Superpowers in the Marvel World

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Swordsmanship Duel



"Good strike!"

With a sharp cry, Alex lunged forward with his sword once again.

This time, the force and speed behind his strike were significantly greater than before. As he gradually became more adept at utilizing the Ghost-Eye Vision technique, his mastery of the Shinmei-ryu Swordsmanship grew increasingly intricate and profound. The most direct and straightforward manifestation of this improvement was the evident enhancement in his sword's speed and power.

Clang!

Seizing the perfect moment, Weapon XI twisted his blade with a swift motion, striking the side of Alex's sword with tremendous force. The impact diverted Alex's blade, and in the next instant, Weapon XI's left hand was already poised, slashing straight toward Alex's throat with blinding speed.

"What a quick counterattack!"

The sharp edge of Weapon XI's blade, aiming directly at his throat, forced Alex to raise his vigilance to its peak. In a flash, the spirit energy within his body surged, transforming into a profound and overwhelming force. With it, he effortlessly neutralized the momentum of Weapon XI's strike. In the next breath, Alex's counterattack was already underway, his sword intercepting Weapon XI's blade just before it could land its blow.

Clang!

The sound of clashing steel reverberated through the room, drawing the attention of the nearby mutants. Mesmerized by the intense and thrilling duel, they forgot all thoughts of escape.

At that moment, Alex, who had elevated Shinmei-ryu Swordsmanship to a near-divine level, launched a fierce counteroffensive. Using the recoil from the earlier clash, his katana swiftly arced backward to his right side. Then, executing Shinmei-ryu's Battoujutsu (drawing technique), he unleashed a strike as swift as lightning. The blade, gleaming like a streak of white, tore through the air, exuding an aura of unparalleled sharpness as it slashed toward Weapon XI.

However, Weapon XI, a master swordsman capable of deflecting a barrage of bullets with dual blades, was not someone who could be easily overwhelmed by such a technique. Almost as soon as Alex drew his sword, Weapon XI had already discerned its trajectory. With a quick sidestep, he evaded the deadly slash, his twin blades flicking back toward Alex in a relentless pursuit.

"Impressive dodge!"

Seeing Weapon XI narrowly avoid his lightning-fast strike, Alex felt both surprise and delight. He was astonished by his opponent's exceptional swordsmanship but also thrilled to be facing such a formidable rival—an opponent who could help him refine the essence of Shinmei-ryu Swordsmanship through live combat.

Driven by this excitement, Alex gripped his katana tightly with both hands and surged forward like a storm, his blade moving with the speed of the wind.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The deafening clash of blades echoed continuously throughout the spacious hall, accompanied by dazzling sparks from their collisions.

For a moment, it was a whirlwind of swords and shadows. Both combatants pushed themselves to the limit, unleashing every ounce of their skill. The residual force of their clashes radiated outward like a storm, destroying everything in its path. Ordinary people foolish enough to step into the radius of their battle would be instantly dismembered by the sheer intensity of the sword energy.

If this duel were witnessed by ordinary spectators, they would find it impossible to believe that such an exchange of blows could occur in the real world. The brilliance of Alex and Weapon XI's fight far surpassed that of any superhero battle. It was not just about raw power but also the palpable tension of life-and-death stakes—a sensation that left flashy superhero antics far behind.

Nearby, the gathered mutants stared in awe, their hearts filled with admiration for the sheer artistry of the swordsmanship displayed. To elevate cold weapons to such a level was a feat beyond extraordinary.

But while the mutants were captivated, in another corner of the base, someone else was watching with a very different reaction—Major Stryker.

"Damn it! Weapon XI has the ability to teleport instantly. With that, he could easily capture Alex in a matter of seconds! Why? Why won't he use it?"

Watching the scene unfold on his monitor, Stryker was so furious that he nearly smashed the screen.

His mission for Weapon XI was simple: capture Alex. Yet here he was, blatantly ignoring orders to engage in a fair and open duel. What was this, some kind of noble warrior's respect? Heroic camaraderie? Utter nonsense!

As Stryker shifted his gaze to another monitor, his face darkened further. On the screen, Wolverine and Sabretooth were locked in a brutal, blood-soaked melee. With their equally matched regenerative abilities, the fight was nothing short of savage, with chunks of flesh and sprays of blood flying in all directions.

Sabretooth had a slight edge in combat instinct, but his regeneration was weaker than Wolverine's. The balance between the two evened out, creating an intense and grueling stalemate.

As their battle escalated, the two combatants unknowingly began to move toward the hall where Alex and Weapon XI were fighting. Trailing closely behind them was Silver Fox, who was hurrying to reach her sister, Emma Frost, imprisoned nearby.

"Keep going! Head straight to them! Let Weapon XI deal with all of you at once!" Stryker muttered with a malicious grin.

The thought of Wolverine being defeated brought a twisted satisfaction to Stryker. But then, a sudden idea struck him.

"Wait a moment… Wolverine's strength is undeniable. It'd be a waste to destroy him outright. Hmm… Adamantium… Yes, that's it!"

Eyes gleaming with inspiration, Stryker opened a drawer and retrieved a small, intricately crafted box. Inside were several adamantium bullets. With a sinister smile, he loaded them into a handgun, taking aim at the monitor as if rehearsing his next move.

Click.

"Prepare yourself for my Shinmei-ryu secret technique: Rock-Splitting Sword!"

After clashing for what felt like an eternity, Alex suddenly leaped back, his figure retreating at lightning speed.

With a low shout, the spirit energy within his body surged toward his adamantium blade. In less than a fraction of a second, his retreating figure came to a sudden halt, and with a powerful slash, a sharp wave of sword energy tore through the air. This attack, swift as a thunderbolt and carrying enough force to split a mountain, was the ultimate manifestation of Shinmei-ryu's most basic yet profound technique.

Faced with such a devastating strike, Weapon XI's normally stoic eyes flashed with intensity. For the first time, he sensed the looming threat of death. This awakening of his survival instinct ignited his competitive spirit, unleashing an aura of unparalleled sharpness.

Boom!

Channeling all his strength, Weapon XI countered Alex's strike head-on, their blades colliding with an earth-shattering impact.

Clang!

Sparks exploded as their swords met, the clash producing a thunderous roar. A visible shockwave rippled outward, tearing through the air and shaking the surroundings.

Weapon XI let out a muffled grunt as he was forced backward at incredible speed. His face turned red, and his footing faltered with each retreating step, leaving cracks and indentations in the ground beneath him.

Though Rock-Splitting Sword was a fundamental technique, its power far surpassed ordinary skills, especially when wielded by someone of Alex's superhuman strength. Even a master like Weapon XI could not emerge unscathed.

Unfortunately, the sheer exertion of performing this technique left Alex temporarily drained, missing the opportunity to capitalize on his advantage. Otherwise, the battle might have ended in his favor.

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