The appointed time.
　I landed at the port of Touhachino Kuni (Touhachino Kuni) with Anko's transfer summoning.

　I could already see Akaneko's figure there.

' ...... Don't make that face. I won't smile twice.
............
Nuh-uh, I said no!
Okay.

　In a game of chance, I win.

Well, now. Before I give you back your sword, let's prove it.
That's a lot of confidence. How do you prove it?
Now I'm going to show you one by one.

　It's simple.

　I'm going to go into the void and show you how to do it, starting with the infantry battling technique.


　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the world," he said.

　And then, by the time he showed his Dragon King Battoujutsu, Akaneko began to look at him with suspicion.


''What kind of a cheat did you use?
Do you think you can cheat?
'Well, you've been poking fun at me. You actually remembered it all along, didn't you?
No way.
So you are a phantom.
It's more difficult.

Do you think you've learned everything about ......?

　It seems hard to accept.
　But I can't help it, I've actually learned it all.


"f*ck you. You can learn ...... in a week, and you can learn it all in a week.


　--not human.


　Akaneko mumbles softly.

　It's out, the usual monster treatment. When confronted with a fact that I don't understand, the guy is quick to call me a monster and make an "exception". As if to justify that he's not crazy, that he's just crazy.

　Poor guy. If I didn't, I'd have no choice but to admit that all the things I've worked so hard to build up over the years were all in vain. That's why they're desperate to get rid of a monster like me to protect their tiny little sand tower.

''Hey, don't get me wrong,''

　I don't know how I feel about it, but it makes me angry.

　Useless?　Talk about stupid. It's like Mevion all over again. "It takes 1,000 units of power to do something and all of a sudden you only need 1. It was the same with the mastery of the Dragon King Battou Technique just a few days ago. The convenient shortcut is usually only found when you look back at the path you took.

　The only time you truly feel that your life was wasted is when you have wasted it.

You're just starting out. If you can't stand up for yourself here, you're going to stay there forever. If you're okay with that, then go to hell and go to hell for the rest of your life sitting there complaining about the absurdity of it all.
What the hell: ......!
'I don't care what you think, but that's the way it is. You've lost the bet. You're going to have to put on your miniskirts and show me around.
............

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.

　It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right kind of person.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world. You're a really honorable person.

　I was impressed and handed the sword back to Akaneko with a smile.

''Oh, and,''

　I hand over the long awaited, promised item.

'What? So much!　I'm not a dress-up doll!
'I'll do it all. Just wear one thing you like.
"?　Such a fine fabric, never seen before: ......
'It's rather cold, so I don't mind the long skirt at this point. You're very pretty and I'm sure you'll look good in it. I've chosen a color that reflects your long black hair.
You're kidding me. ......!

　Akaneko received my gift with both hands full, and she had a very complicated expression on her face.

　She seemed to be pleased with it?　Well, best of luck.


　Now that we're done with the main topic, and not ......, we're done with the miscellaneous stuff, let's get down to business.

"Show me the island, or rather, the Eighteen Kingdoms. The order of the tour is up to you.



　　* * *



The sun is about to go down. Do you want to leave in the morning?
I don't care. What do you want me to do?
'You want me to go home?　Don't worry, I'll take care of where you spend the night.
That's very sweet of you.
'Whose fault is it that I am struggling so much!
...... your dad?
It's your fault, of course it's your fault!

　...... Totally, a joke of a man.
　I hate frivolous men like this the most.

　I'm not a fan of this kind of man. I'm sure you'll be able to see this man's calm and composed expression on his face as it falls away.

　I don't know how he managed to master the art of battling the sword in a week, but ...... this man still doesn't know.

　I'm sure you'll find that this island, this country is ...... a hell of a place for bloodthirsty demons.

　I'm not going to let you get carried away with the fact that you've learned the art of sword fighting.
　I've learned it all in eleven years. It's not a bad idea to have a good time with the team. I have spent days and nights training in the hellish kiln.


Here we are. In this place, you can survive the night wind.
This is a very stately house. Where is this one?
This is where the founder of the Hiruko School once lived.
The Hiko method?
This school was founded long ago by outsiders who drifted to the island in small boats. Nowadays, only the legend remains. It's an empty house that no one uses or tries to approach.
Yeah. I look good, don't I?
Your Honor. You're a stranger to the area.

　And ...... the end of his tragic death will be the same. All strangers are doomed to do so.

I'll see you tomorrow morning.
Oh. Thanks.
"...... hmm.


