บท 22: The Ascent of Emotions - Hantengu vs. Mitsuri Kanroji & Obanai Iguro

In the heart of a mist-laden forest, where shadows danced between the trees and the air thickened with tension, two figures stood against a formidable opponent: Hantengu, the Upper Moon Four. His body was a grotesque amalgamation of terror and sorrow, shifting through his multiple forms, each embodying a different aspect of his twisted psyche. The time had come for him to face the Loving Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, with her vibrant pink hair and warm smile, and the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, whose fierce gaze matched the intensity of the battle ahead.

The Calm Before the Storm

The air crackled with anticipation as Mitsuri gripped her katana, her heart racing. "We have to stay focused, Obanai. Hantengu can't be underestimated." Her voice was steady, but a flicker of concern danced in her emerald eyes.

Obanai nodded, adjusting his serpent-themed armor. "His abilities are formidable, but together, we can end this." He glanced at Hantengu, who shifted nervously, his various forms flickering like shadows.

Hantengu's voice was a low, unnerving whisper, a chorus of his many personas. "You think you can defeat me? I am the embodiment of emotions. You cannot conquer what you do not understand!"

With a defiant glare, Mitsuri stepped forward. "We'll show you the strength of our resolve!"

The Battle Commences

Hantengu unleashed his Blood Demon Art: Four Moons, summoning his various emotions into physical forms: Sekido, the anger; Karaku, the joy; Aizetsu, the sorrow; and Kanzaki, the fear. Each form bristled with power, ready to attack.

"Let's get started!" Mitsuri yelled, her katana glowing with pink energy. "Love Breathing, First Form: Shivers of Love!" She dashed forward, her blade slicing through the air, aiming for Sekido, the form representing anger.

"Foolish girl!" Sekido bellowed, charging at her with incredible speed. "Lightning Strike!" He thrust his hand forward, unleashing a bolt of dark energy that shot toward Mitsuri.

Obanai intervened, his serpentine sword swirling with lethal intent. "Serpent Breathing, First Form: Coil!" He lunged, intercepting the attack with a sharp slice, redirecting the energy into the ground with a thunderous explosion.

The ground shook, sending debris flying, but Mitsuri was undeterred. "Love Breathing, Second Form: Love's Path!" She gracefully danced through the air, her sword creating arcs of pink energy that sliced toward Sekido.

Hantengu watched as his anger form struggled against the combined might of the two Hashira. "You'll regret that!" he hissed, his voice a cacophony of rage and fear. He channeled his power into Sekido, enhancing his strength.

Facing the Anger

Sekido roared, his aura flaring as he charged at Mitsuri again. "Destructive Fist!" He swung a massive punch aimed at her, but Mitsuri ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the blow.

"Now!" Obanai shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Hissing Serpent!" He slashed at Sekido, his blade coiling like a serpent, striking at the demon's flank with deadly precision.

Sekido staggered back, infuriated. "You think you can defeat me? I am rage incarnate!" He retaliated with a flurry of punches, each one fueled by the anger of countless victims.

Mitsuri moved like a flicker of light, dodging and weaving through the barrage. "Love Breathing, Third Form: Heartbeat!" She slashed at Sekido, landing a blow that sent sparks flying, igniting his body in a blaze of pink light.

"Gah!" Sekido cried, the pain surging through him. "You will pay for that!" He gathered his energy and unleashed a shockwave of dark power, forcing Mitsuri and Obanai apart.

Embracing the Fear

As the dust settled, Hantengu shifted forms, this time taking on Kanzaki, the embodiment of fear. His presence changed the atmosphere, wrapping the battlefield in a suffocating dread.

"Do you feel it? The weight of despair?" Kanzaki taunted, his voice echoing unnaturally. "Fear Breathing, First Form: Silent Whisper!" He sent waves of fear through the air, each one a phantom blade aimed at Mitsuri and Obanai.

Mitsuri gasped, her heart racing as the fear clawed at her mind. "Obanai, we have to fight this!" she yelled, gripping her sword tighter. "Love Breathing, Fourth Form: Love's Embrace!" She focused her energy, channeling her emotions into a protective barrier around them.

Obanai steadied himself, shaking off the effects of the fear. "Serpent Breathing, Third Form: Twisting Serpent!" He lashed out, countering Kanzaki's attacks with precision strikes, his movements fluid and deadly.

Kanzaki sneered, the shadows swirling around him. "You cannot escape your fears!" He launched a series of shadowy tendrils aimed at both Hashira, the air thick with dread.

"Love Breathing, Fifth Form: Breathtaking Heart!" Mitsuri leaped into action, her blade cutting through the tendrils, igniting them in a dazzling display of pink flames. "We can overcome this!"

"Serpent Breathing, Fourth Form: Shifting Scales!" Obanai joined her, his sword weaving in and out like a snake, striking at Kanzaki's form with lethal intent.

