Bamboo Sword Heart's vacant gaze sharpened at the sound of the command.

Its right hand didn't lift; it simply spread open, and a bamboo sword extended downward from its palm. This scene surprised Hazama Michio, but then he became resigned to it.

If a bamboo sword could turn into a person, then it seemed reasonable that a person transformed from a bamboo sword could produce another bamboo sword.

He adjusted his breathing and took the correct iaido stance.

Among all styles, iaido is known for its incredibly swift sword-drawing technique.

It is also one of the most dangerous schools of Sword Dao.

Iaido emphasizes extremity above all other Sword Dao.

And Hazama Michio liked the extreme, so he was a master of iaido.

He greatly enjoyed the moment of drawing his sword to slay an enemy in an instant.

Bamboo Sword Heart didn't make him wait too long, charging forward with a push of its feet.

When it got within striking distance for iaido, Hazama Michio made his move, tilting the scabbard down before drawing the First Generation Onitsugu from within.

It was as natural as water flowing down a mountain.

The blade seemed to flow out of the sheath.

The edge of the sword traced a perfect arc in the air.

Whether from an outsider's perspective or from Hazama Michio's viewpoint, this sword strike could be described as art.

The flowing water iaido could be said to be a style Hazama Michio himself had created. This seemingly simple action contained profound skill.

Every aspect, from the exertion of force to the angle of the drawn sword, was calculated precisely.

A normal person would be killed by such a strike.

But Bamboo Sword Heart was clearly not a normal person, a fact Hazama Michio learned as soon as his blade touched its body.

That body, which seemed no different from a human's on the surface, was essentially still made of bamboo sword material.

As the blade tore through, only splintered bamboo flew, and no blood spurted out—it was exactly like cutting into a bamboo sword.

Hazama Michio's blade cut upwards from below, cleaving all the way to the heart area.

A normal person would already be dead from such a wound.

But Bamboo Sword Heart was unscathed, its own bamboo sword striking straight at Hazama Michio's face.

He quickly withdrew his sword and dodged swiftly.

Movement was also crucial in Sword Dao to avoid letting the opponent score.

"This is cheating," Hazama Michio complained, his eyes bright and intense, showing no sign of discouragement.

Bamboo Sword Heart pressed in again. This time, another bamboo sword emerged from its other hand, striking downwards from both left and right.

Hazama Michio wasn't panicking at all. He sidestepped to the right, his blade slicing through the bamboo sword.

But the severed bamboo sword didn't stop its attack due to distance; a new bamboo sword suddenly extended from the broken end, surprising Hazama Michio and giving him no time to dodge.

The new bamboo sword hit Hazama Michio's nose directly.

The pain from that moment almost brought tears to his eyes.

He quickly stepped back to create some distance.

Bamboo Sword Heart advanced.

Hazama Michio aimed for its weakness. He bent down and struck Bamboo Sword Heart at the waist. Instead of following the previous cut upwards, he attempted to slice Bamboo Sword Heart in half at the waist with a sideways strike.

Bamboo Sword Heart lifted its foot.

Another bamboo sword extended from its foot, stabbing towards Hazama Michio's vulnerable area below.

Forced to abort his attack, he had to sidestep to evade.

He was made of flesh and blood, unlike Bamboo Sword Heart.

Any hit could put him at a severe disadvantage in subsequent maneuvers.

…

Aozawa, observing the scene, confirmed his thoughts.

A bamboo sword awakened to life could not transform into a master swordsman; it could only exert the power of a bamboo sword.

If there was anything troublesome, it was their fearless nature and their ability to take potentially fatal hits and still be fine.

These characteristics were also evident from their encounters with vans and handguns.

One-on-one, relying solely on a bamboo sword wouldn't be enough to defeat the opponent.

Aozawa picked up another bamboo sword and continued the awakening, producing Sword Heart No.2, Sword Heart No.3, Sword Heart No.4… Sword Heart No.13.

His Ability to awaken reached its limit; the remaining bamboo sword couldn't be awakened.

Aozawa straightened up and commanded, "Kill him."

Hazama Michio, barely having a moment to rejoice after decapitating Sword Heart No.1, was immediately faced with enemies identical to the first.

"Hey, this is cheating!" Hazama Michio shouted, a trace of urgency finally creeping into his heart.

In Sword Dao, momentum is of utmost importance, followed by technique.

Intimidating an enemy with one's aura could make even a hundred-man kill an easy feat.

Conversely, if momentum is ineffective and there are many opponents, even a master swordsman can be put in peril.

The Bamboo Sword Hearts were unaffected by momentum.

They were fearless and undaunted, immune to intimidation, their bodies as hard as bamboo swords.

Hazama Michio knew he couldn't approach these bamboo sword people the same way he treated his students.

He had to adopt a hit-and-run strategy, maintaining distance and waiting for the group of bamboo sword people to reveal an opening before picking them off one by one.

It had been some time since he last employed such tactics.

The last time was in Inada City, dealing with a gang of Yakuza.

In such a remote place, the Yakuza couldn't buy firearms, so they resorted to knives and clubs.

He roamed within a building, slaying thirty Yakuza members.

Since he was working for another organization, that incident was perfectly covered up.

