"You'd better not get up. Your internal organs have already suffered severe damage."
"L-Lady Kanroji!"
The giant fish monster drooled and howled at the sight of Mitsuri Kanroji, charging straight at her.
"Love Breathing! First Form! First Love's Tremor!"
Her flexible blade, like a long whip, slashed across the giant fish monster several times, cutting it into pieces that dispersed in the air.
"I'd never fall for someone who hurts people as they please!"
After rescuing Lord Tetsuchin, the Village Chief of the Swordsmith Village, Mitsuri Kanroji headed toward the sound of thunder.
"The Kasugai Crow said Lin Guang was still in the village. This might be an Upper Rank Demon attack. You have to hold on! I'm coming!"
Elsewhere, Muichiro Tokito encountered Upper Rank Five-Gyokko.
"Well done spotting me. You certainly live up to your place among the Nine Hashira."
Gyokko slowly emerged from his pot and said, "Is this little hut really worth so much attention? What shady business are you conducting inside? Hee hee hee!"
Then Gyokko introduced himself.
"A pleasure to meet you. Before I kill you all, might I have a little of your time? I'd like tonight's three guests to admire my latest masterpiece before departing this world."
Muichiro Tokito said blankly, "Masterpiece? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Gyokko dropped a pot from which black, bloody water bubbled up. "Behold, everyone! 'The Swordsmiths' Miserable End!'"
Five bloodstained swordsmiths emerged from the pot, their bodies tangled together, each with a sword driven into him.
Kotetsu and Kanamori, whom Muichiro Tokito had rescued along the way, covered their mouths in shock.
Gyokko continued, "First, please look at the hands. While creating this piece, I deliberately placed the filthy, calloused hands so distinctive to swordsmiths in its most prominent position!"
Seeing the terrible state of these