Super Fighting Tokyo.

Burning flames, being carved by knives and axes, being forged and tempered a thousand times... ultimately forged this seeker of the "Way of Martial Arts"!

"so……"

Musashi slowly took a step, but not towards Kuroki.

“Your statue of Acala is now completely satisfied.”

"I know a little about Buddhist sculptures, but this is the first time I've ever seen one this perfect."

"The more he slashes, the more refined his skill becomes. It's truly astonishing that there are such masters in the world..."

sand……

Having said that, Musashi walked to the edge of the field fence, raised his hand, and pulled out the Kuni-Tora Broken Blade that had been stuck in the wooden board.

Swish!

The broken Kuni-Tora blade was reduced to a small section, but the remaining blade still gleamed with a cold light, even more so in Musashi's hands!

"Well……"

Musashi weighed the hilt of his sword in his hand. "It's only one last strike away from breaking completely, won't it?"

Does this mean he's referring to the "broken sword"? Or to the person "Kuroki Gensai"?

Both are possible, that's the answer!

"—!?"

The audience suddenly realized that even a broken sword has the property of "slashing" and can be used by Miyamoto Musashi to kill people!

Shh...shh...shh...

Musashi, gripping his broken sword, walked step by step toward Kuroki, who stood ready to fight.

"Then, in response to Kuroki Gensai, I will use this last of the National Tiger swords to end our duel and deliver the final blow."

……

……

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room turned icy.

No one would doubt the truth of that statement.

Even Tokugawa Mitsunari, who organized this duel, was stunned and fell into a daze of hesitation.

Are you going to announce the end?

But it seems like Kuroki can still fight back...

Musashi really... has to be killed!?

Is Miyamoto Musashi, the unparalleled warrior, really going to slay Kuroki Gensai, the Demon Spear?!

Even though Kuroki still maintained a counterattack stance, when Miyamoto Musashi attacked, that "counterattack" could only become his final act before his death!

"..."

in the audience.

The main body, with tightly pursed lips, had already risen and stepped forward, about to rush off the stage to fulfill his earlier promise and end this duel.

The battle is over! That's enough! We can't go any further!

Will Gensai Kuroki be able to successfully launch a counterattack?

From our headquarters' perspective, there is absolutely no other possibility for that!

Gensai Kuroki has lost everything, leaving only the will to fight back.

If he could see this himself, how could Musashi not see it?

He must have come up with countless solutions!

If Miyamoto Musashi goes to "slay" him, then Kuroki Gensai will definitely be "slain"—there is no other answer!

As a successor of the ancient martial arts, he has an obligation to protect Kuroki Gensai, and even more so, an obligation to protect everyone!

But suddenly—

Swish!

At the entrance to the Azure Dragon side passage, another figure gracefully flipped over the edge of the arena and strode toward Miyamoto Musashi.

Tap, tap, tap, tap...

It's very ordinary, with the sound of footsteps on the street.

—Bai Mucheng.

Because there was only a fence separating them from the arena, Shiraki Shō was faster than Honbu Izō, and Musashi was even a few steps away from Kuroki.

So, very early in the morning, Shiraki Cheng, with ordinary steps, stumbled into the scene of that fierce duel.

"...!?"

The audience stared in astonishment, looking at the scene with disbelief.

"who?"

"Disrupt the proceedings...?"

"He's here to stop this duel?!"

Someone actually broke into the underground arena before the duel was even over?

And he was even strolling around leisurely!?

"..."

At the same time, Musashi noticed the newcomer and looked somewhat surprised. "Oh, Shiraki..."

Shiraki Shō, with his hands in his pockets, slowly walked up to Kuroki Gensai and turned to Miyamoto Musashi.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Mucheng spoke up.

It wasn't something like "Stop" or "Stop immediately."

Instead, he said something very strange: "Put the knife down."

Musashi blinked. "...Hmm?"

"That's it, that one... yes, the really expensive one, that national treasure, the one you threw away... why did you pick it up again?"

Shiraki raised his hand and pointed to the broken sword that Musashi was holding.

Suddenly, his face contorted in a ferocious expression, a surge of murderous intent rising within him, and a sharp glint in his eyes. He roared furiously:

"Miyamoto Musashi, put down your sword—!!!"

"..."

This loud shout was like thunder, startling the entire audience, and even Motobu Izo was completely caught off guard.

Only Miyamoto Musashi showed a look of astonishment and emotion, even appearing thoughtful.

He was curious, so he tilted his head and asked, "Why?"

Bai Mucheng thought for a moment and said frankly, "Because that knife can be put down, I will let you put it down."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Musashi pursed his lips.

He narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Since I came here... no, since I settled in Higo, or even before that..."

"Shiraki, you are the first person to use this kind of reasoning to make Miyamoto Musashi lay down his sword."

"..."

"..."

"Ha ha……"

Musashi's lips curled up, and his face gradually lit up with a smile.

Little by little, his face stretched into a joyful arc, his smile unlike that of an ordinary person, even more so than that of a ghost or god, filled with unbridled joy.

"Shiraki Cheng, we really do get along well!!"

I'm taking a day off; publication is suspended today.

I need to organize the dialogue scenes where Musashi and A-Cheng go crazy together, plus an outline for what follows.

Regular updates tomorrow, see you tomorrow!

Muah!

Chapter 648 On Victory and Defeat

On the arena.

Blood splattered everywhere, staining the sand and making the ground a patch of bright red.

[Demon Spear] Kuroki Gensai, though slashed and bleeding profusely, still stands, unconsciously preparing to counterattack.

[Peerless Under Heaven] Miyamoto Musashi, wielding the broken sword "Kuni-Tora," approaches step by step.

Then, a sudden change occurred.

The audience stared wide-eyed at the scene in astonishment.

Kuroki Gensai and Miyamoto Musashi —

Just as they were about to clash for the last time, Shiramu Cheng, nicknamed "Fighting Spirit," strolled onto the field and stood between the two.