He remembered the excitement that surged within him at that time.

Now, facing a group of people transformed from bamboo swords.

That thrill was becoming even more intense, spreading from his chest to his limbs, making every finger palpably excited.

He ran, and the Bamboo Sword Hearts began to encircle and pursue him.

Just as they scattered, Hazama Michio seized his opportunity. He turned to face them head-on. He didn't aim for the torso or any other part of the body but chose the most direct approach: beheading.

Hazama Michio's quick, short steps hurried forward, his hands gripping the sword as he swung upwards with all his might.

In that instant, the blade's edge under the light looked like a painter's white line, drawn perfectly straight in the air.

Sword Heart No.3's head flew off. It didn't regrow this time but instead turned into a broken bamboo sword that fell to the ground.

Sword Heart No.4 lunged forward directly.

This move had nothing to do with Sword Dao whatsoever.

The awakened bamboo swords adopted a combat style focused on practicality; it could also be described as instinctive.

Their only concern was to carry out Aozawa's orders; the means were irrelevant.

Hazama Michio quickly dodged the lunge.

The blade turned again in mid-air, tracing a beautiful arc of light as it beheaded No.4. The movement appeared fluid, but it actually left Hazama Michio sweating coldly in fear.

Being struck by an enemy at this moment would have been fatal!

Several bamboo swords lashed at his back.

Hazama Michio, detecting the sound of the wind, sprinted forward quickly.

It was an instinctual response.

But time was too short; he had forgotten that the bamboo sword people's bamboo swords could extend.

The attack he thought he had avoided hit him hard in the back after the bamboo sword extended.

The strong sensation of being pushed sent Hazama Michio stumbling forward two more steps.

At this moment, Sword Heart No.6 pounced from an angle.

He couldn't dodge in time and quickly turned with a side slash, striking Sword Heart No.6's neck, but not cutting through.

No.6 grabbed the blade with both hands, his face with the cross-shaped scar revealing a hint of a smile.

Damn it! Hazama Michio's heart lurched as he tried to pull his sword free.

A flurry of bamboo swords came crashing down on him.

Hits to the head and hands were still manageable.

But what Hazama Michio found unbearable was a bamboo sword striking him hard on the back of his head.

This was a vital spot.

Struck with the strength of a normal person on other body parts, it would have been painful at most.

If hit on the back of the head, it could easily kill a person on the spot.

Sometimes, humans are just that fragile.

Hazama Michio's mind went blank, his body stiffening.

The Bamboo Sword Hearts wouldn't miss this opportunity, continuing to beat him relentlessly with their bamboo swords.

One of the bamboo swords struck his left eye, and the severe pain nearly crippled it.

It also snapped Hazama Michio out of his daze.

He frantically drew the First Generation Onitsugu, but his legs were grabbed by No.7 and No.8.

His escape was cut off.

Before he could swing his sword, No.10 and No.9 grappled his arms from the left and right.

Several bamboo swords struck his head, and another was thrust viciously at his groin.

Intense pain caused Hazama Michio to roar, "Ah!"

The Bamboo Sword Hearts had a hint of a smile on their faces, as if they were about to accomplish their mission, continuing to swing their bamboo swords, attacking Hazama Michio's weak points.

Hitting the eyes, stabbing the throat, beating the back of the head, poking below.

The successive attacks left Hazama Michio defenseless, and he roared, "Dio, if you're so great, fight me one-on-one!"

Aozawa leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You think you're a good fighter?" he said.

"In this world, it's all about Superpowers.

"Someone like you, who can only fight, is useless."

He had no intention of facing Hazama Michio in a duel.

"Are you afraid?" Hazama Michio tried to provoke him.

He wasn't afraid to die. But it was frustrating to encounter a Superpower User and not be able to battle him, instead dying at the hands of a group of people transformed from bamboo swords.

This was not the exit I had envisioned.

In my imagination, I should have fought a powerful enemy, then faded away like withering cherry blossoms, not been beaten to death by a mob of bamboo sword people.

Such a departure was shameful!

The expression on Aozawa's face remained unchanged. Reverse psychology only works when one regards the opponent as a contender.

He never considered Hazama Michio a contender, so naturally, the taunt had no effect. He just watched from the side, a hint of lament forming in his thoughts.

No matter how good one's Sword Dao is, if you encounter a group of fearless and desperate individuals, it's all for naught.

"Dio!" Hazama Michio cried out with all his might, seeking an opportunity for an honorable duel with Dio before his death.

I truly can't bear to die at the hands of these humans transformed from bamboo swords!

At least let Dio finish me personally!

"Fight me!"

As he shouted these words, Sword Heart No.13 stuffed his mouth with a bamboo sword, as if trying to skewer his head.

It caused his tongue to burn with agonizing pain.

Under the continuous assault from the Sword Hearts, Hazama Michio could no longer hold on, and his vision plunged into darkness.

He passed out.

The Bamboo Sword Hearts faithfully executed Aozawa's orders, beating him until he was dead before stopping.

Upon realizing Hazama Michio's death, Aozawa lifted the Superpower imposed on the bamboo swords and used Schrodinger's Cat.

His body gradually became translucent, leaving the Sword Dojo.