Naruto: Starting with the Two Kamui

To the left and right of the cliff where he stood, there was a peak.

There stood the strongest and second-strongest swordsmen in the human world, Zatoichi and Mifune!

Facing the strongest rival in the field of kendo, the two, who are both teacher and friend, chatted and laughed.

Mifune said, "The strongest swordsman has no sword in his hand. Could it be that the so-called Heavenly Sword is like you, Master, whose physical eyes are destroyed, and who sees the world through the eyes of his heart..."

Zatoichi said, "The so-called 'no sword is better than a sword'? I did hear something similar from Lord Shadow's drunken banter. At the time, I found it refreshing, but upon reflection, it doesn't apply to our worldview. Everything has its value. A person who loves alcohol would never say that no alcohol is better than alcohol..."

Mifune asked with a smile, "Then how much wine do you think is enough?"

Zatoichi laughed and replied, "Of course, the more the better, there's no limit. Lord Shadow promised me that he would give me the Heavenly Wine Gourd after this battle is over."

Mifune said, "Uh, that's not a very good omen. There's a word called 'death'...Flash?"

Zatoichi: "Flag, that's the real one~ I've lived this long and I've been longing for the scenery across the river for ages. But you, Mifune, can't you tell me about your amazing adventures in Elysium...?"

Mifune said, "Lord Shadow has also asked about it, but the time is not right, so I cannot say. When the time comes, the truth will come out even if I don't say it..."

chap!

As he spoke, the 'Dark Blade Kurosawa' was drawn. Unlike its 'Famous Blade' days, Kurosawa's blade was now pure black, emanating the chilling aura of the underworld!

Mifune was killed instantly by the divine swordsman Ri-shiki with the force of a storm during the battle of Kenjuku Kingdom!

After his death, he received a great opportunity in the Pure Land of Bliss, and was guided by a master from the 'Zobichi' clan.

The Zobi clan is no ordinary people; they have appeared in Uhiji's oral accounts.

They are a clan renowned for their swordsmanship from the ancient Takamagahara period. Every member of the clan is a master swordsman with unparalleled skills!

Although Zobi Chi perished at the end of the Great Battle, his clan's strongest sword, the 'Heavenly Sword,' was stained with the blood of the gods and was preserved as a trophy, passed down through generations of the Otsutsuki clan. Now, its ninth master is none other than the 'Kibutsuji' before us!

After Yu Mingtu slayed the god, he was granted the special privilege of being a 'Soul Chaser' who could resurrect three people every year by You Tan Po Luo!

Before the great calamity of the ages, Mifune, along with Minato and Kushina who died in the battle of Kenju, returned to the present world. The once dim and lackluster samurai leader has transformed into a powerful Netherworld warrior, the 'Famous Sword Kurosawa', which, due to being tainted by the Netherworld energy, has become a true 'Netherworld Sword'!

He once used this sword to fight alongside Zatoichi against Ryushiki during the Great Calamity of the Ages!

Now, several years have passed since the end of this great calamity.

Mifune's strength is now far greater than before. The fact that he can face the Heavenly Sword Master together with the God of Samurai, Zatoichi, is enough to demonstrate his power!

With his sword drawn, he composed himself and said, "However, where exactly is his Heavenly Sword? That's truly intriguing!"

Snap! Snap!

Zatoichi drew his twin swords one after another!

The sword in his left hand is—the God-Slaying Blade, Chasing the Sun!

To forge this sword, he risked his life to pursue the sun. In the battle of Jianzhou Kingdom, the "Black Sword No. 1 Kanze Masamune" was destroyed by the divine swordsman Li Shi with the "Heavenly Destruction Blade". Pursuing the sun's first sword was used to achieve the feat of killing a god!

The sword in his right hand is—Black Blade Night!

Rishiki, born into the Otsutsuki clan, is a genius who is obsessed with swords and pursues the Heavenly Sword as his lifelong goal. In order to surpass Oni Muzan, he did not hesitate to sell his soul to 'Kokoroshiki'!

Despite being defeated by Zatoichi, Riki did not abandon his beliefs as a swordsman. He transformed into a 'black sword' and his soul became the 'tsukumogami' of this sword. Zatoichi named this sword 'Night' and promised to take it into battle against Oni Mutsuji, the master of the Heavenly Sword!

Many years later, he fulfilled his promise!

Zatoichi had the answer to Mifune's question!

“Though not in my heart, there are still traces to follow. Mifune, do you know what form this Mr. Oni Mutsuji takes in my ‘mind’s eye’?”

Mifune: "What does it look like?"

Zatoichi said in a low voice, "A 'scabbard'!"

Mifune's pupils constricted, and he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly: "Could it be...!"

The wind and snow intensified, and Kibutsuji's deep gaze returned to focus on Zatoichi's face on the lower right peak, a smile of approval appearing on his lips:

"Human swordsman, you are very perceptive. Apart from those who knew my secrets from the beginning, you are the first person to see through the secret of the Heavenly Sword before even exchanging blows..."

Yes, the way the Otsutsuki wields the Heavenly Sword is the same as how humans control the Tailed Beasts: they 'seal' the Heavenly Sword within their bodies!

Therefore, the master of the Heavenly Sword is actually equivalent to the 'sheath' of the Heavenly Sword!

Gui Muzan is the ninth 'sheath' of the Heavenly Sword. After the Heavenly Sword's creator, 'Zobi Chiyou,' fell from grace, each of its sword masters had to adopt the name 'You' in order to gain the Heavenly Sword's recognition. Therefore, Gui Muzan's other name is Sword Nine You!

