He said he wanted to fistfight.

　Lowering the packing bag, Hiyama draws his sword.

'Kaka you're talking so fast.

　Hibigami's physical transformation does not seem to have fazed him.

　Although his appearance can be described as serene, there is no hiding the sharp swordsmanship radiating from him.
　The stronger the opponent, the more difficult it becomes to control, as one who loves to fight.

　The impression of Hiyama holding the sword is that it is a boulder, polished by the river's muddy currents and even has a luster.
　Hiyama thrusts his blade forward.

　The stance of the eyes.

　Not too much force, not too much pulling out.
　This is not a strange stance.
　This is the so-called chudan.
　It is also one of the basic stances for many of the swordsmen of the eastern provinces.

"It is a curious thing.

　Hiyama said in a calm voice.

'An opponent with an unslayable sword in his hand looks more threatening than any opponent I've ever crossed swords with.

　The tip of Hiyama's blade is wavering, albeit very slightly.

　Your entire body feels like it's a hairy mess.

There's not a single cloud on the sword.
　This sensation is due to rapture, the first time since I found Sagara Kurohiko's growth, I can say.
　''Nii,'' sneered Hibigami.

''-- Excellent.''

Shucks.

　It was Hiyama who launched the first offensive.
　A brilliant step.
　A diagonal flash that draws a half moon.
　Hibigami takes a hit from the belly of the sword.
　A thrust from Hiyama.
　An extremely still stab that doesn't let the sound come in.
　The sudden drop between Gou and Shizuka, combined with the previous flash.
　An ordinary swordsman is unable to respond in an instant.
　But Hibigami avoids this with a little room to spare.
　It's the best way to get the best out of the game.

　The second thrust.

　This is a thrust with a roaring speed that is reminiscent of a giant snake biting.
　A thrust of the snake bite, let's call it.
　Hibigami snaps the thrust downward.

　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.
　Each of his slashes carried the probability of falling.
　Each one of his movements had reached the pinnacle of refinement.

''I see. That's why no matter how many pursuers this new lord of the country sends in, we can't defeat him with this.
"But the years without a rival are quietly spent avenging those who live by the sword.
Agreed.
'That's why - I have to thank you.

　From the lower level, Hiyama's slash flashes.
　Hibigami, from the upper level, to receive.

　Blade and blade, clash.

　Cut and tie.
　A battle of wits.
　The high-pitched sound of the blade, echoing each other.

　Strength and stiffness.
　Technique and karma.

　The clash between the two may be called the current pinnacle of sword fighting, or perhaps not.
　In that one aspect of sword skills, he is without a doubt the strongest man Hibigami has ever met in the past.

　A perfected sword.

　It's not nearly as strong as Sagara Kurohiko's, but it's a compliment to Hiyama for reaching this peak.
　If this powerful sword was to fight with the Black St. Jury, who would be the victor?

　Hibigami strikes hard, scattering blade fire.

　The passionate exchange of sparks stops for a moment.

　But it is only for a moment.

　Both men take a breath, and again, they begin to exchange blows.
　After pulling back, Hiyama's wild attack.
　Hibigami plays and deals with all of his slashes.
　The echo of the limpid sound of the sword fills the quiet corridor.

　At that time--

　Gou's expression appeared on Hiyama's face.

　There is no big change in his expression itself.
　His expression remains stern.
　But those who feel it, can feel it.



Shuanglong ----



　It was as if even the sound of slicing the sky was eaten by the technique.

　A streak runs down Hibigami's arm.

　With a squeak, the wooden corridor creaked, and Hiyama returned to his correct stance.

''You are very good, Hibigami-dono.
That's my line, Hiyama.

　A move that Hiyama just unleashed.
　Two actions.

　The first cut and the counterblade.

　That's the only technique.
　But--.

Two blows felt like one.

　Hibigami slackly lowered the arm holding the sword and said so.

　That technique called 《Souryu》 is probably a technique where the power and speed of the two strikes are adjusted and released by Hiyama himself with an exquisite amount of force.
　If that adjustment was changed with each attack, then the recipient would have to change their response with each attack.

