Yue Xiaofei stood on the steps without moving, never even taking his hands out of his pockets.
Just as the sword tip came within three inches of his throat.
He tilted his head slightly.
Whoosh!
The Flexible Sword swept past his mask.
When Ito Yūgorō missed, he immediately twisted his wrist, the Flexible Sword flicking like a snake's tongue as it slashed sideways at Yue Xiaofei's neck.
The speed of the change was incredible.
Yue Xiaofei slid his feet forward and leaned back until his body was almost parallel to the ground, then kicked out.
Thud!
The kick landed squarely in Ito Yūgorō's lower abdomen.
"Urgh!"
Ito Yūgorō grunted and flew backward, somersaulting several times in midair before barely managing to land on his feet.
"Getting desperate already, you old dog?"
"Is this your 'co-prosperity'? Your 'peace'?"
Yue Xiaofei pointed at the death squad members attacking people around them, his tone mocking.
"Traveling with this many killers and a concealed Flexible Sword. Looks like you came prepared."
"What? Done playing the dying old man? Done pretending to be a kindly elder?"
Ito Yūgorō panted heavily, his eyes fixed on Yue Xiaofei.
That kick had been so powerful that it left his insides churning.
This young man was so strong!
Even in my prime, I probably wouldn't have been a match for him.
But he could not retreat!
He was Ito Yūgorō, the Empire's Legend!
"Baka!"
Ito Yūgorō gritted his teeth, the dried layer of "face mask" on his face flaking off with every contortion of his expression.
"You little brat, what do you know?"
"This is war! This is for the glory of the Empire!"
"As long as we win, it doesn't matter what methods we use!"
He brandished the Flexible Sword and charged again.
This time, his swordplay was