Seeing the Ice Blade thrust toward him, Suikazan Fuguki, lying on his back on the ground, let out a roar and used both hands to brace Samehada across his chest.
Samehada was dark blue all over, its broad, thick blade covered in stout, backward-pointing spikes. Though it was called a "great sword," it looked more like a flat, club-shaped mace.
"Kisame seems to like this sword. Once I take out this fatso, I can free it up for him to use."
Uesugi Shinji thought to himself as the Ice Blade in his hand continued without slowing and struck Samehada's blade.
The tremendous force pressed Samehada, held across Suikazan Fuguki's chest, downward. Many of the spikes on its blade pierced into the muscles of his own chest.
Suikazan Fuguki had always been extremely confident in his physical strength, but he was astonished to discover that Uesugi Shinji was even stronger than he was. Shinji's Ice Blade pinned Samehada firmly against his chest, and Fuguki couldn't even lift his arms.
Seeing Uesugi Shinji look down at him, his indifferent gaze seemingly full of mockery, Suikazan Fuguki realized that his opponent hadn't considered him a threat at all.
"No, it can't be! How could I, Suikazan Fuguki, die here? How could I possibly meet such a ridiculous end?!"
Suikazan Fuguki had no time to feel anger. All he felt was despair at the difference in their strength. Just then, he noticed a broad river not far away. Seeing its surging waters, he suddenly felt a glimmer of hope.
If he could just get into the river, he could use the water to hide his movements and ride the swift current to escape!
"Argh!!"
Suikazan Fuguki roared again, his face red and the veins bulging as he strained with all his might.
His desperate