Chapter 17

It had been over ten days since Kenshin joined the Shinomori Dojo, and during this time, many things had happened. For example, Yahiko also joined the Shinomori Dojo, Kenshin had a conflict with the sword-wielding guards and met with Saito, and during this period, Kenshin often went to the Tendou Tofu Shop to buy tofu. Since Shinomori did not want to disrupt Kenshin's growth, he had the shop assistants sell the tofu for him during this time, while he went out to train and observe Kenshin's progress.

During his ten years of wandering, Kenshin had become lax in his swordsmanship training, but he had never stopped practicing his ki control. His level of ki manipulation was almost on par with when Shinomori had first exchanged the techniques of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu. Although Kenshin had not used any ki-based techniques in these few days, Shinomori could still perceive Kenshin's level of ki control.

The Shinomori Dojo was currently facing financial difficulties due to a lack of students, but fortunately, Shinomori Kaoru's grandfather had left behind many paintings and calligraphy works that could be pawned for money. After receiving the money, the group from the Shinomori Dojo decided to have a beef hot pot.

As they were eating, a few unknown individuals behind them started arguing, and one of them threw a bowl that hit Kenshin's back of the head. Since Kaoru was sitting opposite him, if the bowl had hit her, it would have disfigured her, so Kenshin had to use his head as a shield. The staff came to mediate, but these self-proclaimed reformers looked down on the staff. Just as they were about to attack, a voice came from the entrance of the shop.

"Shouldn't civil rights be for protecting the weak? Or is it the right to freely use violence when drunk?"

Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze to the entrance, where a man in black and white clothing stood, with the character "Evil" on his back. His calloused fists were a symbol of strength, and he was none other than the famous fighter, Saito.

Seeing someone stand up for them, these fake reformers shouted and challenged Saito to a fight, which suited Saito just fine. During the fight, the fake reformers secretly used a short iron rod to attack Saito, but the difference in strength was too great. The iron rod did not injure Saito but instead broke their fingers. The remaining two tried to draw their swords to attack, but Kenshin stopped them from behind. The group from the Shinomori Dojo thus got to know Saito.

That night, the fake Battousai, who had been released from prison, found Saito and provided him with information about Kenshin. Upon learning that Kenshin was the legendary Hitokiri Battousai, Saito immediately went to him with his zanbatou. Due to his ki training, Kenshin's sensitivity to ki had increased, and he had already sensed Saito's ki before he arrived, so he was waiting outside the door.

When Saito saw Kenshin, he decided to fight him, even though Kenshin expressed his unwillingness to fight. Saito still swung his heavy zanbatou at Kenshin with all his might. In the backyard of the dojo, they exchanged a few blows. Due to the weight and size of the zanbatou, Saito's techniques were limited to vertical and horizontal slashes. Kenshin easily saw through Saito's moves and dodged the zanbatou attacks without even drawing his sword. Just as Saito was about to continue his attack, Dr. Genzai's granddaughter came out to look for Kenshin. To avoid involving innocent people, their fight stopped.

The next day, Saito found Kenshin again. This time, Kenshin did not refuse Saito's challenge, and they went to the river. Saito initiated the attack, swinging his zanbatou, which weighed over a hundred pounds, like a storm. The powerful strike hit the ground, sending debris and dust flying. However, such a slow attack was unlikely to hit Kenshin. Kenshin dodged to Saito's back and struck his right rib with the reverse blade, sending Saito flying several meters and crashing to the ground. Kaoru and Yahiko also arrived at the scene.

"Even if the zanbatou is powerful, it's useless if it can't hit the target. Kenshin wins," Yahiko said excitedly after seeing Kenshin hit Saito, but Kenshin's expression became more serious. Just as the two were confused, Saito stood up.

"Indeed, you are the Battousai. Your strength is a reason for your legend. However, fighting isn't just about who has the better swordsmanship; the one who can't be defeated is the true winner."

With that, Saito charged at Kenshin again, swinging his weapon with superhuman strength. But often, momentum does not determine the outcome. The heavy strikes of the zanbatou repeatedly missed, draining Saito's energy.

Seizing the opportunity, Kenshin jumped onto the blade of the zanbatou. The sudden increase in weight made Saito stop, and Kenshin ran up the zanbatou to strike Saito's head. However, Saito remained standing, showing remarkable resilience. Kenshin did not hold back,

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ryuusui!"

Ryuusui, a high-speed series of strikes using wrist strength, cut Saito's body over twenty times in a few seconds. This time, Saito could not hold on and fell to the ground. Seeing Saito fall, the fake Battousai, who was hiding nearby, tried to shoot Kenshin with a gun. However, the fake Battousai did not realize that he had already been spotted by Kenshin, who deflected the bullet with the back of his sword. Seeing that Kenshin could block the bullet, the fake Battousai was terrified and tried to shoot again, but a zanbatou struck his leg, breaking it.

Saito stood up, expressing his dissatisfaction with the fake Battousai's sneak attack. The fake Battousai pulled out another gun to try to shoot Kenshin, but this time Kenshin did not hold back, "Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ki no Ame!"

A two-meter-long vertical ki blade cut through the ground and hit the fake Battousai. Since it was a reverse blade and Kenshin did not intend to kill, the ki blade only sent the fake Battousai flying and crashed into a wooden boat by the river.

Saito, covered in bruises, stood up and raised his zanbatou, "It is said that the Battousai uses two sword techniques, Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu and Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ki no Ame. Was that the secret ki technique you mentioned?"

Kenshin replied calmly, "Yes."

Saito's eyes became more determined, "Even if your swordsmanship is superior, I will defeat you and expose you and your fake reformers."

Saito held his zanbatou over his head and spun it, creating a wall of wind.

"Your ki is indeed powerful, but if I keep creating wind with the zanbatou, your ki will not hit me."

Kenshin tried a few times, but the small ki blades were deflected by the wind created by the zanbatou, barely grazing Saito's body.

Saito thought he had found an opportunity and raised his zanbatou to strike again.

"I will defeat this level of strength."

A white light flashed from the zanbatou, but the massive weapon was split in two by the reverse blade. The reverse blade was not just for show. Seizing the opportunity of Saito's weapon being destroyed, Kenshin jumped into the air and used gravity to his advantage.

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu: Ryuuchi!"

The reverse blade struck Saito's head again. This time, Saito barely held on, but he was at his limit, only standing by the hilt of the zanbatou and his remaining willpower. Even so, Saito still wanted to continue fighting, but Kenshin punched him hard. After a long conversation, Saito finally understood and lost his strength, fainting on the ground.

During the fight between Saito and Kenshin, Shinomori was actually hiding behind a wooden boat by the river, watching their duel. As a result, one of Kenshin's ki blades almost hit Shinomori. If he had not moved quickly, he would have been discovered by Kenshin. Thanks to his quick reaction, he used the noise and dust from the broken boat to quickly escape. What a master... or not. (￣_￣|||)

PS: Please recommend, collect, and review the book. Also, if anyone can provide information about what Dante's father, Sparda, did in the Devil May Cry series, it would be helpful for the upcoming chapters. I haven't played Devil May Cry 1 and 2, and I'm looking forward to the fourth chapter.

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