Ash gritted his teeth as his blade clashed against the Oni Wraith''s void-forged weapon. The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave through the dojo, rattling the wooden beams and stirring the dust of ancient battles past. His arms burned with the effort, his Ki flaring as he struggled to hold his ground.


    The Oni Wraith did not relent. It pressed forward with calculated strikes, each blow heavier than the last. Ash could barely track its movements—its body flickered between existence and void, its attacks coming from angles that defied human instinct.


    "You fight with will," the Wraith intoned, its voice reverberating in the chamber like a spectral echo. "But will alone is not control."


    Ash grunted as he ducked beneath a sweeping strike, rolling to the side before launching himself forward. His Ki surged, wrapping around his blade as he channeled the shadows to strike back. This time, his sword met resistance—not just the Oni Wraith''s blade, but something deeper, something intangible.


    For the briefest moment, he felt it. A pulse. A connection.


    The Wraith hesitated.


    Kenshiko''s voice cut through the chaos. "Ash—your Ki is synchronizing with its form! Hold that focus!"


    Ash clenched his jaw, tightening his grip on his sword. He reached deep within himself, searching for that resonance again. The shadows around the Wraith flickered, responding not just to his attacks but to his intent. He wasn''t merely fighting it anymore—he was beginning to command it.


    The Oni Wraith''s movements slowed. Its once-relentless assault dulled, shifting into something more reactive. It wasn''t resisting his control entirely—it was testing the limits of his strength.


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    "I am not your enemy," Ash breathed, pushing forward. "You are mine to wield."


    The Oni Wraith stopped. Yet, Ash could feel it—the connection was incomplete. The power coursing through him was immense, but restrained, like a flood held back by unseen barriers.


    "You grasp at control," the Wraith spoke, its layered voice carrying an undeniable weight. "But control is not given. It is earned."


    Ash''s brow furrowed. "I''ve proven my strength. I summoned you. I fought you. You acknowledge me. What more do you want?"


    The Oni Wraith''s demonic mask seemed to shift, though whether in amusement or challenge, Ash could not tell. "You wield only a fraction of my power. Fifty percent at best. Until you prove yourself worthy, the full strength of the Wraith remains beyond your reach."


    Ash exhaled sharply, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. "Then tell me—how do I prove myself? What must I do?"


    The Wraith''s burning gaze bore into him. "Your blade does not decide your worth. Nor does battle alone. If you would claim all that I am, then I must submit fully to you. And I do not submit to a warrior—I submit to a ruler."


    Ash''s breath caught. He knew what it meant. The Wraith wasn''t testing his combat skills anymore. It was testing his right to lead.


    "Your actions, your choices—how you wield your authority as Shogun—these will decide if you are worthy of complete control. Strength is not just power, but purpose. Only when you understand this will I be yours in full."


    Kenshiko''s systems flickered with unread data streams, the AI processing the revelation. "This… this was never recorded in the Shirogiri archives. No summoner before you have ever reached this stage. Ash, this isn''t just about your combat skill. The Wraith is testing your very essence as a leader."


    Ash stood still, absorbing the words. The Oni Wraith had given him power, but only in part. The rest—true mastery—would have to be earned not through battle, but through the choices he made in the days to come.


    For now, fifty percent would have to be enough. The dojo was silent save for the crackling of Ki-infused shadows swirling around them. Its hollow gaze fixed on him, unreadable yet expectant.


    Ash didn''t answer. He didn''t know. All he knew was that the battle was far from over. Control was not yet his—but for the first time, the Oni Wraith had acknowledged him.


    And that was enough for now.