Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the forest path.
Ijiri Matabei Yoshitoshi stood quietly in the center of the path, his resolute silhouette outlined by the morning light. His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept over the surrounding terrain. The long sword in his hand trembled slightly as if fused with his very being, ready at a moment's notice to meet any sudden challenge.
Just then, the faint sound of approaching footsteps broke the tranquility of the woods.
Chapter 1572