What is the first thought that comes to mind when you think about storms? Is it the aspects of a storm? Such as rain, thunder, clouds, or lightning. Or is it the symbolism that storms may represent? Like destruction, sorrow, grief, and renewal.
Storms can bring many things, both literally and figuratively.
But in this case of Vongola vs. The Straw hats, a storm comes both physically and emotionally. For despite battles having already been won, there are still others that are left to be finished.
As fists fly, metal clash, and bullets are shot, dark angry clouds have rolled in, thunder sounding loudly outside the mansion. The windows shake and rattle from the force of the noise, but none of the occupants take notice. The huminity rises as the clouds threaten to break and allow the rain to shower the island, but none of the fighters within the mansion seem to care.
They all have eyes on one goal, to win their fight, to win their battle of heart and wills.
...
In a corridor, separate from everyone else, stood two swordsmen, their blades swiping and clashing with one another. One of the swordsmen wielded three swords, while the other held only one, though his blade is longer than his opponent's.
They both went at it, their swords and blades flying through the air so fast that any bystander or outside audience watching the fight wouldn't be able to keep up, if barely. The two sped by, past, and toward each other, both receiving small cuts here and there. But in the end, neither one of the two fighters seemed to gain ground or an advantage over the other.
Both skilled, these two swordsmen are Roronoa Zoro, the first mate and swordsman of the straw hat crew, and Yamamoto Takeshi, the Rain Guardian and Vongola's top swordsman.
As the two clashed, Zoro couldn't help but grit his teeth tightly on his sword. Anger filled his veins as this fight dragged out and continued for much longer than he'd prefer. For Zoro went through every action and transgressions this man may or may not have done towards Lambo.
It did not lessen his anger at all.
The only thing keeping Zoro's anger in check is the thought of losing. He promised Luffy, he promised his captain, that he wouldn't lose another fight again. Zoro doesn't break his promises.
And even if that weren't the case, if Zoro lost, then Lambo would be dragged back to his own personal hell. It'd break the kid and turn him into something much worse than those dead dead eyes that Zoro had met upon their first meeting.
Like hell Zoro is going to let that happen. Screw them. Screw all of them, any of them, for even entertaining the thought that this is okay. That their treatment of Lambo is freaking okay! Screw the Vongola!
Zorro blinked at the sight of his and Takeshi's crossed blades meeting inches in front of his face. Eyes narrowing in frustration as he mentally scolds himself for losing focus in the middle of a fight. Especially one this important with a skilled opponent such as the Vongola's Rain Yamamoto Takeshi. Even more so with the unique technique the older swordsman is using which is, frankly, one that Zoro has never seen before.
So, Zoro reins in his rage, and continues to fight swiftly and aggressively with a cool-headed kind of calm that would scare any normal man.
Unfortunately, Takeshi is no normal man. But that's fine, it doesn't bother Zoro. No, instead, it just makes him want to beat Takeshi in this duel even more. He swore he'd protect Lambo and he swore that he'd one day become the world's greatest swordsman.
Zoro has every reason to do anything to win this duel. But if Zoro resorts to anything dirty due to his anger, then he wouldn't become the world's greatest swordsman. In fact, Zoro would be a poor excuse for a swordsman in the first place. It reminds Zoro of the code. One of the first things he learned in the dojo with Kuina.
There is a code that all swordsmen and women are taught. Whether or not they followed the code or how closely they kept to it in practice rather than in the real world, depends on the swordsman.
This code didn't tell swordsmen how to live, but rather, how to go through life as the best 'them' as they can be. The code is all about one's self-improvement as a swordsman and how they hold themselves both in and out of battle. A code made for a swordsman's morality.
Mercy.
A practice to kill only when necessary.
Honesty.
To always remain truthful in your words and actions.
Loyalty.
To always remain true to one another.
Reputation.
Everything that is said or done also affects the reputation of those that you are with.
Courage.
