"Ahhh, so you're Daisuke!" Fuji exclaimed with joy.
"You," Daisuke said, looking at Chikyu, "is this what you've become?"
"What are you talking about?" Fuji asked.
"We trained together, when we were younger." Daisuke explained.
"It was only a few times." Chikyu added.
"It's a shame to see you like this. As part of this sadistic group." Daisuke stated with sadness in his eyes.
Daisuke continued, "What did Mashiira offer you? Money? Power? What means so much to you that you'd dedicate your life to killing the Samurai in exchange?"
"I struggled for four years trying to get a Tokihanatsu Summon. For some reason, I just wasn't able to. What kind of protector doesn't have one?"
"Sekkachi, are you hearing yourself? You went from wanting to protector your people, to killing the protectors?"
"Sekkachi is no more. Sekkachi was the name of the weak soul that had this body before. My name is Chikyu now."
"You can call yourself whatever you want. But, you're still the same person deep down. I can see it in you."
"Mashiira told me about secret activity of the Samurai. That is why i joined his cause."
"What secret activity?" Daisuke asked, puzzled by Chikyu's statement.
"The planning, of a mass--"
Fuji then interrupted, "who gives a shit about this Samurai nonsense. All this talking is taking the fun away."
"You be quiet!" Makoto shouted, stepping forward to confront Fuji.
Daisuke held our his hand, blocking Makoto from the chest.
"Chikyu... what Summon did you obtain?" Daisuke asked.
Chikyu looked up, his eyes piercing through Daisuke's.
"A Basilisk. Lucky for you, I can't use it here."
"That is fine by me." Daisuke, remaining calm, looked down at his sword. The thoughts of his former associate raced through his head. The positive memories of Chikyu overpowering the thoughts of his new self.
"I hate killing people that I know." Daisuke mentioned.
"You bastard. How dare you overlook me." Fuji, words coming as a growl, became frustrated with Daisuke's confidence.
"You won't have to kill Chikyu. I'll put you out of your misery so you don't have to." Fuji stated.
Daisuke, unfazed, stood pulling at the facial hair on his chin as he looked Fuji up and down.
"When I defeat you, where would that put me in the Deadly Seven?" Daisuke asked arrogantly.
"Strictly swordplay, I'm forth."
Daisuke smiled, "then I guess I'm middle rank."
Daisuke's arrogance cause Fuji's anger to explode. This caused him to engage first, initiating the fight with Daisuke.
Fuji, being ranked fourth in the Deadly Seven for swordplay, was extremely efficient with his moves due to his previous job as a paid assassin. His fighting technique did not involve anything wild or extravagant; it was solely with the purpose of inflicting as much damage as possible in as short a time as possible.
Daisuke, however, was also efficient with his fighting style, but his tremendous strength amplified his blows.
The warring sounds of their swords was immediate and intense. Fuji's aim was to damage Daisuke's vital points, whilst Daisuke's powerful counters attempted to crush Fuji beneath him.
Sparks flew as their blades aggressively caressed each other. Fuji lunged in and out, keeping his movements a blur. Daisuke stood firm, his feet rooted like an ancient tree, delivering crushing blows that made the ground and those spectating tremble.
Chikyu watched in admiration of Daisuke. Since he last saw Daisuke as a younger man, he was blown away by how amazing Daisuke had become as a warrior. Being able to stand toe to toe with Fuji was something he had not seen many do.
Meanwhile, Sakutarō observed the battle with a mix of awe and frustration. He couldn't help but think about how far behind Daisuke he was. As a warrior, Daisuke was lightyears ahead, a stark reminder of the gap between them.
The fight continued with neither side giving up any advantage. Trying to force an opening, Fuji, with a quick flick of his wrist, threw a hidden knife; embedding itself into Daisuke's cheek. Blood spurted from the wound, but Daisuke barely flinched. Instead, he roared in anger, his katana slicing downward with immense force, cutting Fuji's quadricep in half.
Fuji, falling to a knee, grabbed Daisuke around the waist, pulling him close in a desperate attempt to immobilise him. Daisuke struggled, trying to shake off Fuji's grip, but the assassin held on tightly.
Chikyu, seeing Fuji in trouble, leapt from his chair towards them, Katana in hand. Daisuke, unaware of Chikyu, didn't react.
However, Sakutarō, driven by panic, ran from behind Daisuke, using all the strength he had, conjuring it within his swing. As he swung towards Chikyu, the Chikyu positioned his Katana to block it. The force and momentum within Sakutarō's strike was overwhelming, and Chikyu was brushed back, his eyes wide with shock.
Everyone's eyes turned towards Chikyu, who stood in disbelief as his Katana broke in half from the impact of Sakutarō's attack. The room fell silent, the only sound being the heavy breathing of the combatants.
Seizing the moment of confusion, Fuji used the opportunity to escape. He released his grip on Daisuke, rolled to the side, and breezed out a nearby window with surprising agility for someone so injured.
Daisuke and Chikyu stood, staring at each other in tense silence. Chikyu's eyes darted to the shattered remains of his Katana before he quickly turned and hurried to follow Fuji, disappearing into the wilderness.
As the tense ambiance settled, Sakutarō's hands trembled, both from the adrenaline rush and the realisation of what had just happened. Daisuke wiped the blood from his cheek, his eyes filled with a mixture of pain and relief.
Kotoba walked inside and stood beside Sakutarō. As Sakutarō looked at him, Kotoba embraced him with a hug.
"Sakutarō'," Makoto said, "where did that come from?"
"I don't know. I just... imagined I was back with Hōkai, trying to cut through the tree. Unfortunately, he moved out the way."
Daisuke added, "that was some strike, Sakutarō. Your strength has increased a lot."
"No. I literally put everything I had into it. If you were to tapped me, I would've fallen over. That's how focused I was on the swing."
Sakutarō, still in shock, played off Daisuke and Makoto's compliments.
"If it wasn't for you, Sakutarō, Chikyu would've killed me." Daisuke grabbed Sakutarō by the hand and pulled him in. "Thank you."
Kotoba smiled at the exchange, and then held Daisuke's cheek, examining the wound.
"You want to fix it up for me?" Daisuke asked.
Kotoba nodded with a massive grin on his face.
Makoto stepped forward, making his presence known, "Daisuke, son... thank you."
Daisuke looked at Makoto, "it's fine. You don't need to thank family for helping."