Otsuga was on the fourth floor as planned. In his hand he clutched a large tube of Tear Gas. He would open it and press it up against the ventilation tube that led to the 7th floor. This was Otsugas job because he alone was skilled enough at Energy Manipulation to force the tear gas through the ventilation shaft straight to the 7th floor. As long as he had a solid mental map of the layout he could properly lead the container's entire gas volume to the penthouse.
Otsuga's wrist watch clicked, telling him it was time to begin. Using his thumb alone he easily popped the tear gas canister open like it was a piece of fruit. He placed it up against the vent and forced the energy which poured from the canisters leak to instead guide the tear gas.
It shot up to the 7th floor without issue, each and every atom made its way to there without so much as a bug in the way. Then a problem occurred on the 7th floor itself.
“!”
An even greater amount of energy pushed against the ventilation like someone on the other side was using their own energy manipulation to fight against Otsugas.
“NANI!?” Otsuga cried in utter shock, this wasn't a simple pushback either. No, this was someone just as skilled if not more skilled at Energy Manipulation then Otsuga himself.
“Ugoki!” Otsuga roared, pushing back against the resistance. He was the only one there who could have had this much power.
Their struggle was intense, it was like trying to push a brick wall, there was no resistance or push back, just a constant existence.
Otsuga flexed his back and arms, he felt the fabric composing his Gi stretch and rip. Even though he was already flexing he flexed harder, his muscles continued to grow larger and more defined.
His arms, neck and forehead rippled with thick veins that throbbed with every heartbeat. Otsuga poured sweat, the hair on the back and sides of his head was flat and soaking wet. A puddle of perspiration formed beneath him as he gasped for air. Surely on the other side of the vent Ugoki was doing the same.
Then there was an explosion, one from the floor above Otsuga and under Ugoki. The explosion caused the ventilation shaft to explode and spew tear gas into the sky outside.
That was Sakashima's mana, is he fighting Nobunaga?! Thought Otsuga furrowing his brow.
Just then at the same time he felt something pierce the back of his head. Something sharp and long. A gaze of malice. Otsuga turned his head around and saw a girl of average height standing behind him. The source of that stabbing sensation. She had long black hair with short bangs and a black face mask on. Her outfit and makeup were the epitome of Emo culture. A red and black checkered skirt with fishnet stockings and a black jacket.
“What are you doing here?” Otsuga asked with a frown.
“Don't talk to me like that geezer.” The girl argued back.
“Hoho, did no one teach you how to talk to your elders?” Otsuga laughed with a side eye.
“I don't speak Keigo, it sounds ugly.” The girl sighed, rolling her eyes.
“Is that so, well what are you here for then?” Otsuga asked, already knowing the answer.
“Um, to kill you, what else?” The girl scoffed. In her hand appeared a book, a black leather gilmore with a red pentagram on the cover.
[Pantera]
From behind the girl came a storm of knives and daggers. They shot at Otsuga who threw his hands up to defend himself.
“Osu!”
Otsuga smacked the knives out of the air as they flew towards him. Using observation he could easily follow the knife's path like they were crawling towards him at snail's pace.
“Why are you so fast!?” The girl cried, flipping through her Grimore.
[Dethtone!]
The knives ceased to shoot at Otsuga and instead the air began to tremble.
“!”
Otsugas Observation flashed red and he covered his ears right as a high pitched sound ripped through the 4th floor.
This girl's magic… She’s already shown the ability to use Energy Manipulation and Transmutation but she’s not using the spell herself. She’s feeding her mana into the Grimoire which then activates the spell… based on its design it must be something from the Witch Cults library. But how did it end up here in Edoland? This must be Dekumaru Setsuka… while I’d like to take her out myself I don't have time to play games… I’ll have Naori-Kun take care of her…
“How did you know that [Deftones] won’t work if you cover your ears!? Are you cheating!?” Setsuka roared, flipping to a new page in her book.
[Crushing Rock WaterFall Style: Instant Rapid]
Otsuga leapt towards Setsuka with such speed he appeared as a blur. He slammed his palm into her stomach while also chopping the back of her neck stunning her. “I dont have time for little girls who can’t behave.” Otsuga said.
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“Gah!” Setsuka wheezed, falling forwards and clutching her stomach while gasping for air.
I can’t waste time fighting her here. I’ll leave her for Naori-Kun while I move onto Ugoki…
Otsuga ran out of the fourth floor and up the stairway. There were two stairways inside the Bluehawk. One which Sakashima had used and opposite to that was the one Otsuga was going up. Upon reaching the penthouse Otusga opened the door like it was his own room and trotted inside.
The penthouse was a marvelous room, or rather house. It had many rooms but one long hallway which led into the main room. There was a bed on one side and on the other a living room like space with a small kitchen. The master bedroom if you would.
Standing there with his hands in his pocket was Ugoki. He’d truly grown since the last time Otsuga had seen him. He was much taller standing nearly 7 feet tall and rippling with muscle. Otsugas height had always been an advantage in martial arts, while he wasn’t huge at just 5 '11 tall when compared to the average Edoland man who stood 5' 7 he was certainly tall. But that advantage was absent when compared to this man.
Not only was his height intimidating but Ugokis naturally dark skin only helped display his musculature frame. His skin glistened under the light perfectly showing every single bulging muscle he had.
That young boy which Otsuga had once known was nowhere to be found. In his place was a behemoth of malice.
“I’ve been bored up here waiting for you.” Ugoki said, turning to Otsuga with a smile. His expression was nothing short of demeaning, he spoke without a hint of respect to his former master. The man who had taken him in when no one else would.
