The wind blew through the woods, making a soft "rustle, rustle" sound.
Qian and Hideji Kohara faced each other from a dozen meters apart, killing intent spreading through the field.
The insects that had gradually begun chirping again after the other ninjas left fell silent once more because of that killing intent.
At a certain moment, both of them moved. Hideji Kohara instantly drew several kunai and shot them all toward Qian.
The three tomoe in Qian's Sharingan spun rapidly, and in an instant he saw the flight paths of those kunai clearly, then swung the short sword in his hand.
A few crisp clangs rang out, and every kunai was cut down by his strike.
And in the very next moment, Hideji Kohara arrived in front of Qian. He thrust out a kunai, driving it at an extremely tricky angle straight toward the artery in Qian's neck.
At this point, it was already too late for Qian to pull back his sword and block.
So he dodged sideways, avoiding the blow.
Hideji Kohara pressed his advantage mercilessly. His wrist suddenly turned, and the kunai changed from a thrust to a slash, aiming straight at the area before Qian's collarbone.
Qian kicked off the ground with both feet and took a step back, avoiding the attack once again.
Hideji Kohara stepped forward, keeping right on Qian's heels, and swung the kunai in his hand once more, cutting straight at Qian's throat.
Qian tilted his head back slightly and avoided the strike by a hair's breadth. He could even feel the sharp air passing before his throat.
After that, Hideji Kohara launched attacks one after another, forcing Qian to dodge again and again.
At that moment, Qian felt as if he had returned to the scene several months ago, when he