Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume6 Chapter 5 (section)

=== Part 2 ===


"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, what's the matter? Is that all? "

Ayano intercepted that water blow fired at her together with loud laughter only with Enraiha, all fire extinguished.

But, the difference in power was obvious. 

The water whip she was easily able to slice off before was, right now, heavy enough she couldn't stop the blow. 

Far from being able to shorten the distance, one by one, she was forced to retreat, attacked one-sided. 

''"So heavy--- "''

Faced with that pressure she couldn't compete with, Ayano bit her lips. 

To be accurate, it wasn't Chris who became stronger but she who became weaker, strength was relative and such wordplay was meaningless. 

Right now, at at this time, Christian Roengram was stronger that Ayano Kannagi. 

But, even if she accepted that, the fact that she could do nothing about it doesn't change. 

Because Homranagi was constantly in front of Chris, all long distance attacks had been absorbed. 

Then, even if she were to plan cutting him directly, Mizuchi's reach was far longer than Enraiha's.

And Ayano right now did not have the necessary strength to break through that distance of several meters, while handling the water whip, 

''"Missiles became ineffective, I cannot start close combat --- winning percentage:zero. QED. Hey, if it's over what am I supposed to do? "''

While fruitlessly arguing with herself, Ayano racked her brain, searching for an opening. 

But, frankly, she couldn't think of any. She wasn't someone who used tactics very well from the beginning. 

Whether it was impossible or next to impossible, she had no choice but to do it.

"Well, if I'm stalling long enough, Kazuma might figure something out. "

But, that wasn't trust, it was only dependence -- dependence on others. 

She could not permit that, her pride wouldn't tolerate it anymore. 

The position Ayano desired was to be Kazuma's partner, in no way the object of his protection. 

"--- Well then"

With that murmur, Ayano concentrated her consciousness. 

On that water whip hammering into her as it pleased, its trajectory, timing, framework combination, grasping it completely, she searched for a gap to dive in.

That's right, there's nothing to think about it. 

If a long-distance attack is ''theoretically impossible'', if bringing it into close-combat is ''exceedingly difficult'' --- in terms of degree of difficulty, it's still one rank lower. 

If that's the case, the selected route will always be the same. 

Or perhaps, there was no choice from the beginning. 

She must slip through the offense no matter what it takes and plunge deeply enough until the sword can reach him. 

"Haah! "

Together with that scream, Ayano powerfully kicked the ground. 

At the same time Mizuchi attacked but she barely managed to ward it off without killing the force of her rush. 

''"With this.......will I make it? "''

The speed of that whip's pointed end masterly manipulated, exceeded the speed of sound. 

But, what could be called the blessing in disguise was that Chris was a first-class whip handler, not a Suijutsushi one. 

It was very fast she could barely confirm it by sigh. 

"How foolish! Does this mean you still don't understand the difference in strength? "

"I know it, all right! "

Replying  scornfully while bouncing back the attack, Ayano took one more step. 

That's right, it was very clear there is a huge power difference. But, that has nothing to do with it.

If something you cannot surrender is taken, if you cannot protect without waging war, no matter how low the chance of victory is, there is no choice but to fight.

There is nothing more but that.

"Haaaaaaaah! "

"Kuuh.....do- don't get carried away! "

Irritated at Ayano's ''pointless resistance'', Chris attacked incessantly, much more severe. 

But, the girl started to notice handling his attacks became easy to her. 

While drawing near the range, because managing the long whip became difficult, Chris gradually shortened the whip. 

For Ayano, who already started being able to see through his technique, it didn't take time to deal with those attack with dropping speed.

At the same time Ayano made the judgment that the Justushi called Chris, although powerful, in the end he wasn't all that much. 

Meaning that he had already thoroughly demonstrated his power, its range -- to put it bluntly, when facing a weaker enemy, when facing an equal enemy, when facing a stronger enemy, his impatience will surface, his technique will get rough.

Right now was exactly that time. Ayano already detected many lethal chinks in Chris' armor. 

The fist few times she was cautious wondering if it's not a fake but now it was already clear 

''"That's right--- swing--- restore--- there! "''

Completely stealing Chris' trick, at the same time she grasped the behavior of preparing at attack she jumped in a big way. 

While feeling Mizuchi's attack cold on her neck, location she decided to land was roughly two meters in front Chris.

"Wha- "

---Completely within Enraiha's killing range! 

''"I got through! "''

"Kuuh! "

Chris's face, that became gradually stiffer, finally had a cramp. 

While memorizing that expression feeling more that a little exhilarated, Ayano raised Enraiha to kill.

"I- I won't let you! "

Chris stopped the blow with Mizuchi, setting Humranagi free overhead in a hurry.

Enraiha lost most of her power but, that does not mean the blade grew dull. 

The fear of being cut by it was second to none.

"Girl....don't underestimate me! ", shouted Chris as if denying his impatience and agitation.

"Do you think the situation turned around with just this? But, everything remains the same!"

"True", Ayano readily affirmed.

Practically, she approached close enough for her sword to reach but at the same time she was also the closest to Homranagi. 