Not only to be brave in the face of battle, but also to face the battle of getting up and taking on the day accordingly.
Respect.
Always respect others, no matter their position on the social ladder, in all situations.
But right now, in this moment, in this fight, Zoro isn't sure he can hold to the last one in this moment as his blades met with the blade of Yamamoto Takeshi, sparks scattering in the air as steel meets steel.
Takeshi is a skilled swordsman, which in all honesty, Zoro isn't surprised about granted the older man's experience and high ranking within the Vongola. Not only that, but he's also ranked as the top swordsman in the whole mafia. For Vongola is the best and strongest mafia Famiglia, and if Yamamoto is strongest there, then he's strongest in the rest of the mafia as well.
But with all that, Zoro just can't get himself excited for this fight, because not only is Yamamoto a great and skilled swordsman, but also one of the people that hurt Lambo.
It's funny when you think about it. Ever since joining Luffy's crew, although he wouldn't necessarily call it a crew at the time since he was the first member at the time, Zoro has fought many enemies. Most of them were swordsmen unsurprisingly. And for each opponent he had fought, in one way or another, Zoro held a small amount of respect for every one of those swordsmen. Despite some of their deplorable actions and/or ridiculousness in said fights.
He respected Kabaji's confidence, even though the guy's skills as a swordsman is laughable at best and the man himself quickly falls back on his cheats and dirty tricks to win.
Zoro respected Hachi's will and drive to become a great swordsman, even though the Fishman isn't all there in the head at the best of times.
And, of course, Zoro respected Hawk-eye Mihawk, obviously. The man is the greatest swordsman in the world. Although Zoro had fought him once and lost, it is still his goal to fight the man again and achieve his dream.
Yes, all those opponents, Zoro respected them for different reasons, and even respected them more compared to others. But when it comes to Yamamoto Takeshi, Zoro can't bring himself to respect the older man.
Takeshi is a great and skilled swordsman, a fact that Zoro had already known before hand and that the Rain Guardian continued to prove throughout their battle together since everything went to shit when past Lambo had appeared a little more than a half hour ago, it feels like days.
The man seems to be bright and easy-going; a personality that Zoro can see himself easily getting along with, even when it can become frustrating in certain situations. And finally, the Rain Guardian always looks for a way to find peace instead of jumping headfirst into a fight, an admirable quality for a swordsman.
Putting all that together, Zoro still just can't find it in himself to care enough to find the respect that Takeshi clearly already has from others. Respect many could argue that the older man deserves
For with all these positive qualities the swordsman has, he still never noticed a change within Lambo. At this point, Zoro doesn't even care what kind of change within the kid that the swordsman should have noticed. From the kid's decision and will to change and be better than who he was when he was little, Lambo's transition and change to losing hope as time went on, and to the final change, when Lambo wanted it all to end.
Yamamoto Takeshi noticed none of it.
And with that knowledge, Zoro is absolutely pissed off.
A swordsman is supposed to be aware, a swordsman is supposed to protect, and a swordsman is to offer solace. Not just to those they perceive or think to be defenseless, worthy, necessary, etc.; but also, those that a swordsman finds themselves close to.
Especially to those a swordsman is close to.
For those people are the ones that a swordsman is supposed to protect most of all, for they are also the ones who will gladly protect him in return.
Takeshi didn't do that.
Not only did he fail at what it is to be a swordsman, he failed in the most spectacular way possible by not noticing any of Lambo's pain.
And because of that. . . Zoro. Can't. Stand. The man.
Takeshi's smile aggravates him.
His personality irritates him.
And the Rain Guardian's flippancy enrages him.
Zoro slices at Takeshi at Takeshi with his three blades, but of course, to no one's surprise, Takeshi was able to black the three bladed strike with his owwn singular, but long singular, but longer,r, blade. The two swordsmen's bodies trembled as they pushed against one another with all their strength with all their strength. Trying to off-balance the other so as to gain the advantage over their opponent.