Sorrow's Grip

But Hantengu was not finished. He shifted once again, taking on the form of Aizetsu, embodying sorrow. "You think you're strong, but sadness will consume you!" he lamented, summoning dark energy that engulfed the battlefield in despair.

Mitsuri felt the weight of Aizetsu's sorrow pressing down on her. "No… I won't let it win!" she cried, her heart blazing with determination. "Love Breathing, Sixth Form: Moonlit Dance!" She spun through the air, her blade glowing with brilliant energy as she danced toward Aizetsu.

Obanai, sensing the shift in Mitsuri's resolve, shouted, "Keep pushing! Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Swaying Serpent!" He struck at Aizetsu, his movements sharp and calculated, aiming to disrupt the demon's emotional hold.

Aizetsu recoiled, the onslaught of Mitsuri and Obanai shattering his melancholic barrier. "You… you can't do this!" he wailed, panic rising in his voice. "Sorrowful Wail!" He unleashed a wave of sorrow that crashed into Mitsuri and Obanai, attempting to drown their spirits.

But Mitsuri stood tall, the flames of her resolve burning brightly. "I won't let sorrow win!" She focused her energy, channeling her love into a powerful surge. "Love Breathing, Seventh Form: Infinite Love!" A dazzling beam of pink light surged from her sword, cutting through Aizetsu's wave.

"Now, Obanai!" she shouted.

"Serpent Breathing, Sixth Form: Shadow Strike!" Obanai lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air, aiming for Aizetsu's heart. The combined might of their techniques erupted, creating a shockwave that shattered the sorrowful aura surrounding Aizetsu.

The Final Form

But Hantengu had one final form to unleash. With a twisted laugh, he shifted into Karaku, the embodiment of joy, albeit in a grotesque and malicious manner. "You think you can win? I'll show you what true joy means!" His body radiated an eerie light as he summoned a flurry of colorful energy blasts.

"Stay sharp!" Mitsuri yelled, raising her sword defensively. "Love Breathing, Eighth Form: Sweet Delight!" She cut through the air, the energy from her blade clashing with Karaku's blasts.

Obanai moved in tandem. "Serpent Breathing, Seventh Form: Serpent's Temptation!" He dodged and weaved, striking at Karaku's form with deadly precision, aiming to disrupt his flow of energy.

Karaku laughed, his voice a melody of madness. "You think your techniques can defeat me? Joyous Burst!" He unleashed a barrage of colorful orbs that erupted into a cacophony of energy.

Mitsuri and Obanai worked together, dodging and weaving through the explosions. "We have to combine our strength!" Mitsuri shouted, her voice filled with determination.

"Agreed!" Obanai replied, his sword gleaming with newfound resolve. "Let's end this!"

The Ultimate Combination

With a shared understanding, the two Hashira prepared for their final assault. Mitsuri gathered her energy, her sword glowing brighter than ever. "Love Breathing, Ninth Form: Heart's Bond!" She poured all her emotions into a brilliant burst of pink energy.

Obanai joined in, channeling his own spirit into the attack. "Serpent Breathing, Eighth Form: Serpent's Embrace!" His blade coiled around Mitsuri's energy, amplifying its power.

"Now!" Mitsuri cried, unleashing their combined attack toward Karaku. The energy surged forward, cutting through the chaotic bursts of joy that surrounded them.

Karaku's eyes widened in horror as their attack approached. "No! You can't—!"

The impact of their combined techniques exploded upon contact, engulfing Karaku in a blinding light. The sound of the blast echoed through the forest, and as the light faded, Hantengu was left weakened, his forms flickering like dying embers.

The End of the Line

Gasping for breath, Hantengu struggled to maintain his form. "You… you think you've won?" he croaked, his voice laced with desperation.

Mitsuri stepped forward, her heart full of compassion despite the battle. "It's over, Hantengu. You can't hide behind your emotions anymore."

Obanai raised his sword, determination shining in his eyes. "This ends now!" With a swift motion, he executed a final strike aimed directly at Hantengu's core.

"Serpent Breathing, Ninth Form: Serpent's Fury!" The blade pierced through Hantengu, and with a final scream, the demon shattered into countless fragments, his essence dissipating into the air.

Aftermath

As the echoes of battle faded, Mitsuri and Obanai stood together, breathing heavily but victorious. The oppressive weight of Hantengu's presence lifted, leaving behind a serene quiet.

"We did it…" Mitsuri whispered, a soft smile breaking through her exhaustion.

Obanai nodded, sheathing his sword. "Together, we can face any demon."

With the shadows of Hantengu defeated, the dawn began to break through the trees, casting light on the heroes who stood ready to face whatever challenges awaited them next. United by their bond and the strength of their hearts, they stepped forward, ready for the next chapter in their fight against the darkness.