With his true identity revealed, the Kitsune, enraged and with no other choice but to face the samurai head-on, launches his final attack on the village. Using all his cunning and supernatural powers, he unleashes even stronger illusions to confuse and demoralize the warriors. As night falls, the shadows of the yokai begin to surround the village, while a thick fog blankets the landscape, intensifying the sense of imminent danger.
The Kitsune, with his multiple tails glowing under the moonlight, leads the offensive accompanied by a fearsome horde of yokai: Jorogumo (spider-women) who weave deadly traps between the village structures, Tengu circling above to attack from the sky, and Noppera-bo, faceless beings who spread panic among the villagers. The battle that ensues is brutal, and both the samurai and the protagonists must use all their skills to withstand the onslaught of demons.
Haruto, the samurai master, leads his warriors with unshakable calm, but even he knows that the situation is critical. The yokai, taking advantage of the distrust sown by the Kitsune, fight ferociously, and many samurai fall prey to traps and deceptions. Carlos, the lone shinigami, moves through the shadows, eliminating enemies with lethal precision, teaching the others how to use stealth and surprise as their greatest weapons.
In the midst of the chaos, Kaede faces the Kitsune head-on. She knows that defeating him is the key to stopping the yokai horde. However, the Kitsune, with his ability to manipulate the surroundings, creates a series of illusions so convincing that Kaede finds herself fighting not only against him but also against her own fears and doubts. Every strike she delivers seems to pass through shadows, and every time she believes she has the upper hand, the Kitsune vanishes into the mist, mocking her.
Meanwhile, the other protagonists fight alongside the samurai. Shun, the quiet archer, uses his skills to shoot arrows imbued with spiritual energy, allowing the warriors to strike yokai that would normally be immune to physical weapons. However, the battle intensifies when Takeshi, gravely wounded, finds himself cornered by several Jorogumo and Tengu. He knows he won’t survive long, but he also knows that he must protect his comrades at any cost.
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In a moment of heroism, Takeshi sacrifices himself, charging directly into the yokai to protect Haruto and a group of samurai who were about to be overwhelmed. With his last breath, he manages to deflect a fatal blow, allowing the others to regroup and continue fighting. His sacrifice shocks everyone, especially Kaede, who, upon seeing her mentor and friend fall, finds a renewed sense of determination.
Filled with rage and sorrow, Kaede finally manages to see beyond the Kitsune’s illusions. With the clarity of her teachings about spiritual balance and inner strength, she focuses on the real enemy, blocking the fox’s manipulations. Her final battle against the Kitsune is fierce, filled with cunning and strategy, where every move is a testament to her growth as a warrior. Though the Kitsune continues to use illusions and deception, Kaede, with a now clear and focused mind, confronts him with a combination of strength and wisdom.
At the same time, Carlos, Haruto, and the protagonists lead the samurai in an organized counterattack, taking advantage of the confusion among the yokai. The samurai, now fighting in honor of Takeshi, redouble their efforts, and the tide of the battle begins to turn in their favor. Carlos, with his cold precision, takes down the remaining Tengu and helps the others break through the Jorogumo’s traps.
The battle reaches its climax when Kaede, seizing a moment of vulnerability from the Kitsune, defeats him with a lethal strike, using everything she has learned about combat and spiritual balance. With the fall of the yokai leader, the illusions fade, and the remaining yokai, leaderless, are defeated one by one by the samurai and the protagonists.
The chapter ends with the samurai village enveloped in silence after the fierce battle. Despite the victory, the cost has been high: Takeshi has fallen, and the samurai have suffered heavy losses. Kaede, though triumphant, kneels before Takeshi’s body, vowing to honor his sacrifice. The battle is over, but the path to peace is far from complete.
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