Sanemi was heading to where Yozora was. While Yozora fights Takasugi, he was going to save Tasuke. However when he reached his destination, he was shocked to see the battle between Yozora and Takasugi.
Takasugi jumped in the air and brought down his sword. Yozora wasn't quick enough to dodge and his arm got impaled to the ground. As this was happening, Yozora stabbed Takasugi's left arm with his sword.
They took their swords out of each other's wounds as they both jump back. After catching their breath, they both held their swords tightly.
"Shigure Soen Ryu, First Form:Axle of Rain."
"Shigure Soen Ryu, First Form:Axle of Rain!!!!!!"
Both Yozora and Takasugi charge at each other as high pressured water surrounds them and their swords. When their techniques clashed, the ground beneath them start to crack. Seconds after the clash, Takasugi's sword snapped. Seeing this Yozora spun his body to gain momentum as he tries to slash Takasugi's neck.
As he saw this happening, Takasugi jumped back even though this got his chest slashed. Soon he grabbed the sharp end of his sword that broke and stabs it into Yozora's left shoulder.
Both of them were starting to slowly lose their stamina. They knew they had to end this fight here and now. Yozora slowly got up as he was trying to think of a plan.
"Shigure Soen Ryu, Third Form:Last Minute Rain!!!!!!"
Yozora drops his sword, kicking the base of the hilt with his foot to send it propelling towards Takasugi. Takasugi couldn't move as fast as he did in the beginning so his leg got stabbed by Yozora's sword. As this happened Yozora charged at Takasugi.
The boy punched Takasugi's face into the ground and pulled his sword from the man's leg and kicked him away. Yozora was reaching his limit, Takasugi knew this as well. When he got back on his feet, Takasugi gripped the hilt of his broken sword.
"That's it, its time we finish this."
"I couldn't agree more Takasugi."
Yozora stared at the man as he focused his breathing. The boy was using Total Concentration Breathing to help make the next form of Shigure Soen Ryu he would use more powerful. However, Takasugi had the same idea as he too was preparing himself to finish this battle with one more strike. Soon Takasugi and Yozora unleash their final attack.
"SHIGURE SOEN RYU, TENTH FORM:CLASH OF SWALLOW!!!!!!"
Yozora and Takasugi both become coated in large amounts of water as they charged at each other with great speed and power. During this situation, Yozora saw the blood circulation, muscle contraction, and skeletal structure of Takasugi's body. For this brief moment, Takasugi's body was completely transparent as Yozora's eyes turned blue and his pupils became narrow. As soon as their attacks connect to each other a large explosion of water occured as the ground beneath then became a giant crater due to the impact.
~With Sanemi~
While this was happening, Sanemi sneaked into the storage house where Tasuke was. He couldn't believe how strong Yozora was, especially after the kid begged for his help. As soon as he got there, he was surprised by what he saw as he bit his lip in anger.
"Dammit......DAMMIT!!!!!"
Sanemi did it, he found Tasuke. However, all he felt from finding the boy in this state was just despair.
~With Yozora and Takasugi~
The dust cleared the area as a large crater was seen in the ground. Takasugi and Yozora were both standing on their feet. Takasugi's blade stabbed Yozora's left arm as Yozora's blade went through Takasugi's chest. Blood was dripping onto the ground. While this was happening Takasugi was thinking to himself.
"So........this is how it ends huh. Though why do i not feel anymore anger at this boy and Yaboku."
Both swordsmen pulled their blade out of each others wounds. Both of them were covered in stab wounds and sword slashes. Though Yozora gripped his blade, ready to launch another attack if he needed to.
"My weakeness...........i hated Yaboku for being strong yet not being able to save our teacher. I hated Japan for making a nice person like my teacher face a cruel end. But i hated myself most of all, because i was too weak to save anything. Yaboku.........if our roles were reversed....would you be consumed by hatred like i was.........."
Takasugi fell to the ground, blood leaving his body as he felt cold. He looked at Yozora who was standing in front of him. Though what he saw caught him off guard. Yozora was praying for him with tears in his eyes. Takasugi didn't understand why he would do this. He was an enemy, a killer. He doesn't deserve this, yet this felt familiar to him.
"I remember....the last thing i saw in my left eye......Yaboku....even though you killed our teacher........even you had tears in your eyes, just like this boy before me. I'm sorry teacher, for being too weak to save you. I'm sorry Yaboku, for being so weak i couldn't help carry the burden. But i'll never forgive myself.....for being so weak i let my hatred consume me."
Takasugi closed his right eye with a smile on his face. He was no longer breathing and Yozora didn't sense his ki anymore. Takasugi Shinsuke was now dead.
".....i can never forgive you Takasugi. But if i let my anger cloud my judgement, i'd probably end up like you. Still, you were only human. I have no right to judge you. Rest in peace."
Yozora soon walked into the storage house. There he saw Sanemi waiting for him. As the Wind Pillar looked at him, Yozora felt nothing but dread from him.
"Tasuke is ahead. He's alive but..............."
"Sanemi, thank you for helping me. I'll take it from here."
Yozora walked ahead, he felt Tasuke's ki. He was close to seeing him again. However, he already knew because he sensed Tasuke's ki earlier. Soon when he reached his destination he heard a voice.
"Yo........zo.......ra........"
"I'm sorry i'm late...........Tasuke."
"Yo....zo....ra....it....hurts."