Hello everyone, I know this may be a bit sudden, but I decided to change the hair color of the Chidori sisters to dark blue. I wanted to make them a bit deviant from Weiss and the other members of the Schnee family.
Also, the pendant Yuki wears will be shaped like a bird from now on.
Also, Nagisa's surname will be Midoriya from now on.
I don't own Kamen Rider Hibiki and RWBY, those belong to their creators. This is for fun, not profit.
Chapter 10: Burning Crimson
Team HYPN had contacted Hitoshi's mentor, Asumu, using a Scroll. They told the previous Hibiki about Kabuki's return and how they fought against him.
"Are you serious? You actually fought the real Kabuki?" Asumu asked in shock as he was still trying to process this.
"Yeah, we did." Hitoshi and the others nodded.
"Believe me, we're just as shocked as you are. But there's no doubt that it's him." Yuki told him.
"Not to mention he definitely lives up to the legend." Nagisa said with Page nodding in agreement.
Asumu grew concerned about this as he hummed and placed a hand on his chin.
"Well…regardless if he's the legendary Kabuki or not, this is still a matter of concern. I'll take a look through the old records to learn everything I can about him." Asumu told them.
"Good but Asumu, before you do that, I have a request to make." Hitoshi said, gaining his mentor's attention.
"What is it?" Asumu asked.
"I want to retake the Kurenai Trial." Hitoshi requested.
Hearing that surprised Hitoshi's teammates while Asumu narrowed his eyes.
"Are you sure? The last time you tried to complete it, it didn't turn out so well." Asumu reminded his former apprentice.
Hitoshi's teammates turned to their leader as he was silent. Hitoshi then removed his bandages showing the burns on his arms, and Asumu wasn't too surprised to see those burns as he knows where they came from.
"You see these burns? This is a mark I still have a lot to learn and that I have to get stronger. And to do that, I need to master Hibiki's true power, especially since we're up against the legendary Kabuki." Hitoshi told his mentor before he bowed his head. "Please, Asumu, I need your help."
"Hitoshi." Yuki said.
Asumu thought about it before he sighed and looked at his apprentice.
"Fine. Meet me at the usual spot tomorrow. We begin there." Asumu told him.
"Thank you." Hitoshi bowed his head in gratitude before Asumu turned to the others.
"And you three go with him as well. You'll benefit from this too." Asumu said.
"Right." Page nodded.
"Yes, of course." Yuki said.
"You got it." Nagisa said.
Asumu then ended the transmission, then Yuki, Nagisa, and Page turned to Hitoshi.
"Are you really sure you're ready for this, Hitoshi?" Yuki asked.
Hitoshi sighed before he looked at his hand.
"In all honesty, I'm not sure myself. But it doesn't matter if I'm ready or not. If I even want to hope to stand a chance against a legend like Kabuki, I need to master Hibiki's true power." Hitoshi said before he tightly clenched his hand.
(Play: This Will Be the Day by Jeff Williams)
(The song begins as Hitoshi was at the place his parents died.)
(They see you as small and helpless. They see you as just a child. Surprise when they find out that a warrior will soon run wild.) (Hitoshi then looks at his Henshin Onsa Onkaku, and then looks and sees Hibiki standing in front of him, looking at each other. As the wind blows past them, the title appears.)
(Prepare for your greatest moments. Prepare for your finest hour. The dream that you've always dreamed is suddenly about to flower.) (Yuki and Page, were sitting in front of their mother in their home. Nagisa was sitting on a bench playing some music with his Ongekigen.)
(We are lightning. Straying from the thunder. Miracles of ancient wonder.) (We see an army of Grimm but are soon replaced with an army of Makamou. We soon see Ramon in front of a legion of goons. Then we saw Kabuki, and standing beside him were Dark Decade and Shadow Moon. We soon see the members of Team HYPN in a circle, and the four of them are in charge.)
(This will be the day we've waited for. This will be the day we open up the door.) (While fighting, we soon see the three of them in their Rider forms fighting Makamous.)
(I don't wanna hear your absolution. Hope you're ready for a revolution.) (Then we see the members of Team JNPR looking at the school. We soon see Team RWBY practicing their weapons.)
(Welcome to a world of new solutions. Welcome to a world of bloody evolution.) (We see Ozpin, drinking his coffee, with Goodwitch next to him on an airship.)
