The streets of Boro Town had fallen silent. Nekomamushi and Inuarashi had both collapsed in pools of blood. Though their lives were not in danger, they no longer had the strength to fight.
The short sword in Tsugikuni Yoriichi's hand had grown by more than an inch. Its black blade reflected a faint gleam beneath the moonlight. Yoriichi glanced at Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, who lay on the ground struggling to rise, and for some reason, their persistence suddenly moved him.
They were clearly two very weak people, yet they were willing to oppose him in order to protect someone like Momonosuke.
They knew full well that they were no match for him, yet Yoriichi could not sense even the slightest intention to give up from them. It had been a long time since he had seen such resolve in anyone.
He truly wanted to know what kind of charm a man like Kozuki Oden possessed to make Nekomamushi and Inuarashi so fiercely loyal that they would gamble their lives to protect Momonosuke.
Yoriichi's contact with Kozuki Oden had been extremely limited so far. He really had not seen that kind of personal charisma in Oden. Perhaps... it was because he had not known the man deeply enough?
"Stop trying to stand up. You both know you can't stop me."
"After you return, tell Oden to come see me. I have something to discuss with him."
Yoriichi had no intention of killing Nekomamushi and Inuarashi. After leaving behind a few words, his figure turned into a Golden Streamer and vanished from the sight of Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and the others in an instant.
The two who had been watching Tsugikuni Yoriichi closely knew where he was headed. They stretched out their hands in an attempt to stop him, but it was ultimately