Chapter 69 - Azuma Banquet 4

As Yuuki fought off Maia, Himari and Yachiho who was carrying Homare tried their best to escaped only for Something to attack them from behind causing Yachiho to instantly knock out and dropping

Homare as she was sent flying into the trees while Himari managed to evade and turned to fight her mother having used the back of her spear to attack Yachiho.

"Yachiho!" (Himari)

She quickly checked on her sister to see if she was alright and to find that she was alive and only fainted while Fubuki watched her and said.

"Now that no one is here to protect you, do you think you have the chance to win against me?"(Fubuki)

Her cold gaze looked down on Himari who sighs in relief then stood up against the mother where she had a sharp and strong expression then said.

"I don't but that's no reason for me to not try."(Himari)

Fubuki was impressed seeing the eyes of her daughter that were completely different than before. She felt someone who had awakened a hidden talent and got the same impression as when she fought Kuro Oni and before they began, Tobera appeared to surprise Himari.

"No need to worry, I'm just here to take these two out while you two duel it out."(Tobera)

She took the two and placed them into the portal before leaving while Himari and Fubuki waited until she was done then stared down at each other as Tobera laid the defeated participant and said.

"We're done with appetizers."(Tobera)

Tobera turned with a sadistic smile then said.

"All that's left is the main dish."(Tobera)

Kyouka intently watch inwardly praying for Himari's success against fighting Fubuki where they found a better place to fight and Fubuki first one to speak

"Show me your strength, Himari."(Fubuki)

Himari saw her summon a yari-based spear out of thin air with a symbol resembling the sun on the spearhead, her ability [ Sunset ]. It was burning with power as Fubuki took a stance and Himari decided to give her all and took a deep breath controlling it causing ripples around as she touched her temple.

"I'll prove to you I'm strong."

[ Limiter Removal x8 and No Pain ]

Fubuki is shocked to see her suddenly surge with pressure as she uses a technique that normal people would die from but considering she has bleach blessing that enhances her power allowed her to survive the backlash later and she was bound to get injured anyway, it was best to give it her all.

"Then show me."

The two clash where she is extending her spear delivering a series of high speed thrust that was shockingly evaded by Himari who moved at tremendous speed that no humans should go.

[ Gun Kata ]

Himari slammed the spearhead into the ground before transforming her hands into guns, a handgun, blasting the bullets to where Fubuki easily evaded them then pulled her spear as impressive as she appeared.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Front Kick ]

A massive force pushed Fubuki back and managed to use her spear to stop midair only to see her daughter appear a few meters away.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Hyperspeed ]

Her movement speed was astonishing, unleashing a flurry of kicks where Fubuki had to adjust her power amaze that she was able to push her this far.

Fubuki tried to counter attack, sending her own series of attacks yet Himari moved in an unnatural way wasting no movement as she controlled her breathing and movement.

'Relax, remember your training and trust yourself. Don't doubt yourself! Keep going!'

Himari motivated herself trying to keep her center still trying to take on her mother who was getting through defense but didn't want to stop moving.

"I commend you for pushing me this far."

Fubuki began to increase her power output when Himari was getting overwhelmed but kept her center and cleared her thoughts. While Outside Tobera became impressed seeing her granddaughter pushing her daughter to increase her power.

"This is shocking, she's a lot stronger than I anticipated. If she were to fight Homare then I am afraid she easily beat her."(Tobera)

Kyouka felt proud seeing her friend prove that she isn't weak and had grown even further than anyone can dream off. She's been training under Yuuki for a little over a month but displays remarkable growth.

"I wonder how she managed to increase her strength in such a short time."( Tobera)

"She uses one of Yuuki's techniques called [ Limit Removal ] and [ No pain ]."(Kyouka)

"Oh, interesting, can you explain it more?"(Tobera)

"As the name suggests it allowed her to surpass her limit at the cause of backlash. Yuuki told me that a normal human can use 2x while x8 would kill a person without peach ability."(Kyouka)

"Hahahah the more I hear about this boy, the more I want to have him."(Tobera)

Tenka and Kyouka look at each other giving an awkward smile as Tobera grinning looking at the fight unfold.

[ Gun Kata ]

Himari flipped back then once she got her put into the ground and rushed towards her Mother putting huge amounts of strength into her legs.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Front Kick ]

The shockwave of the attack caused Fubuki to be pushed once again while Himari took the opportunity to get closer where she attacked her.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Right Flamingo: Three-Pronged Strike - Gor Yo + Gun Kata ]

In that moment, Fubuki was shocked to find her feet transformed into a gun as she tried to defend it receiving a three strike to her head with the forces shaking her head taking minimal damage but enough to lower her defense.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Right Flamingo: Three-Pronged Strike - 3rd Stance Hwechook. ]

Himari was about to deliver a devastating attack only for Fubuki to increase her power even further than before and stabbed her spear into the ground sending shockwaves yet she stomped her legs into the ground.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Wave Rebound. ]

Absorbing the energy then immediately transferred the attack downward causing Fubuki to feel her own attack as wince a bit from the attack and allowed Himari the brief chance to attack again.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Hwechock ]

Himari was about to hit her when she suddenly evaded and spun using her spear to increase her movement then kick Himari away as she crashed into the trees.

"Gaaah!"

She felt her body ache then immediately sensed danger and went to form a shield on her arms blocking the thrust but cause her crash to even more trees as Himari was on the ground. Fubuki was already close to her looking down at her defeated daughter then said.

"You've done well but this is over... If you're a vice-chief at your level, then I suppose the seventh unit and the chief Uzen aren't with much and Wakura has mistakes for your talent as I was expecting more."

