Night had fallen over the mountain behind Isshin Dojo.
A sparse breeze rustled through the trees, carrying fallen leaves away one after another.
The nights here had always been quiet and peaceful.
But tonight, the arrival of two people shattered that tranquility.
“Miyamoto Musashi, reporting!”
A sharp silver-white sword flash accompanied the sudden cry.
The sword light swept across the ground, sending a large patch of grass flying into the air before instantly shredding it apart with its sword aura.
“Clang!”
The silver-white sword aura reached Koushirou in an instant.
He quickly raised Wado Ichimonji and blocked the strike.
“A Great Swordsman!”
From their first exchange alone, Koushirou had already judged Musashi’s strength.
His expression became even more serious as his own aura continued to rise.
Fallen leaves carried toward him by the wind were destroyed before they could even approach.
Koushirou gripped his sword with both hands and raised it above his head.
Sword aura continuously gathered around Wado Ichimonji.
“First Wind Slash!”
Koushirou swung his sword toward Musashi with all his strength.
A massive emerald sword wave dozens of meters high shot toward Musashi.
The ground split apart in its path.
Suddenly, Musashi’s aura erupted with overwhelming force.
Even the clouds in the sky were blown apart by her presence.
She crossed and spread her two swords, sending two enormous sword flashes forward.
Together, they formed a cross-shaped sword aura that violently collided with the emerald sword wave.
“BOOM!”
The sword lights shattered.
A tremendous shockwave erupted from the point of impact, and even the enormous trees nearby were blown down.
Yet Koushirou and Musashi remained firmly rooted in place, facing each other.
“I never expected a place like the East Blue to have a female swordswoman of your caliber.
Truly surprising.”
Koushirou adjusted his glasses as his aura continued to rise.
“You’re impressive too.
Honestly, you’re the first powerful swordsman I’ve encountered since coming to this world.”
Musashi could barely conceal her excitement.
Victory and fame meant little to her, but fighting powerful swordsmen was a pleasure in itself.
“I’m honored.”
Facing Musashi’s intense fighting spirit, Koushirou was also moved.
“In that case, allow me to show my respect by giving you everything I have.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from his body, instantly cracking the surrounding earth.
“That’s more like it.
Exactly like this.”
Musashi held her swords horizontally.
“Fifth Form: Heavenly Eye, Void.”
As Musashi spoke, an aura even more overwhelming than Koushirou’s burst forth from her body.
“Then I’m coming.”
The moment Musashi finished speaking, before her voice had even reached Koushirou, she had already appeared directly in front of him.
“Clang!”
“Clang!”
“Clang!”
A rapid succession of sword clashes rang out from the battlefield.
Their figures transformed into streaks of violent wind, relentlessly tearing across the land.
Trees around them continued to collapse, destroyed merely by the shockwaves generated by their battle.
“Incredible!
The master is actually this strong!”
Zoro’s mouth hung open in shock.
He could no longer see the movements of the two fighters at all.
He could only judge the intensity of the battle from the destruction around them and the enormous sword flashes constantly flying through the air.
“That big sister is incredible.
She’s a woman, yet she’s this strong!”
Kuina stared intently at Musashi’s afterimages.
Seeing such a powerful female swordsman undoubtedly gave her even greater motivation to continue training.
“Bang!”
With a tremendous impact, Koushirou was sent flying backward.
“A two-sword style using one long blade and one short blade.
It changes according to the flow of the battle, and the attacks never stop.
Every strike seems to seize the initiative.”
After landing steadily, Koushirou stared solemnly at Musashi standing before him.
“What school of swordsmanship is this?
I consider myself quite knowledgeable about the swordsmanship of this world, yet I’ve never seen anything like yours.
I’ve never even heard of such a style.”
“Niten Ichiryu.
It’s a swordsmanship style I created myself.”
Musashi rested one sword against her shoulder as she explained.
“A swordsmanship style you created yourself?”
Koushirou’s expression is filled with respect.
In his eyes, anyone capable of creating their own swordsmanship and developing it to such a formidable level was undoubtedly a master among swordsmen.
Such a person deserved his utmost respect.
“If we continue fighting like this, I’ll lose.”
Koushirou was certain of it.
“So, I’m going to use my strongest sword technique next.
Let’s settle this with one final strike.”
“In that case…”
Musashi reversed her grip and slowly returned one of her swords to its sheath.
“Hmm?
What are you doing?”
Koushirou was puzzled.
“Southern Five Heavens, Great Freedom, Heavenly Deity, Niō Kurikara, Ascending Image!”
Musashi did not answer Koushirou.
Instead, she quietly began chanting.
“A swordsman draws his blade.
This sword is my Way of the Void, my entire life…”
Her voice was soft, yet everyone present could hear every word clearly.
“What… what is that?!”
Koushirou stared wide-eyed at the enormous swordsman slowly materializing behind Musashi.
An overwhelming sword pressure emanated from the giant.
Koushirou felt an incomparably profound sword intent, as though he were witnessing the pinnacle of an entire school of swordsmanship.
“No!
I can’t hesitate!”
Facing the giant, Koushirou could feel his own aura weakening.
He immediately made his decision and poured all his strength into one final slash toward Musashi.
“One-Sword Heart: Severing the Void!”
With Koushirou’s slash, a gigantic green sword aura dozens of meters long shot toward Musashi.
“Take this, Great Heavenly Manifestation of Ishana!”
As Musashi’s voice fell, the giant behind her immediately swung its enormous sword down toward the emerald sword aura.
“BOOM!”