The small grove behind the dojo was not particularly large—at least, not for strong individuals of Apophis and Koshiro's caliber.
In the rainy forest at night, the two stood facing each other with swords in hand.
He should be the kind of swordsman who relies on brute force. Restricting the area actually benefits a technique-focused swordsman like me more. Does he think he's so strong that, unless he deliberately restrains himself, this won't serve as training?
Koshiro took a deep breath. Though being underestimated felt unpleasant, he understood that he was already at an absolute disadvantage in this battle.
It had been nearly ten years since he had fought a strong individual of the same level. As for the man across from him, one look at those ferocious eyes was enough to tell that he had fought his way out of a Sea of Blood. Such people were often terrifyingly powerful.
The gap in combat experience was simply too great!
"You're planning to fight me with a wooden sword?" Apophis asked coldly.
"I swore long ago that I would never use Wado Ichimonji again. Besides..." Koshiro gripped the sword with both hands. A black metallic sheen gradually crept over the wooden blade in his hands. "For people like us, anything can be a sword!"
"You might be able to fool weaklings with that kind of talk, but you dare use a wooden sword against me? Are you looking to die?" With a wave of Apophis's left hand, an invisible space opened before him.
He reached an arm inside, then drew out a black katana.
"A spatial ability, a Devil Fruit..." Koshiro's heart sank at first, but then his gaze was irresistibly drawn to the katana. "Could this be the legendary Demon Blade, Nidai Kitetsu?"
"Unfortunately, it's only the second generation.