Like The Unforgiven Yasuo's Tempest Swordsmanship from before, this top agent, Phantom, now had only two moves in his Shadow Swordsmanship:
Shadow Strike: gripping the massive blade condensed from shadows with both hands, then leaping up and chopping down at the opponent.
Shadow Judgment: gripping the massive blade condensed from shadows with both hands, then spinning like a top as he slashed at the opponent.
Of course, in Kurozumi Orochi's eyes, Garen's swordsmanship was far from so simple:
The blade condensed from shadows had form but no substance. It was sharper than metal, yet as light as paper.
Under Garen's full-force swing, this peculiar blade was like a streak of black lightning, crossing the distance in an instant and appearing before Kurozumi Orochi's face like a phantom.
The sword was so fast that the wind from tearing through the air had not even had time to spread before its black gleam entered the enemy's sight.
Kurozumi Orochi's heart sank.
He had abandoned a samurai's honor and a swordsman's code for power and profit, but that did not mean his attainments in martial arts and swordsmanship were lacking.
As a great swordsman with exceptional vision, Kurozumi Orochi understood the moment he saw Phantom strike at full strength:
He could never defeat the man before him.
But because refusing to draw his swords meant being cut down on the spot, Kurozumi Orochi had no choice but to use both blades in his hands to fend off Garen's assault with all his strength.
The shadow blade collided with the famed blades, scattering dazzling sparks across the air in a spectacular display.
Only then did Kurozumi Orochi experience firsthand:
Garen's blade was not merely fast. It was heavy.
Though he wielded an incomparably nimble shadow blade, Garen used the broad, sweeping techniques of a