To Cut through a Storm [Yumi vs Tetsu]

Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter.

The Four Seasons, as a conceptual framework, formed the basis of Tetsuko's style of swordsmanship. Spring was the force of acceleration, it was initiative and forethought. Such a direct approach was extremely useful in closing the distance to the less physically-capable Haruuhi in the first round. Summer, on the other hand, was maintaining momentum. It was consistent focus and motion, against other forces. Though her obstacles were more mental than physical, this form had still helped her greatly against Jisatsu...

Now, Tetsuko faced a more equal opponent than either of these previous matches. One that would likely necessitate not only the flexibility and changing forms of Autumn, but also the steadiness of Winter... Yet, Tetsuko didn't know if the latter was within her grasp. She was still facing her own internal problems, and her resolve felt lacking. Yet, that desire to improve herself beyond this mental wall lingered. One thing that helped that greatly... Was her opponent.

Yumi Tasukai was a strong student in her own right, but her Quirk was also a natural counter to Tetsuko's. Even if she couldn't confidently say what she fought for in this tournament, Tetsuko still felt within her that desire to face such a challenge. To test herself, to better herself. The threat Yumi posed paradoxically calmed Tetsuko. As it let her focus more on overcoming herself than providing the win her family desired...

Perhaps that steadiness would finally let her comfortably use the last form, the Winter that she'd not yet grasped.

Tetsuko breathed deeply as these thoughts swam through her mind, uncertain but still focused. Even if she didn't know why she fought, now that she knew more about her family, if her foe was strong enough, she could fight for its own sake. She could win. Even if not against her, than against these damnable doubts.

Letting out one final breath, Tetsuko would tighten the simple haori that served as the main piece her makeshift hero suit. Creating one had been a troublesome task for a busy girl, so she still wore the Shinsengumi-inspired uniform for now.

Any and all other preparation was purely mental. Tetsuko strove forth, stepping into their next arena... Only to find quite the interesting set up. They were surrounded by metal clockwork, something that might prove equal parts danger and boon. Taking not of her surroundings briefly, Tetsuko than set her eyes on her opponent. Yumi's words stung in an odd way, unintentionally prying at Tetsuko's doubts about how much she deserved to be at this point. But it was too late for second guessing.

A bit stiff and focused, Tetsuko remained wordless until the hand was offered, before she gave a small smile and accepted it. "Let us hope this doesn't end in a draw, then." The Shindou girl joked lightly, recalling how... unsatisfying last year's bout against Darren had been. As they start approached, Tetsuko would return to the starting position, where she set herself into a relaxed stance. Yet to create any kind of weapon, she instead began moving her joints and muscles, feeling the iron flow through them as she methodically loosened up, letting her strength surge through her...

'Autumn Form: Both Extremes as One...'

At the sound of the match's start, she'd be ready to act; to cut through the storm however she could.

A battle was won by knowing your enemy's 'timing', and using a 'timing' that the enemy did not expect.

Tetsuko had taken those words to heart long ago, a they'd been passed down by countless swordsmen, originating from Miyamoto Musashi himself. Following this theory had been how she'd won many battles before, but now, she wondered if it could truly aid her here. The obvious features aside, Tetsuko knew very little about Yumi's Quirk and way of fighting, and had concerns about how she herself might be able to surprise the lightning wielder. With their mutual lack of knowledge, Tetsuko couldn't but feel at a disadvantage, given the natural weakness of her Quirk to electricity...

At the same time though, she could be certain that Yumi at least suspected this weakness. That in and of itself may pose an opportunity.

Continuing her purposeful loosening of her muscles, Tetsuko awaited the start of the match. Given the tactical weaknesses she had to deal with, the Shindou girl had to play this smart. Carefully, without showing too much of her hand. Then, burst forth with the power of change that defined this Autumn. The swordswoman took a stance, still yet to draw a weapon, and awaited the beginning. The first moves were vital to setting the tone, so Tetsuko utilized her inner tactics to consider Yumi's starting attack.

'Yumi-san is somewhat level-headed... It's unlikely she'll try to take me on in close quarters.'

Few people were willing to take her on in her optimal range, and she didn't peg Yumi as the type to take that risk. So, when the round began, and Yumi began making a beeline for Tetsuko, the swordswoman was immediately surprised. This was unexpected, and also enlightening...

