The six-person squad had been assembled, all of them outstanding genin Araki had carefully selected himself. In high spirits after returning home, he decided to visit the Consciousness Space and meet his new opponent.
It was the same familiar, vast void. A Book of Sword Masters glowing with faint golden light drifted slowly in the center of the space.
Araki opened the title page with his consciousness and saw the following written there:
[Name]: Araki (Yachiru) [Realm]: Sword Heart Initial Clarity | Sword Intent: Wind/Lightning [Sword Techniques]: Combo Technique, Dash Technique, Iaijutsu (Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu), Dragon Cry Flash, Wind-Slaying Sword Technique, Yunlai Sword Technique (Lightning Stiletto, Stellar Restoration, Starward Sword) [Other]: Chakra Refinement Technique, Three Body Technique, Wind Style Ninjutsu, Lightning Style Ninjutsu, Secret Technique: Rain-Cutting (Learning)
"Still as simple and clear as ever!"
Araki looked over his information, then wasted no time turning the Book of Sword Masters onward. After flipping past the page depicting Keqing, a brand-new image appeared before him.
It showed a handsome, refined man with a long dark-blue ponytail. Strands of hair at his temples fell to his collarbones. A samurai sword roughly as long as he was tall rested across his back, its sheath purple, while he wore a pale-purple kimono.
His expression was calm and composed. He possessed neither Himura Kenshin's overwhelming killing intent nor Yasuo's weathered, lonely pride. Instead, he carried an elegant air, like someone quietly appreciating flowers, birds, moonlight, and the breeze.
Unlike the sword masters who had appeared before, this man even came with his own background.
Behind him stretched a somewhat worn stone staircase. He stood at its summit, with an ancient mountain gate faintly visible behind him.
"It's you, the old gatekeeper!"
Those distinctive traits let Araki recognize him at a glance.
He was the nameless