Dashing out to the bridge where the caravan was, I found General Tamahara on his horse with countless corpses of the enemy soldiers around him.
"General, I need your help!"
"I know. Get on the horse."
I jumped off the ground and landed on the horse. The general then immediately whips the horse while shouting, making the horse run.
"General, there is something you need to know."
"What is it? We don't have much time to talk-"
"Kenshin-sama is severely injured. I don't know if he will make it."
"....I see. He's a strong old man, I trust he'll be alright."
As the steed galloped around the bridge, I could see piles of dead bodies lying on the floor. Most were dressed in the dark blue armour of the Uesugi clan, and occasionally🐺🐺🐺v there are the corpses of black hooded figures, who are ninjas of the Takeda clan.
It was a blood bath, as the blood spilled into the moat below and turned the river into a crimson red.
"....I won't forgive the Takeda Clan for this betrayal, they will pay for this." The general said, in a cold tone.
"And there is also something you should know... most of our men here are killed by one single swordsman."
"What?"
"He wields a blade that has a red colour like that of blood, and wears plain robes instead of a samurai's armour. He is extremely dangerous, be careful of him."
"I will take note of that..."
Now that I inspect closer, the corpses on the ground all had deep cuts made into their bodies... I don't think I can swing with such power even with the best technique.
___________
General Tamahara and an entire group of calvary soldiers gave chase to the retreating enemies.
Following their directions, we soon reached the outskirts of the city where we ran into the fleeing enemies.
"Hostiles! Soldiers, get ready for battle!"
"Wait Tamahara! Look at the distant!"
At about a hundred meters away I could see two horse running away ahead of this group. I didn't see Marielle or the demon duos in here, that means they must've fled ahead!
"Tch, they're trying to distract us with these goons. Kaga-dono, take charge of my squad! I'll give chase to the cowards instead!"
"Understood, sir! Those who think they're the best riders go along with the General and support him!"
As such, the Calvary split off into two groups. 12 out of 15 of the horses stayed to fight the enemy's distraction while the remaining 3 give chase.
"Judging from the direction they're running at, it's the train that they're intending to ride!"
"Then we must catch up to them before that, even the fastest steed would not be able to chase down a train."
"I know! Onikake is exhausted, so this is the last run he can get."
___________
It had been a good 5 more minutes of chasing before they reached the train station.
As expected, the station was already hijacked by the enemy, and the Takeda's horses easily jumped onto the train as soon as they arrived.
However, each of the two horses jumped onto two different trains going in the opposite direction.
When Fujiwara had caught up, they noticed the two train...
"Which one do we chase after?!"
Fujiwara watched the two trains...
"The right! They have the Severance blade!"
The general gave chase to the train on the right side... Because the train had just started, it's speed had not picked up enough to outrun the horse, and was able to be chased down.
"Fujiwara-dono, my horse is near it's limit, you have to continue on without me. Don't be reckless and fight them on your own, hold on until reinforcements arrive."
Meanwhile, on the train is the man with the red katana and Marielle, who held the Severance blade.
"Tch, persistent aren't they? And look at that, she's planning to fight us both by herself."
"....No. She has a plan."
"What?"
"There's a tunnel coming up along the train track, and it's completely dark inside. We cannot fight her at the same time if we cannot even see each other."
"Tch... I can't believe she planned that far ahead. I can see why you're so careful around her now, Fujimoto."
"No... It's just there's something going on with her that I can't quite understand. She feels... familiar."
"You're both white and woman. Of course you'd feel familiar."
"Enough with your jokes. Here she comes."
"Fine... Do you wanna play with her?"
"...I don't have the confidence to beat her. She's all yours."
"Hehe, then I'll be the one to dance with her."
___________
'Thump!'
I've barely made it onto the train, thankfully...
I looked behind me, where I could see the general's steed coming into an immediate halt as soon as I had jumped onto the train. The horse looked like it's about to collapse.
The freight train picked up it's speed as soon as I got up, leaving them behind in the dust. Now it's just me on the train.
Thinking back, this seems like a bad idea jumping onto a train by myself with two opponents who are equal or more skilled than me.
Grabbing my blade from the sheath I pulled it out, ready to kill.
"I don't have to say this but... give that to me." I said while looking towards Marielle, pointing towards the Severance blade that she held.
But she kept quiet. Instead, the person who replied to me is the man with his hair tied in a tail. He had his sword sheathed, for some reason.
"Well now, no need to rush. Why don't you introduce yourself first?"
I hate to admit but just his snark is pissing me off.... exactly what he wants from me-
'Fwoosh-!!!' Suddenly, he attacked.
He moved fast as lightning rushing towards me while drawing his sword. His blade flew pass my face as I leaned backwards to dodge, slicing off strands of my hair while passing.
"Urgh-!"
I raised my sword as I fell backwards, just in time for me to block the second slash.
'Clank!'
Immediately I threw a punch right into his body. 'Thud!'
This forced him backwards, creating space for me again.
"Hmm... That hurts, you know?" Again, he taunts.
The Shadow Style.... No one can beat me using it, I know their techniques like the veins on the back of my hand.
Very well, I'll play with him.
"Hah...." Following him, I lowered the center of my body down and sheathed my blade.
"Okay... Let us begin."
Just as he finished his words-
'Fwoo-!!!' Suddenly, darkness surrounded the entire train while the engine sound roared louder than before.
What in the world?!
Ah, I see. The train had just entered the tunnel. This is good then, I won't have to fight the two of them at once-
"Just what are you waiting for? Your father won't come back to pick you up." The man insulted again.
