'To Hachinokuni ...... This is the first time I've heard of it.
That's funny, because so am I.

　The name of a country that neither Yukari nor I have ever heard of. It was very suspicious indeed.
　But the faces of the men in kimono in front of me were quite serious.

　...... Hmmm, I'm curious. I'm going to ask them directly.

''Hey, is this the birthplace of the Battoujutsu?''
'Left-sama. Battoujutsu was born and flourished in this land!
No, it's not thriving on the mainland at all.
What's the norm?
'No, they say it's obvious: ......
"I have no need to speak to you strangers!

　It's no good, these guys can't talk.

　While I was saying that, the men were coming towards me with their hands on the swords of their hips.

　You can't ask any questions, right?


It's a good idea to have a good time," he said.

　I stepped forward as I said it, and the men opened their mouths, unmoving.


'Don't think the same move will work twice!
We are samurai!　It is our duty to defend this land!
"In the name of the Daikoku School, I will avenge you all!"

　Hey, wait a minute.
　You don't have to say a bunch of intriguing words when it's time to start a war.



You're done.


　Immediately after.

　Suddenly, from behind the men, a voice called out to them.
　It's a young woman's voice.


"...... you!
The Kabuto style!
We don't need a distraction!

　As soon as the men turned around and looked at the woman, they were hostile.
　The woman, on the other hand, has a dignified expression on her face.

They are my guests. They are my guests and I wish them no harm.
What do you mean?　Obviously, you're an outsider!
Shut up, servant. Or are you going to sit here and say so?
"......-......!

　A brief standoff ensued ...... and then the men quietly removed their hands from their swords.


"Remember, Akaneko.
I'll let Master Tokichiro know about this.
Yeah, I'd say you're harboring a bunch of strangers.

　We each spit out a discarded line and leave the port.

　The three people left in place were me, Yukari and the girl called Akaneko.


'Saved.'

　After thanking her in passing, Akaneko spun around. Her long, slender black hair tied into a ponytail danced softly in the wind.

''Don't get me wrong. You're not going to be able to get a good deal more than you think. Now, leave this land immediately.

　It's an unapproachable way to say it.
　I think about what to do and decide to ask a question to get the conversation started anyway.

"Who's Toukichiro?
I don't need to know.
What's the Daikoku-ryu or Kabobashi-ryu?
He wants us to go home.
What kind of a samurai are you talking about?
f*ck you. You're out of here.

　It's not good ...... and I was about to give up when Yukari next to me opened her mouth.

'We can expect that Daikoku-ryu and Kabobashi-ryu are the schools of Battoujutsu (...) in this sword hainokuni. Also, someone named Toukichirou, whom the men said they would report to. From the way he said it, he is probably the head of that Daikoku school.

　School of [Battoujutsu]!　I see, it was a blind spot. I see... School. When the game becomes reality, such an environment is created. Mevion only had gagging schools like 'Okan Style', so I couldn't imagine it.


'And the existence of samurai. There are several schools in this Sword Eight Nation, and I believe that only by training in the art of battling swords as a student of these schools will one be able to handle a sword.　After rigorous training, those who are allowed to handle a sword are called samurai. Hence, they are not allowed to leave the island. It's not possible for the art of battling the sword to be transmitted outside the island, and the techniques are kept secret except from the students of each school. In other words, it's a very closed island ...... and that's what I surmised.


　-- Instantly, Akaneko's expression freezes.


''Oh, right, ...... has been made known.

That was just my guess, but I'm afraid you have to answer that question at the wrong time, don't you?

Then we can't let you stay alive.


"--Huh!


　Fast.
　The fast movement and the iai that was right in front of me in the blink of an eye, just like a flash of light.

　As soon as Akaneko finished speaking, she unleashed the 《Katsura Battoujutsu》.
　From a completely normal state, with no killing intent or anything, not even any preliminary movements at all.

　He prepared himself, cut the carp's mouth, activated the skill, and pulled it out. The skill to do all of this in an instant was truly that of a master.


''Na......!''

　He must have had a lot of confidence in himself.
　In fact, he's quite good. She has reached the level of a title contestant in this world (...).

　That's why she broke her dignified face and showed a look of astonishment.


'It's a good sword. Do you take care of it every day?
"What did you say ...... no, what did you do!

　She's knocked back (・・・・・・) and she's screaming.

　Well, that would be hard to accept. She's been prevented from doing her best iai by a mere plate (...).
　No, I have a feeling she hasn't even noticed it yet. Maybe she thinks I did something empty-handed (...) and mistakenly thinks so.

　In the time between the time she took a stance, cut the carp mouth, activated 《Katsura Battoujutsu》, pulled it out and slashed at me, I took the plate out of my inventory, equipped it, activated 《Infantry Shield Technique》, eyeballed the timing for 0.037 seconds, parried it, removed the plate from my equipment and put it away in my inventory.

　She didn't understand it instantly. It was just that.


'I changed my mind.'

　I mutter to no one.

　Originally, I crossed over to this sword eight island (to Hachitou) in order to get the sword. Once you're here, you can come and go as much as you like by summoning a transition. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　...... That's it. The people of this island, in a good way (・・・・・), betrayed my expectations.

　A school exists in the mere skill of [Battoujutsu]?　Those who carry a sword and handle [Battoujutsu] are called samurai?　Secret technology out of the gate?　A closed island nation?

　It's really, really interesting, isn't it?

　And what's more, she's an Akaneko, quite young by the looks of it.
　She looks quite young, maybe 17 years old. How could such a girl be so strong?

