A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

Three days later.

Inside an izakaya in Asakusa Ward, Kenji Nakahashi, a fire thief, is raising his glass with a smile to Tetsuya, a member of the Red Scorpion family.

On the table between the two, besides being filled with various expensive ingredients, there was also a stack of small gold coins placed on a linen cloth in front of Kenshiro.

"Thanks to Kenji's help, we've finally gotten rid of Rantaro's harassment."

The iron terracotta warrior held the wine cup above his head with both hands, sat upright, and addressed Nakahashi Kenji in a sincere tone.

“It’s a small matter. Keeping this inflexible guy around is no good for anyone.” After finishing his drink, Kenji Nakahashi elegantly picked up his chopsticks and dipped a piece of snail meat in soy sauce. “But I’m warning you, you need to tone it down in the future. Extortion is bad enough, but to try human trafficking is even worse.”

"Yes, yes, sir, you are right. It is our greatest honor to have your help."

After finishing his drink, the iron terracotta warrior forced a fawning smile onto his scarred, fleshy face.

"Don't talk nonsense. I didn't help you Yakuza by sending Rantaro to fight the bandits. It was just my duty."

After finishing the snail slices, Kenji Nakahashi's eyes lit up, and he immediately picked up another slice: "Rantaro has already set off. I guess you'll hear the news this afternoon... Mmm, it's really delicious."

......

Outside Edo Castle.

Dressed neatly with two swords slung across his waist, Rantarō and Taichi were hiding in the woods, observing an abandoned temple a few dozen meters away.

"I'm saying, you're carrying so many knives, aren't you afraid it will affect the operation if a fight breaks out?"

Taiichi pointed to Rantaro's waist and asked curiously.

"This is just in case." Rantaro hid behind the tree, patted the hilts of the swords on his waist with his hands, and continued, "Once the battle starts, I won't have time to wipe the blood and grease off the swords. If one gets worn out, I'll immediately draw another one."

Upon hearing this, Taiyi shook his head speechlessly.

Theoretically, this is correct, but only if you can't get surrounded.

Only by taking advantage of the environment to turn a one-to-many situation into a one-to-one situation when facing multiple enemies can one have time to switch weapons immediately after killing one opponent.

But if you are surrounded by enemies and a dozen knives come at you in an instant, even if your sword is stunned, you won't have time to drop it and then draw it again.

"Alright, this should be the right place. Look, there really are thieves on lookout duty at the door."

Rantaro pointed, then bent down to inspect his straw sandals.

Following the direction Rantaro pointed, Taichi also saw two thin men, wearing headscarves and dirty clothes, standing guard at the entrance of the abandoned temple, holding rusty knives.

"I plan to climb over the wall to avoid a direct confrontation. If all goes well, I will subdue Bloodfire Gobei after I find him. I believe the other thieves will not dare to attack me for fear of their leader's life."

"Then I will make a sound, Taiyi, you go and ask for help immediately, so that I can survive as well."

Rantaro stood up, checked everything, and then stared at Taichi seriously.

"What if you fail to subdue the enemy leader?"

Taiichi asked a fatal question.

“If not…” Rantaro’s tone turned bitter, but his eyes still did not reveal any cowardice. He said in a low voice, “Then please, Taichi, go and seek help. At least, at least you can get my body back.”

"That's a really difficult request." Taiichi crossed his arms and held them in front of his chest, his tone desolate.

"Alright, let's stop here for now, I'm going up."

Rantaro tightened his belt and stared at Taiichi expectantly.

"Ah."

"I'm really going to go."

"Ah."

"I... Brother Taiyi, won't you wish me good fortune in martial arts?"

Rantaro took a deep breath, then slumped his head down, feeling utterly lost.

But, damn it!

I immediately went to fight to the death, and didn't even receive a word of encouragement.

"Rantaro, with your talent, I doubt you'll have much success in the martial arts world." Taiichi walked over, patted the other's shoulder, and spoke very sincerely. Seeing the disappointment in the other's eyes, he smiled and continued:

"But your career prospects are likely to be quite good."

"Haha, uh..." Rantaro laughed, then immediately realized that he seemed to be hiding something. He lowered his voice and said gratefully, "Taiichi-nii is really good at comforting people. I'm really going to go for it this time, but no matter what, I want to thank you for coming here. Goodbye!"

He nodded slightly to Tai, and when he looked up again, Rantaro's eyes instantly became incredibly determined.

ta ta ta ......

Watching the other person crouch down, like a ninja using the trees for cover, and circle around to the back of the abandoned temple.

Taiyi pursed his lips and walked out of the woods without any hesitation, heading straight for the guarded temple gate.

"This time, we have the backing of government officials, and the other side is a group of vicious thieves."

"Looks like... I can finally have a proper chop."

His lips curled up, and his expression, which usually projected a sunny and handsome image, now carried a hint of wickedness.

Before coming here, Taiichi spent a lot of money and specially invited Shihe to Yoshiwara several times to get a lot of definite information from him about the shogunate's selection of people after autumn.

One of the criteria for selection is that only members of the Yamada family who are ranked can be selected.

This is why he chose to fight Kiyomaru before the clan's sword-testing martial arts festival.

Because the ranking of the Yamada family takes into account factors other than martial arts skills.

Just like Senta and Fuchi, there are others in their clan who are better at swordsmanship than them, but they are not ranked.

Even if I participate in the Sword Testing Festival, I cannot guarantee that I will get a ranking, but if I defeat Kiyomaru, according to the original plot, I will also get a second chance to go to the island.

Although he had only a casual relationship with this person, he always put the interests of the Yamada family first when considering matters.

If he is stronger than Kiyomaru, then when he lands on the island a second time, Kiyomaru will definitely choose him over Kiyomaru to protect the family's honor.

While thinking about these things, Taiyi had already arrived at the temple gate.

"Hey! Stop right there! Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I told you to stop! If you take another step, I'll kill you!"

When one of the thieves guarding the gate saw Taiichi arrive with two swords, he flashed his own weapons and gave his companion a meaningful look.

The latter understood, glared fiercely at Taiyi, and then turned and ran into the temple.

"Excuse me... is the notorious thief, Bloodfire Gobei, inside now?"

Taiyi asked with a smile.

"What the hell! How did you know our leader was inside? Who told you?! If you don't tell me, I'll chop you into mincemeat in a minute! My methods are very cruel!"

The thief guarding the gate was taken aback at first, then he angrily pointed his knife at Taiyi and threatened him loudly.

"It really is here. I'm relieved."

"Besides, when it comes to ruthlessness, I'm not far behind..."

Taiyi placed his left hand on the hilt of his sword, tilted his head, gave a wicked smile, and slowly walked towards the thief.

"What nonsense are you spouting! Go to hell..."

click!

The sword was drawn, its cold light flashing!

Taiyi waved his hand, then quickly sheathed the sword, and continued walking inside, still holding the hilt.

Behind him, a circular black shadow flew into the air.

At the same time, a headless corpse, still holding a knife, was spurting several streams of blood from its neck into the air.

A thud was heard as someone fell to the ground, and Taiyi immediately received a system notification.

[General point, +1! 】