Shinno casually wiped the blood off his face and once again pounced at Aoto.
This time, Aoto didn't move along the bridge rail. Instead, he leaped back onto the bridge surface... to be precise, after evading another round of Shinno's attacks, he flashed and jumped to Shinno's rear side.
As soon as his feet stabilized, Aoto pivoted on his left foot, spinning like a top, using the momentum to swing his sword upwards towards Shinno's side abdomen in a reverse kesagiri cut.
This strike by Aoto, in terms of angle, timing, and force, was impeccable. But, unfortunately, Shinno dodged it; he jumped back just in time, and the tip of the Ghost-Slaying sword only grazed his clothes.
The overlapping figures separated... Aoto didn't pursue Shinno who had jumped back, and Shinno didn't rush to attack Aoto, who had returned to the bridge.
The exhaustion of their bodies had nearly reached a critical point, and both of them chose, without prior agreement, to "take a breather."
