After taking a secret medicine that healed sword wounds, the bloodstains covering Zatoichi's body vanished, but the injuries on his head and shoulders from the fall had not recovered.
Zatoichi smiled. "As expected of the Swordsteel Elixir. The medicine takes effect, and the wounds heal—never exceeding its scope!"
Kibutsuji said, "Swords can speak, and swords never lie."
Zatoichi said, "Then let this old man speak honestly as well. No matter how powerful you are, if you do not go for the kill and allow us to keep recovering while taking turns wearing you down, you will eventually be unable to endure it. Especially you—your body can no longer permit it..."
Kibutsuji said, "Thank you for the kind reminder, old gentleman. I never waste my limited life on boring matters. If you make me feel bored, I will kill you without hesitation!"
Zatoichi asked, "Could you tell me how you define 'interesting'?"
Kibutsuji said, "Repeating the same mistakes is boring. Growing worse with every attempt is boring..."
Zatoichi said, "In other words, you do not wish to see the same move twice, and the power of the moves must keep increasing? I understand!"
Mifune thought, I thought this would be a battle to the death. Who would have expected us to become sparring partners? I truly do not know how I could recount this battle to His Highness Feather Emperor afterward... assuming there is an afterward...
Clack!
Zatoichi sheathed the Night Black Blade!
Kibutsuji asked curiously, "Old gentleman, why are you switching to a single blade?"
Zatoichi said, "Twin blades are strong because their sword techniques are versatile, but your techniques are even more varied. The advantage of dual blades cannot be brought out, and they would instead disperse my already limited sword intent. So continuing to use two blades would