsuki angrily asks him.

"I've already prepared for the worst-case scenario. These people here aren't the last of the clan but are willing participants, including your brother. He volunteered to handle you, wanting to see you for yourself. But it's a pure waste of time." Kusho said. Suddenly, darkness appears around the air and an unconscious Gentsu appears. Itsuki looks back only to see his brother's body gone.

"I don't want to play favorites, but letting him die would be wasteful." The old man said with a shrug.

"What do you want from me? I've accepted my punishment!"

"Do you know? Living the life you've long so wanted… I don't think of that as punishment."

"What do you want then? To succeed in your position!? To take over this country!? FUCKING TELL ME!" Itsuki screams, unable to control his outburst. On the other hand, his father is still there, calm as a lake.

"You have no more use for me. Nor any of these dead, useless people. Ichika, bring them here." Hearing her daughter's name, Itsuki looks around only to see a different person. It was still Ichika, but dark wings and black pair of horns were attached to her.

As she walks toward them, she's dragging along her brother and Ryuya who were both unconscious.

"Release her! NOW! All you need is a successor, right!? Take me and leave them alone! Are the lives of these people not enough for you!?" Itsuki prepares himself to attack. However, Kusho just tightens his hold of Yuna, making Itsuki back off.

"Don't worry now, my son. I'll let you in back on the clan. Back with both of your children. You just have to play a little bit with me." Kusho said as he slowly backed off. Suddenly, the remaining members of the Yami clan gathered around in a big circle, surrounding both Kusho and Itsuki.

Seeing this, Itsuki had flashbacks. Such a ritual is common in their clan. Whenever their people had disputes, they would gather in a circle and watch as two or more people fought it over in a battle. Everyone should always be present and be a witness to the fight.

"Look like everyone else in this town is now dead," Kusho said as he looks at the 6 remaining people. He was disappointed at how little remains but it was within his calculations. To appease and convince the Han's to attack the Hino country, he sent out half of the remaining warriors of the Yami clan.

Given their requirements, most of them are also the best when it comes to battle. This means that he would have a weaker force to allocate to Itsuki, but it was a price he was willing to pay. As an exchange, he estimates that the Minami Clan survivors would either retreat to Goshu or perish before the two other clans can send reinforcements.

"I won't participate in your sicked and twisted games anymo-" Before Itsuki can even finish, Yuna writhes in pain as Kusho looks at him with a mocking expression, as if saying 'Are you sure?'.

This silences him and Kusho takes that response as a yes.

"Don't be a downer. If you do great, I might even let this miserable woman live too."

"What do you want?" Itsuki prepares himself. Suddenly, someone appears. He was holding no swords, nor does he have a scroll, but Itsuki doesn't want to fight him.

"I've always been curious as to why you adopted someone. He's almost as talented as you. But, what a bummer, am I right? Now, you have to defeat your beloved little stray pet. And by defeat, I mean to kill him." Kusho said to his son as he laugh maniacally.