"I'm curious, why fight so hard?", Takeshi asks curiously, though gritted teeth because of the strain shared between the two, body tense and jaw clenched shut when he's not speaking as he continues to push against Zoro.
"He's our kid. Our Guardian.", Zoro answered around the sword hilt in his mouth, eyes narrowed in a deadly glare "What about you? Why're you fighting so hard to keep a kid you hardly care for?"
Takeshi shrugs, "The Boss cares. We want to help the kid; you should see him ten years from now. He becomes strong, he just needs help getting there."
For a second there, Zoro saw red, his grip tightened on his swords. Suddenly, the green-haired swordsman's foot swung underneath Takeshi, swiping the older man's legs from under him. Zoro then swung two of his blades down towards the raven-haired man, who just barely managed to raise his sword, blocking the twin blows just in time.
"Helping him out huh?", Zoro glares, pressing down harder with his swords, his teeth clenched tightly on his sword making his words almost inaudible, "How does knocking him down repeatedly help him out, huh? How does making a kid feel as if he's never enough, that's he's always a burden or annoyance helpful?"
Now, unlike the others, Zoro has actually been curious about the other Guardians, what their jobs are, and what they represent and he turned out to be the only one to ask Lambo more about it.
It was while Ussop and Luffy were messing around while Nami was inside the ship, making sure they were set on the correct, and safe, course. It was a quick explanation, Lambo didn't want to dwell on the Guardians too much, and Zoro respected that. Quite frankly, when it came to their shared ability of the use of the Dying Will Flames, aside from the Dying Will Flames that Lambo uses, Zoro forgot most of what the other flames the guardians use, symbolize, and represent.
It didn't matter to him, for they aren't Lambo's.
The kid said he wields the Lightning Dying Will Flames. Lambo said that as a Guardian, lightning is to take hits and strike back twice as hard. Acting as the main active offense and defense compared to the other flames. And based on what Zoro has seen and knows, it suits Lambo. Makes sense why he is the Lightning, reckless kid keeps throwing himself head first in front of dangerous attacks without a second thought. But just because Lambo can take the strikes, doesn't mean he should.
And here with the Vongola, Lambo has taken all the strikes. Zoro is amazed the kid lasted as long as he did, even with that stoic carnivore's help. But, for some reason... Zoro just has to know. Has to hear it from one of the sons of bitches mouth's himself.
"Oi.", Zoro calls out as the two swordsmen found themselves in yet another lock, "What does it mean to be the Rain? I know about lightning already, so tell me about the rain. What does it symbolize to wield the Rain Dying Will Flames as a Guardian."
Takeshi looked confused at first, then his expression swiftly turned curious, his eyes narrowing as they flit over Zoro's form in consideration. Wondering what was going through his head, in order to ask a question like that.
Usually, those outside of the mafia don't care about the difference between the flames and what they represent. Only the power that Dying Will Flames bring to an individual with hardly any negative side effects.
He hesitated for a minute, but finally, Takeshi decided to answer his fellow swordsman's question.
"The Rain... is soothing.", Takeshi answers slowly through gritted teeth, "Its duty is to wash the sorrows of its family away. To be calming, reassuring to the family."
Zoro's grip tightened on his swords, and his eyes narrowed. Giving a hard mighty shove against Takeshi, causing the older man to lose his balance as he stumbled back. While the Rain Guardian tried to regain his balance, Zoro lunged forward, his blades slicing cleanly through Yamamoto Takeshi's chest and his upper arms.
Takeshi gagged as he coughed out small splatters of blood from his mouth. Through the windows behind the dark-haired man, rain can be seen splattering against the glass as blood dripped down Takeshi's chest as he continued to cough and sputter out the copper tasting liquid from his mouth.