“Gurah!” Otsuga let out a roar and leapt at Ugoki with a kick. His form was perfect, truly something only the God Of Karate could perform.
“Hmph!” Ugoki dropped down to the floor into a push up like position to avoid the kick. But this didn’t stop Otsuga.
[Crushing Rock WaterFall Style : Cascade!] Otusga shifted his body's inertia, flipping himself forwards. He stuck his leg out and like a spear kicked downwards with the intent to pierce Otsugas back with his foot.
Ugoki dodged by rolling to the side and Otsuga's foot slammed down into the floor, piercing through concrete with a crunch.
“Ha!” Ugoki jumped to his feet and leapt backwards right as Otsuga spun around with a roundhouse kick. The edge of Otsugas foot just narrowly passed by Ugokis nose as he dodged. The wind pressure was enough to push the skin on his face backwards.
“Are you only going to run Ugoki!?” Otsuga roared using a barrage of punches.
Ugoki threw his arms up to defend against the incoming attacks which rattled against his muscles and shook him down to his very bones. “Not bad, oldman!” He laughed. “But now it’s my turn!” With that declaration Ugoki threw his own punch, one which cracked as it ripped through the air aiming straight for Otsugas liver.
“!”
Otsuga threw his leg up to defend his side right before the attack landed. Ugokis fist smashed into Otsugas knee with an ear shattering pop. “Urk!” Otsuga grunted, feeling his knee rattle in pain. [Crushing Rock WaterFall Style: Tsunami!] Otsuga thrust his palm forwards, the air dividing as he did so. This was Otsuka's signature attack. But just because it was basic didn't mean it was weak. It was in fact the strongest of his basic forms. An open palm strike capable of putting a hole through reinforced steel.
“!”
Ugoki flexed his abs right as Otsugas palm smashed into him. Their auras clashed right then and there, sending sparks of mana through the air.
“Guraaaah!” Otsuga roared, smashing his palm into Ugokis stomach.
“SNAP!”
The sound of a bone snapping filled the penthouse. It was a uniquely foul sound, one which makes your stomach hurt upon hearing it.
As Otsugas palm had struck Ugoki the force of [Crushing Rock WaterFall Style: Tsunami] was reversed. The immense pressure was sent back through Otsugas arm, shattering the bone and inflating his muscles with air causing them to burst.
“...” Otsuga looked at his arm, which was bent over itself and severely swollen. His skin had turned a dark purple with bits of blood seeping out from the flesh.
“Do I pass, Miyagami?” Ugoki sneered.
Without hesitation Otsuga smashed his mangled hand into Ugokis face, the unpredicted move without any form or spell behind it succeeded in its goal and forced Ugoki backwards with a bloody nose. Otsuga followed this up with a kick which smashed into Ugokis side throwing him through the hotel rooms wall and into the hallway with a crash.
“Not bad, old man!” Ugoki laughed, wiping the blood from his nose. “But, now it’s my turn!”
Otsuga leapt through the hole in the wall with a newly healed arm cocked back and ready to punch Ugoki who threw his own punch.
The two fists clashed with a wave of mana shooting through the air.
“Nani!?” Ugoki had intended to send Otsugas force back at him like he had before but he found it impossible. “You dog.” He growled, feeling his hand pressing up against something sturdy, a barrier to be exact.
“If I’m an old dog then you’re still a pup!” Otsuga laughed, kicking Ugoki in the side.
“!” Ugoki grunted and allowed himself to go with the flow of the attack being thrown to the side. He came to a stop with a skid and let out a sigh. “I don't remember my master relying on cheap tricks to beat his opponent!” He roared in a rage.
“Now you’re throwing a fit? Very unlike you Ugoki-Chan.” Otsuga snickered.
In order to overcome Ugoki’s unknown spell which entailed reversing Otsugas energy back upon himself, Otsuga cast a thin barrier over his limbs as he attacked. Though it reduced his damage it lessened the chance of Ugoki reversing the attack successfully.
However… Otsuga bit his lip in worry. If my attacks did 25 points of damage before they're maybe doing 16 now. I need to determine his spell's effect and find a way around it without limiting my power.
Ugoki made the first move, he threw a punch aiming for Otsugas jugular.
Otsuga threw forearm upwards deflecting The attack and throwing a punch at Ugokis liver with his free hand.
“Tch!” Ugoki scoffed, falling backwards.
“!”
Suddenly Ugoki fell forwards, as he did so he threw a punch into Otusgas chest throwing the Karate God backwards.
How did he suddenly fall forwards!? It happened so fast it was like he altered reality itself! But he shouldn't be able to use Spatial Manipulation so how!? Thought Otsuga as he slammed into the wall behind him.
Ugoki leapt at Otsuga with a wild punch which Otsuga barely managed to dodge. Ugokis fist slammed into the wall shattering it like glass.
[Crushing Rock WaterFall Style : Gaisear!] Otsuga used a spear kick slamming his foot into Ugokis abs and pushing him backwards.
“Gah!” Ugoki groaned, clutching his now bleeding stomach. Despite his age Miyagami still has some fight him! He thought with a frown. The veins on Ugokis forehead grew in size becoming more clear as they pumped with blood.
Just then there was a sound, that of a door opening. Both Otsuga and Ugoki intensely stared at the doorway and the man who stood there.
The man has spiky red hair and a face covered in scars, it was someone Ugoki didn’t know. But he no longer sensed Nobunaga's aura meaning this man was an enemy. Kicking off the ground and into the air with a jump he suddenly shifted his direction forwards. He did so with suck speed it looked like he’d teleported.
“Die.” Ugoki growled, throwing his hand towards the man.