Slash.
Cassie's and Yamamoto's forms blurred past each other in an instant.
It was only one strike, but it was enough for both of them to gauge the other's strength.
Cassie spat blood, her blade slipping from her grasp.
"Damn old man."
Yamamoto, who stood with his back to her, slid his sword into its sheath. "You are strong, young swordswoman."
Unlike most battles, duels between sword wielders, especially those who carried katanas, often followed the one-strike rule.
It was a rule stating that when two unfamiliar swordsmen faced each other in a life-and-death match, they must put everything into a single blow.
Cassie pressed a hand against her bleeding chest, teeth clenched. "You went easy on me."
Yamamoto turned with an unreadable expression. "So? You are still weak. Get stronger, then—"
Before he could finish, Cassie cut him off.
"Bullshit!"
Yamamoto's eyes widened. "What?"