Fubuki provokes while Himari widens recalling the memories of her past where she first started in 7th unit and the time she was acknowledged by someone.

"...Me? As the seventh unit... Vice Chief?"(Himari)

She remembers being overwhelmed by confusion where Kyouka nodded at that and said.

"I've been watching you ever since you joined the seventh unit. You can do it."

"Uhm... If you promote me, who fled from my own family... The ninth unit might start judging you... So…"(Himari)

"So what? I still want you as my vice chief."(Kyouka)

The sudden realization that was done on her where she felt being appreciated caused the emotion deep down to well up and couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Himari…"(Kyouka)

"I-im sorry... Chief…"(Himari)

She could remember the time when everyone verbally abuse where she could clearly hear the voices of Tobera and Homare.

'Can't you accomplish more as an Azuma!?'(Tobera)

'The Azumas have no use for you.'(Homare)

Himari felt her nightmare had finally vanished and turned to look at Kyouka crying her heart out and showing her gratitude.

"Thank you so much…"(Himari)

At that moment Kyouka was also affected by it and began tearing up from her left eye.

"Eh-"(Himari)

"Your tears got to me as well."(Kyouka)

She wipes the tears away sympathizing with her then smiles at her.

"I thought mine had all dried up, too…"

Himari was surprised then Kyouka stood up and went to embrace Kyouka then said.

"Your position is the product of your will. Hold your head high."(Kyouka)

When the memory was over it shifted to the time when she met Yuuki where he was an annoyance to her at the beginning that slowly turned into someone she can rely on and look up to. He was like Kyouka who kept pushing themselves forward.

"That's how you do it. Even though it's prioritized in kick, you should try utilizing your entire body."

Yuuki was training Himari where around them were aftermath showing smaller ravines produced from the attack of their martial art.

Himari was heavily panting and strain from the constantly pushing her body but her skills had greatly improved compared to how they had started.

"Haaa…ha…I didn't think….haa…it would be this….difficult."

"You're a lot better and by the end you'll be able to defeat Yachiho without me or possibly your mother."

Yuuki encouraged evaluating the result of their training as he wiped the bruise from his face. Himari nodded as tries to stand up but the strain in her legs was too much but slowly felt revitalized by Yuuki healing her.

"Here, drink this."

He handed her a drink where Himari immediately took and felt refreshed as the two took a break and silently took the scene. Himari glanced at him drinking his beverages then said.

"Yuuki."(Himari)

"Hmm?"(Yuuki)

"Have you ever thought that if you never had the abilities and talent would you still be this strong?"(Himari)

Yuuki took a moment to think about what he said.

"Maybe, but I never cared about that stuff. I've always thought that it is in heart and ability to overcome our weakness that makes us strong."

He looked at the sky then said.

"Think about it, in the past, a man did not have claws nor fang like other animals yet overcome their weakness by continuously surpassing their limits."

Himari always admired that he always had the spirit to fight and remained the way he is. Yuuki at times is carefree but when times comes showcase his skills and wisdom.

"I've only got this from someone else but Surpass your limits as no one but yourself dictates it. The moment you stop trying is when it's all over."(Yuuki)

He stood up then looked up at the heavens and said.

"When you ever feel overwhelmed then scream to the heavens until even you can hear yourself."

Himari saw his broad shoulder seeing a man who never saw a reason to stop trying and dictates his limits. He finds him reckless yet admirable as Himari in the moment of darkness, a light shines through and gives birth to anew as a cyclone of energy begins to churn around Himari surprising her mother.

She stood up looking completely different with a circular symbol on her forehead, the same symbol when she uses an ability. Her eyes were sharp and strong where Fubuki saw the gap had almost reached half of her full strength.

'She's not the same as before.'(Fubuki)

"Those words... Take them back. I will not forgive anyone who badmouths the person I love and the first person who acknowledges me."(Himari)

Her tone was firm and strong as Fubuki was impressed that her youngest daughter, who was supposed to be the weakest, awakened her true potential.

"Those words reflect your incompetence. If you don't like them, try making me take them back."(Fubuki)

Himari took out her phone then at the screen selected then stretch her arm and a small hurricane of wind came out of her palm pushing Fubuki

'...This! It's the Chief Ezo's night storm!'(Fubuki)

She stabbed her spear into the ground to stop her midair only for her to sense something as Himari came out of the portal and Fubuki immediately turned around as the spectator watched in shock.

'Came out of the portal behind her'(Fubuki)

"She copied Ame-no-mitori...!"(Kyouka)

"The precision is lower, but it's enough to fight"(Tenka)

"Gaah what's going on."

They turn to see Yachiho waking up as she wasn't that injured and only been knocked out Tenka immediately tried to help her stand up and said.

"Well, your sister is fighting against your Fubuki-san."

Yachiho looks at where they are looking and is shocked to find Himari sending a series of attacks to Fubuki at high speed faster than normal as Fubuki slowly increases her power over sixty percent.

'This ability... Is Homare's python!'

She stepped back trying to distance herself from Himari's as she prepared to attack, only for Himari to take an unusual pose that shocked Yachiho and Fubuki.

[ Golden Hour ]

Everything turned inverted black and white as time froze where Himari rushed towards her mother.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Hyperspeed. ]

Having only 1 second gave her enough as he appeared close to her manner then immediately took the opportunity given to her.

[ Northern ITF Taekwondo - Right Flamingo: Three-Pronged Strike - 3rd Stance Hwechook. ]

Fubuki felt her head shaking from the attack and immediately stepped back to look at Himari with bruises on her face, simply proud that she was able to go this far.

"I'll say it again, take those words back."