Ayano's ability as an Enjutsushi was almost perfectly sealed. Even Enraiha's flame was practically extinct, only the air sourronding the blade was vaguely simmering like a heat haze, unable to change to flame. 

Meaning, Ayano could challenge the powerful Suijutsushi owning a Sacred Treasure with nothing but martial arts. 

But, there wasn't a particle of cowardice in Ayano's pupils. 

In this situation she was at a disadvantage, overwhelmingly so. But, expressing that in another words, that was only a handicap. 

Compared with the time she had no choice but continue to receive a one-sided attack unable to counter-attack, the situation improved a hundred-fold. 

"Haah! "

Ayano swung Enraiha without hesitation. 

Even if she lost her power, she believed in the blade that was the Clan's most important asset, the blade that was half of her being.

"Huff! Too soft!"

Chris stopped the slash with the water edge. 

He reaffirmed his own advantage, returning to the affected expression from his first appearance.

"Is an Enjutsushi unable to use fire challenging me? Realize your standing! "

Thrusting away with brute force the sword on sword lock, Chris swung his arm, as if gently brushing the air.

Doing so, an infinite number of water droplets were produced and a second later, were shot with fierce speed.

"---!! "

Ayano evaded the rain of water bullets concentrating from her breasts to her head by rolling on the ground. 

And then, immediately making her body take a defensive position, she fired a blow using the blade while standing up.

''"As expected, he's--- slow"''

While slashing at him one after another without giving him the time to use Suijutsu, the girl's assessment about Chris was reevaluated once more. 

He was definitely not weak and he didn't look stupid. 

Even the attack just now was almost the best selection.

Since Ayano lost her Enjutsu ability, she could only oppose Mizuchi with Enraiha itself. Then, there was no need to fuss over bestowing the most powerful attack by means of the Sacred Treasure.

It was rather the other way around, the best  plan was to bother and overwhelm him so that he can handle only Enraiha. 

In a fight between Sacred Treasure users, even tricks that were nothing more but skillful feints, could turn now into deadly blows.

But, if you are trying to use such a shotgun technique, it's a mistake to try and hit everything.

The aim should be scattered over a vast rage and little by little but steadily pile up damage.

"kuuh.....you bitch.....why are you still alive? "

This man didn't understand that. 

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 06 241.jpg|thumb|]]

Because he only fought with weaklings only and didn't have the experience of struggling to the last minute against someone strong, he never schemed to get even one millimeter closer to victory. 

"I can't possibly loose against someone like that! "

Enveloped with the drive of certain victory, Ayano swung Enraiha downward. 

Yet again, Chris smashed Mizuchi, the blade not the whip, because the distance was too small, against it with a frantic expression.

"Kuuh! "

While they clashed, his posture crumbled. 

Ayano, who overpowered the opponent for the first time today, drove all that force into the strike.

Chris wasn't able to reorganize his stance. Ayano was absolutely sure of victory in front of the enemy full of openings. 

But.

There was one thing Ayano forgot. The Youma who stole the fire from her --- the existence of Humranagi.

Just like Kazuma, Ayano was also under the impression eating fire spirits was its only ability so she discarded its presence from her awareness. 

Different from Kazuma, it was a blunder risen from arbitrarily deciding from the beginning she couldn't skillfully destroy Homranagi. 

While swinging Enraiha downward, fleetingly glancing at the sky, a red light was projected closely in her field of vision.

And then she was astonished. 

That annoying Homranagi was making that shining something in the middle of the mist brighten much strongly and--- she didn't understand where its eyes were but--- it was looking here.

The next moment, from that red something, a deep-crimson beam was fired aiming at Ayano.

Free time to fend it off, time to think, she didn't have any.









"Dieee! "

"Kuh! "

Slamming his elbow in Nozuchi's flank swinging down, Kazuma avoided a fatal blow within a hair's breath.

The huge axe was knocked down on the ground. The pebbles flying around with the force of an explosion, scraped Kazuma's cheek, unable to fend off. 

"What's the matter? Your movement is slowing down? "

".......shut it", replied Kazuma groaning. 

Gaia stared at his face with doubt, 

"Humph, it doesn't seem like you are tired. It's like your heart is not here --- do you worry about what happens on the other side? "

"............"

Kazuma was silent. But it was the truth. 

Right now, his consciousness was eighty percent turned toward the battle between Ayano and Chris. 

Just like it was said, Kazebami's ability was not absolute nor was it  inexhaustible. 

That's why, outside the scope of it's power, he was able to control wind spirits without question. 

Of course, more than a small fluctuation was produced feeling that influence, making the distant control exceedingly difficult and the degree of difficulty jumped through the roof when trying a precise control. 

In that situation, having to endure Gaia's fierce attack, Kazuma was constructing an extremely elaborate wind network.

And finally, by constantly concentrating a large part of his consciousness he succeeded in adjusting the environment so that he could perceive the battle between Ayano and Chris in real-time.

Nevertheless, because of Kazebami, that could only happen outside the territory Kazuma and Gaia were fighting. 

Inside it, it was still impossible to use Fujutsushi against Gaia and Kazebami, and just like Ayano, he could only fight using martial arts. 