　Hiyama takes a step backwards and returns to a straight-eyed stance.
　A straight spine.
　Undistorted, artfully proportioned stance.
　What is the foundation that was produced after the end of study is so precious and beautiful?

"Did you see through the twisting of the double dragon?
"A kangaroo is easy to spot. Compared to other disciples, the roll itself is surprisingly simple... but that simplicity leaves no room for complications.

　When you get right down to it, the basics are a mass of rationality.
　The sword that has mastered the reason of the root is beyond the branching application.

　To begin with, this fight to the death is a battle of reason.
　It does not end with a pure clash of power and strength.
　It is a battle of death, where both sides read each other's reason and try to surpass each other's reason.
　There are not many people who can fight in this realm.

"Mind, technique and body. "Mind, technique, body, they are all first class. If I had sent a demon sword and eight sword scrolls to defeat the four evil spirits, I could have killed half of them.

　Only killing the man who was dead in that school might be difficult indeed.

''I've heard of the Four Deadly Disasters too. But the way you talk about it, the Four Deadly Disasters are already--
Yeah, he's down.

　To be precise, the man Hibigami kept alive, Soni, may still be alive, but now that that man, Beshgam, is dead, the name of the Four Deadly Plagues, which had made its name synonymous with fear, has become famous and untrue.

'Now, as much as I like to talk to the strong--'

　Hibigami assumes a forward bending position and weakens his arms.

'It's time for us to continue,'

　There is no definite pattern in Hibigami's stance.
　Everything is in temporary flux.
　In other words, it can be said that a new kata is always being born in Hibigami.

Shippy!

　Hiyama's, the thrust of the gale.

　Hibigami -- deflects the trajectory with the brim.
　Hiyama--《Souryu》.
　HIBIGAMI--The two blows are played.
　HIYAMA--The two-stage "Ssanryu".
　HIBIGAMI--Escape with a circular flash while turning.
　Hiyama--retreats back and returns to the normal eye.
　HYBIGAMI--Hibigami--returns with a counterattack.
　Hiyama---The third "Ssanryu".

　All of the 《souryu》 are still different in power and speed.
　In addition, the trajectory of this technique also changes each time.
　Basically it started from the normal eye, but there were times when the "Ssangyu" came right after the first attack and other times when the "Ssangyu" came suddenly from the normal eye.
　Moreover, this "Ssangyu" was an offensive and defensive technique.
　The combination of the two techniques was also free.

　Offense and defense.
　Offense and defense.
　Offense and defense.
　Defense and Defense.

　These four elements can be released freely.
　The power, the speed and the change of trajectory are all added to this, so the "Double Dragon" could be said to be a limitless sword technique.
　However, the reason why the four types of "double dragons" can be used so effectively is because of Hiyama's godspeed decision-making ability to create combinations in an instant in battle.
　Furthermore, it seems that Hiyama's physical strength is also extraordinary.
　He probably carried that much on his back on foot from outside the village, but he doesn't seem to be getting tired.
　It's not a good idea to set up a battle of physical exhaustion against this man.
　However, Hibigami has no intention of bringing this fight to death into such a trivial battle.

　Two dragons with infinite sword paths - the Ssouryu.

　The Gou's sword technique is worthy of being called a superb technique.

"Interesting. Hmm, then--

　Hibigami took two steps backwards and returned the 《Mutual Kill》 to its sheath.
　He slumped down and positioned his body at an angle.

''Let's try one thing here too, something a little more interesting.
A meeting, huh?

　Once again, Hiyama went into a positive eye stance.

　Hibigami stays on his face and puts his arms into a position of strength.

　The corridor was silent.

　Pounding the floor, both of them stepped in simultaneously.

　Hiyama's 《Souryu》.

　Hibigami's,.



The Blinding Sword and the Hoof Crossing.



　Hiyama was struck by a blow from Hibigami in the side of his body, which seemed to have cracked his bones.
　The first thing he said was the name of his student's technique.

