At the Critical Moment

"Stop!" At that heart-stopping moment, Smoker rushed over like lightning, charging within a hundred meters in the blink of an eye. He moved as swiftly as the wind, as if he could tear through the air itself. Yet the moment he entered the area, he immediately sensed something strange, and his expression turned extremely grave.

Tashigi followed close behind. Though her steps were slightly slower, she charged into the dangerous zone without hesitation. However, almost the instant she stepped inside, a powerful force struck her like an invisible giant hand clamping around her throat. Tashigi's face went deathly pale. She clutched her neck in pain, her body involuntarily tipping backward before she crashed heavily onto the ground.

As if arranged by fate, the scene naturally fell into Moke's sight. He stood there quietly, staring at Tashigi as complicated emotions rose within him.

The relationship between Moke and Tashigi was indeed somewhat delicate. In the past, in order to obtain the famous blade Yubashiri, he had asked Tashigi to teach him swordsmanship in exchange for studying under her. During that time, Tashigi had not only taught him superb sword techniques, but also guided him toward understanding the essence of the sword. It could be said that she had been an important guide on his path of swordsmanship.

Yet the current situation left Moke in a dilemma. He had originally planned to eliminate everyone who might pose a threat to him, but when he saw Tashigi, inner conflict surged through him like a tide.

"Do I really have to get rid of her too?" The thought flashed through Moke's mind, filling him with indescribable pain and contradiction. After all, she had had an undeniable influence on his swordsmanship. To so easily put her to death seemed far too cruel.

Moke struggled endlessly