Tornado Flash

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At the sight of this, the remaining five men all took a step back. Bai Ina's appearance and actions at that moment made them forget his age, and they began to consider retreating.

But Bai Ina didn't give them the chance.

He bent one leg and stamped down, pointing his long sword at the man before him. In an instant, he surged forward.

"One Sword Style—Fang Thrust!"

A violent current of air gathered at the tip of his blade. The thrust was so fast it seemed to pierce through the air, and in a flash it drove through one man's throat. The blow was so powerful that it tore away half the man's neck.

Warm blood sprayed into the air, but the four remaining men felt as if they'd fallen into an icy pit.

"Devil... He's a devil...!"

None of them had ever witnessed such a brutal fight. They were terrified, and all thoughts of brotherhood and friendship vanished from their minds. Not one of them stood to fight back. Instead, they all made the same choice and scattered in every direction.

A glint of menace flashed through Bai Ina's eyes. He used the momentum of his long sword to turn, then charged straight at one of them. He caught up almost at once and swept his sword toward the man's head.

The man Bai Ina pursued first paled at the sight. He hurriedly raised his broadsword across his body, hoping to block the strike.

"One Sword Style—May Rain!"

But he hadn't expected Bai Ina to let go of the hilt with his right hand while swinging at high speed. The sword spun downward under its own momentum, slipping around the man's broadsword and rendering his block useless. Bai Ina quickly ducked low, moved behind the bandit, and caught the hilt with his left hand in a reverse grip.

'Pfft—'

The bandit stared in disbelief at the blade piercing his chest. Blood poured from his mouth, and his final thought was... How had that little brat's left hand ended up holding the sword?

After killing the bandit, Bai Ina didn't pull out his sword. Instead, he leaped up and kicked the hilt, sending the entire blade straight through the bandit's body and hurtling forward like an arrow.

In the direction the sword flew, Old Seven was sprinting.

'Whoosh—'

The sudden sound of something tearing through the air made him tense. He turned his head, spotted the sword flying toward him, and hurriedly threw himself into a roll, dodging its path.

But he hadn't even had time to feel relieved.

'Clang.'

The sound of a sword sliding into its sheath came from behind him. He turned and saw Bai Ina, who had somehow appeared at his back. The scabbard had caught the rushing blade, and Bai Ina stood ready to draw.

"One Sword Style—Iai Slash!"

A strike curved like a silver crescent flashed across Old Seven's neck. Bai Ina didn't even pause; the moment he landed, he stamped against the ground and darted toward the third man.

It all seemed to take a long time, but less than a minute had passed from when the four men began to run to when Bai Ina cut down two of them. Most of that time had been spent pursuing them. So the other two hadn't gotten far, and when they saw how the others had died, they were horrified.

But when they saw Bai Ina coming after them, both men's faces changed. They were already close together, and after exchanging a glance, they gathered in one place.

"Damn it, that little bastard's too fast. We can't get away. Let's fight him!"

"Yeah, let's fight!"

They shouted as if to steel themselves, then turned and charged at Bai Ina together. After watching Bai Ina kill two men in the blink of an eye, they knew there was no escaping. If they kept running, he'd just pick them off one by one.

Bai Ina didn't panic. Instead, the corner of his mouth curled into a bloodthirsty smile, like Asura's scornful grin. His sword's point suddenly shifted as he raced forward, changing from a thrust to a drag.

After landing once more, he sprang forward even faster, meeting the two men charging at him almost instantly.

"One Sword Style—Tornado Flash!"

With a cold whisper, Bai Ina's figure spun in midair. As he turned, countless blades seemed to appear around him, forming a tornado.

"Ah... Wh-what is... Ahhh!"

The two men were swept up almost instantly in the tornado of blades. They had time for only one anguished scream before the slashes, like wind blades, turned them into a rain of blood.

'Clang.'

Bai Ina sheathed his sword without expression and limped through the rain of blood toward Loxi. Blood stained his clothes, and his expression was icy. At that moment, he could make anyone's blood run cold, like a bloodthirsty Asura emerging from the depths of a slaughterhouse.

Yet the one survivor, Loxi, felt no fear at the hellish sight. Instead, an indescribable warmth rose in his heart.

Bai Ina walked straight over to Loxi, bent down, and lifted him with one hand, carrying him over his shoulder. Then he turned and headed toward the shore where their boat was docked.

"Ah..." The sudden sensation of being lifted brought Loxi back to his senses. When he realized Bai Ina was carrying him over his shoulder, he hurriedly said, "Mr. Bai, it's all right. I can walk by myself."

Bai Ina acted as if he hadn't heard and continued limping onward.

Seeing this, Loxi couldn't help but smile wryly. He'd realized that once Mr. Bai made up his mind, it was hard to change it.

"Mr. Bai, I'm sorry. It's all because of me..."

"Just call me Bai Ina," Bai Ina interrupted.

"Ah?" Loxi froze, then his face brightened with joy. "Bai... Ina, once we get back, I'll dress my wound and go into town to buy some meat."

"No need. Rest for a day first. I'll go with you tomorrow."

"Uh, all right..."

"..."

Under the sunlight, a limping child carried a boy somewhat older and larger than him as they wandered through the woods, one step at a time. The scene had an inexplicable air of peace...