Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter6

Chapter Six- Decisive Battle

1

Shaaaaaaaaaaaa…….. (sound of rustling leaves, need help with that once more…)

The forest began rustling with unease, those are the sounds made by the living organisms that running away with all their might upon realizing the immense youki, even the bugs that has no way of sensing the danger were unable to withstand such an abnormal presence and disappeared without a trace.

There seems to be something falling from above, and it was the corpses of the animals that came in contact with the youki and were unable to escape in time, resulting in instant death, though there were no external wounds, they are no longer able to move anymore.

Following that, all sounds ceased, all the youki within Ryuya was released, just its mere existence was spreading death around the world.

Facing Ryuya who stood them silently, Ayano took up her Enraiha, but she was only raising up her Enraiha, unable to step even a single step out towards him. The youki that can almost freeze ones back, made her unable to move, no matter what she do, she cannot stop her knees from trembling.

Afraid, just completely afraid, an immense fear consumed Ayano’s soul. It was very difficult to just make herself stand there without running away, it was impossible for her to take a step forward.

At the age of twelve, no, to inherit the Enraiha when she is still young may have been a mistake. Ayano has never fought with an enemy on a higher level than herself, for someone who always defeats her enemies with sheer might, it is impossible to learn to control her actions in battle or the guts to overcome fear. [to learn to control her actions in battle, but actual text has more of a unable to learn how to move in or out in times of combat?: 將不可能學會戰鬥時的應對進退 Not sure how to translate it properly]

After suffering the blow of her first defeat, Ayano has not been able to find the guts to go up against Ryuya.

“What are you doing? Go on!”

Kazuma said to the trembling Ayano.

“Don’t worry! I am with you.”

”Who can not worry!”

Ayano rebutted angrily. How can this man dare to say “Don’t worry” so simply?

“There is no reason to run now is there? So I will not run away this time, you can trust me.”

Who can trust someone who said “he would run if there was a reason”. Ayano stared back, Kazuma showed a caring smile like a trickster.

“This…… This is the last time. If you dare to betray me this time, I will kill you first!”

“No problem, I can swear to God.”

“……God of which side?”

Ayano shows a suspicious look without concealing it, Kazuma continues showing a smile that cannot be trusted and replies..

”Who knows? Whichever God doesn’t matter! I am a non-believer after all.”

Ayano can no longer feel angry at this point of time. She uses a voice of total despair to murmur..

”……That is enough, I leave the support to you.”

”Leave it to me.”

Ignoring Kazuma’s respectful salute, Ayano dashes out. Due to the meaningless chat earlier, her fears and tenseness were greatly reduced, though she still have not------ or perhaps will never------ realize it.

Ayano continues to run. Just as the target is just a few steps away------ Ryuya jumps up.

“……Huh?”

Looking at Ryuya who flew past above her, Ayano gives a sound of shock.

“Idiot! Don’t get avoided so easily!”

”You…… Even if you say this……”

Completely ignoring Ayano, Ryuya aimed straight for Kazuma, and as he descends at a rapid speed, he releases wind blades. Kazuma creates a strong up flow of air to cancel the black winds.

But this is but just a bait, the true attack uses a strength beyond human limits, a slice executed by claws. Raised high above his head, the originally hidden right claw suddenly stretched out.

The attack that the enemy executed could easily rip a human body as though it was cutting tofu (bean curd). Kazuma moves forward at an angle and dodged it. At the same time he places his hand lightly on the back of the enemy’s right arm, and changes its path slightly.

Because the direction of his attack was changed, Ryuya loses his balance and falls to the ground, Kazuma takes the opportunity and uses his knee to strike at the side of the enemy’s abdomen------ his liver. The full bounce of his body, together with a strong explosion of “ki” gathered at one point, Ryuya’s body was arced like a bow, and throwing him into the air. Following closely the flying body, just before it touches the ground, Kazuma uses his elbow to strike the enemy’s chin. Ryuya’s head moves backwards, so much that he can almost see his own back.

If it was a normal human, no, even if it was a wrestler, he would have died instantly under such an attack, but to the demonized Ryuya, it did not do much damage. Ryuya uses the force that made him fly into the air, and raises his right knee, aimed straight for Kazuma’s jaws.

Even though the attack was aimed at a blind spot, to Kazuma who is synchronized with the wind spirits, there is no such thing. He steps forward slanted to the left and avoids the knee strike, grabbing the front of Ryuya’s shirt, at the same time sweeping his left leg horizontally.

Perfectly performing the arts of judo, [actual text: 柔道的大內割動作完美地呈現, not sure how to translate大內割] Ryuya’s body was flipped over. With Ryuya's head about to fall flat on the ground, Kazuma strikes downwards with his palm, not to attack, but to press downwards. He consistently bends down to press the enemy’s head straight into the ground, a comfortable reaction went through his shoulder.

