Note: This story is just a fanfic created from my imagination, for fun and to see how far I can push my ideas within the Mato Seihei no Slave universe.
This is not meant to replace or change the original story. Some characters, events, abilities, and ideas may differ from the manga/anime details.
I'm not getting out from the same ideas, but I'm also not adhering to everything exactly as it is there.
So anyway... Enjoy Chapter 35
Title: A Different Reflection
[Scene: Shiga]
Suzui stepped back and hid behind a partially destroyed wall, keeping her camera pointed toward the two men.
Kojuma stood facing his clone.
Kojuma:
“So… you're Shikoku's latest plan?”
He slowly drew his left sword.
“A clone? That's the best what The Thunder Gods could come up with?”
The Clone smirked and stepped forward.
“You dare to underestimate me… but you should know that I'm stronger than you.”
Kojuma remained unfazed.
“Wrong.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“You seem to forget that you're just a clone.”
He raised his sword, his expression unchanged.
“The difference between us is simple. I'm a member of the military corps, while you…”
He paused briefly.
“You're nothing but a fraud who follows Shikoku's orders without question.”
The Clone's eyes glowed violet.
“We'll see about that. You say I'm like a puppet, but you obey their commands too. Otherwise, Why are you here?”
Kojuma looked directly at him.
“You're the reason I was imprisoned, lost the Corps' trust, and became associated with the destruction of two Japanese prefectures.”
His grip tightened around his sword.
“And since you're wearing my face, It's my responsibility to finish you.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Even without them giving me a command.”
Suzui peeked out from behind the wall.
Her gaze turned towards the clone.
“So this guy really is a fraud?”
She looked at the two men, comparing their appearances.
“The good guy wears white gloves, while the bad one is without gloves and has a scar under his left eye…”
She tightened her grip on her camera.
“I should probably stay back. Otherwise…”
Her gaze shifted to the footage she had recorded.
“What if I show the public what's really happening? He mentioned prison, the Corps losing trust, and the destruction of two prefectures…”
Before she could continue thinking, the ground began to tremble. The pressure between the two fighters grew stronger.
Then they clashed.
Their blades met with a sharp metallic ring.
Kojuma's thoughts:
(Impressive strength for a mere clone)
Kojuma deflected the Clone's sword, but his opponent immediately countered. Their movements were nearly identical, with neither giving the other an easy opening.
“It's like fighting myself… But something feels wrong.”
Kojuma finally gained an opening and launched the Clone into the air.
He formed the Dhyāna Mudrā with his hands.
Golden mandala cards appeared in a ring around him.
He reached for the “Flying” card.
But the ring suddenly vanished.
Kojuma blinked in surprise:
“What—?”
He glanced upward at the Clone.
“Tch. I'm trying something else then.”
He raised his hand, opening a portal beneath his feet.
A moment later, he emerged from another portal in mid-air and launched a kick toward his opponent.
The Clone dodged and countered with a powerful kick that sent Kojuma flying backward.
Before Kojuma could recover, the Clone appeared above him and delivered another kick, sending him hurtling toward the streets below.
But .
They weren't falling toward Shiga anymore.
They were heading toward—
Tokyo Prefecture.
[Scene: The Crowded Streets of Tokyo]
Kojuma crashed onto the street, sending dust into the air as nearby pedestrians screamed and rushed away.
He quickly looked up at the descending Clone.
“Why did you bring us to a place full of civilians?!”
Turning toward the frightened crowd, he raised his voice.
“Everyone, Evacuate the area immediately!”
He launched himself at the Clone again. Their swords collided as they continued fighting above the street.
The Clone smirked.
“How soft. You care about innocent people?”
He pressed his sword against Kojuma's.
“And Mistress Shikoku thought you were a cold person.”
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Then—
BOOM!
The impact sent shockwaves through the street. Civilians were thrown off balance as Kojuma was hurled backward into the glass wall of a nearby café.
He glanced over his shoulder at the building.
Before he could move, the Clone formed the Dhyāna Mudrā.
A golden card appeared in his hand.
He picked “shockwaves” card and launched a powerful kick toward Kojuma, releasing a shockwave.
Kojuma looked at the incoming attack, then glanced at the café behind him.
“…Dammit.”
The shockwaves continued to rush toward him.
Kojuma raised both swords and blocked them, struggling to hold his ground.
(I can't let them die. Focus)
He redirected the force upward, away from the civilians and nearby buildings.
Then he opened a portal above himself and leaped through it.
Kojuma emerged in mid-air, directly above the Clone, and swung his leg toward his chest.
The kick connected.
The Clone was sent crashing into a nearby building.
Kojuma landed on the street and took a moment to catch his breath.
“Something's wrong…”
He raised one hand and examined it before slowly clenching his fist.
“Has my body still not adapted to the meteor energy?”
Ending Panel:
Kojuma took another breath, his eyes fixed on the shifting debris.
“Chief Uzen was right…”
He lowered his head slightly.
“I should have rested first.”
He paused, recalling what had happened to him.
“The meteor's energy left my body for days. ”
His expression hardened.
“Is this why i can't use the commander peach blessings?”
Dust drifted through the street as the rubble settled.
Then—
Something moved beneath the debris.