　The more I think about it, the weirder he is.

　What in the world did he come to the Sword of the Eight Nations for? You said it was to learn the art of battling the sword, but you've already achieved that goal.

　I don't understand. I don't understand everything.

　If it's my sword you're after, is it possible?　Perhaps it has been replaced with a forgery: .......

Are you overthinking this ............?

　From the looks of it, my sword is definitely the real thing. In fact, it has been sharpened sharper than when I gave it to him. It's really meticulous care.

　You know how to handle a sword: ......?

　If so, did he still learn the Battoujutsu from the beginning?


Hmm. ......?

　Suddenly, it caught my eye.

　A groove in the leather wrapped around the handle. There was a small black blob stuck there.


'..................'


　--It's blood.


　I remember the same thing. The skin of my hand was peeling off and bleeding as I continued to swing the sword in a frenzy.

　I've been taking such good care of it, but I still can't remove the blood. How much blood had he lost?　Did you keep swinging your sword while it was bleeding?　Perhaps he didn't even have time to use the potion and continued to swing it, ignoring the pain. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened. This blackened blood is proof that he was that devoted to the Battoujutsu. Evidence of effort that cannot be misinterpreted.


''You can't be ...... that man, really ......?''

　I changed my mind a bit.






　The ...... was short-lived.

'Mmm, mmmmmm ......!'

　The next morning, I opened the gifts that the man gave me and found that they were all very feminine and unlikely to suit me.

　I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to this kind of clothing.

　I had heard from a peddler that in the mainland, cylindrical hakama (hakama) or wampi-suits were in fashion, and I had been secretly longing for them. I am a seventeen-year-old girl, and sometimes I want to dress like a woman.

　It's not only that, but it's also that most girls dream of wearing such fine clothes at least once in their lives. I am no exception.


　However,......, when it comes to walking around in these clothes,.......


Nah, no!

　Shame on you!

　If anyone in the Dojo sees me like this, let them know!　The dignity of a Kabobashi school heiress falls to the ground!


　I roughly picked up the longest, most innocuous hakama kimono and slipped the sleeves on.

　That's where ...... I hesitate again.


　If I wore this, what would that man say to me?

　Would he be disappointed?　No, that man said he looks good in long things. Perhaps he would compliment me.
　Would he compliment me on a short hakama?　Wouldn't they laugh at me if I didn't look good?

　...... No, the guy is an aide. I'm sure he'll be singing your praises. Yeah, I'm sure he will.

　We'll never have this opportunity again, will we?
　If so, you can take advantage of the opportunity and blame it on that guy and take the plunge and wear them ......?

　.........................


'~~~~!　Oh, shit!　A promise is a promise!

　Not anymore!


　I grabbed my short hakama fearfully, mumbling an excuse to anyone who would listen to me.



　　* * * *



The best. I could build a statue of you and pray for you morning, noon and night.

　As I expected, he was perfect.

　A white kimono and navy blue hakama, a large haori, white tabi and black snow shoes, long black hair tied in a ponytail and a rugged sword hanging at his waist.

　More than anything else, the way he hides his reddened face with his hands and shakes and shakes with a small trembling motion is one of the most stunning things about him. If you're aiming for this, this guy can take over the world.

"Fu, fu, you're kidding me.
Thank you.
"Don't really say your prayers, you fool!
'No, but thank you, even though it was a promise. You must have been very brave.
'Of course!　How tired I was just getting out of the dojo without anyone finding me!

　You don't want others to see you that badly. You're pretty shy.
　But you know what? .......

"Hey, you're forgetting something.　You're going to show me around the island now, aren't you?
......?
You're going to be paraded around the island dressed like that.
...................

　He seems to have noticed.

　His face, which had been bright red, turned bluer and bluer, then purple.

'Ki, I need to get dressed.'
Do you think I'll forgive you?
............

　Silence.


'...... is, hahaha ...... When this happens, you're torn...' ...... already, do something about it... ...

　A few dozen seconds later. Akaneko finally gave up and muttered with a half-smile as she turned her eyes around in a circle.

　Alright. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a punishment game.


''Well, where do you want to lead me first?''

　The prep work was complete and good to go.
　I couldn't hide my deviation and urged her to guide me.

　Then - Akaneko suddenly lost her previous vivid expression and opened her mouth with eyes as sharp as swords.


''...... Daikoku style. First, go to the dojo of the school with the largest number of students on this island.