(In time-your heart will open minds. A story will be told…) (We see each member behind their respective symbols. Then we move in front of Beacon and see every character one by one with the last one being Hitoshi.)
(Because victory is in a simple soul!) (We soon see Hibiki practicing with his Ongekibou Rekka before stopping when the title appears.)
Seated in the middle of a forest and close to a river, was Asumu. The retired Oni was meditating and beside him were some boxes as he was waiting for Team HYPN.
Asumu then heard the sound of motorcycle engines, he opened his eyes and saw Team HYPN had arrived by riding on their bikes with Nagisa riding behind Hitoshi while Page was riding behind her sister before they stopped.
They then get off their bikes and walk towards Asuma as he stands up and greets the teens.
"Good you've arrived on time." Asumu said before Team HYPN stops walking.
"Well, we couldn't keep you waiting for so long. It would be disrespectful towards you." Yuki said, and Asumu chuckled to hear that.
"You know, you're starting to act more like your mother everyday." Asumu said, and Nagisa chuckled in agreement.
"Yeah. Like how they're both uptight and serious about everything." Nagisa said.
While she didn't show it, Yuki was annoyed by that comment as her eyebrow twitched, she then slams her elbow on Nagisa's arm making him wince and rub his arm.
"What were you saying?" Yuki asked with a narrow look on her face.
"Jeez, sorry. I only meant it as a joke." Nagisa mutters.
Asumu interrupted their squabble by clapping loudly which got their attention once again.
"Okay, that's enough squabbling. Don't forget why you kids are here." Asumu reminded them.
"Of course. Forgive us." Yuki said before she and her team bowed their heads.
"It's alright." Asumu said before he turned to Hitoshi. "I know I said this before, but are you really sure you're ready for this?"
Hitoshi nodded with a determined look on his face.
"I am." Hitoshi answered.
"Very well. But before that, Yuki, Nagisa." Asumu calls out and they turn to the retired Oni. "I also brought a little something for you two."
Asumu then picks up the box that was beside his feet and places it on top of his truck before Yuki and Nagisa walk close to him.
"I know they're not exactly what you're used to, but it always helps to be prepared for anything and I figured this would be the perfect chance for you two to train with them." Asumu said as he unlocked the box and opened it.
Yuki and Nagisa looked inside the box and saw two sets of Ongekibou that were in their respective Oni colors.
Nagisa whistled as he took the green Ongekibou and twirled them around.
"Nice! Christmas came early." Nagisa said before Yuki took the blue Ongekibou.
"Indeed. Thank you, Asumu." Yuki told the former Hibiki.
"Don't mention it." Asumu said as he waved his hand before he turned to Hitoshi. "Now, let's begin your own training. Follow me."
Asumu then heads into the woods and Hitoshi follows him.
While the others watch them leave, Yuki, Nagisa, and Page can't help but worry for Hitoshi.
"Do you really think he'll pull it off?" Nagisa asked.
"Honestly, I'm not sure myself." Yuki answered.
After walking in the forest for a while now, Hitoshi and Asumu had arrived at their designated stop which was a river in the middle of the forest. The river was surrounded by large walls of earth with a waterfall going down into it.
Hitoshi knows this place very well; this is where he took his first attempt at passing the Kurenai Trial, but he failed. Hitoshi had originally planned on retaking the trial after graduating from Beacon Academy, but given Kabuki's sudden return, he needs to become stronger than he currently is.
"Here we are." Asumu said before he turned to his student.
Knowing what he has to do, Hitoshi first took off his coat and then his gi as they fell to the ground one at a time. After that, Hitoshi soon brings out his Ongekibou Rekka.
"Are you ready?" Asumu asked, and Hitoshi nodded. "Then begin!"
Hitoshi then runs forward before he jumps down to the river and dives into the water, he soon emerges from it and is now standing on his feet.
Hitoshi then took a moment to breathe in and out, after that, he soon began smashing his Rekka on top of the water creating splashes by each strike.
As he was doing his training, Asumu sat down on the ground to watch over his apprentice.
"And now we'll see if you truly have what it takes to bear the name Hibiki." Asumu said.
(Next day)
In the forest, both Yuki and Nagisa, wearing training clothes, were training in the forest as they clashed their respective Rekka against each other.
