Even Kuina shuddered at the stinging sharpness that filled the air around her the instant Jobiro drew his blade.
Then a flicker of genuine excitement crossed her cool eyes.
The man before her was unlike any Swordmaster she had faced before. It was only one move—a draw executed with incredible speed—but it was enough to pleasantly surprise her.
To show her opponent respect, countless arcs of electricity suddenly emerged from Kuina's body. They surged into Wado Ichimonji, coiling around its blade.
Stimulated by lightning, the overloaded blade seemed to possess the power to pierce the heavens. It lay hidden within its white sheath, waiting for its wielder to draw it and strike.
Shing!
Another sword draw,
accompanied by thunder and dazzling blue light, became a single line that flashed across Jobiro's charging body.
Sometimes, we had to face reality: this world had never been fair. From the moment life began, there was no fairness.
Some people were born at a finish line you could never reach in your entire life.
And although Kuina had not necessarily started at the finish line, neither her talent nor her opportunities were anything Jobiro could compare with.
His blade was fast—so fast that even Kuina was surprised—but that was as far as he could go.
As the blade's light passed, Kuina stood behind Jobiro.
But Jobiro's charging body seemed to have been frozen in space. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to move another inch.
The blade he had swung also stopped at the farthest edge of his vision.
There was nothing at that distant point, only an endless abyss.
"You really are incredible!"
Straightening up, Jobiro smiled and sheathed his sword. Then he turned and gave Kuina a smile that seemed filled with release.
Splat!
Blood sprayed everywhere as Jobiro's body split