Mifune: "Sealing the sword within one's body, no wonder, according to legend, the lifespan of the Heavenly Sword Masters throughout the ages was no more than a thousand years."

Zatoichi: "Choosing to inherit the Heavenly Sword means giving up immortality. Therefore, every owner of the Heavenly Sword is a 'sword fanatic' who values ​​the sword more than life!"

"To challenge the strongest sword is truly a swordsman's instinct!"

Mifune leaped up from the lower left peak, holding a sword in both hands, raising it high above his head. The aura of the Yellow Springs emanated from the sword, transforming into a fierce and malevolent image in the void behind Mifune!

—Zobi Chi Liu o Netherworld Demon Slayer!

Swish!

The blade slashed down, but its sharpness was blocked by the dark sword aura emanating from Oni Mutsuji's body!

Mifune: "What?"

Looking at the illusory figure behind Mifune, Oni Mutsuji said calmly, "The personal swordsmanship of the Zobi clan, huh? When drawing the sword, it can summon a powerful sword spirit to enhance it. It's a pity that you and your sword spirit are not strong enough..."

With a flick of his finger, an illusory arm of unknown origin extended from the dark void, and the knife in his hand slit the neck of the 'sword spirit' behind Mifune!

It should be noted that the level of the sword spirit used by Mifune was no less than that of the 'Shinigami' with the Reaper Death Seal, yet it was wiped out in one blow!

"Oops……!"

Sensing something was wrong, Mifune tried to break free, but his body was held in place by an invisible force!

"I can't move...!!!"

*Crackling sound*...!!

A powerful slash broke through the restraints!

Thump... Mifune braced himself with his sword, kneeling on one knee, cold sweat streaming down his face: "Huff, huff, huff... Teacher, thank you!"

It turns out that what just happened was merely a clash of 'sword intent'!

"Hmm, not bad, worth testing the sword..."

Gui Wuzan smiled calmly and stood up from the solitary peak, unhurried and unhurried.

On the lower peak, Zatoichi and Mifune each held a sword, as if facing a formidable enemy!

The duel of the strongest swordsmen is about to begin!

Chapter 1101 A Battle Between Heaven and Earth, Absurd and Unbelievable

Behind Oni Mutsuji, a wheel resembling a sundial appeared, with markings on its front.

Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai!

Each scale mark corresponds to a slot in which a 'sword hilt' of varying length is embedded!

hum!

The mark '子' lit up, unlocking the longest sword hilt, which flew into Oni Muzan's hand!

As the roulette wheel appeared, several floating fragments assembled into a 'blade' that was much shorter than the handle!

Mifune: "A naginata? So that's the true form of the Heavenly Sword!"

Zatoichi: "Perhaps that's just one aspect of its true nature..."

Oni Mutsuji stood there, gripping his sword.

"That's right, or more accurately, this is..."

—Heavenly Sword, Sub-Sword, Empty Wheel, Unenchanted, Naginata Form!

Mifune shook his head: "Too flashy. The purpose of a sword is to kill the enemy as quickly as possible. Anything else is useless!"

Oni Mutsuji smiled faintly: "What you're talking about is a sword for killing, and also a branch of swordsmanship. But I'm not interested in killing. I'm only interested in the ultimate principles of swordsmanship. To be honest, I have absolutely no interest in the outcome of this war between you humans and my race, or whether our race survives or perishes..."

Mifune asked incredulously, "What...did you say?"

Oni Mutsuji said, "Ah, of course I'm serious. It's been a long time since I've met anyone I can spar with in swordsmanship, so it's really great that you guys were able to fight your way up!"

Mifune was dumbfounded: He was serious! This person had no sense of racial belonging, and didn't even have a sense of right and wrong. Was he really a 'sword fanatic' as rumored?

With a smile, Oni Mutsuji said, "So, you two, please discuss the Dao with me using swords. If you bore me, I will kill you both!"

"What composure a person in a position of power possesses!"

Mifune sheathed his hilt and assumed a drawing stance.

Oni Mutsuji values ​​the Way over killing, so his first move will certainly not be a killing blow. Although discussing the Way with a high-ranking swordsman is a rare opportunity, our mission here is to fight, not to learn from him. Therefore, the way to win is to take advantage of his moment of carelessness, cooperate with Master Zatoichi, and catch him off guard.

This really goes against my Bushido spirit, but when it comes to the greater good, I can't afford to be coy!

"Having met Mifune, a samurai from the Moon Kingdom, I've come to learn from your esteemed skills!!"

chap!

The instant the sword was drawn, Mifune's hundred sword intents materialized and appeared in the surrounding void, drawing their swords simultaneously!

——Hyakki-ryu·Iai!

A hundred powerful and unparalleled slashes combined to annihilate Oni Muzan!

"The Iaijutsu, combined with the sword intent incarnation, leaves the opponent no room to dodge. Unfortunately, the sword intent is too scattered, resulting in insufficient cutting power..."

With a flick of his wrist, Oni Mutsuji unleashed a white, arc-shaped blade of light that instantly neutralized all the attacks and shattered all of Mifune's sword intent avatars!

clang……!

Mifune himself braced his hand against the back of the sword, desperately blocking the aftershocks. He staggered back three steps, barely managing to regain his footing, feeling his blood churning throughout his body!

"Hmm, the force of his casual slash is so terrifying. Is this the strongest?"

Zatoichi-sensei!!!

clear!!

Two of the strongest human swordsmen, without needing to exchange words, can understand each other's thoughts!

Before Oni Mutsuji could even retract his casual strike, Zatoichi vanished from his spot!