Chapter 33

After Xunxin and others broke through the first guard, Anchi, they immediately rushed to the next guard. The second guard was a blind swordsman named Yuzawa Umi, who possessed a so-called "heart's eye" that could predict his opponent's movements. In fact, Yuzawa Umi had hearing far superior to that of ordinary people, allowing him to hear the heartbeat, muscle, and bone movements of his opponents to predict their actions. This match was taken on by Saito Hajime, while Xunxin and the others, in a hurry, slightly broke the rules, dragging Yumi to the next checkpoint. Unexpectedly, when they passed a room, Xunxin and Kenshin both stopped. Both felt a familiar yet shocking killing intent coming from behind the door. Upon opening it, they indeed found Shishio Makoto, with whom Kenshin had a previous agreement to fight. Since it was a duel between Kenshin and Makoto, Xunxin and the others retreated to the doorway.

The room where Makoto was located was originally the residence of Hōji, one of the Ten Swords under Shishio, who served as a strategist. Naturally, there were many books placed there. Fighting in this place required considering the terrain, as the narrow spaces between the bookshelves were disadvantageous for Kenshin's long sword but very advantageous for Makoto. Makoto's current weapons were a long and a short kodachi, which were the best choice for this terrain.

"You have changed so much, Makoto. I can hardly believe you are Shishio Makoto," Kenshin sighed, seeing that Makoto's eyes now held no emotion, only a killing intent like that of a demon.

"To defeat you and earn the title of the strongest, I am willing to become anything," Makoto said, drawing his two kodachi—Heaven and Earth. Although not masterpieces, these swords were extremely sturdy and sharp, capable of cutting hair. Kenshin did not draw his sakabatō but tried to persuade Makoto with words. However, a few words were not enough to bring Makoto back. The two kodachi spun and slashed at Kenshin. Even without drawing his sword, Kenshin easily dodged the attack, using the surrounding books to push them towards Makoto. Although Makoto's swords were very sharp, he was using both hands, and the force of a single-handed kodachi was weaker. The books slowed down his speed. Seizing this opportunity, Kenshin jumped to the other side of the bookshelf, using his shoulder to collide with it. The nearly three-meter-high bookshelf, filled with books, fell directly onto Makoto. Left that'su cheered, thinking Kenshin could defeat Makoto without drawing his sword.

"Yagyū Shinkage-ryū, Two Sword Style, Heavenly Sword Dance Six Strikes!" Six sword lights flashed across the bookshelf, cutting it into pieces. Makoto used the falling books as cover and rushed to Kenshin's side in one breath.

This time, Kenshin was forced to draw his sakabatō to block Makoto's kodachi. Seeing Kenshin's sakabatō, Makoto launched a storm of attacks, his two kodachi constantly clashing with Kenshin's sakabatō, sending sparks flying. Kenshin saw an opportunity and used a Tornado Flash to strike Makoto's right shoulder, but Makoto blocked it with his other kodachi. Seeing this opening, Makoto would not let it go, first striking Kenshin with the hilt, then using a technique called Yin-Yang Nullification—throwing both kodachi in a straight line, making it impossible for the opponent to block the second strike after being hit by the first. Although Kenshin did not know this technique, he used a Ki Blade Slash to counter it. A blue ki blade shot out from the sakabatō, deflecting the longer kodachi and colliding with the second, causing both to dissipate. The two kodachi returned to Makoto, and Kenshin was relieved he had not used his sword to block the attack.

"Kenshin, I have abandoned everything to earn the title of the strongest, but defeating you like this is meaningless. The Kenshin I know is not this weak. How can you truly unleash your power when you care about the lives of others? Quickly return to the Kenshin of the Bakumatsu era and show the spirit you had when you cut people."

"I have already told you, I am now Himura Kenshin, no longer Battōsai. I have understood the true essence of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū from my master's secret techniques, and I am stronger now than when I cut people."

