C64 Blade Draw!

Despite the circumstances, everyone remained on high alert.

They were, after all, disciples of Chidzuru Koichi. No one could be certain of the extent of their skills.

The group resumed their discussion.

Meanwhile, in the hinterlands of the Grass Country's Daming Mansion...

A waterfall, over ten meters in length, cascaded down with a thunderous roar.

A middle-aged man, clad in a white samurai garb, sat serenely atop a large rock, a katana planted firmly by his side.

Together, the waterfall, the white-clad warrior, and his blade created an extraordinary tableau.

At that moment, a woman dressed in a red kimono approached, followed by four or five individuals adorned with Grass Ninja headbands. They were not ninjas from Grass Village, but rather the elite guards of the Daming Mansion, tasked with the magnate's protection—a status even more prestigious than that of the Grass Ninja.

"Mr. Kawabata, Captain Tanimura is here to report back to you," she said, bowing deeply to the man in white.

Mr. Kawabata remained motionless on the rock, seemingly oblivious to her presence.

The captain-like ninja stepped forward, bowing slightly, and spoke with respect.

"Mr. Kawabata, the challenge has been sent, and the Grass Kage has responded. He will surely arrive in three days!"

He continued, "Rest assured, Mr. Kawabata, the culprit behind Mizunoki's murder has been apprehended. He will face retribution for his crimes."

"The murderer has been found?"

At these words, Mr. Kawabata's eyes snapped open, a piercing gleam shooting forth as he swiftly drew his katana!

In an instant, a streak of sword light surged from Mr. Kawabata, slicing through the air towards the distant waterfall.

"Blade Slash!"

"Mr. Kawabata!"

Tanimura and the others gasped in astonishment as they witnessed a scene they would never forget.

The sword light cleaved the ceaselessly flowing waterfall in two, as if a heavenly barrier had been erected within it, splitting the cascade asunder.

The sword light stretched on for dozens of meters before fading, leaving behind a sight of awe-inspiring grandeur.

"This... This..."

The onlookers were left utterly astounded, their imaginations dwarfed by the spectacle before them.

Little Tian bowed even deeper, his mind utterly astounded.

"Mr. Kawabata's swordsmanship is becoming increasingly formidable!"

Meanwhile, atop the cliff by the waterfall, two figures stood.

One was an elderly man in a white robe, appearing to be in his fifties, dressed in traditional Tang attire. The other, a middle-aged man around thirty, wore the standard garb of a warrior, his figure draped in unassuming gray.

At that moment, they gazed across the cliff at the boundless sea.

Anyone present would recognize the man in white as Hiraga Kodai, the esteemed magnate of Grass Country, the paramount authority overseeing all matters within his domain.

His companion was none other than Chidzuru Koichi, the swordsmanship legend held in the same regard as Hanzou and Mifune.

Together, they seemed more like close friends than anything else.

"Hiraga, do you believe Mr. Kawabata has the strength to confront the Grass Kage?"

Hiraga Kodai posed the question with a detached air.

"It's a close match. But Mr. Kawabata has recently hit a plateau in his cultivation. Breaking through is a personal endeavor. Should he succeed, the Grass Kage would be reduced to a mere laughingstock before him."

Chidzuru Koichi responded with equanimity.

"Really? I do hope he makes that breakthrough. The Grass Kage, as a shadow, has been extending his reach of late, likely emboldened by a surge in his powers, to the point of daring to strike at your disciple."

Hiraga Kodai chuckled.

"Let Mr. Kawabata handle this affair. My duty is to ensure your protection, particularly now, as the Second World War has ended and the major nations are in a period of recovery. It's during such times that smaller countries like ours are most vulnerable to unforeseen events!"

Chidzuru Koichi declared.