Chapter 185: Wave of Stone Generals: The Unrelenting Storm
The air within the ancient cavern hung heavy with tension and dust as Raja stood amidst the remnants of the eighth wave, his breathing steady but his body drenched in sweat. The shattered remains of the stone warriors from earlier littered the ground, a testament to his relentless determination and skill.
"Is it finally over?" he muttered, his voice echoing faintly in the cavern.
But fate had other plans. Without warning, the ground trembled violently, sending shockwaves that reverberated through the entire chamber. A sharp, deafening crack tore through the air as 512 stone warriors materialized out of the ground. These weren't mere soldiers like before; their forms radiated a menacing aura, and their eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light. Among them stood towering Stone Dragon Generals, their immense bodies sculpted to exude dominance.
A soft chime sounded in Raja's ear as Jasmine, materialized as a Soul Image beside him. Her expression was one of worry and desperation.
"Raja!" she shouted, her soul form flickering as if her distress mirrored the instability of the moment. "This isn't like before. This wave is meant to kill you! Abandon the trial! No one would blame you for walking away."
Raja clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. "Jasmine," he said, his voice calm but resolute, "I didn't come this far to quit. If this is what it takes, then so be it."
Jasmine's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're insane!" she snapped, but her words were drowned out by the loud grinding of stone as the warriors began to march forward.
Raja closed his eyes, the world around him falling silent. His mind focused, blocking out the noise of approaching danger. Slowly, he exhaled, the sound hissing like steam escaping a pressurized chamber. This was Tempest Breathing, a technique that allowed him to harmonize his body with the elements, enhancing his speed, power, and precision.
The Stone Dragon Generals, sensing an opportunity, lunged simultaneously, their massive weapons cleaving through the air with thunderous force. Yet, the moment their attacks were about to reach him, Raja vanished.
A streak of motion blurred across the battlefield. In the blink of an eye, Raja reappeared, his form gliding effortlessly between the warriors using Soru from the Six Styles. The speed was so intense that it seemed as though he had teleported.
The first of the Stone Generals turned, attempting to react, but Raja was already there.
Raja's palm surged with electrical energy, crackling violently as he thrust it into the chest of the nearest warrior. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the stone body, disrupting its core structure. The stone general froze momentarily, paralyzed by the residual energy before shattering into rubble.
"Let's see how durable you really are," Raja muttered as he turned to the next opponent.
Pivoting on his heel, Raja spun with increasing velocity, his fist generating a whirlwind of pressure. As the vortex expanded, it tore through the surrounding warriors, their defenses crumbling like dried leaves caught in a storm.
Facing a particularly massive general, Raja gathered his energy, concentrating it into his fist. With a roar, he delivered a straight punch, the force of which shattered not only the warrior before him but also sent a cascading shockwave that obliterated several others in its path.
The surviving generals regrouped, encircling Raja and leaving him no room to escape. Their synchronized movements and overwhelming numbers made it clear they were adapting to his tactics.
"Time to step things up," Raja muttered, the faintest smirk playing on his lips.
Kick Technique: Hurricane Heel (台風踵, Taifū Kō)
Leaping into the air, Raja twisted his body mid-flight and brought his heel crashing down on a cluster of warriors. The sheer force created a whirlwind that not only pulverized the targets but also sent debris flying in all directions.
Kick Technique: Storm Surge Kick (嵐潮蹴, Arashi Chōshu)
Using Geppō (Skywalk), Raja ascended higher, balancing in midair as he targeted a distant group. Channeling the power of a tidal wave, he launched a vertical kick that sent a spiraling shockwave crashing down, scattering the warriors like pebbles.
The Advanced Techniques
The battlefield had devolved into chaos, but the Stone Generals continued to press forward. Raja's movements became sharper, his focus unyielding. He activated Tekkai (Iron Body) to tank a massive blow, the incoming axe shattering against his reinforced frame. The generals, undeterred, kept attacking. Raja, now using Kami-e (Paper Arts), weaved effortlessly through their strikes, his body moving like flowing water.
"Impressive, but not enough," Raja muttered, activating Ryou Haki. The blackened aura of Armament Haki coated his limbs, his attacks now bypassing the stone warriors' formidable defenses.
Rokuogan: The Decisive Strike
With a surge of power, Raja channeled all his strength into a single devastating attack. Centering himself amidst the encroaching enemies, he unleashed Rokuogan. The resulting shockwave erupted outward, causing massive internal damage to every warrior within range. Cracks splintered across their bodies before they crumbled into lifeless heaps.
The Ninth Wave
As the dust settled, Raja dropped to one knee, his breathing ragged. Sweat dripped from his face, and his body trembled from the exertion. Jasmine materialized again, her expression pale with concern.
"It's over," she whispered. "You've done enough. Let's leave."
But before she could finish her plea, the cavern trembled once more. This time, the air grew colder, heavier. Slowly, 1,024 Stone Dragon Generals emerged from the shadows, their forms even larger and more menacing than before. Their weapons glowed faintly with an ominous energy.
Jasmine's face contorted in panic. "This is madness! Even you can't take them all on! Quit this trial before it's too late!"
Raja pushed himself to his feet, his eyes locking onto the approaching horde. His body was battered, his stamina waning, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. Ignoring Jasmine's desperate cries, he steadied his breathing, preparing for one final gambit.
The Ultimate Attack
Raja activated Life Return, a technique that allowed him to take full control of his body at a cellular level. His breathing stabilized, his energy replenished, and his muscles surged with newfound strength. With renewed vigor, he launched himself into the air using Geppō, ascending high above the battlefield.
The stone generals below watched as Raja hovered, their glowing eyes tracking his every movement. The cavern seemed to hold its breath as he raised his arm, his fist cloaked in both Armament Haki and the overpowering aura of Supreme King's Haki.
For a moment, the world stood still.
Then, with a single sharp inhale, Raja opened his eyes, the storm within them raging. He descended like a meteor, his fist leading the charge.
"Rudra's Heavenly Tempest"
As his fist connected with the ground, the impact unleashed a cataclysmic explosion of energy. The cavern was consumed by a blinding light, and the deafening roar of thunder filled the air. The ground cracked and split apart, the shockwave erasing everything in its path. Lightning arcs danced across the destruction, and the sheer force obliterated every Stone Dragon General in an instant.
When the dust finally settled, the once formidable battlefield was reduced to a barren wasteland. Only faint arcs of lightning remained, flickering in the air like the remnants of a divine storm.
The Aftermath
Raja landed gracefully, his body battered but his spirit unbroken. He stood amidst the destruction, surveying the results of his ultimate technique. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Jasmine, who had been rendered speechless, finally found her voice. Her Soul form materialized beside him, her mouth agape.
From behind, a faint groan echoed as Tsundere, Raja's reluctant ally, regained consciousness. She blinked at the devastation around her, her jaw dropping as she took in the scene.
"What the…?" she stammered. "You did all this?"
Raja turned to her, his smirk widening. "Guess I did."
Both Jasmine and Tsundere could only stare at him, their thoughts echoing the same singular word: Monster.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
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