Shoryu

Like Jin, Ukon was born into a samurai lineage. He trained under Zuikou and became one of his most valued disciples. The province's daimyo sent Ukon on a voyage, but his ship suffered a disaster and capsized. Somehow, he washed ashore in China. There, he encountered a "mysterious martial art" called Hakkei and studied it vigorously under Shaolin monks. He returned to Japan as a changed man under the name Shouryuu, having become so different that he had no qualms about killing a fellow student to demonstrate his newfound power. Zuikou expelled him, but Shouryuu had the last laugh. Shouryuu wandered the continent searching for a new master, but no one would take him, labeling him a heretic. He became embittered, feeling his greatness deserved acknowledgement. He began murdering renowned samurai for sport, while also hoping to find a worthy opponent. The "street killer" myth was built around him. His latest victim would have been Mugen, who, despite being far superior to most of Shouryuu's opponents and having trained intensively for the fight, had little chance of winning outright. After an intense fight, both Mugen and Shoryu knock the swords out of each other's hands. When Shoryu attempts to engage Mugen in hand-to-hand combat, Mugen defeats Shouryuu by pulling out a tanto at the end of his scabbard as a trump card, and kills Shoryu with it.
Mugen's battle with Shouryuu characterizes the uniqueness of his free-for-all fighting style, which he calls "champuru kendo," swiping bits and pieces from all forms of martial arts thrown at him, as he was seemingly able to mimic and use Shouryuu's chi technique to his own advantage, likely picked up in their first duel. This battle marks the first time Mugen ever faced an opponent he was unsure of defeating, as stated by Jin.
Next to Kariya Kagetoki and Sara, Shouryuu is easily one of the most powerful fighters in the Champloo universe. His stance and fighting style are markedly Shaolin. His discipline, Hakkei, makes use of chi. It is unknown if Shouryuu employs chi to strengthen his defenses, but he certainly uses it to greatly augment his offensive prowess. Already as quick as Mugen, if not quicker, he is able to project chi at a distance or even channel it through his sword. Furthermore, one blow from his palm is a fatal death touch.