Only one reference remains for the bonus chapter, and there are also a few energy stones left for the bonus chapter.
If he restores the energy stones to zero, I will publish an additional chapter when I have 100 energy stones. I am counting on you.
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The best way to resolve a conflict is to create a new one. Kiyokawa Izumi was very seriously trying to stop the fight between The Wind and Water Pillars.
It was absolutely not because his hands were itching, unable to restrain his desire to fight.
Kiyokawa Izumi, who had forcefully intervened, was under immense pressure. Although The Wind and Water Pillars were not cooperating, he, being at the center of the fight, had to face attacks from different directions simultaneously.
Despite his exceptionally arrogant words, he knew his limits.
Even earlier, while observing the fight, he had already begun reconstructing his cognitive Domain.
Why now, of all times, not earlier, not later?
Because the puzzle pieces belonging to him were now complete.
When the torrent of his five senses converged, he could hear, see, and smell. The essence of the battle unfolded before him. This moment belonged to him.
The tornado formed by his high-speed charge had already torn up the ground. A powerful vortex swept in, seemingly capable of shredding both clothing and flesh.
A pale green nichirin blade flashed coldly under the sunlight. The so-called strength of a blank slate top-tier Pillar was displayed to its fullest at this moment.
His expression remained utterly calm and unmoved. Kiyokawa Izumi's right hand, gripping the hilt tightly, suddenly exerted force. It wasn't a flashy technique, just an ordinary, unremarkable slash.
The whirlwind-like gale was shattered. Their powers clashed and poured forth. The veins on his arm bulged abruptly. Sparks flew amidst the clanging of metal.
In the meeting of their gazes, he seemed to detect an excited expression on Sanemi's fierce face.
While dispersing the force, Kiyokawa Izumi sharply flicked his blade. The moment he deflected his opponent's nichirin blade, he didn't recklessly press forward. Instead, he decisively turned around to meet the swift, fierce, and relentless onslaught of slashes from behind, surging like ocean waves.
Hot blood flowed rapidly through his body, his skin warming slightly. He inhaled a large amount of air into his abdomen. Kiyokawa Izumi's feet didn't shift an inch. Swinging his blade backhanded, a seemingly weightless slash transformed into several afterimages.
The sound of waves crashing against rocks seemed to echo in his ears.
"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm!"
He had just withstood the assault of Senior Brother Giyuu's tidal wave and hadn't even managed to push him back, nor had he caught a moment's breath. Sanemi, with his exceptionally aggressive fighting style, was already attacking again with a ferocious grin.
This level of pressure was something Rui could never provide.
Every cell in his body trembled. Kiyokawa Izumi could almost visualize himself being sent flying.
Perhaps he would suffer some insignificant superficial wounds.
Neither the Water Hashira nor the Wind Hashira, despite having drawn their nichirin blades, harbored any killing intent in their hearts.
Given how fiercely they were fighting, unable to fully hold back, receiving some minor injuries was only natural.
They were not fighting with the resolve to kill their opponent, but they were still giving it their all.
Although the pressure was immense, Kiyokawa Izumi was unwilling to simply withdraw.
"Second Form: Flash of Interspace - Multi-Recital!"
The muscles in his arm tensed and bulged. He would swing his blade faster. He would combine lightness and heaviness. He would be fast enough to simultaneously meet attacks from both front and back.
The sharp wind blades surging from below were shattered to pieces in the blink of an eye.
"Wind Breathing, Third Form: Clear Storm Wind Tree!"
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust!"
Even Kanzaki Aoi, who was merely an onlooker, found it hard to breathe at this moment. The skinny Little Old Man beside her was staring intently, not taking his eyes off the fight.
The old man hadn't reached the point of being dim-sighted; his eyes could still see clearly. However, he might not be able to react in time, especially having lost a leg, which greatly impacted him.
He could clearly feel the immense pressure Kiyokawa Izumi was facing right now.
Taking a single step back would resolve the predicament.
Neither the Wind nor Water Pillar had any intention of targeting him specifically. If he stepped back, The Wind and Water Pillars would collide with each other.
Then this young man wouldn't have to face the awkward situation of being attacked from both front and back simultaneously.
"Taking a step back might lead to boundless horizons, but that would be far too dull."
Whether looking forward or back, he could clearly sense that the world seemed to have been put on slow-motion at this moment. Though he remained in place, his perspective felt elevated.
Sanemi instantly whipped up a tornado centered on himself, churning the air. The wind blades hadn't even arrived yet, but they had already raised the hairs on his body.
However, their attacks did not land simultaneously; there was a slight time difference.
In his transcendent state of mind, his sharp nichirin blade had already been extended silently. And just then, Senior Brother Giyuu's attack also descended.
The cold glint at the blade's tip pierced the air, like ripples forming on water's surface. This move truly lived up to being the fastest technique in Water Breathing.
Without hesitation, Kiyokawa Izumi threw his scabbard backhanded. It accurately met the blade's tip, and he smoothly sheathed Senior Brother Giyuu's nichirin blade.
Without turning around, he seemed to perceive everything and was confident he could neutralize Senior Brother Giyuu's Seventh Form in this manner.
Senior Brother Giyuu, whose desire to fight wasn't high to begin with, swung his blade backhanded, flinging away the not-fully-closed scabbard.
Simultaneously, seizing this rare opportunity, Kiyokawa Izumi pressed forward. Blade shadows intertwined chaotically. In close-quarters combat with Sanemi, he didn't fall behind in the slightest.
In the end, with a powerful slash, he forced Sanemi back.
Both men stepped back simultaneously. Kiyokawa Izumi panted slightly, feeling his hands somewhat numb and sore.