Kenshin and Makoto resumed their battle. Makoto intended to take the initiative, crossing his two kodachi and slashing forward like scissors—Two Sword Style Vast Cross. Although Vast Cross was an extremely fast thrusting technique that also blocked attacks from the sides, ...

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Dragon Soaring Flash." Kenshin's Dragon Soaring Flash from below deflected Vast Cross and struck Makoto's chin with the flat of the blade, which Makoto could not endure. Taking advantage of Makoto's loss of balance, Kenshin leaped up, his sakabatō reflecting a cold light in the air.

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Dragon Hammer Flash." Dragon Hammer Flash, one of the most powerful techniques in Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, struck Makoto's head from above. Makoto quickly stabilized himself and blocked the Dragon Hammer Flash with his two kodachi. However, Kenshin's attack was no longer something Makoto could easily block, and with his unstable body, the two kodachi failed to stop the Dragon Hammer Flash. If not for Makoto's strong wrist strength, the two kodachi would have been knocked out of his hands. However, the two kodachi's block reduced the power of the Dragon Hammer Flash, and Makoto did not fall but knelt on one knee.

"Do you understand now, Makoto? Abandoning everything is easy; it is the act of a coward. You are running away, avoiding your responsibility as the leader of the Yagyū Shinkage-ryū. You are just a butcher using the excuse of the four people's deaths to wield the sword."

"Shut up!" Hearing Kenshin's words, Makoto became furious and punched Kenshin away. But Kenshin did not give up, continuously provoking Makoto with words.

"There is still a girl waiting for you at Aoi-ya. Because of you, she has to bear the responsibility of the entire Yagyū Shinkage-ryū alone. Only you can respond to her tears and wake up from your past guilt and regret, Makoto. Now is the time for you to awaken."

Hearing Kenshin's words, Makoto pushed Kenshin away and turned his back to him. Soon, Makoto's aura changed, no longer emitting a terrifying killing intent but a presence that attracted and commanded respect. This was the same presence that once earned the respect of the entire Yagyū Shinkage-ryū and the admiration of Omasu.

"It seems things are not looking good, Kenshin. Makoto's eyes are quite sharp now."

"Indeed." Xunxin took a sip of green tea. For today's battle, Xunxin had not brought any alcohol. "This is probably the last."

"Whether we win or lose, there will be no regrets. Our final battle..."

"Will be fought with all our might."

Without a doubt, Makoto held his two kodachi in a reverse grip, the starting stance for Heavenly Sword Dance Six Strikes. Kenshin, on the other hand, sheathed his sword and assumed the stance for Battōjutsu, clearly preparing for the Heaven Soaring Dragon Flash. The two stood facing each other for nearly ten minutes without moving, neither showing any weakness. At this moment, Left that'su suddenly noticed Yumi using a telegraph to send a message to Shishio and shouted to Kenshin not to use his secret technique. Seeing Kenshin momentarily distracted, Makoto attacked, his left kodachi swiftly slashing at Kenshin's right neck. If it were the old Kenshin, this would have cost him his life, but now Makoto faced a Kenshin who had mastered the secret techniques.

'Now it's up to my heart. I am fearless, and I want to live to return to Kyoto with everyone.'

A flash of light cut across Makoto's chest, the intense impact sending him flying into the air. Even the speed of Heavenly Sword Dance Six Strikes was far inferior to the Heaven Soaring Dragon Flash. The superhuman speed of the Heaven Soaring Dragon Flash, invisible to the naked eye, left a deep gash from Makoto's right abdomen to his left shoulder, as if a dragon had soared across his body.

At Aoi-ya

The attack on Aoi-ya by Batō was thwarted by Yahiko using the Dragon Hammer Flash he had learned from Kenshin. Kagemaru was first disabled by Omasu and Kaoru, who broke his large scythe chain and then shattered his right knee with a knee strike, rendering him unable to fight. However, one of the Ten Swords, the monstrous Bujin, arrived at Aoi-ya. Standing nearly ten meters tall, clad in heavy armor, and wielding a massive ōdachi, he instilled fear in almost everyone. Only Yahiko refused to give up, shouting for Kenshin. Just as Yahiko was about to be killed by Bujin, a white figure stepped in front of Bujin, and Kikuchi Sendo not only blocked Bujin's ōdachi but also shattered it.