After clashing their weapons a few more times, Nagisa swings his Rekka against Yuki's head, and she dodges it and counters by attacking at Nagisa's legs and in turn, he dodges by rolling over her attack.
Nagisa then rolled on the ground before he stood up and saw Yuki attacking him with her Rekka, Nagisa dodges her attacks and counters by swinging both of his own Rekka at her, but Yuki blocks his attack and with a push she manages to knock Nagisa's Rekka out of his hands before she brought her own to his neck in a cross formation.
"It would appear I won again." Yuki said with a smirk and lowered her Rekka.
"Yeah…But I'll get you next time." Nagisa said before he walked and picked up his own Rekka.
In the campsite they had set up, Page was cooking lunch for both herself, her sister, and Nagisa. She then saw her sister and friend leaving the forest as they headed towards the campsite.
"Welcome back." Page greeted them as she stood up.
Nagisa smiles to smell the good food she was cooking.
"Oh yeah…that smells good." Nagisa said.
"Thank you. I hope it's to your liking." Page said.
Yuki, Page, and Nagisa sat around the campfire to enjoy the food Page had cooked for them. It was a bowl of vegetable soup with a piece of bread.
Nagisa blows on his soup and puts a spoonful of it in his mouth, and slowly enjoys the taste of it.
"Hmm…now that is some good soup." Nagisa said.
"You really think so?" Page asked, and Nagisa nodded, making Page blush and smile. "Thank you. But it's just a simple recipe I learned from our family's personal chef."
"Nonsense. You should be prouder of yourself, Page. No matter the facts, this soup is still good, and you choose wisely with the bread." Yuki said before taking a bite of her bread.
"Right, I'll remember that, Yuki." Page said, Yuki chuckles before she pets her sister on the head which she enjoys as she had a smile on her face.
Then the members of Team HYPN heard the sound of a motorcycle engine, they looked and saw it was Yang riding on her bike with Ruby riding behind her.
"Hey, guys!" Ruby calls out as she waved at them.
Yang then stops and both sisters walk to the members of Team HYPN.
"Hey, Ruby, Yang. What brings you two here?" Nagisa asked.
"Well, we wanted to check on you guys and see how you're doing." Ruby said.
"I see." Yuki chuckles before she notices that Blake and Weiss weren't with them. "But where are Blake and Weiss? Didn't they want to come?"
Yang then placed her hands behind her head.
"Well, we did invite them, but they said they can't make it. Blake said something about her favorite…book writer coming to town. And Weiss said she wanted to do her own personal training." Yang told them.
"I see. It seems like she can't take the risk of me leaving her in the dust." Yuki said as this will only motivate her to train some more.
"Oh, sister…" Page sighed to hear that.
Ruby then looks around and notices that Hitoshi was nowhere to be seen.
"By the way, where's Hitoshi?" Ruby said as she looked around and saw that Hitoshi was nowhere to be seen. "I thought he would be here with you guys."
Yang then had a cheeky grin on her face before she pokes on her sister's cheek much to her annoyance.
"Well, look at you. After only one date, you're already worried about your man." Yang said with a teasing tone in her voice and Ruby smacked her finger away.
"I keep telling you, it's not like that!" Ruby exclaimed but Yang remained unconvinced by that as she continued to give her sister a cheeky grin.
The others chuckle before Yuki answers Ruby's question.
"To answer your question, Hitoshi is training deeper in the forest with Asumu." Yuki said before she and the others turned to the forest where Hitoshi is training with his mentor Asumu.
"Asumu? Isn't he the guy you told me and the others about? The one who was Hitoshi's mentor?" Ruby asked, and Oni and Page nodded.
"Yes, the previous Hibiki before Hitoshi." Yuki said.
"Okay. But what sort of training are they doing in there?" Yang asked.
Yuki turns to Nagisa before they nodded to each other before they turn back to Ruby and Yang.
"The training Hitoshi is doing is known as the Kurenai Trial." Yuki said.
"Kurenai Trial?" Ruby repeated.
"What's that?" Yang asked.
"It's a sacred training ritual for those who inherited the name Hibiki must take in order to use Hibiki's true power." Nagisa answers.
"Hibiki's true power? What do you mean?" Ruby asked.
"That acquires a bit of a history lesson." Yuki said before she lightly coughs in her hand and explains.
