Chapter 14: Crimson Claw X Fierce Battle (Part 2)
During the intense battle, Ryker had already noticed the opponent's blood-red claw forming behind his right shoulder from the aura emanating out of the man's severed left arm.
By now, Ryker had a decent understanding of his adversary's strategy.
It was clear that the severed arm was a diversion, the cane was a feint, and the real killing blow was the Crimson Claw.
Analyzing the situation, Ryker deduced that his opponent was most likely a Manipulation or Transformation type Nen user, and the Crimson Claw likely carried some additional effect.
But one thing puzzled Ryker: why had his opponent prematurely revealed this trump card?
If the enemy had waited for Ryker to expose a weakness before deploying the blood claw, Ryker might have been forced into a purely defensive position. Did the man have another hidden trick?
Opting for caution, Ryker slowed his offensive and avoided retreating outright.
He believed he still had an opportunity to turn the tide. Instead of revealing any sign of countering the Crimson Claw, he kept a close watch on it using his peripheral vision.
Meanwhile, his opponent, Swain, noticed the sudden hesitation in Ryker's attacks. He immediately began to second-guess himself.
"Wait, did this kid realize what I'm planning? No... impossible. If he spotted my Crimson Claw, he would've instinctively acted to defend against it.
And I haven't seen him gather aura to his eyes—there's no way he's using Gyo to see through my In. Unless... could he be relying on blind intuition?"
Swain analyzed the situation and decided that Ryker was being cautious, likely wary of a trap.
"Fine, I'll play along. I'll strengthen my defense on the left side, luring him in further. Sooner or later, he won't be able to resist taking the bait. Then, I'll end this with one clean strike."
Both fighters adjusted their strategies accordingly.
Swain increased his defensive aura on his left side, creating the illusion of a weak spot, while Ryker remained focused, carefully assessing the situation.
"This can't go on," Ryker thought grimly.
"If we keep stalling, I'll lose. My body's still that of a six-year-old, and my aura reserves can't match a grown man's. I need to act. Even if it's a trap, I have to take the risk. Dragging this out is just a slow death."
He paused for a moment, then an idea struck him.
"Wait. Have I been underestimating myself? System, does the Sharingan's passive ability let me see through Nen techniques?"
[Yes. With the Sharingan's innate perception, all aura techniques are revealed, no matter how well hidden. Even In cannot obscure it from you] the system confirmed.
Ryker's thoughts raced. "So I've been seeing through his In the entire time without even realizing it. That's why he doesn't think I've noticed his blood claw.
He assumes I'm inexperienced or that I don't know how to use Gyo properly. Fine. I'll use that against him."
Determined, Ryker made his move. He shifted to an all-out offensive, surging forward with renewed intensity. His sudden aggression gave him an air of desperation, as if he was making a reckless, last-ditch effort.
Swain couldn't help but smirk. "Finally, the kid snaps.
He's out of aura and stamina. He knows it's now or never. Poor little fool doesn't realize he's been caught in my web this whole time. One last push, and he's mine."
To bait Ryker further, Swain exaggerated the weakness on his left side, channeling more aura there to sell the illusion.
Just as expected, Ryker closed the gap, his right hand morphing into a deadly blade as he lunged toward Swain's neck.
This was it. Swain acted instantly, commanding his Crimson Claw to strike from behind. A victorious grin spread across his face as he anticipated the killing blow.
But in a split second, Ryker shifted his momentum. Using a burst of Gyo-infused aura in his legs, he accelerated and veered sharply to the side, narrowly dodging the Crimson Claw's deadly swipe.
Swain froze, stunned. "He... dodged? But how? There's no way he could've seen through the blood claw unless—wait... Gyo? He was using it all along?"
The realization hit Swain like a thunderbolt. Ryker had been aware of the Crimson Claw the entire time. His timing wasn't luck—it was calculated.
There was no time for further analysis. Ryker gathered all the aura he could muster into his left hand, forming a razor-sharp spear of energy.
This was Hardening, his ultimate technique, and he aimed it straight at Swain's throat.
Swain reacted on instinct. With a surge of adrenaline, he swung his cane in a desperate attempt to block the strike, hoping to buy enough time to call back his blood claw and reinforce his neck with aura.
But Ryker was relentless. His crimson eyes glinted with unwavering resolve.
The battle's climax was at hand.
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