'Wait... Use your post-initiative...'

Tetsuko breathed in deep, holding her hands out in front of her and maintaining a firm stance. Yumi neared, and she waited... The principle of go no sen dictated initiative following the start of your opponent's attack... And Yumi was still winding up. The Shindou girl clasped her hands together, bringing them back in her stance...

The lightning wielder's path became clear, as the sparks surged overhead. An indicator of her movement, perhaps? 'From behind!' Yumi's attack had begun, so Tetsuko acted, iron flowed from both her hands as they parted, quickly forming a shortsword that she thrust behind her in backhand grip, aiming to intercept Yumi just as she landed. Her other hand was raised to guard her head, as he neck turned to her rear... However, her hand alone could not block light.

If Yumi had still raised the tool to Tetsuko's face in spite of the thrusting blade, the Shindou girl would quickly be taken aback by it. She ducked her head, swung her blade around to try and strike Yumi's wrist, but it wouldn't stop the light itself. Her eyes were stung in an instant, and the immediate blindness forced her to act. Not knowing if another attack was coming to follow up, Tetsuko would pull her blade back in a guard as she turned towards Yumi, just as the girl retreated up to a higher gear.

Her vision was blurred somewhat, light stinging the edges of her view. It wasn't the kind of trick that was going to work repeatedly, but Yumi had used the element of surprise for its initial effects, and it was up to Tetsuko now to deal with the results.

'She had a good chance to follow up... But chose to create distance instead. She's not going to willingly enter my optimal range, it seems. And that flash was to prevent me from intruding on hers... So that's her strategy... Hm....'

Fighting the urge to act rashly that came with her affected vision, Tetsuko narrowed her eyes on Yumi, having some greater awareness of the other girl's planned timing. Quite a troublesome strategy, it seemed.

'...But if I can't change and adapt, I've no chance of using that form...

With another deep breath, Tetsuko would stand up straighter, seeming to abandon her stance as she held the shortsword in a loose mid-section guard. Slowly, and carefully, the Shindou girl began walking forward, towards the bottom of the section gears that Yumi had taken as refuge. In order for when to expect change, they needed to be patient...

Tetsuko hadn't exactly known what to expect of Yumi's approach to combat before the beginning of the match. However, what few assumptions she did have were not turning out to be all too accurate, as the Shindou girl continually tried to figure out the other girl's 'timing'. In that process, there were some... Lucky revelations, per se, as Tetsuko's attempted counterattack landed true, seeming to damage Yumi's suit. Though it probably wasn't worth the cost of having her sight damaged, being able to land a hit that damaged Yumi and her gear may serve Tetsuko's own inner tactics, or so she felt...

As Yumi fled into a retreat, and Tetsuko began cautiously approaching, the swordswoman considered what Yumi's plan might be. More than that, really... Tetsuko wanted to try and discern what Yumi was feeling about the fight in general.

'It's clear she intends to make the most of her advantages... I can safely assume the 'core' of her strategy... And yet...'

Well, at least it was obvious Yumi wanted to make the most of her leg up in vertical movement. In that sense, this arena was highly suited to her, leaving Tetsuko not much room to make an approach. The few methods that would get her up high were rather risky as long as Yumi held that ground. Furthermore, Yumi was quite fine with just changing position while maintaining the positional advantage, not that Tetsuko could likely hit anything with her eyes still flooded with light. Squinting up at the other girl, Tetsuko heard her taunt, and gave light grin in her response.

"It's quite nice down here, really. Not that I could persuade you to join me. It would some our 'optimal ranges' are quite incompatible..."

Turning this fight into one of range control wasn't something Tetsuko was too keen on. Fortunately, something curious about Yumi's approach did catch her attention, something she might be able to use to her advantage...

Before she had much of a chance to strategize, however, Yumi began making her attacks. As expected at this point, Yumi was still playing it safe, firing off low-risk pot shots, as though to try and test the waters. The first couple went wide, the Shindou girl gritting her teeth slightly as she kept on eye on Yumi, the swordswoman remaining on the move for now, chasing Yumi but without too much 'haste'.