"When the Oni first started to appear in the world, they continued to develop and strengthen the use of Sound Arts. First they created the weapons they use for those arts. But as time went on, humanity's strength with both Aura and Semblance had continued to evolve. And the Oni also did the same, they began to train and strengthen their Aura and Semblance, mastering them in ways that had never been possible before. That's when the first generation of Oni had discovered that certain Semblances had a strong compatibility to their own Sound arts and found ways to make them stronger."
"Wow? Really?" Ruby said, and Yuki nodded.
"Yes, for instance, Ibuki has a strong connection to those who have a wind Semblance or a Semblance that creates sonic waves. While Todoroki has always been compatible with those who can produce thunder or electricity." Yuki explained.
"Oh wow! That sounds so cool!" Ruby said with stars in her eyes.
"Then what about Hibiki?" Yang asked as she was curious about that.
"That's quite simple actually. Hibiki had always had a strong compatibility with those who had a fire type Semblance. And there's a way for those who carry that name to take their strength and fire to even greater heights." Yuki explained.
"Wait…So Hitoshi can get even stronger just by making his flames stronger?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, which is why the Kurenai Trial is an important ritual for those who bear the name Hibiki." Yuki said.
Yang whistles to hear that.
"Dang…that's something." She said.
"But…Kurenai Trial isn't exactly easy." Nagisa said.
"How so?" Yang asked.
"Remember our first battle against Kabuki?" Nagisa asked, and they remember Hibiki fighting against Kabuki with his arms colored red. "You should've noticed that Hitoshi's arms were red back then. That was only an incomplete version of what the Kurenai power should be."
"And as a result, Hitoshi's arms were burned because of it." Yuki said as they remembered the burns on Hitoshi's arm. "We don't know the exact details, but Hitoshi was only able to reach the half-way point in the trial and wasn't able to complete it."
"No way…really?" Ruby asked, and they nodded.
"Yeah. In fact, we heard that it took Asumu five years until he was ready to complete the Kurenai Trial during his time as Hibiki." Nagisa told them.
"So, his odds are low at best, right?" Yang asked, and they nodded.
"But despite that, Hitoshi needs to master that power if he has any chance of fighting Kabuki on equal ground." Yuki said as they looked at the forest and wondered how Hitoshi was doing in his training.
Asumu continues to watch over Hitoshi's training as he continues to slam his Rekka on the water. In some of Hitoshi's strikes, the water begins to heat up but only to cool down over time.
Despite doing this training all-night, Hitoshi was nowhere close to completing the Kurenai Trial.
After slamming both of his Rekka on the water, Hitoshi took a moment to catch his breath to rest for a bit. Hitoshi then looks at his Rekka in frustration on how he hadn't made any progress.
"Damn it…Is this…Is this really the limit of my strength?" Hitoshi said to himself as he tightly clenched his hands around his Rekka.
Hitoshi closes his eyes in frustration before he remembers the memories he made during his time with Beacon Academy, meeting his old friends who later became his teammates, meeting his new friends of Team RWBY and Team JNPR, and remembers all the battles he did fighting against Grimm and Makamou alike.
Hitoshi then took a deep breath and breathed out; he then slapped his hands on his cheeks.
"No. I refuse to believe that this is my limit. I know I can do better than this!" Hitoshi said before he once again slams his Rekka on the river water.
Hitoshi roared as he rapidly slammed his Rekka on the water and as a result an image of his Ongekiko appeared in the water's reflection, but it was colored red and during his slams, the river began to heat up and emit small traces of steam.
Unknown to both Hitoshi and Asumu is that a small robotic spycam was watching them and it was sending live footage to its master who was in a different location.
Using a handheld device, Kabuki was watching the footage of Hitoshi doing the Kurenai Trial. He then smiles as this was his perfect chance to destroy him along with his friends.
After they finished lunch, both Yuki and Nagisa went back to training with their Rekka as they were standing on the river beside their camp.
Watching them were Page, Ruby, and Yang. Yang then yawns on her hand as she has started to become bored now.
"Man, this is starting to become boring…why do they want to train here of all places?" Yang questions as she looks at the trees and rocks around her and the others.
"Well…It's sort of a tradition for Oni to train in forests and desolated areas. To help attune ourselves to nature. In fact, my mother would often take me and Yuki camping so we could train in areas such as this." Page told her.
"Sounds boring to me. I don't mind camping, but it would be nice to have some excitement once in a while." Yang said.
