"Of course I'll tell you. You have been missing for quite some time Do Fan Zhan. We've been watching you. Our spies have kept us informed every six months for the last fifteen years. We've learned more about you over the years, while you've been here in Japan than when you were at the palace in China." – Yan began.
"I'm sure the country has been getting along well with out me. I'm still confused as to how you've been able to find me, since your 'spies' haven't been able to contact you." – Tsugata responded, still holding his sword in a defensive matter.
"In many ways it has been getting along great without you, however, the country isn't the same. The 'British East India Company' has taken over much of the Chinese influence. Hong Kong has now become the center for our country's support. Those of us fighting for the old China are having more problems now than ever before. However, that is not what you should concern yourself with. It is your soul we are after this day. You will pay for the assassination of the prince: Fei Bi Gong!"– Yan was interrupted.
"Get a hold of yourself! I believe the Westerners were, and are still, trying to help. It was you, along with other scum of the Qing dynasty that had the common people in subjection! Your laws and teachings were far too heavy for much of the country to carry. It was you who destroyed my life, my position in the royal court, my family, and my dearest love, Mei Chang!" – Tsugata replied from the heart.
"You took an oath to protect the royal family. In turning traitor and joining the Westerners, you've aided in corrupting our country's leaders. You claimed to protect the peasants, who were and still are trapped in the middle; but you ended up giving them over to the Westerns…aiding in the trade of opium…" – Yan tried to explain, but was interrupted.
"The prince had to die, for he stood in the way of progress and imports. I would have ended the emperor's life also, but upon being discovered, I had to leave. Once I learned your men had murdered my family and Mei Chang, there wasn't anything left in China. So I headed for Japan, and found my home here in the foothills of Omoyaku. This has been the ideal place for me to live, and I've been here for almost forty years." – he concluded.
His emotions had also allowed him to drop his guard some. Yan noticed this, and took the opportunity to test Tsugata's true motives…
"Yes, you have. You have cowered yourself here, trying to elude your own judgment. And here recently, it seems you've gained a new student; or shall I say shield. I see you're teaching her Hiten-Misurugi-Ryu. However, it doesn't surprise me that you would be using such a technique in the short amount of time, since you've been here. You were nothing short of the greatest in various Ninpou arts in China. But to teach it to a woman? You have indeed changed, Do Fan Zhan!" – Yan taunted.
However, Tsugata had a test of his own…
"Yes I have. With the help of 'The 12th Master' of Hiten-Misurugi-Ryu, I was able to progress very well. He was able to pass his knowledge on to but two, who are now masters: me and one other, Hiko Seijuro. Hiko-san has found his student in a young man by the name Himura Kenshin, and I have now given my skilled knowledge to Ajina Shinkara. Now that you have more information than you need, will you finally explain to me how you found me?" – he asked.
Instead of an answer, Yan replied with his weapon. With unbelievable quickness, he lessened the space between them. Even though Tsugata took a hefty step back, the swing of the Yan's sword removed some of his hair.
Quickly, he replied with a block of his sword. They danced like this for several minutes, until one of Yan's men threw a fistful of stars. With a circular motion of his sword, Tsugata was able to divert the stars back toward the men, killing four in the process.
"ENOUGH! I want to know what led you in finding me here!" – Tsugata demanded.
"Command the wench to approach us. She should hear this as well." – Yan requested.
'Oh no! He didn't!' – Tsugata silently realized; however with his plan coming to fruition, he released a silent smirk. Turning his attention over to Shinkara, who was hiding behind the left of the house, he commanded: "Shinkara! Approach!" – even though her legs felt as if they were made of steel, she obeyed without hesitation.
'I wonder what could be happening. I'm only gathering bits and pieces of what their talking about; and now this Yan guy wants me? What on earth for? I'm not a part of this!' – she stood thinking, however taking her stand beside her sensei.
He looked her square in her eyes, and gave a slight movement of his left eye. She quickly understood, preparing herself for a possible battle.
"I suggest that you find your place in life, girl. Women's place is at the home, serving her man upon his return, not out learning swordsmanship. But, as it is, you have no home to go to once this is over." – Yan spoken, with a very odious tone.
Shinkara gave Tsugata a confused look. He responded, "I understand you have been following some of the conversation, yes? Yan and I are from China. He has followed me here to Japan, and has been keeping an eye on me years before I became your sensei. He knows of your grandparents. He's respected you enough in speaking to you in your native tongue, however, I'm afraid you do not want to hear…" – he was cut off, for Shinkara finally understood. She turned her attention to Yan…
"YOU! How could you? You killed them to find us! YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL THEM! PREPARE YOURSELVES!" – she shouted in anger, tears forming in her eyes. Her breathing became hoarse and ragged. She ripped her sword from its sheathe.
"Hahahahahaaa! What a young fool you've trained Do Fan Zhan! How dare she demand that we…?" – the last sentence escaped his lips as his head rolled over near the bonsai bush. His body followed.
"Who's next?" – she questioned, however no one moved. "Well, you can all go to your pathetic graves, carrying your SINS IN SLIENCE!" – she screamed, tears streaming down her face.
With several Hiten-Misurugi-Ryu attacks, she ended up quickly making a jigsaw puzzle of the last of Yen's men.
"Hiten-Misurugi-Ryu Tsui Sen!" – and with that, the last man was split in half.