Forging, also known as Tanren, is an important process in making Japanese swords. Tamahagane, steel made from iron sand… is hammered thin, folded, and hammered again… to strengthen it and establish the right carbon content… through Tanren and other highly skilled processes. The lump of steel… is transformed into a beautiful, strong katana.

Both of them suffered great wounds and were exhausted from battling. Both deepened their understanding of the sacred blades. And at this point in time, they intuitively sensed the time limit of the swords’ ultimate attacks. They just happened to coincide. The battle would last a mere moment.