The Showdown

At lunchtime, as the students lined up to enter the cafeteria, Kubo Yamato asked Loxi, who was helping out inside.

"Has he still not come back?"

"No..."

Loxi shook his head, unable to hide his concern. From what he knew of Bai Ina, he'd probably gone to gather some money to give the dojo as thanks before leaving.

But he'd been gone for so long that it was hard not to worry.

"I see!"

Kubo Yamato smiled and shook his head, then smiled at Loxi. "Don't worry, he..." He was about to reassure Loxi, but before he could finish, his brow furrowed. "Looks like he's back."

"You..."

"What is..."

Zongcilang and Hijikata Yoshitoyo's voices came from outside the cafeteria. Hearing them, Loxi exchanged a glance with Kubo Yamato and hurried outside. Kubo Yamato remained where he was, lost in thought for a moment, before following.

Outside the cafeteria, Zongcilang and Hijikata Yoshitoyo were staring in horror at the blood-red figure walking slowly in from outside the dojo. His clothes were soaked in blood, and dried bloodstains covered his body.

With every step he took closer, a nauseating, pungent stench of blood drifted into everyone's nostrils. A bone-chilling killing intent shrouded the entire courtyard, making everyone there feel cold beneath the midday sun.

"Ina!!!"

When Loxi saw the figure, whose clothes were caked with dried blood, his expression changed drastically. Yet he showed not the slightest trace of fear at Bai Ina's appearance—only concern.

As Bai Ina slowly entered the courtyard, the lingering bloodlust in his eyes vanished in an instant. Warmth returned to the courtyard, and Zongcilang and Hijikata Yoshitoyo both let out a sigh of relief. Even so, a trace of wariness remained in their eyes as they looked at Bai Ina.

"Don't worry. It isn't mine!"

Bai Ina tried to keep his voice as even as possible, but the meaning behind his words still sent a chill through Zongcilang and Hijikata Yoshitoyo, who were listening nearby. Judging from how soaked Bai Ina's clothes were, unless he'd deliberately bathed in blood... there was no way he could have gotten that much blood on himself from killing just a few people.

Loxi's reaction next changed their opinion of the boy, who always wore a smile and seemed so gentle and refined, even more.

"Oh, good!"

Loxi's face lit up with that saintly smile of his, but to Zongcilang and Hijikata Yoshitoyo, it was now painfully unsettling.

Others might fear Bai Ina for killing someone, but in Loxi's eyes, anyone who harbored malice toward Bai Ina deserved whatever they got. If Bai Ina killed them, they had it coming!

It was clear that Loxi, who was always kindhearted, gentle, and a master of every household chore, could become cold and ruthless when it came to someone he cared about.

After reassuring Loxi, Bai Ina turned to Kubo Yamato, who had come out of the cafeteria, and said coolly, "Medical expenses, the broken gate, and meals." As he spoke, he tossed over the bundle he'd been carrying, now stained red with blood.

Kubo Yamato caught it without expression and said nothing, simply watching Bai Ina.

Bai Ina met his gaze without fear. After a long moment, he turned to Loxi and said coolly, "Let's go."

"Okay!"

Loxi nodded without hesitation.

With his answer, Bai Ina turned and walked out of the dojo without a second thought, making no attempt to say goodbye.

"Would you... like to have a match with me?"

Just then, Kubo Yamato, who had been silent until now, spoke. His words made Bai Ina stop in his tracks.

"Teacher..."

Hijikata Yoshitoyo frowned and was about to say something, but Zongcilang pulled him back.

"What kind of match?"

Bai Ina slowly turned around and looked at the long, entirely black sword at Kubo Yamato's waist.

Loxi frowned at the sight, and a hint of hostility appeared in his eyes as he looked at Kubo Yamato.

"Of course, swordsmanship." Kubo Yamato's lips curled into a slight smile as he watched the battle spirit surge from Bai Ina. "I may not be especially skilled in the way of the sword, but I think a match with me could still help you improve."

"What if I refuse?"

Kubo Yamato smiled, still wearing that same gentle expression, but his answer was domineering. "Then I'll make the first move anyway!"

At his words, Bai Ina's battle spirit surged. His entire body tensed, and in the next instant, he rushed forward without even a warning.

Clang—

Kubo Yamato's sword was already out of its sheath. In the blink of an eye, he blocked Bai Ina's attack, looking completely at ease.

"Is that all? I'm truly disappointed in your skill."

Bai Ina's expression darkened. He lowered his stance, and as he did, the sword slipped from his right hand. The blade he'd been holding in check spun downward under its own momentum, then landed in his left hand as if he'd planned it all along.

"May Rain—!"

With a cool, sharp cry, Bai Ina spun and swung the sword in his left hand toward Kubo Yamato's abdomen.

A flash of surprise crossed Kubo Yamato's eyes. He had to admit, Bai Ina's ability to switch hands and change the direction of his attack at will during a match was quite novel.

But the next moment, Kubo Yamato's abdomen contracted, and he bent his body back at an almost impossible angle, launching himself away.

"Tornado Flash—!"

A slash like a whirlwind struck the instant Kubo Yamato landed, enveloping him in a storm of blades.

"Teacher—!"

Hijikata Yoshitoyo's expression changed, and he was about to move, but Zongcilang held him back. "Don't worry. The teacher will be fine." Even as he said this, Zongcilang never took his eyes off the storm of slashes formed by Tornado Flash.

"Slash—!"

Kubo Yamato's shout rang out from within the storm of slashes. A massive slash followed, like the first light of dawn, tearing across the sky and through the darkness. It ripped apart the entire storm of blades, which then dissipated.

But the moment Kubo Yamato emerged from the storm, Bai Ina was already in the air before him. His body was curled up, his sword sheathed, and killing intent surged from him.

"Iai Slash—Flame Slash!"

The sword shot from its sheath. The intense friction between blade and scabbard sparked a burst of fire, and the blade glowed red as if wrapped in flames, searing hot.

Kubo Yamato's black sword was also suddenly covered in flames, though the fire on his blade was an eerie azure blue. The blue-black sword sliced through the air as if teleporting and, in an instant, blocked Bai Ina's incoming strike.

At the moment the two swords clashed, they made no metallic ring. Instead, a deafening boom erupted...