Chapter 52: Meeting at the bar

Heishiro's crew had a problem.

One of the crewmen had fallen sick because he had eaten something rotten, so they had to stay on board at the port for a time.

Heishiro knew he had to find Soul Edge as soon as possible, but he wasn't the kind of man who leaves a man behind or forces someone sick to work.

Every night Heishiro went to the bar he had been atwith Maxi. Sometimes one of his crewmen accompanied him, but that day he was sitting alone at the counter.

Suddenly, a hooded man sat beside him.

- Would you like to order, sir? – asked the barman.

- No, thanks.

The hooded man's voice was very soft, but it made Heishiro shudder.

- Is it cold out there or something? – asked Heishiro.

- No. – answered the hooded man, using a tone which would have frightened any other man, but not Heishiro. – In fact, I've come here to talk to you, Heishiro Mitsurugi.

When he realized that man knew his name, Heishiro placed his hand onhis sword's hilt, prepared to unsheathe it. However, the hooded man hurried to say:

- Calm down, I've come in peace.

- Who are you? How do you know my name?

Heishiro was talking in a firm tone, but in such a low voice as to be heard only by the hooded man.

- Do you know Ming Empire is after you? – asked the hooded man.

- Which is not surprising. – claimed Heishiro with a contemptuoussmile. – However, I'm most powerful than half of its army even on my own.

- However, you couldn't prevent a woman from killing your brother on her own in front of you.

That sentence sparked off a chain of events which happened really fast.

Heishiro, furious, unsheathed his sword and tried to attack the mysterious man. However, before he could hit him, the hooded man grabbed his arm and managed to press him against the ground.

Heishiro barely had time to think when he noticed his face was touching the bar's filthy floor tiles, his own sword was over his neck and everyone in the place was looking at him being humiliated by a hooded man.

- Ming Empire, as you know, is also looking for Soul Edge. – said the hooded man without letting Heishiro move. – If you come across them in your quest…you'll reunite with your brother sooner than you think.

Heishiro yelled, as a result of the rage held back inside him.

- Do you want your mother to witness the loss of another one of her be loved?

When he heard that, Heishiro calmed down.

- I just wanted to warn you.

After saying that, the hooded man left the bar, leaving everyone there perplexed.