An Assassin's Respite

Kazuna vs. Kazuna

“It seems I wasn’t overthinking things,” Kazuna says.

“Oh, so you’re saying that you expected something like this?” The impostor asks.

“Not exactly, but it does confirm the fact that Ken and Zer were connected. I’m also guessing that the research Zer did on my body was what lead to you.” Kazuna explains.

“You’re just as intelligent as I was told. So, why don’t we test and see if your strength is up to scratch.” The impostor says as he pulls out 2 swords.

Kazuna draws Kirin in response and analyzes his doppelganger. 

“Seeing as I’m staring at someone that looks and sounds like me, I don’t want to rule out any possibilities.” Kazuna thinks to himself as he glares at his opponent.

As he thought about the best way to fight the person in front of him, he suddenly rushes forward and swings downward with both swords. Kazuna blocks his attack and pushes him back.

“Such a telegraphed attack, but his speed and power are impressive. They might even be greater than mine.” He notes to himself.

He had enough time for this thought to pass his mind before his impostor charges him once more. This time, he stays low to the ground and swings upward with his left sword. Kazuna easily blocks this, but the impostor stands and starts to bring his other sword down, Kazuna shifts his left foot and brings his sword down before rotating it and swinging up.

“He’s wide open.” Kazuna thinks to himself.

He pulls his sword to his side.

‘Katsuchi style: Fang of the Dragon’ He mumbles as he thrust his sword into his doppelganger’s stomach.

But, to his surprise, he doesn’t even flinch.

“You are good.” He says.

He was talking as if a sword through his stomach didn’t even bother him. Kazuna pulls his sword out and jumps back. He stared at the wound he had given him and was shocked to see that it was already beginning to heal. Kazuna’s face becomes more serious as he tightens his grip.

“It looks like this will be more trouble than I initially thought.” He notes to himself.

Kazuna was glaring at his mirror image, trying to formulate some type of plan.

“His speed and strength are equal to or even greater than mine, but his swordsmanship is mediocre at best. Even if I land a hit, he seems to be capable of regenerating at incredible speeds and seems to not feel pain. It seems decapitating him is my best bet for stopping him. I’m sorry Kari, but it looks like I’ll have to do something that you won’t like.” He notes to himself.

“It seems I’ve surprised you yet again. Amazing, isn’t it? I can recover from wounds that are usually fatal and I don’t feel any pain. But, don’t think you have me figured out just yet, I still have a trick or two up my sleeve.” He says with a wry smile.

“Then I’ll just have to end this before you can reveal your full hand,” Kazuna replies as he cloaks himself in lightning.

‘Stream’ He murmurs as he blitzes his doppelganger stopping just in front of him. ‘Katsuchi style; Sheathed s***h’ He adds.

He aimed for his head but was surprised when he felt his sword clash with metal. His surprise only increased once he saw that there seemed to be a current flowing through him.

“You see, I can do that too.” He says with a smile.

He attacks Kazuna relentlessly who had control of the fight up until then but was now on the defensive. Kazuna had his hands full blocking all of the attacks that were coming his way and didn’t have any time to counter-attack. His back hits a wall and his doppelganger smiles as he slashes down. 

“Kazuna! I’ve gotten everyone out of harm’s way,” Micheal shouts.

Kazuna slightly smiles and quickly raises his off-hand and blasts him back with wind.

“I see you’re finally taking this seriously.” He says with a smile.

“Just following the advice of some friends. Also, I’m still getting used to using all my powers,” Kazuna replies.

“Oh, that reminds me, I haven’t told you my name. Well, it’s not really a name, but it’s KM2.” He says.

“KM2? I assume that there was a KM1.” He theorizes.

“Correct, but that one was a failure. It seems that he couldn’t handle your DNA and constantly lost control.” KM2 notes.

“Are you sure you should be sharing all of this information?” Kazuna asks.

“What’s the harm, I was sent here to kill all of you and you know the saying, dead men tell no tales.” He answers.

“He was sent here to kill us? That doesn’t sound right. If Zer really wanted us dead, he would have come himself. Is he testing him? If so, is Zer on the island too?” Kazuna thinks to himself.

He decided to push those thoughts to the side for later, at that moment, the only thing that mattered was making sure that everyone got out of there alive. Micheal had left to protect his classmates, so he would have to defeat him alone.

‘Katsuchi Style; Momentum’ He says as he bursts forward.

He had stacked his stream on top of it as well as he began his continuous attack. The first couple of slashes were easily dodged, but as the number of slashes increased, so did the difficulty of blocking and dodging them. It started to become difficult to block the attacks, even with both his swords. A downward s***h followed by a jab then an upwards s***h then a downward diagonal. The attacks flowed like a river and the power and speed continued to increase. The 25th attack cut his leg. Of course, it healed immediately, but it had caused him to fall to one knee. Kazuna brings his sword down and cuts through both of his swords and slashes his chest. He presses his foot to his chest and forces him to the ground.