　However, Hiyama's stance is still intact after his return from the Ssangyong.
　You can find a number of different types of shoes in the market.
　Instantly, he sharpened his consciousness.
　A dull sound followed, "Mekki.
　Hibigami's "no-kill" struck the bones of Hiyama's fingers.


''Searching for a narrow path, finger robbery.


　Hiyama, who uttered the name of the technique, let out one deep breath and regripped the hilt.

I can't get enough of this. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see it again. No, in fact, the accuracy of the technique is even better than those of my students.
I don't think they're going to be able to imitate the weapon-dependent "Soundblade Paralysis", that man Kakizaki's "River Flow" and your "Double Dragon" with a little bit of a hackneyed approach.
The fact that you are able to immediately improve your skills to a quality that can be used in a real battle must be the result of your natural talent and tireless efforts. I feel like thanking the heavens for meeting such an enemy today.

　There is no change in Hiyama's expression after the heavy attack.
　Somehow, what is there is a smile.
　He is indeed wounded.
　But his heart is still steadfast.
　A man of great strength who lives by the sword.
　He is truly a man worthy of being called a swordsman.
　Even though he was wounded, Hiyama's figure, still calm as a clear stream and taking a straight-eyed stance, will even look beautiful to anyone who sees it.

''-Shit!

　Hiyama slashes in and out.

　Probably because the load of the technique is being left to other parts of the body that have been injured.
　The brilliance of the sword strikes that he unleashes shows no signs of slowing down.
　Nope.
　The brilliance of the technique is nowhere near as strong as it should be.


Shuanglong ----


　A blow from Hiyama's dull, shimmering blade sliced through the side of Hibigami's knee.

　The current Sousouzane had an exceptional sharpness in the 《Sou Ryu》 that Hiyama had shown so far.

　A streak of black blood fluttered in the air.

　Hibigami's knee snapped with a crunch.

　Hiyama chased after it without changing a single pale face.

　Defense and offense 《Souryu》.

　The fact that he is confident of victory here and does not come out with an offensive and offensive "double dragon" tells us that he is not proud.
　The man does not underestimate the path to victory.

　Hyama's defensive dragon struck down Hibigami's swing from the lower stage.
　Hibigami received this cataclysmic swing with his sword and kneed on the floor.
　Finally, the dragon of offense caught Hibigami's body and--



　Thud.



　A reverse-blade thrust that switched up and down from super low altitude.



''Mu, gu........''

　A single thrust from Hibigami crushed Hiyama's left shoulder.
　This time, Hiyama poked his knee into the floor.

"I see........the series of moves were all connected to that technique that Kido invented, the "Kumogakure, Beak-Through".

　Hibigami stood up.
　On the other hand, Hiyama, who was on the side of the knee, quietly closed his eyes, sweat pouring from his face as he bled out of his greasy sweat.

''This match, Hibigami-dono is the winner.

　Sitting upright, Hiyama put his sword aside and put his hands on his knees.

'You are not such a sweetheart opponent that you can win with this one hand. This will be a done deal. If you wish, you can take my life or whatever you wish.

　Despite receiving heavy blows in three places, Hiyama's appearance did not collapse.
　From the amount of sweat that he was sweating, he should actually be in a lot of pain.
　Crackling, Hibigami laughed and tapped himself on the shoulder with the sword building.

''I must admit, I can't help but buy that Mugen Koshito style of grace. There are even those people from Doomsday Village who would beg for their lives. And yet none of us seem to be begging for our lives. I'm sure you'll find that after you've been cut down, you'll be spouting words of praise and gratitude...Hey, kiddo?

　When I looked, I saw Kido crawling out of a side room, with his upper body out.

''Shihan and Hibigami-dono's frustration.......if you don't see this, you won't die. And.........Hibigami-dono's 《Unogakure, Beak Threading》.......it was a blow that made me fall in love with it.
But he didn't use his famous sword.
"No, no... no matter what kind of technique you use, that 'no killing' sword suits you well, Hibigami-dono... but that...
If it weren't for me, the trick wouldn't have been invented. I just borrowed it.

　'Hmph,' sniffed Hibigami, stroking his beard.

'A technique is, after all, its creator until the end.