Chapter 90: The Trial of Stubbornness and Flaws

Harutemi waved her hands with a carefree smile, and the fiery rocks surrounding her shot toward Yahageshii like countless blazing arrows. These burning stones hurtled through the air with unstoppable force, their heat distorting the atmosphere.

Yahageshii's eyes reflected the incoming barrage. His body moved swiftly, narrowly dodging the fiercest of the attacks. Yet this was only the beginning. More fiery rocks followed, their relentless pursuit leaving him struggling. The air sizzled, his clothes singed, and sweat poured down his face.

"Argh—!" One searing rock grazed his shoulder, leaving a stinging burn. Yahageshii clenched his teeth, refusing to falter. His fists tightened, flames roaring back to life as he shattered a cluster of rocks with a powerful punch.

But it wasn't enough. The stones kept coming, their numbers endless. Each dodge became harder, each block more draining. His movements slowed as exhaustion crept in, veins bulging on his forehead, but his gaze burned with unyielding determination.

"Overwhelmed by numbers," he thought fleetingly, only to crush the idea.

"Excuses!" Yahageshii scolded himself. "If I can't break through, it's my failure!"

He roared in defiance, each punch blazing with fury, but his strength seemed futile against the infinite assault.

From the sidelines, Elder Kasamaki observed with a furrowed brow, his sharp gaze shifting between Harutemi's controlled rocks and Yahageshii's battered form. He sighed and murmured, "The flaws are glaringly obvious—why is he so stubborn?"

Though spoken softly, Yahageshii caught the words. His movements faltered for a split second, his eyes darting toward Harutemi. Indeed, there was a pattern—uneven speed and occasional gaps in the trajectory of the rocks. Yet, consumed by anger and frustration, he had ignored it. He trusted his fists more than his strategy.

"Flaws?" he muttered under his breath, but the thought was quickly drowned by the roar of the approaching rocks.

"Old man, shut it!" Yahageshii growled, trying to block out the noise in his mind. "I don't need your advice! I'll win with brute force! I'll smash through her defenses!"

Elder Kasamaki's brows knitted tighter, but he remained silent, continuing to observe.

Harutemi, meanwhile, wore an effortless grin, her voice light and teasing: "Oh my, Yahageshii, aren't you supposed to be tough? Out of breath already?"

Gritting his teeth, Yahageshii, bruised and battered, stood tall with fiery defiance in his eyes. Harutemi's playful tone only fueled his anger.

"If this is a spar, stop hiding behind flashy tricks! Fight me with your fists, head-on!" he growled hoarsely.

Harutemi chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. "Ah, but you're so big and strong—what if you accidentally break my arm? Besides, if you want a close fight, why don't you come to me?" Her mischievous tone only deepened Yahageshii's scowl.

Enraged, Yahageshii roared and charged through the barrage, enduring the burns and bruises. He broke through the wall of fiery rocks, ignoring the mounting pain.

Harutemi giggled, her tone innocent yet sly. "What a stubborn boy! But—things are about to get more interesting."

With a graceful spin, Harutemi moved as if dancing, her every motion elegant and precise. As she twirled, the fiery rocks shot into the air, swirling around her in a blazing vortex. A storm of flame and stone roared to life, fierce and uncontrollable.

The inferno twisted toward Yahageshii like a ravenous beast. He raised his arms to shield himself, his body crouching low to weather the onslaught. But the force was overwhelming. Each impact rattled his bones, each fiery wave sapping his strength. His arms grew numb, and his legs trembled, but he refused to fall.

"Don't back down. Never back down!" Yahageshii roared inwardly. His eyes locked onto the swirling flames, searching for a way through.

Suddenly, Harutemi leaped from the vortex, her movements light and graceful, like a swallow gliding through the storm. She darted toward Yahageshii, swift and unpredictable.

Caught off guard, Yahageshii tried to counter, but the vortex's lingering force restrained him. Before he could react, a sharp kick landed squarely on the back of his head, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Harutemi landed softly beside him, as graceful as ever. Clapping her hands, she smiled as if the battle had merely been a game. Meanwhile, the fiery rocks halted in midair, suspended like an intricate sculpture glowing with residual heat.

"Enough," Elder Kasamaki declared, his voice calm but commanding. He stepped forward, his gaze falling on Yahageshii's battered form. "Well, young man, how does it feel?"

Yahageshii groaned as he pushed himself up, his body screaming in protest. Though covered in bruises and burns, he stood with unwavering resolve. His eyes, however, were different—no longer blinded by rage but filled with reflection and stubborn determination.