As Ian introduced himself, the squinting eyes in front of him became serious.

"I see."

"It's the Tennen Rishin-ryu—a school I've never heard of."

"but……"

He squinted and opened his eyes.

"There's also the meaning of defeating him. Otherwise, I won't be able to maintain my identity."

"Yannan Jingsuke, the successor of Beichen Ittoryu."

"Just let me take a good look at what you're capable of."

【This is a duel between you and Yamanami Keisuke. 】

So even though they were truly concerned for your safety, Kondo Isami and Okita Souji wisely made some space for you.

[Correspondingly, the dark mass of ronin warriors on the other side also retreated a little.]

"No, why did it suddenly become like this?!"

Cold sweat broke out on Kiyono Hachiro's forehead.

He didn't expect that these people from Qingye City would be so foolish and would have such a conflict with the people they just met without saying a word, and now they even wanted to duel!

"Kondo! Okita! Are you crazy?!"

"Go stop him!"

"..."

"..."

Faced with Kiyono Hachiro's anxiety, Kondo Isami and Okita Souji looked at each other and soon determined that there was no need to do so.

"A samurai duel is a very necessary matter. I won't stop Toshizo. It's his freedom, and I have no right to interfere."

"Besides..."

"He may not lose yet." Okita Souji continued Kondo Isami's words, but her tone was more firm, and there was obviously a bit more trust at the level of a lover in it.

"Sai San, you're not as weak as you think."

"..."

More sweat broke out on Kiyono Hachiro's forehead.

It was the cold season between spring and winter, but he felt himself getting hot because of worry.

"** (Kyoto swear word), what kind of people did that old Kondo recommend to me?"

at the same time--

Inside the "Dueling Arena".

Like Yamanami Keisuke, Ian also drew his own blade and gripped it tightly with both hands.

Although it is not a famous sword like Okita Souji, it was given to him by his master Kondo Shusuke as a graduation gift after all, so it is definitely not an ordinary item.

but……

Ian looked at Yamanami Keisuke on the other side of the battlefield.

Is this guy holding a knife with only one hand?

It's really some special techniques.

"He's in great shape," Yamanami Keisuke suddenly remarked. "I can tell he's been training hard—he must have gotten the Menkyo Kaiden, right?"

"Isn't that natural?"

"You're holding the sword so confidently now. You must have received the 'Menkyō Kaiden', right?"

"Oh, indeed." Yamanami Keisuke laughed, "It seems I asked a very stupid question."

"So--"

"I'll make you forget this stupid thing by defeating you."

Yamanami Keisuke's eyes suddenly became fierce, completely different from before.

"coming--"

Actions speak louder than words.

The moment Yamanami Keisuke finished speaking, Ian found that he had disappeared from his sight.

so fast -

Is it the same sword technique as Okita Souji's, which emphasizes "speed"?

It seems... that he will be a very tough opponent.

but--

Just what I want!

"Caught!"

Ian turned around suddenly, and then used his extraordinary strength to slash at the air fiercely.

It looked like a missed blow.

however……

The next moment, Yamanami Keisuke appeared there.

The silver eyes were filled with surprise at that moment.

"you……"

Without saying anything more, Yamanami Keisuke had to dodge Ian's desperate attack.

But in the final analysis, this was still a predictable behavior, so even though he tried so hard to avoid it, Yamanami Keisuke was inevitably hit on the cheek.

tear.

A cut appeared on his cheek, and blood began to flow out.

Seeing their boss being hit like this, the wanderers who were already a little restless naturally started to make a fuss.

They were baring their fangs and claws, looking as if they were going to eat the three outsiders who had disturbed them.

but--

Yamanami Keisuke did not allow these people to rush forward.

He held his blade horizontally and stopped his men who were ready to make a move.

"idiot!"

"During the duel, you guys are not allowed to mess around here."

"..."

After being scolded by their boss, the ronin who originally wanted to cause trouble had to calm down temporarily.

And Yamanami Keisuke also looked at Ian in front of him.

He reached out and wiped the blood off his face.

"It is interesting."

"I never thought that in this small village of Mibu, there would be such a truly trained swordsman."

"I take back my previous disrespect."

"Now--"

Shannan Jingsuke held the sword with both hands, and his eyes became even colder.

“This is the real beginning.”

"..."

[At this moment, you realize that Yamanami Keisuke's previous one-handed sword grip was nothing more than a form of contempt for you.]

[Now, with his sword in both hands, it is time for him to show his true self.]

"..."

Ian did not respond to Shannan Keisuke's words.

He knew that this was the time for the other party to show his strength.

as predicted--

Yamanami Keisuke suppressed his pride and stopped talking nonsense, instead becoming completely focused.

Even if you are not on the battlefield and are just watching, you can still feel his aura.

With a push.

Yamanami Keisuke's wooden clogs made a crisp sound on the ground.

Then, he disappeared from Ian's sight again.

"This time——"

"Can you still defend me?"

Yamanami Keisuke's mocking voice came from the air.

This time where...

Ian really couldn't feel Yamanami Keisuke's presence.

He seemed to have hidden his tracks in an extremely clever way.

"It seems you can't judge——"

Yamanami Keisuke said this, and then suddenly appeared beside Ian.

With a sound of Duang——!

The two sword blades crossed each other, and sparks flew under the sunlight.

"But the reaction is quite fast!"

Yamanami Keisuke uttered some words that were either praise or criticism, and then he exerted force with both hands, and once again confronted Ian, and the two of them retreated and separated.

again.

Yamanami Keisuke disappeared from Ian's sight.

It was still that familiar taunting.

"Hey--"

"Find me, otherwise you will just be in a passive position."

"..."

This scene was repeated more than ten times in the following moments.

Although Ian was able to resist every time, he soon discovered that something was wrong.

That is……

Yamanami Keisuke is "analyzing" himself.

Yes.

Although it sounds exaggerated, Yamanami Keisuke was indeed analyzing the "logic" of his blocking.

Each of his attacks was more difficult to dodge than the previous one.

To use a less than proportional analogy...

Ian felt like Yamanami Keisuke was looking for his "vital point"!

at last……

This highly penetrating and aggressive approach eventually opened up Ian's weakness.

"Can't defend it?"

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