With that, several different types of Makamou appear as they emerge from the forest and some even jump down from the cliffside beside Yuki and Nagisa.
Seeing the Makamou, everyone was now on guard against them with Page, Ruby, and Yang bringing out their weapons.
"Okay! Not what I meant by excitement!" Yang said.
They soon saw Kabuki, in his transformed form, was among them as he walked to them.
"Kabuki!" Yuki said as she and Nagisa were ready to fight the rogue Oni.
"Where's Hibiki? I know he's here…Bring him to me!" Kabuki demanded.
"Sorry. He can't answer our calls at the moment, you'll have to settle with us." Nagisa said.
Then both Yuki and Nagisa bring out their transformation items and use them to transform into Ibuki and Todoroki armed with their color Rekka.
"Fine. Guess I'll have fun with you two first." Kabuki said before he snapped his fingers, and his servants of Makamou charged at the Oni Riders along with Page, Ruby, and Yang.
They soon engage in battle against the Makamou.
Ibuki uses her Rekka to attack two Makamous that were charging at her. She then notices a group of Makamou charging at her to attack, Ibuki then throws her Rekka up in the air and avoids the Makamous' attacks by flipping between them.
Then when Ibuki lands on her feet, she catches her Rekka and slams it on a Makamou's chest in a beat tone before she kicks it away to the Makamou who tries to attack her as the Makamou explodes which sends the others to the ground.
Todoroki is running forward while slamming his Rekka on multiple Makamou in front of him, destroying them as they explode.
Todoroki then notices another Makamou jumping at him to attack, Todoroki in turn jumps at that Makamou and lands a kick on it sending the Makamou to the ground. Todoroki lands on top of it and slams his Rekka on top of its chest several times before it explodes.
Todoroki chuckled before he spun his Rekka and looked at it.
"I could get used to these things." Todoroki complemented before he kissed one of the Rekka.
Ruby uses her scythe to cut down some of the Makamou around her and places the gun part of it into one's mouth and fires a bullet into it to destroy it.
Yang punches one several times before she sends it flying by landing an uppercut.
Page uses her weapons' mode to fire at the Makamou who were charging in front of her as they fall to the ground and explode.
Then the members of Team HYPN and RWBY soon formed a circle as there were still many Makamou as they surrounded them.
"Dang…There's just no end to these things!" Todoroki said before he turns to Kabuki who continues to watch them from afar. "And he still hadn't joined in yet."
"True, but we can't let that stop us. We can't let him near Hitoshi." Ibuki said.
"Right!" Ruby nodded. "We hold the line here!"
"Work for me!" Yang grins as she punches her fists together.
They then resume fighting against the Makamou.
As Kabuki watches them fight, he then turns to the forest where Hitoshi is still doing his training.
'I hope you're ready, Hibiki. Because after I'm done here, you're next.' Kabuki thought to himself.
After several more hours, Hitoshi was now standing on a now dry river path devoid of water as a crack dried earth was left in its place with small traces of steam emitting from the ground, even the waterfall was now gone as small amounts of steam was left in its place.
Hitoshi was also giving off some steam around his body before he breathed out visible air from his mouth.
Asumu stares at his apprentice before Hitoshi turns to the retired Oni. Asumu then gave him a proud smile before he stood up and bowed his head to Hitoshi.
"Well done. You pass the trial." Asumu told him and Hitoshi bowed his head to him.
"Thank you. I am honored to hear that." Hitoshi said before they raised their heads.
Hitoshi then climbs himself out of the now dried up river, and when he makes it to the top, Asumu reaches out his hand to his apprentice to help him. Hitsohi looks at his hand before looking at his face.
"Is this another test? Or are you just messing with me?" Hitoshi asked, and Asumu chuckled to hear that.
"Well, what do you think?" Asumu asked.
Hitoshi chuckles before he accepted Asumu's hand and he helps him climb up on the ground, they then stood in front of each other.
"But still, I'm impressed. It took me five years before I was ready to even attempt the Kurenai Trial, but it only took you a year and a half. I knew I was right to give you the name Hibiki, I'm proud to call you, my student." Asumu said.
"Thank you. And I'm proud to call you, my master." Hitoshi said before he bowed his head and Asume returned the gesture.
Asumu then placed a hand on Hitoshi's shoulder.
