Gyokko’s face twisted in rage, the mouths on his face baring jagged teeth. "How dare you insult my creations! I’ll turn you into one of my masterpieces!"
I smirked, stepping back slightly. "Oh, I’d love to see you try. But you know what? I think I’ll sit this one out. Let’s see how my companion handles things." I cast a glance at Shinobu, signaling with a small nod. "Your stage, Shinobu."
She didn’t respond to me directly, her focus entirely on Gyokko. Her movements were precise and deliberate as she unsheathed her blade. The thin, delicate design of her sword almost made it seem ornamental, but I knew better.
This would be the perfect opportunity to observe her combat style. I wanted to see how she handled herself against a foe like Gyokko, one of the Twelve Kizuki. But more than that, I had plans for Gyokko—I wasn’t going to kill him. He would be sent to Demiurge’s farm for study. For now, though, I was content to watch.
Gyokko made the first move, his grotesque form lunging forward with surprising speed. His vase-like lower half dragged against the ground as his infant hands extended toward Shinobu like serpents. Each hand grasped and swiped, aiming to trap or wound her.
Shinobu reacted with a dancer’s grace, sidestepping his attacks and weaving between the writhing appendages. Her movements were fluid, almost mesmerizing, as though she were performing a choreographed routine. With a swift leap, she closed the distance, her blade flashing as she aimed for Gyokko’s torso.
Her strikes were fast and precise, aimed at vital points, though they lacked the brute force of a heavier blade. Gyokko hissed, his grotesque mouths snapping as her blade sliced into his midsection, but it became clear that her strikes weren’t as effective as she’d hoped. His flesh was resilient, his body regenerating almost immediately.
"You think that little toy can harm me?" Gyokko taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. He reared back, summoning more of his grotesque sculptures—twisted, humanoid forms that began crawling toward her. "You’ll have to do better than that!"
Shinobu didn’t falter. She pivoted gracefully, darting around the monstrous figures as though she were gliding. Her fighting style was unlike anything I’d seen before—less about brute force and more about precision and evasion. She moved in and out of Gyokko’s reach, striking at opportune moments, each slash of her blade deliberate and controlled.
Her focus was incredible, but as I watched, I began to notice the limits of her approach. Her strikes, while surgical, didn’t have the raw power necessary to overcome Gyokko’s regenerative abilities. It was a battle of endurance, and Gyokko had the advantage.
He seemed to realize this too. With a wicked laugh, he summoned a massive, grotesque wave of clay-like forms that surged toward her. Shinobu dodged, leaping into the air and landing behind him in a blur of movement. Her blade flashed again, aiming for his neck, but Gyokko’s body twisted unnaturally, his grotesque mouths snapping at her like wild animals.
"Persistent, aren’t you?" he sneered. His tail lashed out suddenly, catching her off guard. She managed to deflect the blow with her blade, but the force sent her skidding backward.
I frowned, leaning against a nearby wall as I observed. Shinobu’s technique was admirable—her agility and precision were unmatched—but against an Upper Rank demon like Gyokko, it wasn’t enough. She was growing fatigued, her movements losing some of their sharpness.
Gyokko, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. "You’re slowing down, little insect," he taunted. "Let me put you out of your misery."
Shinobu didn’t respond, her breathing labored but her resolve unwavering. She launched herself forward again, aiming for his head this time. Gyokko dodged, his grotesque form twisting unnaturally as he countered with a wave of writhing hands. This time, one of them caught her, sending her crashing to the ground.
She struggled to stand, blood trickling from a wound on her arm. Gyokko loomed over her, his grotesque mouths curled into mocking smiles. "Any last words, little slayer?"
I sighed, pushing off the wall. "I guess that’s my cue."
Before Gyokko could deliver the finishing blow, I stepped between them. His infant hands lashed out toward me, but I caught them effortlessly, crushing them in my grip.
Gyokko’s eyes widened in shock. "What—?!"
"You’re done playing," I said calmly, flicking him backward with a small burst of energy. He slammed into a nearby structure, the impact sending dust and debris flying.
Shinobu stared up at me, a mixture of relief and frustration on her face. "I... had it under control," she muttered, though the exhaustion in her voice betrayed her.
"Sure you did," I said with a grin, offering her a hand to help her up. "But let’s call this a tag team effort."
Gyokko groaned as he pulled himself from the wreckage, his grotesque form battered but still intact. "You... you dare interfere?!"
"Yeah, I do," I replied, my tone casual. "But don’t worry—I’m not going to kill you. I’ve got other plans for you."
With a flick of my wrist, I restrained him in a cocoon of energy, immobilizing him completely. Gyokko struggled and screamed, but it was futile.
Turning to Shinobu, I gave her a reassuring smile. "You did great, by the way. Very impressive technique."
She frowned, clearly not satisfied with how things had played out. "You’re insufferable."
"Maybe," I said with a chuckle. "But you’re alive, so I’d call that a win."
As Gyokko’s muffled screams filled the air, I turned my attention back to him. "Now, let’s get you packed up and ready for your new home. Demiurge is going to have a field day studying you."
Shinobu gave me a sharp look. "What are you planning to do with him?"
"Let’s just say I’ve got some... research to conduct," I replied cryptically. "Don’t worry—he won’t be bothering anyone here ever again."
With that, I summoned a portal, sending Gyokko to his new prison. As the swirling vortex closed behind him, I turned back to Shinobu, who still looked annoyed.
"Shall we call it a day?" I asked with a grin.
~~~
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