Ryizen finds himself in a difficult situation as he is ambushed by one of the train bandits Ajax and his group met before. The bandit reveals himself to be named Ino and tasked to kill everyone in the Battle Royal Death Match.
"Shūnō huh? That's what you named that pathetic excuse of a sword." Ino laughs.
"Hey it's a cursed sword just like you yah moron in that case your swords stupid too!" Ryizen retorts.
"Hey- actually you know what it doesn't matter that you somehow obtained a Cursed Sword. You're gonna die regardless." Ino growls before vanishing from Ryizen's view.
"Damn there goes that stupid technique again. How does he do it? More importantly where the hell did he go?" Ryizen mummers.
Ryizen closes his eyes and tries to concentrate and find where Ino has gone before he gets cut again from across his back this time.
"You're just gonna stand there how boring it'll be easy to kill you this way!" Ino says chuckling.
"Me and easy to kill in the same sentence. Never thought I'd hear it." Ryizen says panting.
"You're a cocky fool if you think you can beat me. Someone who has mastered hundreds of cursed sword techniques." Ino proclaims pointing his sword at Ryizen. "You'll die like everyone else who has stood in the way of this blade." He says grinning.
"He's too fast and too swift to stay on the defensive and going on the offensive is extremely difficult." Ryizen contemplates.
"Goodbye Ryizen, it was fun playing with you," Ino declares as he disappears again.
Ryizen immediately closes his eyes and concentrates.
"Stop focusing on his sounds or his movements. I just need battle sense and reflex. That's it! Reflexes. I'm too used to fighting with armour where I can take a hit or too. But without armor I'm practically begging to get chopped down. So no matter what I'll stay in the offensive!" Ryizen thinks to himself as he opens his eyes grinning.
Ryizen then immediately blocks a strike that would have definitely pierced his neck if he hadn't reacted in time.
"What? How?" Ino says through gritted teeth as he clashes against Ryizen's blade.
"It's simple. I've gained a new mindset. And the old me is gone. The new Ryizen Habimara isn't gonna run or plan ahead. It's not what the curse intended." Ryizen says grinning.
Ryizen clashes and Ino jumps back, retreating.
"What's the matter? Didn't you say I'd be easy to kill?" Ryizen taunts.
"The hell is wrong with this kid. He completely gave up on defending himself. That's practically suicide. He can't be serious. But that block earlier he hadn't done it before and I feel like if I try it again he'll catch on." Ino thinks to himself.
"If you won't attack then be my guess I'll ramp it up for you. Cursed Sword Art: Cursed whip!" Ryizen says as he swings his blade at Ino who barely blocks the attack. However Ryizen sword tip clangs of Ino's sword and grazes his face.
"Damn it sure was a whip. Once I stopped it the snap caused the tip to whip at me. This kid isn't just some wannabe Ronin, he's extremely good!" Ino says to himself looking at Ryizen.
"Fine then have it your way Cursed Sword Arts: Cursed-" Ino starts before looking up and seeing Ryizen no longer in front of him.
"Where the hell did he go?! He didn't run did he?" He mumbles.
"Damn you don't even recognize your own technique, what a shame." Ryizen says from behind Ino.
"Cursed Sword Arts: Cursed Concentration Cut!" Ryizen says as he slashes his sword upwards cutting through Ino's back.
"When the…..how the…. Did he learn a Vervloekte stap!?" Ino thinks to himself as he falls to the ground.
Ryizen sheathes his blade in a swift motion.
"You were difficult. But I thank you. You shattered the old me. So I'm truly grateful." He says as he begins to walk away.
"Hey. Swordsman hold up." Ino coughs as he struggles to try to sit up.
"He can still move with all the damage I just did to his back?!" Ryizen mutters, turning around shocked.
"What could you possibly want?" He spits.
"It's about…..Mister Nagama's plan. If you truly...want to beat him you'll have to do it....before sundown later today." Ino speaks through coughing blood.
"Sundown?" Ryizen exclaims in shock.
"Yes and also. There's more dangerous Ronin here, not just bandits like me. Ronin who also want...Nelazaru Kimmegona's sword. So be careful." Ino says before his eyes start to slowly shut.
"What hold on! What's gonna happen at sundown! Why do we have to win the games by then don't pass out yet!" Ryizen says running over to Ino's body yet it seems to be too late.
"Dammit. What's gonna happen at sundown?" Ryizen sighs as he begins to leave the area.
Across the acres of land Ishida stands above a plethora of fallen bandits.
"That seems to be the last of them. I wonder why there are so many?" He says stomping out the last bandit.
Ishida then proceeds to walk around for a bit before finding a small cottage and what seemed to be a wishing well.
"Hmm, maybe Rumi's in here." Ishida mummers before a bandit flies out of the cottage.
"Or not." He says.
Ishida runs into the cottage only to be met by another bandit.
"Hey, you're that Ishida Crystal guy!" He grins as he turns towards Ishida.
"Oh great shut up dumbass I ain't got time for this Martial Art: Butler Barrage!" Ishida says before rapidly punching the bandit before throwing him out.
"Hey back off I have a gun!" A feminine voice calls out.
"Doesn't quite sound like Rumi." Ishida thinks as he bursts through the door and a girl with a crossbow in her hands looks at Ishida.
"Wait Ishida?" The girl says panically shooting the crossbow but Ishida skillfully parries the crossbow outta her hands before she shoots.
"Rumi! I finally found you! Oh my you don't understand how worried I was looking for you." Ishida says giving her a hug before realizing what he's doing and stepping back. "So what have you been up to Rumi?" he says, clearing his throat.
"Well no thanks to you I got separated! And I've just stayed in this house. Lucky me there were plenty of weapons." Rumi sighs.
"That's great. And you don't seem to be hurt, that's awesome!" Ishida says.
"There's more. All the bandits I've beaten they've dropped info. Important information about Nagama and his plan." Rumi says suddenly serious.
"Did they now?" Ishida says leaning against the wall.
"Nagama plans it does involve making a deal with the Shogunate office. However, members of the Shogunate 9 are gonna be here by sundown." Rumi explains.