But Takeshi didn't let the wound bother him for long. After taking deep breaths as he tried to breathe through the pain. Suddenly, he lunged forward, his sword covered in bright blue flames, Zoro leaned back, attempting to dodge the strike, but at the last second Takeshi dropped his sword, catching it in a backwards hold and swung it forward. Just barely able to register the change, Zoro crouched as he tried to dodge the slash, only for it to land a deep gash on his shoulder instead of Takeshi's intended target of Zoro's chest. The green haired swordsman gritted his teeth from the pain, but ultimately ignored the new injury.
But Takeshi was quick to adapt to Zoro's lowered form, and out of the corner of his eye Zoro saw Takeshi's foot caneering right for his head. Zoro straightened, rose back to his feet and bent backwards, just barely missing the blow as he lifts his swords, crossing them in order to halt Takeshi's sword once again. The rain flames that surrounded Takeshi's blade flickering out, leaving the sword practically naked without the extra boost in power the Dying Will Flames provided.
Zoro was lucky, unlike the gash Mihawk left him, the large gash that Takeshi made in his shoulder won't scar, doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt either, unfortunately. But the new injury is definitely going to need another set of stitches again once this is all over and they get Lambo back. Might be forced into a sling like Lambo, and he can't complain about it otherwise the kid and curly brow chef will never let Zoro live it down. Maybe he can forgo the sling unlike Lambo. He can handle the extra pain and strain, probably wear it while he sleeps though.
Forcing himself not to wince, Zoro glared at the other swordsman, before shoving their blades apart once again, and lunging out with three quick clean strikes that Takeshi managed to block with the same ease that Zoro had dished them out.
It's frustrating.
But that doesn't mean he's going to give up, he wouldn't dare, not with all that's on the line for himself, his crew, and, most of all, Lambo. Who knew a singular fight can mean so much and yet practically nothing at all.
Zoro lunges forward and Takeshi raised his sword, just barely able to block the blows before he lunged out with the sword himself. Takeshi struck downward, but Zoro raised one sword, blocking the strike as he swung with his two other blades. Quick as a flash, Takeshi ducked down, dodging the first strike, his sword flew from the side, blocking the second strike before Takeshi thrusted forward in a strike of his own. Zoro's crossed swords intercepted the hit before throwing the blade up and away from the green haired man.
It went on like this for what seemed like ages, almost like a deadly dance. One would strike, the other would either block or dodge then they lunged for a hit of their own. Back and forth it went. Strike, block, strike, strike, block, strike, block, strike, block, strike, strike.
As the fight dragged on, the storm outside the mansion grew worse, the rain splattering against the windows harder and harder. The windows shook with the force and number of rain drops that fell against them as Zoro and Takeshi continued their bladed dance with death.
It wasn't until Takeshi finally blocked and danced away instead of going for his own attack that the two finally paused. Both breathing heavily, both sporting bruises from any hits or physical blows that made their appearance in the dance. But no cuts have been made. No more blood has been shed.
Taking takes deep breaths in order to center himself, Takeshi held his sword out in front of him, lips pulled into a serious thin line as his eyes narrowed at Zoro's form. Then, Takeshi's jaw tightened as he swung his sword.
Away from Zoro.
Glass shattered and exploded around the the two swordsmen as rain roared through the new openings of the mansion. Takeshi had slashed horizontally at the air, sending a wave of wind slicing towards the windows, shattering them all on impact.
Rain Dying Will Flames encased Taskeshi's sword as he gracefully spun on his heel, drawing the sword away from the windows, and the water of the rain followed shooting towards Zoro like a geyser.
Zoro's eyes widened, unable to move out of the way in time before the water crashed against his chest, sending him flying several feet back with a shout. He fell hard on his back tumbled until he was rolling on his side to a stop with a grunt.
"That's not fun.", Zoro grumbled to himself.
His eyes widened again as he saw another tunnel of water spinning in his direction, quickly, Zoro ducked down, rolling back and then to the side in order to dodge the second geyser. But no sooner was he back on his feet in a crouch, another geyser was mere moments from hitting him. Zoro leapt into the air as the water smashed into the floor, leaving cracks in the tile. Takeshi took advantage of the fact that Zoro is air born as he sent a fourth geyser his way, this one hitting it's mark just like the first.