However, Kazuma did not feel Ryuya’s skull cracking. Instinctively, Kazuma realized that he has not given his enemy a fatal blow and uses his heel to forcefully step at Ryuya’s head, who was lying on the ground, facing the sky. This attack was blocked by an arm, the crossed arms blocked the heels of Kazuma.

”Chut!” [actual text 嘖.]

Kazuma uses his other leg to kick away the arm that is about to grab his leg, and jumps backwards to put distance between them.

(To not even faint after such a fierce attack, does attacking the brain has no effect on him? Just to what extent is he demonized?……)

Kazuma grumbles unhappily. As if he was beating up a steel statue, he felt as though he had accomplished nothing. Ryuya quickly stands up directly from his lying down position. This action is way beyond what a human can do, just like a zombie in the movies.

Ryuya released countless wind blades once he got up, and then at a speed even faster than the wind blades, strikes at Kazuma. The wind blades and his claws reached Kazuma at the same time.

“Guahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

At the same time as the shout, Kazuma forcefully stretches out towards the right arm that was swung. The wind forms a whirlpool spinning rapidly, as if that hand squeezed them out. The rapid flow of air becomes a shockwave, destroying the wind blades, and Ryuya was blown back like a puppet.

It seems that he was unable to take this blow, as Ryuya adjusts his posture in the air, he maintains a certain altitude, then begins to slowly retreat.

“Don’t think about escaping!”

Kazuma knocks the air above Ryuya downwards. The shadow that was originally gliding away slowly, as if swatted by something, suddenly dives at a sharp angle, with a speed way beyond a free falling object, and drops down. Ryuya was barely able to land on his two feet, but his whole body was unable to move, stuck to the ground due to the great air pressure.

Against Ryuya who is motionless, Kazuma quickly closed in onto him.

The wind that was blowing downwards forcefully does not seem to lay a finger upon Kazuma. Kazuma instead seems as though he was sucked into it, and runs quickly inside the raging winds without hindrance.

“How…… powerful, that guy is actually so powerful……”

Ayano was totally taken in by the fight before her eyes, completely mesmerized by the sight of Kazuma fighting. She was unable to even land a hit upon Ryuya, yet Kazuma can fight against him on even ground, or even be stronger than Ryuya. Skillfully avoiding the might force of the opponent, retaliating from time to time, and accumulating the damage done slowly, made her realize what it means to be called “an experienced fighter”.

Forgetting to participate in the fight, Ayano stood as if hypnotized, her eyes following Kazuma.

“------------------------------!”

Just as Kazuma closes in until just a few steps away, Ryuya who was trapped in the ground gives a silent roar, black wind begins to rampage, and breaks the binds that restrained him earlier.

With the force from straightening his knees, he stretches his claws out towards the incoming Kazuma, aiming straight for Kazuma’s throat, who was running directly at him, executing an insane attack of retaliation.

Kazuma did not stop, but instead as he makes his last step, he bends down as much as possible. Using the far ends of his conscious to that the pitch black claws have passed before him, he places his palm against Ryuya’s abdomen----his diaphragm.

Kazuma’s legs were stepped into the ground with force, which went past his knees straight to his waist, and from the waist to his shoulders, like a spiral and continued to become stronger as it continued to be transmitted. From his shoulder to the front portion of his arm, after all the kinetic energy in his body has gathered, it was released through his palm to the front. At the same time, an immense “ki” that is so dense it can spread throughout his body was released from his palm, feeling as though it can pierce through the enemy.

“Hah!”

Accompanying the short shout, a great force that can even blow an African elephant into pieces, right at Ryuya’s diaphragm------ the core of a human’s central nerve system------ exploded. Ryuya’s body was bounced away as though it was blown off, and was imbedded into a stone wall.

The “ki” of a person revolves around the whole body beginning from the diaphragm. Therefore, this place is the most fatal of all fatal areas for a Jutsushi. Once the flow of “ki” is disrupted, no matter how powerful the Jutsushi may be, he will be unable to cast any Jutsu for some time. That is right, if it was a human------ that should have been the case.

Huuuuu!! [actual text 咻咻!! Sound of wind?]

“Muah!”

Ryuya does not look injured in any way, releasing wind blades quickly. Kazuma dodged in the nick of time, and hurriedly pulls the distance away.

“Damn! Bastard! That didn’t work! That guy really whole-heartedly doesn’t want to be human anymore!”

“…… whole-heartedly…… What kind of description is that……”

Hearing Ayano’s sub-conscious rebut, Kazuma shouts out loud..

“Don’t just stand there and watch the show! You are the striker, so why don’t you grab your big torch and go beat him upfront!”

“Big……”

(Big torch------?)