"But you should always remember this. Power is nothing but an extension of oneself and a weapon is just power wrought in steel. But in the end, it's not your Sound Arts or your weapons that decide the battle, but your own will and strength in spirit that does. Never forget that." Asumu told him.
"I won't." Hitoshi nodded. "And I know passing the Kurenai Trial isn't the end of my growth, but rather this is a new beginning for me. I'll continue to strengthen both my body and soul with each step I take."
"Well said." Asumu said.
Then they heard explosions along with the sounds of battle close by.
"Seems like now's the time to show the results of your training." Asumu said before he placed a fist on Hitoshi's chest. "Show them what it means to be the Oni known as Hibiki."
"I will!" Hitoshi nodded before he rushed over to where his friends were battling Kabuki and his minions of Makamou.
As he runs, Hitoshi soon brings out his Onkaku and uses it to transform into Hibiki.
Ibuki attacks one Makamou on the chest with her Rekka before Todoroki falls and rolls on the ground.
"Nagisa! Are you okay?" Ibuki said before she helped him stand up.
"Yeah, nothing I can't handle." Todoroki said as he rolled his shoulder.
Then Page along with Ruby and Yang moved to their side as the remaining Makamou moved towards them. They were ready to fight, but…
"Stop!" Kabuki shouted.
The Makamou stops before everyone turns to them as he walks to his enemies.
"Just watching is starting to become a bore. I'll join in now." Kabuki said as he brought out his sword.
Just as the Oni Riders, Page, Ruby, and Yang were ready to fight him, Kabuki suddenly stops as he sees an incoming fireball heading towards him which he cuts down with his sword.
That's when everyone saw it was Hibiki armed with his Rekka as he walked out of the forest.
"Hitoshi!" His friends said in relief that he's here while Kabuki huffs to see him.
"I was wondering when you'll show up." Kabuki said.
"Well, I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Hibiki said before he turned to his friends. "You guys handle the Makamou. I'll face Kabuki."
Hibiki then approaches Kabuki.
"You got it!" Ibuki nodded before she and the others battled the remaining Makamou.
As Hibiki approaches Kabuki, the rogue Oni snaps his fingers and a small group of Makamou appear and rush to his side.
"You want to fight me, you'll have to get past them first." Kabuki said as the Makamou slowly approached Hibiki.
The Echoing Demon counted the Makamou in front of him before he sighed in disappointment.
"Really? That's the best you have. I'm almost disappointed." Hibiki said much to Kabuki's confusion.
"What?" Kabuki said.
"You should've brought more numbers. Especially since I've gotten better since our first battle!" Hibiki said before he assumed his stance.
Hibiki then began to roar and steam soon appeared around his body. His friends then took a moment to look at Hibiki.
Then red flames soon appeared around his body, Hibiki then crossed his arms and swung his arms outward which dispersed the flames, and everyone saw Hibiki's new form.
Hibiki's body is now colored purely red, and the face possesses a white plate-like mouth guard, with the "eyes" appearing black.
Everyone was left amazed by his new form while Kabuki was shocked to see that.
"It can't be…" Kabuki said.
Hibiki then assumed his stance with his Rekka and said.
"Hibiki…Kurenai!" Hibiki declared.
Hibiki Kurenai (響鬼紅)
Kabuki soon huffed to mock Hibiki.
"So, you obtain the power of Kurenai. Like that would change the difference! Attack!" Kabuki ordered his Makamou servants, and they charged at Hibiki to attack him.
Hibiki in turn charges at the Makamou by moving faster than he did before, and using his enhanced speed, Hibiki attacks the Makamou with his Rekka enhanced with his flames which was even stronger and, in each strike, Hibiki left a flaming image of his drum in each of them.
Hibiki then attacks the five remaining Makamou in front of him before they fall to the ground and explode.
After that, Hibiki soon sets his eyes on Kabuki who is now armed with his sword and approaches him.
"I'll admit that was impressive. But let's see if you'll be an equal match against me!" Kabuki said before he charged at Hibiki and the Echoing Demon charges at Kabuki in turn.
Then both Hibiki and Kabuki clash their weapons several times before Hibiki dodges a slash from Kabuki by moving under it. Hibiki then turns back to Kabuki and slams both of his Rekka on his chest forming a flaming drum and repeated his attack once more which created a small explosion in front of Kabuki and the rogue Oni was forced to stumble back.