But the impact didn't have the same effect as the first one did. Because Zoro saw the unavoidable hit coming, he spun in midair, decreasing the hit's impact when it crashed into him once again. Although he flew back a foot or two, Zoro landed on his feet relatively unharmed.
Zoro peered up at Takeshi from under his bandana, his eyes narrow, Takeshi returned the stare with his own firm serious expression, as his eyes zeroed in on Zoro. Like a Pitcher, keeping his eye on the batte, preventing him from making a run for home base.
Tightening his grip on his swords, Zoro sped forward, and Takeshi threw all the water at him wave after wave of geysers heading straight for the green haired swordsman. But Zoro dodged them all, leaping left to right as he kept a path straight for his target. Takeshi's eyes widened as he swiped at the air with his sword, a wave a water sped towards Zoro as a last resort.
Eyes glinting, Zoro never slowed as he neared the water head on, and slid right underneath it at the last second. Zoro easily slid back to his feet and continued to sprint at Takeshi, his speed didn't slow the entire sprint down the corridor. Zoro swung his swords upward, hitting Takeshi's sword away, although Takeshi kept his grip on his weapon, for a split second, he was defenseless. In a smooth transition, Zoro slashed down at Takeshi chest for a finishing blow.
'Splash!'
Only to be met with water instead.
Zoro's eyes widened, the sword in his mouth almost falling to the floor from his bafflement. The shock only lasted for a split second though as the wall of water that was in front of him fell, revealing an empty corridor. A reflection! Instinct was quick to take control as Zoro crossed his swords behind him just in time to block Takeshi's intended strike at his back.
Slowly, Zoro looked over his shoulder at the swordman that is standing behind him, eyes narrowed in distaste and frustration. Takeshi's expression remained closed off in this new layer of stoicism that Zoro hadn't seen until the older mafioso had shattered the windows in order to use the rain to his advantage.
Stupid dying will flames.
Stupid Vongola.
Stupid Mafia!
"Neat trick.", Zoro comments stiltedly.
"Glad you think so.", Takeshi says neutrally.
Zoro tightened his grip on his swords and lunged forward, steel meeting steel once again as both swordsmen parried and attacked each other back and forth relentlessly as the rain continued to fall through the windows, combined with Takeshi's water attacks, both men are soaked as their swords meet once more, locking together in a bind.
"I'll admit, you're a good swordsman.", Takeshi grunted as both swords shook with the pressure the two swordsmen were using, "But don't you understand, Lambo isn't like this, a fighter, a hard worker. He doesn't even do work. Why waste so much effort on such a person?"
"That's where you are wrong.", Zoro snarles as he cuts down on Takeshi's sword, shoving it down and away.
"Lambo is always fighting!", Zoro growls as he lunges forward into Takeshi's space, the older swordsman stumbling back in surprise, "Both on and off of the battlefield."
Zoro's elbow made contact with Takeshi's face and before the Rain Guardian could recover, Zoro swiped his leg from behind Takeshi. His legs swept out from under him Takeshi fell back on his back. The ravenette tried to push himself up with a groan, but Zoro's foot stomped down on Takeshi's chest, shoving him back down on the floor.
"What does that say about you as a swordsman if you've never even noticed the battle?", Zoro glowers down at the fallen swordsman, eyes narrowing in judgment.
Takeshi could only stare up at the green haired swordsman, speechless. But even if the usually calm swordsman had anything to say in retort, he never got the chance as the Guardian ring on his finger started to glow a bright blue.
Zoro glared down at the light accusingly, "What are doing now?"
Takeshi held up his hand with the ring on it warily, "I'm not doing anything."
"Well, something is happen-!?"
