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At 3:45 AM, fire engulfed Mt. Atama.
The bandits awoke from their sleep, and when they saw the raging fire outside, it was as if cold water had been poured over them, instantly dispelling all their drowsiness.
"Fire!!!"
Panic-stricken shouts echoed through the bandit stronghold.
The bandits completely fell into chaos, not even bothering to grab their weapons, and frantically ran out of their rooms to the central square of the stronghold.
But when they saw the neatly arranged bandit-suppression army and the dark muzzles of guns, a chill ran from their tailbones straight to their heads.
Daichi's gaze was cold.
"Fire!"
"Bang bang bang!!!"
The samurai pulled their triggers, and dense bullets covered the bandits, instantly turning the first wave of escaping bandits into sieves.
"Ah ah ah!!!"
Screams rose and fell.
The remaining bandits hid in the stronghold's main hall, too afraid to show their heads due to the gunfire, but the fierce fire had already lit the building, and the heatwave and thick smoke were choking them.
Staying inside meant certain death!
"Boss Shutenmaru!"
The bandits looked at Shutenmaru, their eyes filled with pleading and hope.
Only their boss could save them.
"Despicable and shameless!"
Shutenmaru's eyes were bloodshot, and he trembled with rage, never expecting the enemy to use such a sneaky tactic.
As a samurai, one should fight fair and square!
"Clang!"
A burning beam crashed to the ground!
Shutenmaru found it hard to breathe, his lungs felt like they were on fire, and he knew very well that staying in the hall was a dead end.
"Clang!"
Shutenmaru drew his sword and charged towards the stronghold square with a roar.
"Brothers, follow me and fight our way out!"
"Charge!"
The bandits roared, launching a death charge.
Stronghold Square.
"Here they come!"
Daichi stared at the stronghold hall, slowly raising his right hand, and the moment the bandits charged out, he roared and swung his right arm!
"Hit them hard!"
"Oh oh oh!!!"
The samurai excitedly pulled their triggers, unleashing all their ammunition, instantly stopping the bandits' charge.
For the first time in many years, their battle was going so smoothly. Even Shutenmaru's group, who had dominated Kuri for decades, was being beaten into a panicked retreat.
Although using fire attacks and firearms went against the samurai spirit, the effect was outstanding, and all of this depended on Daichi's command.
"Hahaha, this is so exciting!"
"As expected of Daichi!"
"To easily corner the monster of Kuri, Daichi's wisdom is probably far superior even to the rumored strategist Kin'emon!"
"Of course!"
The samurai cheered excitedly.
Daichi's face gradually darkened.
Kin'emon?
That guy can be called a "strategist"?
These fools, why compare him to anyone but Kin'emon? That guy, besides having a health bar thick enough to rival a Four Emperor, in what way can he compare to him?
How utterly unlucky!
"Bang!"
With the last gunshot, the stronghold square fell silent, leaving only the crackling of wood burning in the fire.
Four figures stood on the open ground.
"Hoo~ hoo~~"
Shutenmaru was covered in blood, panting heavily, his peripheral vision catching sight of his only three remaining brothers beside him.
"Damn it!"
His heart bled continuously.
In less than a day, over a hundred brothers were reduced to just three, and even though he had long known this day would come, he still couldn't accept it.
Pain, regret, fury!
All kinds of emotions mixed together.
Just then, the three remaining bandits exchanged glances and firmly stepped in front of Shutenmaru.
"Boss, hurry and escape!"
"We'll cover you!"
"The east is all fire, escape to the west!"
Shutenmaru was stunned.
"You guys—"
"Boss, we've done all sorts of bad things and should have died long ago, but you're different from us. You still have a mission to complete and absolutely cannot die in a place like this!"
Facing death, the bandits instead let go of their fear, their hearts filled only with the thought of covering Shutenmaru's escape, as they all knew their boss's wish.
Only five years remained until the time Toki-sama prophesied!
"Let's go!"
"Don't underestimate the spirit of a bandit!"
"Kill them!"
The three bandits launched a death charge.
Daichi's gaze was calm, with no thought of showing mercy.
"Kill them!"
"Yes, Daichi!"
The samurai swarmed forward, instantly overwhelming the three bandits, but the next moment, over a dozen samurai screamed as they flew into the air.
It was Shutenmaru!
"Pirate!!!"
Shutenmaru roared towards the sky, swinging his sword to cut down all the surrounding samurai, his crimson eyes fixed on Daichi.
This was the guy who planned all of this.
Only he must die!
"Get out of the way!"
Shutenmaru roared as he swung his sword, the resulting slash clearing a path, and then quickly charged towards Daichi.
Daichi's gaze was calm, and he slowly spoke.
"Daikoku."
"Clang!"
Daikoku appeared in front of Daichi, swinging his sword to block Shutenmaru's attack. The powerful impact caused him to involuntarily retreat half a step, and the wound on his chest split open.
"Pfft!"
Blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth!
Daikoku's mouth was full of blood, his eyes filled with annoyance and struggle.
"Damn it, what foolish thing am I doing!"
Upon hearing Daichi's command just now, he instinctively blocked in front, only realizing what he had done after regaining his senses.
His mission was to assassinate Daichi!
Yet he was protecting Daichi, when he clearly could have just stayed put and waited for Shutenmaru and Daichi to fight.
Damn it, that man must possess some kind of enchanting power that even he, a seasoned warrior, was affected!
Daikoku endured the pain of his wound splitting open, stubbornly resisting Shutenmaru's attacks without any intention of retreating. A ninja's pride would not allow him to retreat.
"Shutenmaru, don't think this time will be like daytime!"
"It's you!"
Shutenmaru also recognized Daikoku.
It was the ninja he had fought during the day, and he didn't expect him to still be alive.
"No chance!"
Shutenmaru looked around. More and more samurai were closing in. If he didn't leave now, he would die here.
"Get lost!"
Shutenmaru's muscles tensed, and he suddenly used force, pushing back Daikoku, then quickly leaped towards the west!
"Pfft!"
The moment his foot landed, a sharp stone spike pierced through his instep!
Shutenmaru's pupils contracted. A strong sense of danger forced him to quickly retreat. The next moment, dense stone spikes appeared in front of him.
He was almost turned into a pincushion!
"What is this?!"
Shutenmaru knelt on the ground, a shiver running down his spine as he looked at the forest of stone spikes, but there wasn't much time to think, as the enemy had already surrounded him again!
Daichi walked out from the crowd, looking down at the kneeling Shutenmaru.
"Can you escape?"
"Pirate!"
Shutenmaru stared intently at Daichi, understanding his approaching death, but even if he died, he would take the man in front of him with him.
Otherwise, five years later, the other party would surely become Kozuki's greatest enemy!
"Clang!"
Shutenmaru plunged his blade into the ground, and with his other hand, reached into his chest. Just as he was about to act, a shocking roar reached his ears.
"Oden Two-Sword Style: Togen Totsuka!!!"