　And for the sole purpose of "keeping the information on the island from getting out," she tried to cut down a man and woman she didn't know (・・・・・・) at a moment's notice. And that's without any hesitation whatsoever.

　How did they grow up this way?

　Obviously a bizarre environment. An alien culture.


'...... you, why are you smiling ......?'

　Oops, I think I had a grin on my face.

　But the corners of my mouth are up and not back up. Because I can sense the smell of a strong man and my heart is still pounding with this.


'Master,'
I'm sorry, but I think I'm going to have to come back here for a while.
...... It can't be helped. Well, we always do.
I'm sorry.

　I said a few words of refusal to Yukari and turned to Akaneko, breaking the silence.

'Akaneko. Show me around the island.
What a stupid thing to do.
I'm serious. I came to this island to learn the art of sword fighting.
............

　Akaneko closed her mouth and showed a posture of thought.
　However, its expression was still bitter.

　Should I go a little, forcefully here?

'Anyway, Kabobashi style?　I'd like to check out the dojo of...
No, don't be ridiculous. If you have listened to the woman's reasoning, you will understand. We can't let Master Kensin know that I've led you to this island. If you leave here without saying a word, nothing will happen to you.
Kensin?
...... Iemoto of the Kabobashi School. He is my father. Can you tell him if I say Kensin Bishamon?
Wow!

　The current Bishamon. The titleholder.

So your father is the strongest samurai on the island?
"It's hard to say. But it is in fact the strongest.
Wow!

　It's an unexpected meeting. My expectations are gradually rising.

I'd like to see them even more. But first, you have to learn the art of sword fighting: ......
Joke. It's not going to be that easy to remember.

　Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I got a bite. I think I've got a good opening for a negotiation.

Yes, that's right. Or at least a sword.
...... you, hello?
Yeah, I know. Iron sand, steel jade, sword. And all the ways to learn the art of battling the sword.
............ I knew I'd have to kill it here.
Wait for it. Come on, sweetheart.

Yes, my Lord. Anko here.

!


　I surreptitiously summoned the Demon and made Anko appear from behind Akaneko.

　Akaneko's eyes widened and her body stiffened. It's a common sight. The first time anyone sees anko is like this. Biologically and instinctively, a moment later, they subconsciously realize that they are no match for this demon, and every cell is frightened.


'Take Yukari home, please.'
As you wish.

　When I gave Anko instructions, she bowed with a smile on her face and disappeared with Yukari.
　Where in the world did she disappear to? Akaneko will wonder desperately, but there will be no answer.

"Look, I've escaped. The stranger who found out the secret. What are you going to do?
...... No. It doesn't mean he's escaped yet. There must be some kind of magic trick.
No, he's gone. He's off the island. They won't get him. And I'm gonna run.
............ stupid.
When I get back to the mainland, yes. I'll show you how to make a sword, for starters. Add to that the Akaneko-san of the Kabobashi school taught me how to make a sword.
You!　You know what happens if you do something like that!

　Well, the Akaneko will be divided into eight parts of the island, not eight parts of the village. If it's not done well, they'll be killed.

　But here's the thing.

"Wanna place a bet?
You're threatening me.
No. It's a request in a way.
Let's go to ...... and apply.
'A week from today, I will learn all the battling techniques. So lend me your sword.

　It's a short term game. Since we came to the island, we can collect iron sand whenever we want. In that case, they are aiming to make the time even shorter.
　It's a good idea to learn all the skills of the "Battoujutsu" by equipping someone else's sword.

You must not. There is no guarantee that you will return.
'If you lend me your sword, I'll leave you with something I value as much as that sword you value.
...... that arrow.
The arrow is called Kizuna-no-ya. It's a bow that can be used to fire an unlimited number of arrows. It's my treasure, which I acquired when I healed Alfred the archer's blind eye.
............


　You're lost, Akineko.
　Of course you'll be lost. To be honest, an arrow that shoots endlessly is worth many times more than a sword.

　Plus, it's a gamble. She surely believes that it's impossible to learn all the [Battoujutsu] skills in a week.

　Especially the [Dragon Horse Battou Technique] and the [Dragon King Battou Technique]. These two learning methods are a different kind of hassle than the Dragon Horse and Dragon King in other skills.

　The "Shortcut Technique" was developed by tens of thousands of players who shared a vast amount of information, trial after trial, and study after study to find the best way to reduce the time and hassle. It's called ......, which is just that.

　If you don't know, there is no way to know. It is impossible to imagine. It's nearly impossible for one person to reach the culmination of knowledge accumulated by tens of thousands of people working together.


The ...... bet is.

　See, I've caught it.
　The Akaneko looks slightly exasperated, prompting me to say something.

'If I can learn them all in a week, you will show me the island. If I don't, I'll be your slave until the day I die.
...... slave, not bad. It's cold this time of year, so let's have my footwear warmed in your bosom.
I hope you're ready to wear a miniskirt, too?
How could it be?
Tour guides are marketed as mini-skirts.
Absolutely, you're a skeleton man. ......

　Akaneko was dumbfounded, but held out the sword at her waist to me.
　We exchange swords with Kizunaoya and face each other again.

''Well, in a week. I'll meet you here again at this time.
I understand. I want to see the look on your face when you come to me.
I've had this look on my face.
"Nuh-uh, stop it!　You made me laugh!　I mean, what's with that face!
I've got a cat at home who loves to stare at things. I'm working on it every day.
"I don't know what you're talking about!　Now go!
Okay.

　With a fluttering wave of my hand, I send a communication to Yukari requesting a summons.


　At my waist is the sword I borrowed from Akaneko.

　...... Now, it's time to learn [Battoujutsu].