To use such a rude way to call the treasure of the Kannagi clan------

“You, I want to have a talk with you about this later!”

Ignoring Ayano’s furious look, Kazuma waves his hand to hush her..

“Don’t talk so much, go on, “Little kitten”. “

Even though her eyes gave off a stronger killing intent, Ayano steps forward in response. Perhaps reflecting upon her anger, Enraiha shone with a glaring glow unlike any before.

(Sister, you can do it……) [Actual text is more of gambate]

Ren prays whole-heartedly for the victory of the two.

He can only pray now, since he does not possess enough “power” to participate in this battle.

Feeling his helplessness deeply, Ren painfully murmurs..

”If only I have more power……”

”No no, your bit of power is just right.”

”!?”

Ren turns back in shock, and stares towards his back where there had been no one there since just now.

“To break the seal placed upon our “God”, that bit of power is enough.”

The voice sounded like it came from the opposite direction as just now. Ren turns his head once more, and called out in a rising tone..

“It…… it is you, Hyoue! Come out now!”

Shaaaaa, the sound of bushes being moved aside shook the air, this time from the left hand side. At the palm which Ren raised, fire began to erupt in a rapid flow.

In a short moment, the withered plants caught fire and burned furiously, but there was no sign of Hyoue there. Ren looked around, the coarse voice of Hyoue sounded in Ren’s ears..

“Your strength is not bad, just that you are still a kid. Your technique is too poor!”

”Shut……Shut up------------!”

Flames emerged from Ren’s body. In order to not allow the enemy to move to his back, he began to search for Hyoue as his body is surrounded by flames, but------

(I can’t find his presence!)

He has completely no idea where Hyoue is. Originally, En-Jutsushis are a bit overpowered in their combat abilities. Even though their attacking strength is the best, their searching abilities are almost the weakest, much worse than Fu-Jutsushis.

As an En-Jutsushi, Ren is not mature enough, and was unable to see through the Jutsu that the experienced Fu-Jutsushi Hyoue used to conceal himself at all.

“Still too immature. A flame of that level is unable to extinguish the hatred within me.”

Hyoue once again whispered by his ear. Though the direction from which he heard was just behind him, but he could not sense his presence at all.

“Behind? Whe……Where!”

He turned back several times, but he always failed to see Hyoue. No matter how swift he may be, the voice from his back never stopped.

“Over here!”

”Over here!”

”Over here!”

.------Over here------Over here------Over here------Over here------

This line continues to repeat itself like an echo. Bringing along uneasiness from being unable to see his enemy, and the uprising fear and nervousness, Ren’s tight mental state was stretched to the limit upon him fighting actual battle.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Driven by fear, he desires power. Desiring the power to eliminate the enemy. Desiring the power that can destroy “Everything”, that can make him feel afraid------

In response to Ren’s scream, fire spirits revealed themselves. The flame spirits that are being released indefinitely, obeying their own purpose of survival and rampages, burning everything into ashes.

Everything the flames touched was burnt, the forest becaming a sea of flames, the mighty flames became a few pillars of fire that went all the way into the sky, shaking the grounds.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Ren who created panic after losing control, just like his name, attempts to create a Hell on Earth. [Ren attempts to create a 煉獄 on Earth, and Ren’s name is 煉] He goes beyond the limits of his power, and continues to summon a massive amount of spirits. The trees became ashes under the extreme heat, and the scorched land began to melt.

“Ahhhhhh……ah?”

But just at this moment, a cold gush of wind blew past Ren’s body.

Maybe that gush of wind brought some effects, Ren’s madness calmed down in an instant. The youth looked dumbfoundedly at the direction the wind came from.

Kazuma was looking attentively at Ren. Basked in those clear eyes, Ren returns to normal completely this time.

(He is looking at me------!)

Ren looks at him with infinite trust.

“Brot------“

(Brother!)

But, right at the short instant that Kazuma’s eyes met with Ren’s, he shifted his eyes away. And then focused at the battle with Ryuya without looking back again.

Ren feels very disappointed, but finally remembers what he should do. He stabilizes his breathing, and prepares to take on the enemy’s assault.

“You seem to have been abandoned by your brother.”

Hyoue’s voice rings by his ear. He knows clearly that the enemy is not at his back, it was just a distraction from his Jutsu, to use the wind to bring his voice to Ren’s ears. This is a basic technique everyone in the Fuga clan knows, such a simple fact, and yet he never noticed, Ren was ashamed at how immature he is.

“But that cannot be blamed, those two cannot win against Ryuya even if they work together, there is no way he can take the time to protect someone as useless as you.”

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Hearing the eerie laughter by his ear, Ren was unaffected. He calmly detects the presence, and at the same time denies the nonsense that Hyoue was babbling.

