I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

In the blink of an eye, Yamano Rokuro suddenly released his left hand from his wound and swiftly drew his wakizashi from his waist, charging towards Aoto with the sword still attached!

The fear and timidity in his eyes had vanished, replaced by madness and ruthlessness.

However... his intentions had already been seen through by Qing Deng.

In an instant, the blade of Echizen's chief steward, Riku no Kami, flashed silently twice.

With a horizontal slash, he severed Yamano Rokuro's left arm, then with a diagonal slash, he decapitated him.

[Ding! Talent detected]

[Successfully Replicating the Talent: "Leading the Way"]

[Talent Introduction: Extraordinary explosive power in the legs]

[Ding! Detected that the host already possesses a talent of the same type]

[Ding! Initiating talent fusion]

[Ding! "Leading the Way" and "Leading the Way" are merging.]

[Please wait, host... Please wait, host...]

[Ding! Talent fusion successful]

[“Leading the Way” Ability Upgraded – “Leading the Way +1”]

[“Leading the Way +1” Talent Description: The talent effect is enhanced on top of its original effect. “+9” is the highest level.]

……

……

At the same time—

Outside the casino—

"Huff! Huff! Huff! Huff! Huff! Huff!"

The target that Aoto was looking for: Kumazawa Kamataro, who was frantically fleeing for his life with his belly as big as if he were ten months pregnant.

At that moment, only one thought remained in his mind: Escape! Escape as far as possible!

His current predicament and his previous comfort are a stark contrast, which is quite comical.

Just now, as usual, he sat in his room with an air of nonchalance, eating large mouthfuls of fresh sashimi and enjoying a perfectly warm cup of sake, fully indulging in the privileges that came with his status as a "cadre of the Shimizu clan," feeling utterly content.

However, with the arrival of news of "Niou's attack," all the beauty and comfort vanished.

In that instant, Kumazawa Kamataro felt as if a heavy hammer had struck the top of his head.

Nioh?

Orange Green Ridge?

Why is he here?

Why is he attacking us?

I haven't offended him, have I?!

Attacking the Shimizu clan's territory... Does he even realize what that means?!

It has been said that the Yakuza are creatures that cannot live without losing face.

While this statement contains some exaggeration, it is generally correct.

In short, "face" is the hard currency in this underworld society!

You must never let others look down on you.

If someone tries to cause trouble, you should actively retaliate.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—this is the survival rule of the Yakuza society.

The strongest Yakuza group in the Kanto region... This name is prestigious, but it is also fragile.

If the Shimizu clan shows any weakness even once, its dominant position will be shaken instantly!

They've already blatantly humiliated you, yet you remain unmoved... Such behavior is to the Shimizu clan what's like a hundred-foot-tall building with its foundation dug out! Or a thousand-meter-long dam with a gaping hole torn in it!

Therefore, in order to defend their hegemonic position, the Shimizu clan would never allow anyone to provoke them.

It can be said that from the moment Qingdeng stormed into the casino, he and the Qingshui clan formed an irreconcilable feud!

Although his long-standing extravagant lifestyle had already emptied Kumazawa Kamatarou's body and worn down his will, he was still a member of the Shimizu clan who had weathered many storms.

Shocked as he was, he quickly regained his composure and immediately ordered all available forces in the casino to stop Qing Deng at all costs.

Soon after, he received the devastating news that all his men who went to meet the enemy had been slaughtered...

Now that things had come to this, a vine-like fear slowly seeped into Kumazawa Kamatarou's body, tightly binding his limbs and bones.

Whether Qing Deng came to steal or simply to kill... he had no way of knowing.

The only thing that was certain was that the other party had ill intentions! If he didn't escape quickly, he might face a terrible disaster!

Driven by his will to survive, he left behind his trusted confidant, Yamano Rokuro, and ordered him to hold off Aoto with all his might. Then he escaped into the secret passage alone and fled outside.

His strong will to live unleashed his physical potential.

Walking tirelessly.

Running tirelessly.

They tirelessly fled to places far from casinos and Qingdeng.

Gradually, the shadows of the casino buildings were left behind him.

Just as a look of relief at surviving a disaster slowly appeared on his fat, fleshy face... two beautiful figures suddenly appeared from the intersection in front of him, crossing the middle of the road and blocking his way.

A person wearing a white top and blue bottom kendo uniform, carrying a woman's naginata, with a high ponytail reaching her waist fluttering in the wind.

The other person was dressed in men's clothing and had two swords, one long and one short, at his waist.

It was Chiba Sanako and Okita Souji.

"You must be Kumazawa Kamataro? Don't try to run away."

"The commander said softly."

"Just surrender obediently. That way, you'll suffer less."

In an instant, Kumazawa Kamatarou's expression was dominated by intense shock.

He froze on the spot, then mechanically turned his head, his blank gaze sweeping over Souji, and then over Sanako.

We were so close to escaping, how could we give up now?!

At this thought, Kumazawa Kamatarou's facial features gradually became ferocious.

He drew his sword with a "whoosh"—

"Wa ...

He cried out and ran.

This kid is the shortest and smallest, and he doesn't carry any other weapons besides the sword at his waist. He looks the weakest... He's the one!

Thinking of this, Kumazawa Kamatarou tensed up, held his breath, and focused all his energy on attacking what he considered to be his weakest opponent—Okita Souji.

Souji raised an eyebrow as if amused, then stood there without drawing his sword, waiting for Kumazawa Kamataro to approach.

"Wa ...

Kumazawa Kamatarou raised the sword high above his head and brought it down with force.

In terms of sheer power... without a doubt, this was a powerful slash.

However, no matter how powerful a move is, it's meaningless if it doesn't hit the opponent.

The moment Kumazawa Kamatarou raised his sword, Souji vanished beneath it.

Bang!

With powerful leg strength, Souji dodged to the side of Kumazawa Kamataro, then kicked him so hard that his stomach went from bulging to concave.

"Pfft!"

Kumazawa Kamatarou was sent flying backward, leaving behind a pile of vomit.

Even as he was kicked away, a fierce expression remained on his face.

When Kumazawa Kamatarou's obese body crashed back to the ground... before he could even stand up or let out a painful howl, Souji lunged forward, used his hand as a knife, and struck him hard on the neck, knocking him unconscious.

At this moment, Qing Deng, wielding a long, blood-dripping knife, caught up.

"Is this person Kamataro Kumazawa?"

Souji yanked the collar of the unconscious Kumazawa Kamataro, then nodded slightly.

"He's a large, fat man with a face full of scars and a black bear tattoo on his chest... that must be him."

Qingdeng gave a soft "hmm," then sheathed his sword and turned around.

"Let's go, let's go to the next venue."

……

……

15 minutes later—

Edo, a certain okonomiyaki district under the Shimizu clan—

"Hehe, sir, you're so naughty."

"Hehehe~ Ashu, your butt seems to have gotten bigger again~~"

"Quick! Let me see! Let me see if your development is normal!"

……

As expected of a den of iniquity deeply tainted by beauty and desire, the air in the brothel was thick with a decadent atmosphere.

And so it was in this desolate place—

Bang!