When an accurate bolt came her way, however, Tetsuko had to act. Without hesitation, she discarded the blade in her hand, throwing it at the bolt to intercept. Her shortsword would 'catch' the lightning, so to speak, before embedding itself in one of the many gears around them. The electricity was simply taking the path of least resistance, and if Tetsuko could 'trap' it within her iron while discarding it, that did the job just fine. This wasn't at all a perfect method, as it was more intensive than just, say, taking the hits, but it was effective for now.

When the other shots came, Tetsuko would fling other shards of iron at them, clumsy and misshapen constructs projected from her palm. Although not fully dispelling the electricity, such that she still felt some of the sting, but enough to dispatch some of the sparks at least. Enough to not have her feel the full weight of her own weakness...

However, she couldn't remain on the defensive for long, and Tetsuko needed to test her inner tactics. Forming another blade, this time a full katana in her free hand, the Shindou girl would began moving towards Yumi's position with haste this time, dashing forth and slashing with her blade...

Only, her target wasn't Yumi herself. But rather, the gear or supporting frame that was closest to her, in an attempt to try and destabilize the upper area somewhat!

Tetsuko was beginning to realize this wasn't the kind of fight she could win by relying on 'tradition'...

Although her style of swordsmanship had the benefit of hundreds of years of teachings, none of them could teach her how to fight a lightning-wielding opponent in the interior of a clocktower. No, for this, Tetsuko had to apply her own experience, her own skills, in a situation entirely unique to her... It was a little liberating, really. Knowing that tradition did not bind her fighting style, that she could adapt and become more than those who cam before...

If she could mold herself to this 'change' that came with the unique circumstances, could she understand the turning tides of Autumn? Tetsuko certainly hoped so, and that it might in turn let her truly understand the worth of her art... That it might let her understand what worth she had if she cast her family's pride aside. Tetsuko needed to see the challenge, and face it.

Fortunately, she was on her way to doing just that.

On the baseline, Tetsuko was at several disadvantages. Despite her musing about optimal ranges, the fact of the matter is, she was in Yumi's, and not the other way around. So she had to find some other strength to play to, and some other weakness to exploit... Whether it be physical, or mental. Taking out the support structure to Yumi's platform was an aim at both of these goals.

Yumi did what Tetsuko expected her to do - she took flight. It seemed advantageous for Yumi to fly more, and this proved it. The pieces were falling into place. Once again, Yumi put a lot of distance between them, leaving her intentions clear. The swordswoman really had misunderstood Yumi's approach... Or, perhaps, it was rather that these circumstances were changing how Yumi fought.

Before she could think more on that. the electricity-wielder unleashed her counter-attack. Tendrils of electricity grabbed the gears above Tetsuko, and made her next move clear - she was going to bring it down on the swordswoman. 'No choice but to escape it...' Even if she had some way to turn the attack around, her still recovering eyes left her without any way to hit at this distance.

Tetsuko would dash forward, trying to get a head start on escaping the gears. On her left arm, iron quickly burst out from her forearm, forming a rough round shield that she raised over her head. As the gears fell, she'd try to dash out of the chaos, cutting away at what gears fell down to her and blocking those that were still a threat. It battered her shield arm a bit from the pure force, but the tough lass managed to get through the mess at the end, enduring it as she always did. When she reached the edge of the chaos, she found herself cutting down a gear in her way, lowering her shield, and raising her eyes to Yumi.

Her vision was starting to come back to her, but she didn't even need it yet. She felt warm liquid trickling down her cheek, a cut from a stray piece of a gear. That hell Yumi had brought down was rough... But this ironblooded body of hers was tough.

'...This is the first time, since learning about my family, that I've fought a challenging opponent...'

That thought crossed her mind, and she didn't quite understand it. She only understood what she had to do next.

A deep breath, and eyes forward. Tetsuko charged towards Yumi again.

This time, she didn't take the direct route. Instead, Tetsuko was darting along the edges of the starting area, swinging her sword in a graceful flourish and cutting through the supports of the upper platforms as she ran! A wondrous and powerful dance of iron, her blade sliced and diced through the opposing steel, and she didn't dare stop. Each cut was a burst of motion, and her intent did not waver.



Her reckless combination, seeking to leave the upper platforms in her wake unstable, had one destination in mind, as she charged straight towards Yumi's new position, trying to do just the same thing as last time!

'I'll 'change' this situation... More than they could...'

