Golden threads rushed up around the clearing, slashing through the branches. The spiders rushed against the villagers. One villager collapsed under the weight of a spider, his torch flying from his hand. Pooling blood and water reflected distorted images of the stars.
Jōren turned. His massive form crushed down the leaves around him. "Now." He turned around, his compound eyes flickering from side to side. "That scared white rat."
Kōju knelt in the bushes. Her hand grasped the wakizashi at her side. Her mind, briefly, retreated to the memory of the battle against Gaara. It's the same. But it's not all fear. No, even back then, there was something else. She drew in a hurried breath. Well, of course, I was afraid. Against someone who can control sand and knows how to use it, even the best shinobi would be frightened. But it's not just that. It was... She drew in a hasty breath. Excitement. The edge of the sword glistened brighter. White energy surrounded the blade. She smirked, her green eyes flickering. No, that's natural, isn't it? If you have the chance to fight someone strong, of course you're excited by the prospect! That's the only opportunity most people have to get stronger! She vanished.
Eh? Jōren turned sideways. His eyes expanded momentarily, crimson reflecting the white flash across his vision.
It's the same way here! Kōju rolled to a halt, her hand extending the sword to one side. I can see it. I can feel it. The hurry and flow of battle. The pulse, that alteration, that breath. I can feel the soul of the world shifting inside my heart. Do you understand that feeling, Jōren-san? My heart is virtually thrumming in my chest. I've begun to move, for the first time in a long, long while. I can feel it. I can feel my heart shifting!
Jōren roared loudly. His leg split away from his body, falling motionless by his side. "Arrgh!" He turned around, his feet spinning in a circle.
Blood, a deep crimson, spilt from the leg and the neck.
"Hmph. It seems this particular rat has sharp fangs." Jōren adjusted his posture. A harsh barking sound echoed from the depths of Jōren's body cavity.
Kōju's eyes narrowed. I see. He won't be so easily killed.
"Did you think that because I was a spider or some such thing, I would die so easily?" Jōren questioned. "Just removing my limb won't kill me so easily."
"Of course I was aware of it. If your neck being bitten won't kill you in a few seconds, then of course, the same must be true of removing a single leg." Kōju's lips curled upward. "In fact, I was hoping for it, Jōren-san."
Jōren blinked in shock.
"If I could kill you so easily, what kind of fun would there be in a match between us? No. No, I was hoping for a lengthy battle!" Kōju slammed her palm against the ground. "Earth Style: Rising Earthen Barricade!"
A series of interlocking tree roots rose around Jōren's body, forming a blockade against movement.
Jōren turned from side to side, staring at the rising structures.
Naturally, in a straight fight, my chances would be pathetically low. However, Jōren-san has been placed in an unfortunate condition of weakness. He's lost a lot of blood now. Even for a human being, removing a limb and getting bitten like that would be a chancy thing at best.
Jōren growled in a deep guttural sound. "I see. Because you created these structures, you think you'll have a better chance against me?"
"Of course. But that wasn't the primary reason, you know." Kōju smiled. She glanced around the clearing. "The main reason was isolating you. Now that we're in a one-on-one fight, I have a much better chance."
Jōren barked laughter again. He clattered forward, his leg lashing down.
Kōju dodged to one side. Her eyes narrowed. I see. He doesn't mean to let me have any advantage. Well, I suppose that would be fine if we were talking about an ordinary opponent, but... as it is, I may actually die...
"Die! Golden Spider Style: Lightning of the Heavens!" Jōren shouted, his leg driving downward.
Kōju's eyes narrowed. ...Here it is, I guess. Either I face and defeat that fear of death I possess, or I must without doubt die. Restraining her movement, she stood motionless, her green eyes shadowed by her white hair.
Jōren's eyes widened. Is she just giving up? The golden lightning crackled across the leg.
Kōju's lips curled upward. She dodged slightly sideways, letting the leg pass by her cheek as she moved. "Heh. You didn't seriously think I would give up from something as little as that, did you?" Her hands rose. "Shrine Maiden Entry!" White energy rose around Kōju's body. Kōju's small palms blurred forward, striking the leg rapidly.
Eh?! Jōren's eyes widened. My chakra is imbalanced. I can't move my leg. What's going on?!
"Of course, it's true that ability is really quite threatening. And if you don't have any method to disperse the electricity, then of course you have no chance of winning." Grinning, Kōju pointed at the sword piercing the earth.
Golden lightning coruscated across the hilt of the sword.
Jōren gasped in shock. She got me?!
"But, since I've dispersed parts of it, that lightning of yours isn't very impressive at all. The amount transferred in a single strike is too low. Since that's the case..." Kōju drew in a deep breath. Her fist drew backward.
Jōren screamed. Agh!
The rocky fist punctured into Jōren's chest.
Blood poured from the opened wound.
...From this point onward... From here, I'll never fear dying again. Kōju drew in a deep breath. Swallowing tightly, she breathed on her palms. The skin across the palms blackened from the electricity. Her breath slowly receded to an even temper. Gasping, she knelt beside Nōtō. "Nōtō-sensei! Hold it together, please." She reached into her bag, drawing out an herb and pressing it to Nōtō's chest. "I may need Sasuke-chan's help for this..."
The remaining spiders from the raiding party scattered into the forest. Clouds covered the moon high above the battleground.