A blue orb of light suddenly shot forward from the ring slamming into Zoro's chest and both swordsmen were blinded by a bright light that encompased the entire corridor.
Slowly Takeshi opened his eyes, blinking the black spots from his vision only to freeze, his eyes widening at the sight of all the water, the rain, frozen in place, even in midair, and there stood Zoro, covered head to toe in Rain Dying Will Flames with the ghostly figure of Ugetsu Asari, Vongola's first Rain Guardian, standing vigilant behind the swordsman.
"I-I don't... what?", Takeshi stuttered, unsure how to voice his shock.
"What kind of a swordsman are you, if you don't even know that one you claim to be as one of your own is warrior himself?", Zoro asks rhetorically, the water slowly rising in the, gathering alongside the green haired man, "I'll tell you what kind."
The water gathered and surged forward in less than a second. Eyes widening, Takeshi instinctively rolled back to his feet, bringing up his own flame covered sword, slicing the wave in half. But instead of the water receding, the two halves of the wave on either side of Takeshi rose up before diving down, Takeshi is crushed by gallons upon gallons of water on both sides. The water pushed forward, causing Takeshi to go flying back before his back finally it the farthest wall at the end of the corridor.
Takeshi's limp body crashed back to the ground with a pained grunt, his sword landing several feet away from him.
"Not a good one.", Zoro growled, his bandana casting a shadow over his eyes, "That's without a doubt."
Eye half-lidded, the fallen swordsman looked up to see Zoro back facing him, the two borrowed swords, laying on the ground, and his white Wado Ichimonji sheathed at his hip where it belongs as he walked steadily away.
"Wait!", Takeshi slowly pushes himself up to his hands and knees, teeth gritted from the strain, "I'm... not done... yet!"
Zoro froze, his back still facing the other swordsman behind him.
"You're no longer worth the effort.", Zoro answered deeply, before exiting the site of his battle with the Rain Guardian.
"I... I have to...", Takeshi continues to struggle to his feet only to freeze as a transparent figure of Asai formed in front of him once more.
His eyes seemed to stare deep into Takeshi's soul as his ancestor seemed to judge him like he had those many years ago. Only this time, Asai has only found himself wanting instead of satisfied.
"... Any advice?", Takeshi asks hesitantly.
Asai's frown deepened, and he disappeared without a word. Takeshi weakly let out a bitter huff in amusement.
"Yeah, didn't think so.", Takeshi admits sadly as slumps against the wall, slowly sliding back down to the floor.
The swordman's only company is the rain that had resumed. The water slowly seeping into the corridor, staining the carpet without the manipulations of the dying will flames to keep the water from doing so.
Green light flashed outside ominously followed by the loud crash of thunder. This only caused Takeshi to laugh weakly even more.
"Guess he was right after all.", Takeshi mumbles quietly to himself, "The kid's really a fighter... after... all..."
Another flash of green light and rumble of thunder sounded outside like confirmation to Takeshi's words.
Author's Note:
Holy Shit that was painful to write! And it also ended up shorter than I wanted, but I really needed to update. Speaking of updating...
Surprise! I'm not dead! And the story is still going! It only took me over a year to update! No biggie! Okay, a little biggie.
I am soo sorry it took so long to update. Original sword fights are hard to write, and I have a new respect for fight chorographers, especially the ones with swords. So much research went into writing and the technicalities. Both for Takeshi's moves, swordsmanship, and a couple sword fight techniques that I found and added in here and there.
This arc is getting a little long, I admit, but I have great news, next chapter, what was once going to be two separate chapters, I am now merging into one! So, you are gonna get two battles! Mostly because there have been a lot of snippets of one battle so that's going to be a struggle to continue without repeating. But word of warning, next chapter will have a bit of a cliff hanger, to mentally prepare yourselves when that comes out.
All in all, I'm pretty sure there should be three more chapters before this arc is finally finished! Maybe four if needed.
I hope this chapter was worth the wait! Be Your Best You! Bye~!