Tetsuko's eyes were recovering, the lingering light in her vision slowly fading after the initial attack. The swordswoman knew she'd have to be prepared for Yumi to try at again, and counter appropriately. Furthermore, she knew not to reveal her recovery until the most opportune moment. If Tetsuko was to win against this opponent who outmatched her in raw power, and whose abilities were more suited to the arena, she'd have to control as much as possible. Grasp the flow of the battle, and bend it to her advantage.

It wasn't enough to just be strong; it wasn't enough to just practice. Tetsuko had learned this a long time ago, and it was something she was constantly reinforcing to herself as she fought, both here and elsewhere. Striving forward to close the distance between herself and Yumi, the consequences of victory or defeat were far from the Shindou girl's mind; all she could think was to pit her best against Yumi's. All she wanted was to push herself, to evolve and adapt, to put into practice the maxims she'd learned, and test them against this powerful foe!

Her body was pushing forward, though she had dispersed some of the electricity to her surrounds, that which still terrorized her body filled it with pain. Tetsuko wasn't going to have much chance at this rate, if she couldn't close the gap and make it to Yumi. Unless the swordswoman could enter her optimal range, she wouldn't be able to do much from this distance... Or so she'd initially thought. But if Yumi was going to exploit this weakness... Tetsuko realized quickly, that the best thing to do was simply evolve and strike from beyond it.




Rushing for Yumi with renewed vigor, Tetsuko was prepared for what other tricks the other girl had. Yumi's Quirk wasn't just flinging lightning bolts around, after all. For what some might dismiss as a simple ability, Yumi was incredibly versatile with it, something Tetsuko greatly respected. And respecting a strong opponent was the only proper way to prepare for their movements!

It was due to that respect that, when Yumi began to grasp the entire central gear with her powers, Tetsuko was more impressed than shocked. If Tetsuko was U.A.'s pinnacle of physical martial skill, Yumi was its ace in terms of trained and honed Quirk potential. As the clock was... overclocked... Tetsuko staggered, falling to a knee as the speed through off her forward momentum.

As all the other gears moved vigorously, a cacophony of metal on metal arose. Quite the flashy move. The forces of physics began to pull on Tetsuko, who quickly resorted to one of her oft-used methods of staying grounded. Iron spurs burst from her palms, that she plunged into the gear like hooks to keep her from flying freely! Yet, the forces still tugged on her, and it was going to be difficult to move like this...

... Then again, why did she have to?

'... I see, I can't even let my art hold me back. After all... I'm not just a swordswoman.'

Clinging on to he platform for dear life, Tetsuko would slowly get to her feet, stamping her feet into the ground with similar iron spurs, keeping her in place but without much room for movement. She could, perhaps, drag her feet along the ground while stuck in it, but that wasn't exactly the most efficient method.

Instead, she held her ground. After all, even if close-range was her optimal distance... So long as Tetsuko was close enough to hit her target, she could use her greatest asset.

Standing up with an unsteady and fixed position, Tetsuko would quickly raise her arms, iron emerging from her hands. In one, simple recurve bow formed. In the other, an blunt-headed arrow, pointed right at Yumi's position!

'Heki-ryu Archery: Release!'[/i][/color]

Tetsuko loosed an arrow from her stationary point, before forming another arrow and firing it at that selfsame point. She took a step forward, a long step staggered by the rotation of the gears, and unleashed another, aiming to keep up a steady barrage as she approached Yumi, slowly but surely.

How long had it been? Since Tetsuko felt herself pushed to the brink like this, against an opponent so powerful and skilled? Even her climactic clash against Arthur Hale seemed to pale in comparison. For all his skill, he and Tetsuko had fought on their own terms, clashing swords above all else. There was no such terms of engagement here. It was strength against strength. To be reminded of how it felt to fight someone whose strength was overbearing and overwhelming... Set Tetsuko's mind onto a single straightforward track. She wanted to fight. Not for someone else's sake. Not for her family's honor, not for her own desire to win...

It was out of the thrill of pure battle, and incredible respect for her opponent, that Tetsuko wanted to give her all.

Whether Yumi's Quirk had an advantage, or was more powerful, neither mattered to Tetsuko. She'd respect that strength all the same, and fight with everything she had. Restricting herself to swordsmaship felt like an insult. Who even decided she should rely on her blade? To decide such a thing was something only she could do for herself. Everything else be damned, she'd give her all, and so Tetsuko unleashed her archery. But not before grounding herself with those iron spurs from her feet. Or, as Yumi unflatteringly referred to them, her cleats.