“You are wrong.”

”What is wrong?”

He replies calmly. Hyoue has never doubted the situation that is beneficial to him, he may be thinking that he is not fighting, but hunting! Ren grasped at this weak spot.

“Brother, he did not abandon me, it is because he believes in me, believes that I am more than enough to deal with someone like you.”

“What daring words. For a little punk like you who cannot even find out where I am, how are you going to defeat me?”

Indeed, in terms of detecting capabilities, En-Jutsushis are way weaker than Fu-Jutsushis. Unlike flames, air is everywhere, one of the conditions for a human to survive, the one that occupies the most space is still air. The difference in the space occupied, directly affects the amount of information obtained.

(But, if it is now------)

The flames that Ren released when he lost himself, burnt the trees in the area, and continue to burn fiercely. The density of fire spirits has increased to a state that goes beyond logical reasoning. If it is in a situation like this, he is not any worse than a Fu-Jutsushi. Ren closed his eyes, and opened his ears to listen to the spirits’ voice.

“What’s wrong? You want to beat someone like me, yet you seem to be taking quite a bit of time?”

Sounds of mockery came from everywhere. A wind blade passed by his cheek, and flew straight ahead. Ren lets go of everything completely, and synchronizes himself with the spirits.

His five senses disappear, and slowly switches to the senses of the spirits. Not relying on light, not relying on sound, but instead relying on the “theurgy” that a human cannot sense to see the world. Faced with the abnormality that a normal human may go mad against, Ren adapted to it very easily.

(------Found you!)

Actually, it should be said as he cannot be found. In the area which he tried to search, only one spot refused the fire spirits, Hyoue must be at this spot. Ren deeply believes in this.

“Over there!”

Ren raised his palm, and released a fire bomb. The divine power to purify sliced through the empty space.

.------ Just the empty space.

“You fool, where were you aiming……”

Seeing the flame that went in the wrong direction, Hyoue who was concealed in a kekkai of wind showed a mocking expression.

But that expression stopped instantly. He saw the flames around him branch out, and rain down as a rain of fire, aimed at him------

“Wha……What------------!?”

Hyoue was so shocked his eyes almost popped out, the rain of fire came from all directions all at the same moment.

Nowhere to run, this was not a situation that can be solved with a simple trick, to defend himself, he must use power to wipe the flames aside. But, Hyoue does not possess such power, as, looking at sheer strength alone, Ren is sure to win.

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh!?”

As the kekkai was pierced through by the rain of fire like a piece of paper, Hyoue gave off a pitiful scream.

“I succ……succeeded……?”

Sensing the kekkai’s disappearance, Ren says quietly, staring into space.

The trick he used was extremely simple, he had no need to initiate the attack himself, as the flames were there burning all along.

Ren purposely released a flame at an empty area, thus making Hyoue let his guard down, and then controlling the flames that were burning around Hyoue to attack.

If Hyoue was fighting seriously, he might have been able to see through the trick! This is all because of his arrogant attitude to see Ren as prey, causing him to have to suffer such a dreadful blow.

“You……you are really something……Kid……”

”------!?”

A black object rolled out just in front of Ren. From the looks of it, one can still manage to see that it was a human, but no matter how you look at it, it is a corpse that was completely burnt. But the corpse was still moving somehow, and every time it moved, a piece of meat that had already been turned into ashes drops out, growing into a pitch black skin that does not seem human.

“Hoho…… Watch closely…… This is also the power I obtained after signing a contract with the youma, a power beyond human capabilities. Now you get it, kid? Your flames don’t work against me. Hohoho…… Hahahahaha!!”

“You foolish thing.”

As if another person was speaking, Ren said coldly, and broke Hyoue’s laughter.

“My flames are useless? What is a piece of charcoal saying like a human being? Since you yourself gave up on being human, then there is nothing to be said. Because the Kannagi flames are purifying flames------ a power bestowed to destroy non-human monsters like you!!”

A golden light, chased away the dense youki. The rampaging flames seems as though they were taken in by the purifying light, the fire weakens, and eventually disappears slowly. The originally out of control fire spirits, upon being kept in control once more, make the golden light shine even more brightly.

The flames that once expanded explosively, begins to shrink, yet, the temperature rises up. Condensed into a high density semi-materialized flame, giving off a sticky glow, it revolves around Ren.

“I declare as the main family of the Kannagi! Hyoue Kazamaki, the many lives that you took away, shall now be repaid by your own!!”

Surrounded by a blurry shine, Ren declares loudly. Faced with the tiny body that unleashes immense pressure, Hyoue curls his body up.

This is the descendant of a respected and powerful bloodline. At the top of En-Jutsushis, the rightful son of the Kannagi clan.

A great power that was formed though a thousand years of training, is about to awaken------