I drew my katana, pointing the blunt edge toward Commander Ueda—as they called him. He did the same, but the difference between us was clear: he aimed to kill. Regardless, I was confident I could take him down. He might be fast and strong, but I could be faster and stronger.
We vanished from our positions, reappearing in the center of the clearing. Our blades met with a resounding clash, sending a shockwave that reverberated through our bodies and into the ground. We pressed against each other, our grips tightening on the hilts of our swords.
His strength was formidable, pushing me backward. I bent my body to the left, angling my blade to redirect his force. Ueda slipped forward, momentarily off-balance. Seizing the opportunity, I swung my blade at him, but he parried with ease. Two more swings followed, each met with the same precision.
*He's really good,* I thought.
Ueda kicked backward, flipping through the air and landing gracefully on one foot. It was then I noticed the grin on his face—he was enjoying this duel. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his blade held at his side, ready to strike.
I could track his movements, but his speed was impressive. He swung his blade horizontally, aiming for my midsection. I raised my sword to block, but he abruptly changed his trajectory. Mid-swing, he stopped and brought his blade down in a vertical arc. His movements were sharp, precise, and unnaturally fast.
I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Ueda wasn't done. He halted mid-motion again and swung left, aiming for my head. I ducked, feeling the blade whistle just above me. With a quick pivot, I swung my blade toward his gut, but steel met steel as he blocked the strike. The force of the impact sent him flying backward.
Ueda tumbled through the air, regaining his balance mid-fall, and landed gracefully on the ground.
"You're really strong for a kid…" he said, standing tall. "I never knew those Ohara bastards were hiding someone as valuable as you—"
"I don't know how many times I have to say this before it gets through your thick skull," I snapped, cutting him off. "I'm not a kid, and I'm not from Ohara or whatever. I'm just someone who got caught up in this war."
"Oh? A ruroni, then?" Ueda said, his tone mocking. "Why fight in a war that doesn't concern you? Were you paid?"
(A/N: Ruroni = Wandering Samurai)
"Like I said, I got caught up in this—"
"No valid proof to convince me," he interrupted.
"Well, I had no intention of convincing you," I shot back.
I kicked forward, appearing behind him in an instant. He managed to keep up, but his movements were slower now. I wanted to humiliate him, to show him the gap between us.
He swung his blade, but I vanished again, reappearing beside him. His eyes followed me, and his body turned, his blade slicing through the air. But I was already gone, striking him in the ribs with the blunt edge of my katana.
"Argh!" he cried out, writhing in pain but still maintaining his stance.
I continued to move, sidestepping and creating afterimages as he swung wildly, unable to keep up. With a swift motion, I struck his right shoulder, paralyzing his arm, then followed up with a blow to his other side.
"AAHHH!" Ueda dropped to his knees, clutching his blade with his left hand. Even in defeat, he clung to his samurai honor.
"You're strong," I said, pointing the tip of my blade at his face. "You were right—a ruroni has no place in a war like this. But unfortunately, I was tasked with restraining everyone here, and I plan on fulfilling that mission. On that note…" I shifted my gaze to the surrounding soldiers. "No one is exempt."
One by one, I knocked them out. Screams echoed through the night, breathing life into the otherwise silent forest. I just hoped Yoriichi was succeeding in his task.
---
"And who might you be?" a samurai commander demanded. He stood with three other commanders, their eyes fixed on Yoriichi Tsukuguni.
"Pardon my intrusion," Yoriichi replied calmly. "I've come to see my elder brother, Michikatsu."
The commanders exchanged wary glances. One of them stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana.
"You haven't answered the question. Who are you?" the commander barked.
"Oh, pardon me," Yoriichi said, bowing slightly. "I am Yoriichi Tsukuguni, the younger brother of Michikatsu Tsukuguni."
The commander slowly unsheathed his blade. "We've never received any information suggesting the war general has a younger brother. I suggest you choose your words carefully—"
"Wait a moment, sir!" A man emerged from the troop, rushing toward the commander. "I once worked in the clan chief's manor during my youth. The lady bore two children—the first being Michikatsu. If I recall correctly, the second was presumed dead but miraculously survived. Not long after, I left the manor." The man peered at Yoriichi, squinting in the dim light. "I think he had a burn scar on his forehead… It's him!" he gasped, noticing the scar on Yoriichi's face. "So you're alive and well, young master."
"As you said, sir, I am alive and doing quite well," Yoriichi replied, bowing his head. "But please forgive me—I have no memory of you from my father's house."
"Oh, don't worry about it," the man said with a chuckle. "You were only a month old when I left, and I was much younger then—handsome as a devil—"
The commander swung his katana, stopping it just inches from the man's neck. His presence was imposing, his eyes cold and sharp. Clearly, he wasn't convinced by the explanation or the reunion story. At any moment, he seemed ready to behead the man and turn his blade on Yoriichi.
"Halt!" a powerful voice rang out.
All eyes turned to the source. Mounted atop a horse, clad in elegant samurai armor, was Michikatsu himself. His voice carried authority as he declared, "I know this man. He is my blood brother."
He rode forward, stopping in front of Yoriichi and looking down at him from his horse. "State your reason for coming to the battlefield, brother."
Yoriichi took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He looked at the commanders and then at Michikatsu, his expression resolute.
"I've come to end this war,"
"Is that so...?" A grin appeared in Michikatsu's face. He dismounted his horse and began closing the gap between him and Yoriichi his hand caressing the handle of his katana
"If you want to end this war so badly..." He unsheath his katana pointing it at Yoriichi "...then you have to go through me first"