It was not only the battle between Yu and Hun Shi that had reached a fever pitch. Across the vast territory of Jianzhou Country, a frenzied clash was unfolding on the second battlefield as well!
Zatoichi vs. Ōtsutsuki Rishiki!
The two swordsmen drove their chakra to its limits, expressing their understanding of the sword!
The clash of their sword intent created a domain that only the two of them could enter!
By now, their blades had collided no fewer than a hundred times!
The purple cloak Zatoichi had worn for years was in tatters. Blood streamed from his head and shoulders, his chest and back, and even the hand that gripped his sword!
Yes, the man known as the god of samurai was losing ground in his decisive battle against Lishiki!
"Hah, hah, hah..." For the first time since his battle with Yu more than ten years ago, Zatoichi's breathing had grown ragged in combat!
Hum! Hum! The black blade trembled in his hand. Zatoichi lowered his head. "Are you crying out in sorrow?"
Lishiki approached with his sword in hand, entirely unscathed!
Zatoichi raised his head. His scar-divided, rather terrifying white eyes released an astonishing killing aura!
-Kanze Mind's Eye Curse: Black Blade Style Secret Art-Sanzu River!
Zatoichi vanished, then delivered a cleaving strike from directly overhead!
"..." Lishiki coolly raised his sword, blocking horizontally behind his neck!
Clang!
The opposing sword auras condensed into a black field. When it exploded... a black Soul-Slaying Wave spread forward, driving Lishiki a hundred meters away before its force finally ran out!
Lishiki crouched low, blood staining the left shoulder of his snow-white swordsman's robe.
After rising, Lishiki held his sword at his side. "Including that last move, you have unleashed eighteen sword techniques."
Zatoichi braced his black blade against the ground,