Cutting Someone Down Takes Brains

Clang!

Toroi's powerful Suburi strike slammed into the sword Uchiha Mai held in both hands.

The long sword in Toroi's hands was well made, forged from refined steel. Yet a single clash with Izumi no Kami Kanesada chipped a half-centimeter notch into its edge.

Toroi bore down with both arms, trying to overpower Uchiha Mai.

Mai had no advantage in a contest of strength. For one thing, there was a considerable difference in their age and build.

Though Mai excelled at Taijutsu, his style, like Madara's, relied heavily on agility and the explosive force that came from speed.

For another, his sword was simply too hot.

Anyone who understood leverage knew that gripping a sword with both hands let you put tremendous force into a swing, but it was less effective for blocking and parrying.

The best stance for a block was to grip the hilt with one hand and brace the back of the blade with the other.

But who would casually touch a blade heated past five hundred degrees?

Super Beast Imitating Drawing: Ink Tiger!

An invisible tiger sprang from Mai's chest and struck Toroi in the torso, knocking him off balance.

Mai seized the chance to step back, poured more chakra into Izumi no Kami Kanesada, then brought it down in a slash.

Clang!

The two swords collided again. This time, Mai was attacking and Toroi was blocking, while Izumi no Kami Kanesada had grown hotter still.

Another notch appeared in Toroi's sword, nearly a centimeter deep—worse than the first.

Metal rang out in a rapid series of clashes as their blades struck again and again.

With the strength of a man in his prime, Toroi could overcome technique through sheer force. He held his own in the sword fight.

But the quality of his blade could