"Brat, you believed in my disciple until the end. You have won this duel." Hiko Seikuro used his left hand to strike Kikuchi Sendo's sword, deflecting Bujin's ōdachi.

"Hiko, Hiko Seikuro, the current successor of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū and Kenshin's master." Omasu was very excited to see Hiko.

Hiko approached the giant Bujin, looking at the man considered a monster by others. "Although others see you as a monster, from your sword movements, I know you are not a monster but a rare samurai of this era. If you continue to fight with such heavy armor, you will die. Come at me with all your might. The man standing before you is one you cannot defeat no matter how hard you try."

Hearing Hiko's words, Bujin bit through the ropes connecting his armor, and tears streamed down his face. People had always treated him as a monster, but only this man truly understood him. After removing his armor, Bujin spoke, his voice hesitant from lack of use, but both Hiko and Bujin understood each other.

"Let's, fight, normally, to the end."

The two stood facing each other for a while, and Bujin made the first move, gripping his ōdachi with both hands and bringing it down with tremendous force. The dust cleared, revealing a deep pit in the ground, but Hiko was nowhere to be seen.

"That was a close one." Hiko used Kikuchi Sendo's sword to pierce Bujin's ōdachi, stopping it. Then, Hiko jumped into the air and dove towards Bujin.

"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, Nine-Headed Dragon Flash." Due to Bujin's massive size, Hiko had to use the Nine-Headed Dragon Flash twice on Bujin before landing. Even Bujin could not withstand two Nine-Headed Dragon Flashes and fell unconscious, causing a large cloud of dust to rise.

Hiko shook the dust off his cloak and turned to the others. "I don't know if my foolish disciple will return, but I have completed the task he entrusted to me. Now, all you have to do is wait for them to return. Besides, Xunxin is also there to support them, so there should be no problems."

With that, the battle at Aoi-ya ended, and Xunxin's side emerged victorious.

Physical Condition:

Number of Heart Coins: 1075

Rurouni Kenshin World

Name: Xunxin (Liu Tianyin)

Gender: Male

Physical Attributes:

Physical strength is about nine times that of an ordinary person.

Detailed Attributes:

Strength 93 (10) affects burst power, pure strength, and strength beyond limits

Agility 104 (10) affects speed, reaction time, and intuition

Stamina 98 (10) affects endurance, recovery speed, and the ability to withstand certain techniques

Skills: Swordsmanship - Yuki Tenken-ryū

No-Weapon Style: Capable of handling various weapons without a weapon

Mastery of All Cold Weapons

Mastery of All Firearms

Martial Arts Master: Proficient in various unarmed combat techniques

Mechanical Mastery: Can quickly master most high-tech products within ten seconds of use.

Acquired Heart Powers:

Killing Heart LV2: Does not waver in most situations when killing others, has resistance to certain illusions, and gains minor recovery from killing.

Compassion Heart LV2: Compassion is a necessary heart for a strong person, has resistance to certain illusions, and gains minor recovery from helping others.

Ordinary Heart LV1: Daily life can cultivate one's character, has resistance to certain illusions, and can attract the goodwill of ordinary people.

Equipment:

Kikuchi Sendo Sangetsu: A long sword condensed by the power of Infinite Heart, surpassing the limits of human craftsmanship in the Rurouni Kenshin world. It carries the principles of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, allowing the user to perform secret techniques without the need for life-or-death decisions.

Special Items:

Broken Sakabatō Shadow Strike: The broken sword from Kenshin's battle in New Moon Village, a divine sword crafted by Arai Shakku. Can be repaired for 5 Heart Coins.

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