Behind Kibutsuji, a wheel resembling a sundial appeared, its face marked with divisions.
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar!
Each slot corresponding to a division held a differently sized "sword hilt"!
Bzzzz!
The Rat division lit up, unlocking the longest hilt, which flew into Kibutsuji's hand!
As the wheel appeared, several fragments floating nearby assembled into a "blade" far shorter than the hilt!
Mifune said, "A naginata? Is that the true form of the Heaven Sword?!"
Zatoichi said, "Perhaps that is merely one of its true forms..."
Kibutsuji stood still, gripping the weapon.
"You are right. More precisely, this is..."
—Heaven Sword · Rat Sword · Empty Wheel · No Enchantment · Naginata Form!
Mifune shook his head. "Far too flashy. A sword's mission is to kill the enemy as swiftly as possible. Everything else is useless!"
Kibutsuji smiled faintly. "What you speak of is a sword for killing, one branch of the way of the sword. But I have no interest in slaughter. I am interested only in the ultimate principles of swordsmanship. To be honest, I do not care in the slightest about the outcome of this war between humanity and my clan, nor whether either race survives..."
Mifune could hardly believe it. "What... did you say?"
Kibutsuji said, "Ah, of course I mean it. It has been so long since I encountered anyone I could discuss swordsmanship with. So it truly is wonderful that you managed to fight your way here!"
Mifune stared in disbelief. He was actually serious! This man had no sense of racial allegiance, nor even any concept of right and wrong. Just as the rumors said, he was a sword fanatic?
Kibutsuji smiled warmly. "Therefore, gentlemen, please discuss the way of the sword with me. If you