Clang!
The twin blades met, and Araki and Sasaki Kojiro stood within arm's reach of each other.
Their stances were somewhat alike: legs spread apart, knees slightly bent, bodies leaning forward, centers of gravity lowered, all their strength pressed down upon their blades.
The nearly 1.5-meter-long Monohoshizao was locked tightly against the light sword called [Yachiru] in Araki's hand.
From that first clash, the two appeared evenly matched.
Yet Sasaki Kojiro's expression was more solemn than before.
Because...
He felt an oppressive force bearing down on him.
It came not only from the killing intent in Araki's eyes, but also from the immense pressure emanating from that radiant blade of light.
Compared to Samehada, the sword before him was simply far too sharp.
Sasaki Kojiro could almost hear the Monohoshizao, which had accompanied him through life and death for so many years, let out a faint cry of strain.
At that moment, though his heart had long been as still as water and unmoved by favor or disgrace, he could not help recalling his previous defeat, when a gap in their weapons had caused him to lose by a single move.
However, for someone who had already reached the realm of Clear Mirror Still Water, that defeat would not become an inescapable shadow in his heart.
On the contrary, facing an almost identical predicament for the second time brought Sasaki Kojiro's fighting spirit nearly to its peak.
The corners of his lips curled slightly. Last time, he had been defeated by that swordswoman who looked like a lamb but was truly a lioness, relying on her Noble Phantasm. He had felt no resentment, but there had always been a trace of regret in his heart.
Now, perhaps, was the time to make up for it.
He would never lose twice