Kabuki then saw Hibiki charging at him once again to attack, despite his enhanced speed, Kabuki was able to block his attack with his sword. Kabuki then pushed down Hibiki's Rekka and managed to pull one of them out of his hand.
Hibiki then dodges an incoming slash from Kabuki by stepping backwards. Hibiki turns to fallen Rekka before Kabuki moves in front of it and points his sword at him.
"Now you can't beat me now without both Rekka." Kabuki stated.
Hibiki then remembers what Asumu said to him before he wields his single Rekka with both hands.
"Power is nothing but an extension of oneself and a weapon is just power wrought in steel. It's not your Sound Arts or the weapon that decides the battle, it's your will and strength in spirit that decides it." Hibiki said before he roared and channeled his flames into his Rekka creating a flaming blade.
"Oh…" Kabuki looks at the flaming sword before Hibiki assumes his stance. "So, you want to settle this when we first fought. Fine by me!"
Kabuki assumes his stance, and the two Oni Riders stare at each other before they roar and charge at each other.
Then both Hibiki and Kabuki clash blades several times before they bring their blades in a lock and push each other back. Then both Oni Riders brought their blades on their chest and slash each other at the same time which forced both of them to stumble back.
Kabuki then roared as he charged at Hibiki and slashes at him, and Hibiki dodges by rolling under Kabuki's sword and at the same time Hibiki rolls to his fallen Rekka and picks it up.
When Kabuki turns to Hibiki, he creates another flaming sword with his other Rekka and dual wields with both swords.
Kabuki growls before he charges at Hibiki, and the Echoing Demon does the same. Kabuki slashes at Hibiki but Hibiki dodges it by moving under it and at the same time slashes on Kabuki with both fire swords.
Hibiki then lands another double slash on Kabuki's back dealing him more damage, then as Kabuki turns back to Hibiki, he raises both Rekka and lands a double downward slash in front of Kabuki which sends him rolling on the ground.
As Kabuki slowly stood back up, Hibiki dismissed his fire blades and stared at him.
"You might be the legendary Kabuki, but right now, I'm the current Hibiki. And I'll keep getting stronger every day, remember that." Hibiki told him.
Kabuki huffed before he stood up on his feet.
"Fine. Guess I'll leave at that for now, but don't think this is the end, I'll be back." Kabuki told him.
"Don't worry. I was actually counting on it." Hibiki said, which made Kabuki chuckle.
"Good." Kabuki said before he brought out a smoke bomb and grew to the ground creating a thick smoke cloud to blind Hibiki.
Hibiki coughs as he fans the smoke away with his hands.
"Seriously…Again with the smoke bomb?" Hibiki said in annoyance before the smoke cleared up and saw that Kabuki was now gone. "And with that, he's gone again."
Hibiki then changes back into Hitoshi, he then checks his hand to check for any burn marks and sees that his hand is completely fine this time. Hitoshi smirks in satisfaction as he tightly clenches his hand.
"With this, I'll get even stronger now." Hitoshi said to himself.
"Hitoshi!"
Hitoshi turns and sees that his friends have managed to defeat the rest of Kabuki's Makamou servants as they move towards him.
Hitoshi smiles at his friends and walks to them. Asumu was standing in the front of the forest and managed to watch Hitoshi's battle against Kabuki using Hibiki's Kurenai form and had a proud smile on his face.
"Well done, Hitoshi. Well done." Asumu said.
"It would seem like he surpassed both your expectations as well as mine." Said Ozpin as he appeared to his side.
"Yeah, it seems like it." Asumu shrugged.
"Then…He might be ready to do what you weren't able to do." Ozpin told him.
Asumu sighed to hear that.
"Maybe. But between you and me, I'm hoping it won't come to that." Asumu said.
"Asumu, you and I are both aware it's not up to us to decide the outcome. Only time does." Ozpin said.
Asumu didn't answer back before he turned away from the headmaster of Beacon. Ozpin sighed before he pushed up his glasses.
"But of course, I know how sacred your traditions are. So, I'll hold my tongue in that matter. I'll leave it to your transgressions." Ozpin said before he left without the others noticing him.
Asumu sighed before he looked at the sky.
"Only time could tell huh?" Asumu said to himself.
To Be Continued…Nagisa's Doubt and Resolve
There you have it, hope you like it. Review to tell me what you think of the story.