Kenzo’s fists smmed against her guard, the force shaking the air. Koharu spun, her bde slicing clean lines of wind between them.

  “Your form is still rigid,” she said. “All power. No grace.”

  Kenzo grinned, blood trickling from his lip. “You’ve still got that damn mouth.”

  She smirked,“Come forth—Shunrai.”

  The spring wind returned.

  Petals bloomed from her back like wings, flowing around her limbs with an elegant rhythm. Her bde glowed soft pink.

  Kenzo charged again, yelling—

  But her Form moved through him.

  Not past. Through.

  One flick of her bde, and petals exploded across his chest in a wide arc. Blood burst from the sshes.

  “春滅—Shunmetsu.”

  Kenzo fell back, gasping.

  The Shingan moved.

  His Reibaku activated with a sickened howl—a roar that wasn’t his, but the weapon’s.

  “A forbidden technique worked on my predecessor…..But you’ll need more for me, Koharu.”

  He took a step forward.

  “You’ll need something even stronger this time.”

  Koharu narrowed her gaze. “Even if it takes every petal left in this realm, I’ll erase you.”

  They cshed—her wind versus his pressure.

  Their auras collided, cracking the Chūkan air itself.