"It's hardly cleverness... Just experience!"

Tetsuko proclaimed as she began her volley of arrows. The first missed, the forces at play making it a miracle it even came close. But with the chance to re-align, Tetsuko loosed her second arrow, narrowly missing her target, and prompting Yumi to begin her counterattack.

The other girl fired off her own shot, Tetsuko ducking her body out of instinct. However, she was surprised to find it missing her by a fair margin... Only for her attention to snap right towards Yumi as the other girl used this 'trail' to zip right past her! It was a clever move, concealing her need to create a path through a feint, one that caught Tetsuko off guard. The swordswoman quickly raised a foot to try and pivot around, only for the gear to suddenly slam to a halt. Everything inside Tetsuko greatly disliked this sudden change in momentum, a wave of disorientation striking her as she staggered to steady herself.

Yumi was really giving it her all, it seemed... Tetsuko needed to keep doing that herself!

"I'll ask for nothing more than your best..."

Tetsuko would reply with a slight grin, soured somewhat by her churning gut. If they'd both thrown up there, that would've made for a rather unsatisfactory conclusion... Fortunately, Yumi did no such thing, and in the next moment, Tetsuko watched in awe as the girl harnessed all the electricity that was charging their surrounds, drawing it back to her in what could only be the preparation for an incredible attack... Not content to just stand in awe, Tetsuko began her own preparations, the iron that she'd used flowing back into her body, knowing she'd need every last drop to surpass this attack.

The Shindou girl would assume a low, prepared stance, poised and ready for the storm that was about to be unleashed. "Hah... This much lightning, I can't be even afraid... I really will need Takemikazuchi's blessing for this..." She mused. Takemikazuchi, the patron deity of Kashima, the mythological progenitor of her sword style, and a kami of blades and thunder... Tetsuko would be calling upon his strength as she prepared to face a storm unlike any other.

[

Tetsuko breathed in, breathed out. She raised the palm of her hand in a simple guard. The other was at her hip, balled into a fist and ready to strike. Her blade and shield, yet to be drawn. She breathed and thought deeply. What path would she take? What path should she take? Such questions plagued her as much now as they always had. Only this time... She knew the answer.

"My path is decided..."

As Yumi's lightning charge reached its zenith, Tetsuko took her path. She felt iron flow through her body, felt it come to her skin, lying just beneath bursting... All this iron, all her life.... Let it take whatever path she wished!

With its name declared, a bolt of lightning came, one that might rend the heavens itself, as though Tetsuko was fighting that very patron deity, Takemikazuchi. Not wanting to give this thunder God a bad showing, Tetsuko unleashed her answer; that if Yumi was going to give her all, she would do the very same! That was the right 'path' to take!

In a flash, as she swung her hands out wildly, a violent burst came from her body, as iron would shoot up from all over Tetsuko's back and arms in the form of blades, exiting her body as she pulled it out rapidly and forcefully with her control. Tearing through much of her uniform, bloodying it when she had been careless, this storm of iron erupted. Tetsuko was expelling as much of the stuff in her body as she could live without and a bit more, sending a storm of iron blades around her... A storm through which she'd dance!

Having given Yumi's blast the mother of all misdirection to contend with, Tetsuko could only hope it would be sufficient to scatter her blast. Immediately, Tetsuko felt the blowback, her body reeling from the sudden lack of iron, her clothing tattered, and old scars on her back and arms bleeding. But she pressed forward, for the fight was not yet done. Dashing gracefully through the storm of blades and lightning she'd created, this gift to Takemikazuchi, Tetsuko dashed for Yumi, to land the final blow.

With no iron left for even a full katana, Tetsuko would thrust out her hand to Yumi, whipping it out in a wicked knife-hand strike. Her final attack, her final effort... That she stopped short, right next to Yumi's neck. If the girl glanced at the hand, she might see it; the last of Tetsuko's iron, along the side of her hand to augment her strike. A small blade, her final blade, taking what form it needed.

"Winter Form: Boundless Blade."

Yumi was spent, and Tetsuko had left her final attack there so as to not deal unnecessary harm, but seal the match's end... She could only hope Yumi would find the term agreeable before the iron anemia kicked in.