"!..."
Hearing his words, I rushed forward towards him despite the total darkness. I cannot see him, but I remembered where he stood just now.
But then-
'Thud!'
When I drew my blade out, something slammed into the hilt of the sword and struck it back into the sheath.
"?!"
And then, something swung at my head.
'Tank-!'
The piece of metal that struck my head wasn't heavy, but it hurts... It felt like the flat side of a sword slamming into my head.
"Urgh-!..."
As I recoiled backwards, I heard footsteps rushing forward at me. By reflexes I raised my sword ready to block-
'Clank-!'
Sparks flew in the darkness as our blades clashed, creating a glimpse of the man before me.
The power behind his slash was enough to throw me backwards, making me recoil away off-balance.
"Tch..."
He could've killed me there.
He should've killed me there.
Why did he use the flat-side of his blade?
It might've been from the concussion I felt in my head but I cannot understand why he didn't kill me there.
"You're like an open book, I can read you even in this darkness."
His attacks are insane. It felt like I was hit with General Tamahara's great spear despite coming from just a mere sword. This man is on another level.
"Either way, this tunnel is enough to test our instincts don't you think Fujimoto? Why don't we train in total darkness the next time?"
"Please focus on the fight, Minuano-sama."
And worse of all... he's extremely cocky. He's even speaking to Marielle as if this is just a sparring match.
My head hurts like hell but... I can't let this man taunt me so much and not get a hit back in right?
'Clank-!' I slashed my sword at the train's metal platform. Sparks flew out from this, creating light bright enough for me to see.
"Now you can't hide your tricks from me...."
"Who needs to hide anything from you?"
And just as the flash ends, I could see the image of the man dashing in towards me.
Trying to predict his moves, I stepped backwards...
'Fwoosh!' His attack missed.
And then, guessing his position based on the distance I stepped away, I aimed my sword and stabbed forward.
However just as I thrusted forward, he easily parried my blade to the sides using an attack of his own. 'Clank-!'
"I could hear you still." He whispered to my ears, I could feel his face right next to mine.
He pushed my body off the sides, and threw a kick right to my back.
'Thud!' (?x)
As I regained my balance, I could hear loud steps of the metal platform from the man rushing at me.
'Clank-!!!'
I raised my sword and swung at that direction just as the footsteps sound like it got close. My attack landed into a powerful attack from him, causing us to lock blades again.
'Fwoo-!' Just as that happens, the train got pass the tunnel and I was able to see again.
And it was then, I notice the man's face right in front me. He was smiling.
"Huhu, not bad for a self-taught outsider. Still..."
"Has anyone ever told you to shut up?!"
"Now that I take a closer look at you, you are quite the looker.... Still, your technique lacks something."
I hate to admit it but if I can't even beat him in the dark tunnel where I won't have to deal with a second person's attack, then I definitely can't beat him out in the light.
As he locked blades and pushed against me, my back is facing the cliffside where I'd fall right out of the train.
Since he was pushing towards me, I simply stepped to the sides and made him fall right forward.
"Woah!"
He stopped himself just before he fell, but I quickly threw a kick at him and knocked him right out of the train.
If I cannot beat him then at least I'll deal with him later.
"Hrgh!" 'Thud!'
However, the man simply twisted his body mid-air like a cat, and lands his feet on the cliff face.
"What?!"
'Thump!'
The man kicks off the wall and jumped right back to the train, slashing back to me as he lands. 'Clank-!'
I did not expect him to jump back like that, which is why my blade was slightly off when I tried to deflect his attack.
The tip of his sword slips pass my guard and slashed me on my eye, the blinded eye. I stumbled backwards after noticing that.
"Shit, not again."
The cut was shallow as I could not feel any actual pain to my eye. It was just a scratch on my face.
"Ah now I see, you lack depth perception!
That blind eye of yours is holding you back. You were trying to predict my moves ahead of time because you cannot rely on your vision, but that is exactly what allows me to read you."
"Tch..." He's right.
I couldn't accurately gauge distance using just my left eye, that was why I am constantly trying to predict ahead of time.
"But none of that matters now... There is no shadow for you to hide in anymore."
At the back, Marielle took up her weapon - a scythe.
"Heh... Twice the trouble, double the fun."
There is no way I can beat them both at the same time. I couldn't handle this man alone.
It was then, a figure dropped down from above.
'Clank-!'
I couldn't see well with my eye, but I could just make out the figure of the female ninja that is always accompanying Kenshin-sama.
"Danzo?"
The man exchanged blows with Danzo and stepped backwards. A shallow cut could be seen on his face as he retreats.
"Bastard... you used the sun to block your shadow."
She... she landed a hit on him?
"Fujiwara-sama, are you alright?"
"Yeah, barely."
As I stood back up on my feet, the man taunted at us once again.
"Huh, I thought we had the advantage in numbers."
"Enough talk, play time is over." Behind him, Marielle replied.
And in a burst of speed she suddenly pulled out something from her waist. A gun.
"?!"
'Bang!'
Immediately she aimed at us with the gun and pulled the trigger.
Purely by instinct I had grabbed onto Danzo and pulled her away, making the bullet just missing her.
At the same time, the man rushed forward at us with his blade raised just as the bullet was fired, and swung at us.
'Slash!'
Did it hit Danzo?
As the thought crossed my mind, a splash of blood spilled all over my sight.
"Ah..."
It got me.
'Thung!'
(Chapter end)