The young man who walked in was pale, almost unhealthily so, an effect heightened by his dark blue kimono. Blinking owlishly through wire-framed glasses at the scene in front of him, he said softly, "You are in the middle of something. Pardon me." He turned to go, but Mugen had registered the two swords at his belt.
"Hey! Are you one of those so-called bodyguards?" He started towards the samurai and the man drew his sword, swirling gracefully as the Ryukyuan cut at him. For a moment they strove together, then the samurai drew back.
"You've got the wrong man but don't bother waiting for the bodyguards. They're gone."
Mugen's eyes narrowed. "Gone?"
The samurai nodded. "I killed all three."
"Better yet!" Mugen was really starting to enjoy himself. It had been so much fun torturing that bully-now he had the bonus of grappling with someone who might be able to give him a good fight. The little waitress had all but vanished from his mind and he lunged again at the samurai, who countered with so much speed he was barely able to avoid the strike. He dropped to the floor and kicked at the man's legs and the samurai twisted to one side and set himself for another slash as Mugen popped to his feet. He leaped over the blade, landing on a table and bringing up his foot to block another blow. The sword hit the bottom of his geta with shattering force. If they hadn't been shod with steel, Mugen's foot would have been taken clean off.
Neither man noticed Hayashi as he poured a jug of sake on the floor and lit a match. Flames roared up and people ran for the door, dodging the two sword fighters and slapping at sparks. Mugen dropped to the floor and knocked the table over, then leaped over it at the samurai. "I can't imagine a more perfect setting!"
The samurai shook his head. "Aren't you going to run?"
"No, but don't stay on my account." The Ryukyuan gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands, ducking under his opponent's blade and closing in for the kill just as the roof fell in.