No, the battle progress was even worse. 

Different from Ayano who converged all her sensitivity in her own battle, looking over Ayano's battle via the tuning with the spirits required most of Kazuma's concentration.

As expected Gaia was proving difficult to face with only that remainder. 

Excepting Nozuchi, he managed somehow the Chijutsu attacks but it became clear that in the future he would fail 

But, even so...

"Humph! "

"Kuuh! "

His reaction was late. At once he set up the Seven Sword diagonally and ward it off but just by that one conjunction a huge crack was made on the blade. 

At this rate, if it were to happen three more times, the blade would snap.

Of course, if he were to stop the blow head-on, it would instantly be pulverized. 

Obviously together with its owner.

"Fuu, that toy is pretty durable"

Gaia offered words of praise from the bottom of his heart. 

In a situation so disadvantageous, being cornered so much but never once receiving a direct hit, that strength was comfortable.

Being able to cross swords with such a formidable enemy to one's heart's content, that pleasant feeling was satiating.

But, on Kazuma's side,

"Keh---- Ayano, don't be so reckless"

Seeming not to hear Gaia's words, turning away, he muttered to himself. 

Between '''here''' and '''there''', it was very clear which one was more important.

Naturally, Gaia was enraged.

"You bastard! Is the woman more important than fighting me!? Are you underestimating me--- "

"It doesn't mean that I underestimate you but it can't be helped, you know? More that killing you, right now the person there has more priority "

"You dare? "

''At present, there is no other way of winning''

There will probably be just one chance. 

In the current situation, if he's cautious, the accuracy rate will drop very low. 

That's right --- for Kazuma, there was something more important than killing Gaia. 

It is, defeating both Gaia and Chris. 

For that to happen, this overwhelming disadvantage must be improved one way or another, no matter what. And that's something he does not wish for Ayano. 

Even if there is a huge risk that will come with it, there was no other way but to go through with this.  

"I'm relying on you, Ayano"

Unintentionally he spoke out loud his expectation. But from what he saw, that didn't seem an issue. 

Even in this disadvantageous situation, Ayano is making good progress. 

It seemed she could win by herself without any help. 

That was partially because that Suijutsushi was a loser but even so it was a big deal.

''"What remains is to find an opportunity here by any means possible--- "''

As expected he kept quiet this time, murmuring so inside his heart. That's when it happened.

On his other field of vision a non-laughing matter was projected.

Ayano about to cut down Chris. The Homranagi creeping overhead. The red light inside the mist increased its brightness, clearly preparing to attack. 

Ayano was completely unguarded against Homranagi and completely didn't realize it was drawing near. 

"--you idiot! "

That instant, Kazuma forgot about Gaia's existence. He completely discarded his own battle from consciousness concentrating everything on the neighboring battle.

Tuning his sense with the wind spirits, he aimed precisely at Homranagi ignoring the distance or Kazebami's influence. 

He felt a definite response. 

He was relived. 

All of it happened in one moment.

But of course, Gaia didn't miss that space.

"Nun! "

Raising a scream filled with power, Gaia swung Nozuchi downward. 

The blade blew up the ground like an explosion --- it hardened in the air and the crystal-like stones bullets aimed at Kazuma. 

He couldn't react in any way. His absolutely defenseless upright body  was flooded in the stream of bullets, dancing in space as if hit by a car. 

The Seven Star he had in his right hand snapped disappearing in the sky.

And then, after flying a few meters, he landed on his back. 

With a start, his body convulsed once,

"Gaaa....ahhhh"

Together with a feeble groan, he spit out fresh blood. And then completely stopped moving as if he was dead.

His chest was moving up and down faintly so he barely managed to live but----

"What a moron.....!"

No power to fight remained in that body for which even the label serious condition was an understatement.

Gaia's face, looking down on the fallen Kazuma was thoroughly disgusted, warped with discontent. 

"Giving up on the fight for something like a woman........I did not wish for such a dull conclusion"

"Haa.........I believe I already won, you fool"

"Mmm!? "

He thought he was speaking to himself. The moment he heard that murmured answer Gaia opened his eyes in shock. 

He looked down once more and saw the severely wounded person that was about to die there, carrying a strong will in his eyes looking this way.

"I destroyed Homranagi. Ayano will immediately finish off the Suijutsushi and come here. It's your loss. "

"Humph, giving your life for the woman--- for the victory of your partner? What a beautiful intent of self-sacrifice. "

"Don't be ridiculous! Who died? "

Although in a situation that crossed from an overwhelming to an absolute handicap, Kazuma smiled fearlessly.

"This kind of damage is just the right handicap to deal with the likes of you. Even if I can't win I can hold on until Ayano gets here easily"

"-----Hou? "

Gaia's expression looking at him with a bored, disappointed look became animated once more. 

He realized that Kazuma was not joking but he seriously did not gave up on the fight.

"With a body that cannot stand up, are you still talking big? Interesting, how very interesting, Yagami Kazuma. That's my opponent! "

"........."

"Fine, then I won't go easy on you! If you can still do something in that condition, why don't you show me? "

To grasp complete victory, Gaia raised Nozuchi overhead and roared loudly.