"Shinmen Musashi, Sakumura Anno."
Yagyu Tajima-no-kami narrowed his eyes at the two swordmasters.
"What? We weren't speaking ill of you." Musashi's eyes darted around, looking thoroughly absentminded.
"Don't just stand there."
Shing—
Sakumura drew Crane Feather.
As the long blade left its sheath, the blood moon in the sky instantly rose.
"The Heroic Spirit Swordmaster—has arrived."
"Ah! Just as expected of Mr. Sakumura. Damn it, when did she get here?!"
Musashi froze for a moment, then caught on and drew his sword with a frown.
"Ha ha ha ha ha—indeed, once again!"
Assassin Paraiso's frenzied voice rang out as a black silhouette concealed itself within the blood moon's glow.
"To receive such a warm welcome even the second time, even as your enemy—I cannot help but admire everyone's hospitality!"
"I truly must commend you all. To actually drag the sleeping princess outside—"
"Just to lure me out—is truly—"
"EXHILARATING!!!!"
Whoosh—
"Something's wrong."
Sakumura's eyes widened slightly as he locked onto Assassin Paraiso, who had leaped down from the rooftop.
This female ninja, Assassin Paraiso's presence—
It was different!
"She feels completely different from a few days ago. Something must have changed. You three, be careful!"
In response to Sakumura Anno's reaction, Assassin Paraiso let out an arrogant, manic laugh.
"Still so cautious? All because you wish to kill me, born of a ninja clan—this mere woman!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha--------"
Her gaze swept over Fuuma Kotarou. In an instant, his hair stood on end, and a bone-deep chill rose from within his heart.
What kind of change had this woman undergone!?
Why—did she possess such horrifying bloodlust, and even—
The presence of a curse!?
"My—how rude."
Assassin Paraiso straightened up, a cruel smile on her face.
"Assassin Paraiso has come calling, everyone. Good evening."
"So—"
"Let