The Genius Swordsman

15 years ago...

“Mr. Kenji! Our factory in Chiba was attacked by people who claim to be from "The Covenant". They demanded that we shut down the factory, or they'd destroy it. What should we do, Sir?” one of Kenji’s men asked.

'"The Covenant"? I feel like I’ve heard that name before,' Kenji thought.

“I’ll go there tomorrow. Tell them that "The Think" will come to meet them,” Kenji said in a firm, cold voice.

“Yes, Sir. I’ll wait for your arrival.”

That night, Kenji left America and headed for Japan.

The next morning...

He arrived in Chiba Prefecture and immediately went to inspect his factory, which had been vandalized by "The Covenant".

“Mr. Kenji, you finally arrived. They said they'd come back this afternoon and force their way inside to destroy everything in the factory if we don’t shut it down," one of Kenji’s men said.

“Don’t be afraid. I won’t let them go any further. They need to know who they’re dealing with!”

A few hours later...

“Mr. Kenji... They’re here!” one of his men shouted.

"The Brothers", the two blind brothers, arrived with several of their men and entered the factory to meet Kenji.

Step... Step...

Kenji walked toward them.

“What do you want?”

“"The Think"... I’ve heard that your name is quite famous in Japan,” Masanobu said.

“Good. Then I don’t need to introduce myself to you,” Kenji replied calmly.

“Heh. How arrogant. Do you think your nickname alone is enough to scare us?! Don’t make me laugh!” Nobuyuki shouted.

Kenji gave a faint smile.

“I never said that. But the uneasiness in your hearts has already told me that you’re afraid just from hearing my name."

“We should just kill him now, Brother,” Nobuyuki said.

“Wait, Nobuyuki...”

Masanobu took a short breath.

“I could kill you without hesitation, but Lord Suyou has given you a chance to join "The Covenant". Your business will be safe, and we won’t have to go through the trouble of cleaning up your corpse. What do you say?” Masanobu asked with a smile.

Kenji gave a faint smile and slowly walked toward the two brothers.

“How about this... You two go home and tell your master that I refuse his offer. Or, there’s a second option: give me his address. I’ll kill both of you right here and send your corpses to him. How does that sound?” Kenji replied in a calm but deep voice.

“You bastard!” Nobuyuki shouted.

“Very well. It seems I have no choice but to force you, "The Think"."

Kenji glanced at one of his men.

His subordinate immediately threw Kenji’s sword toward him.

Kenji caught the sword and tucked it into his belt.

“If you’re ready... Let’s begin!”

He immediately took a fighting stance, ready to attack.

Masanobu and Nobuyuki stood side by side in the middle of the room.

Both of them gripped their katanas with both hands.

They couldn't see.

But their hearing and instincts had been trained for years.

Shing!

Both katanas were drawn almost simultaneously.

Kenji stood several meters in front of them.

His expression was serious.

There was no smile.

Not even the slightest hint of hesitation.

Masanobu immediately charged forward.

Swish!

A horizontal slash aimed at Kenji’s neck.

Kenji simply tilted his head.

The blade passed only a few centimeters from his face.

In the same motion...

Clang!

Kenji’s katana struck the side of Masanobu’s blade.

The direction of the attack changed.

Masanobu lost his balance.

Kenji immediately spun around.

Slash!

The tip of his blade grazed Masanobu’s shoulder.

“Arrggh!”

Masanobu staggered back several steps.

But Nobuyuki continued his attack.

Swish!

A slash came from behind.

Kenji lowered his body.

Nobuyuki’s sword passed directly over his head.

Kenji then stepped forward, entering Nobuyuki’s striking range.

Bam!

Kenji’s elbow slammed into Nobuyuki’s stomach.

His body bent forward.

Before Nobuyuki could recover...

Clang!

Kenji knocked his katana aside.

Slash!

A thin cut appeared on Nobuyuki’s arm.

Nobuyuki staggered backward.

Masanobu attacked again.

This time, his movements were faster.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three consecutive slashes.

Kenji read every one of his attacks.

One step to the left.

One step to the right.

He ducked.

He spun.

Every one of Masanobu’s attacks cut through nothing but air.

Then...

Clang!

Kenji launched a counterattack.

The two katanas collided with tremendous force.

Masanobu’s blade was knocked off course.

Kenji immediately took advantage of the opening.

Slash!

A deep wound opened along Masanobu’s side.

Masanobu staggered.

Nobuyuki heard the sound and immediately attacked from another direction.

But Kenji had already predicted it.

He turned around with incredible speed.

Clang!

Nobuyuki’s katana was successfully deflected.

Kenji then twisted his wrist.

Crack!

Nobuyuki’s katana was sent flying several meters away.

Nobuyuki froze.

Masanobu also stopped.

For the first time, the two brothers realized something.

They weren't facing an ordinary swordsman.

Kenji wasn't simply faster than them.

He could read their movements.

Every step.

Every change in their breathing.

Every direction of sound.

Even their intentions before they attacked.

Kenji stood upright and lowered his katana.

Masanobu held his injured shoulder.

Nobuyuki retrieved his katana, but his body was already covered with several minor wounds.

Neither of them was capable of continuing the fight.

Nobuyuki gritted his teeth.

“You bastard! You’ll regret this! Just wait for our revenge, "The Think"!”

Kenji stared at them coldly.

“I've never been afraid of empty threats from cowards like you.”

He returned his katana to its sheath.

Clack!

“Leave. And never come back here again.”

Masanobu and Nobuyuki remained silent for a few moments.

Then, they turned around and left with their men.

Kenji remained standing where he was.

His expression was still serious.

There was no sign of victory on his face.

To him, the fight had already been over before the two brothers even realized it.