“Checkmate,” Kazuna says as he holds his sword above KM2’s neck.

“Woah there, we can talk this out right?” KM2 says.

His tone wasn’t the one of someone that was about to die. He seemed calm. At that moment, Kagura, Ria, Matt, and Micheal burst into the room.

“Kazuna!” They exclaimed, but it looked as if they were worried for nothing.

“I have a few questions for you.” He says.

“I’ve got time,” KM2 says with a shrug.

“You were made from my DNA, so how much of me is in there?” He asks.

“I have some of your memories and a bit of your personality. You could say I’m like your little brother.” He answers.

“If you do have some of my memories and personality, then why are you following Zer so obediently?” He asks.

“Were you any different as a kid?” KM2 retorts.

Kazuna was silent for a moment. He wasn’t wrong, he had done whatever the elders of his clan told him. He understood more than anyone why he was just going along with it.

“If you have those memories, then you must want to be free of his restrictive grasp.” Kazuna says.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t, but you’re missing something. I may have memories and a personality, but they’re yours. I don’t have an identity, but you do. You had something to cling to. I don’t feel pain, physical or emotional. I feel nothing when I kill and I’m indifferent to those around me.” KM2 answers.

“I wasn’t any different than you.” Kazuna points out.

“But you had connections. Where could an impostor of you who has nothing go to find what he’s looking for. Since I have nothing, then I’ll do what Zer tells me until I can get rid of you and take your place in this world.” He says.

“Then die.” Kazuna says slowly as he raises his sword.

But, before he could bring it down, his eyes went wide and blood dripped from his lip. He looks down and sees the broken piece of KM2’s sword sticking through his chest.

“As I said, I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” KM2 says with a smile as Kazuna falls to the side.

“KACHI!” Ria shouts as she runs to him, but Micheal pulls her back.

“Don’t be reckless. If you run in there without thinking, you won’t be able to help him.” Micheal points out.

However, his warning was worthless as Kagura was now able to run past him and get to his side.

“Oh, are you back to entertain me once more?” He asks as he looks Kagura up and down.

“I won’t let you get any closer.” She says, her grip so tight on her sword that her knuckles had gone white.

“You couldn’t stop me when you had the help of your little friends there, what makes you think you can stop me now?” He asks.

She didn't answer, but she didn’t move and stood firm. 

“You are a curious one. Why protect someone that has caused you so much pain? I’m not exactly a connoisseur of emotions, but even I know that that is strange.” KM2 Questions.

“I don’t need to explain myself to you.” She replies.

He looks from Kagura to Kazuna and back again. He appeared to be deep in thought though Kagura didn’t want to know what he was planning.

“How about we have a little fun?” He asks.

The smile on his face sent a shiver down her spine. There was a brief pause where the tension had risen to suffocating levels before KM2 made his move. He charged right for her. She moves her left foot back, sheathes her sword, and takes a deep breath to try and calm her nerves as much as she could.

‘Katsuchi style First Strike; Sheathed s***h’ She mumbles.

It was her first time using the move in a real fight and it didn’t help that she was on edge, but the fight or flight instinct in her had made her perform the move perfectly. But, KM2 had already seen the move and was more than capable of dodging or blocking it. Not only that, but Kagura’s weakened physical state both from her training and from her fight with him earlier severely weakened the speed and strength of her power. KM2 was able to easily duck the attack and shove his palm into her gut. The attack was enough to knock her out and he throws her over his shoulder as she falls.

“I’ll be taking this one. If you want her back, hm let’s see. Oh I know, come to the top of the tallest mountain alone. If I see, hear, or sense anyone I’ll kill her. And don’t think you can bring that invisible girl with you, I have infrared vision. You have until midnight. That should give you enough time to retake the hotel and heal up a little.” He says.

“Do you think we’re just gonna let you go?” Micheal asks as he steps forward.

“Oh, you will because if you get too close, I’ll kill her.” He says as he points a sword at her neck.

Micheal grits his teeth and balls his fist as he realizes that he’s helpless in this situation.

“You better hurry, the clock’s ticking,” KM2 says as he runs out.

“Micheal,... help them retake the hotel,” Kazuna says while holding a hand to his wound.

“And leave you here alone when the island is teeming with enemies? No way.” Micheal replies.

“I'll be fine, I’m not their target.” He points out.

“How can you be so sure?” Micheal asks.

“They had me trapped in a room that I couldn’t escape from on my own. Do you really think they couldn’t think of a single way to kill me while I was trapped?” Kazuna questions.

Micheal was silent as he had made a very good point.

“If you can understand that, then go. Ria is good enough at first aid to patch me up while you guys take care of what you need.” Kazuna adds.

Micheal, albeit reluctantly, leaves Kazuna and Ria there in order to back up the others on the island.