Mifune shouted over his shoulder, hoping to get Xiao You to flee while he stayed behind to cover her retreat.
But Xiao You did not turn and run as Mifune had hoped.
Instead, the fighting spirit hidden in her eyes burned ever brighter.
Over the past year, she had constantly worked to strengthen herself, but she had never fought a real battle.
"A Sword Saint? As strong as a Kage-level ninja? Good. Just the thing for some practice."
A flicker of astonishment flashed through Mifune's eyes when he heard that.
"Miss Xiao You, that's a Sword Saint! You should run!" he warned again.
Xiao You shook her head slightly. "How do you know I can't beat him?"
Xiao You snorted, leaned forward, and charged toward the figure ahead.
"A quick-blade Sword Saint, huh..."
Something shifted inside her sleeve, and a short blade gleaming with cold light settled firmly into her grip.
"Damn it!"
Mifune's heart lurched as he watched Xiao You charge.
He had never expected this woman to be so reckless, rushing straight into a duel with a Sword Saint.
"Coming to your death?"
Taiichirō let out a mocking chuckle as he watched the woman charge fearlessly toward him.
But it also stoked his anger. This woman actually dared to challenge his authority as a Sword Saint.
With a casual, one-handed swing, he sent several waves of blade energy slashing toward the approaching figure.
He held back much of his strength. If she died outright, he would have no way to explain it to Lord Rengo.
"What rank of samurai are you, to dare challenge me?"
Watching the two fighting ahead, Yui felt an itch to join in.
"It's been so long since I last fought." She sighed softly. She wanted to rush in and fight alongside them.
But