Early morning.

　I was a little relieved when I saw that the red cat was here in front of the abandoned house.
　I was worried that she wouldn't come today, since I said all sorts of nasty things to her yesterday evening.

　However, the expression on her face was quite reluctant. I'm sure it's because she's wearing a "mini miko outfit set". ......

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you have to have a good morning. You look great in the explosion today.
Oh, shut up, ....... Let's get the hell out of here.

　When I complimented her on her greeting, Akaneko stopped midway through her attempt to return the greeting and pouted back and walked ahead.

　That attitude ...... while wearing a mini miko dutifully, it's burning.

'Where can you take me today?'
That's the Tennan way.
Yeah, like you said, the Antarctic School split up.
'Dear sir. The Heavenly Nan School is to seek the new, and the Jurou School is to respect the old. Both schools have the essence of the South Pole School.
Yeah. I don't know what the f*ck I'm doing, man.
You can see it at .......

　Akaneko said, looking slightly dumbfounded.

　Why are you dumbfounded?　If it's another dojo with noisy students like Bensai-ryu?




　............ and there was a time when I thought it was for me, too.

　When I arrived at the Tennan-ryu dojo, they were holding some kind of event in the early morning.

　It was called 'The Fifteenth Tennan-ryu, New Battoujutsu Unveiling Event! Apparently.

　What's that? I can't help but complain that I'm not sure what I'm worried about, but I am worried about what I am worried about. I took up a position behind ten or so young samurai who were getting excited and waited for the event to start.


　But even if we waited, it wouldn't start.
　I passed the time by chatting with Akaneko.

Are these guys also students of some dojo?
I'm a student of the Heavenly South School.
That's cherry!

　No wonder I thought it was unnaturally exciting. We haven't even opened the show yet, and it's obvious that we're pumping our fists in the air. I mean, if we're the only outside guests, aren't we?　A seminar on mulch, huh? Sad, oy.


　......, I thought.

　A few minutes passed and more spectators appeared behind us. A wrinkled old man with a white beard and two middle-aged men. From their appearance, we could tell that all three men were samurai.

'Who are those guys?'
I'm a samurai under the tutelage of Master Urashima of the Juro School and his son.
Oh,

　Here comes a big name. I heard that old man was the head of Juro-ryu.

　I see, the opening time might be later than that. From now on, fierce fighters from all over the island will come together. I guess so, right?


"Well, well, well, folks!　Nice to see you!　I'm glad you're here!


　It didn't.
　It started out of nowhere.

　It was as if we were waiting for Urashima's arrival.


It's a beautiful day and Me is feeling great!　It's really a good day for the unveiling!


　...... makes my head hurt.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. He has a flirtatious appearance, as if to say, "I'm getting a foreign kick.

　But to my surprise, he speaks subtle English. Isn't this the first time he's been in this world?　The ones that speak English. How is English positioned here? A distant foreign language?　I don't understand.

"What's with him?
I'm the head of the Ten-Nan School, Lord Mamushi.
'You're an Iemoto!'

　I think we're in the wrong dojo.


"Ladies and gentlemen!　I'm going to show you Me's new hop-hip battling technique right away!


　Hop-Hip Bypassing Techniques.

　Hop-Hip Bypassing Techniques: ？？？？


Yeah!　Let's Play Mewzik!

　With the call of pit viper, the music in the background suddenly started to play HipHop? I don't know, but it was probably something like that. However, the music sounded more like Gagaku (Japanese traditional court music) because the instruments were old-fashioned.

　...... Or rather, this is a live performance. The students of the Tennan School are having a hard time .......

'Ha!　Ha!　Seyah!　Groooooove!

　And it doesn't make sense anymore.

　Mamushi began to slash the bundle of straw that had been brought to the stage by Kuroko, dancing to the music.

　It's a trick that reminds me of the Butoh dancer Uncle Curry Kasakari from the Battle of Issenza, but what can I say, this one is definitely more of a joke.


　............ No, it's funny, but you know what?


It's a good idea.

　The whole thing seemed to be over, and Mamushi responded to the applause of his students with a satisfied look on his face.
　By the way, we and Urashima and the others were expressionless throughout.

How did you like the Hop Hip Battoujutsu version of the Fifteen?　If you're interested, please do!　You must!　You must!　To my Heavenly South style!　Now, See You Again!　At the Next Unveiling!


　It was finished while I was pouting.

　I wonder if this is ....... I feel like I've wandered into a strange world.


　No, but it was fun.

　What we were doing was close to shit, but I appreciate the spirit of it.

　You're always chasing new things and digging all the way through a tunnel that has no way out - because at root, you're no different than me.

　It doesn't matter if you're lost or not. That will is what is important, and that is the hard part.

　Even on this closed island, there are people with bones. I'm just happy to know that.



I'm happy to know that. ...... Hmm. Wasted my time again.
It confirms once again that Urashima-sama was right.
It's a disgrace to the Juropean way. You were right to excommunicate a man like that.
What is this new Battoujutsu? What is new Battoujutsu? The history and tradition are the proof of the technique. Why doesn't that man not understand that the technique that has been accumulated is the one that shines through?
'You're right!　Haha, I wouldn't know that for the rest of my life.
He is ill, Your Majesty. Even if he were dead, you would not be able to cure him.
Let's go. I don't want to see you again.


　Well, some of them don't seem to like it.
　They think they're right, and they say whatever the hell they want.


"It looks like Mr. Urashima is leaving. We'll follow him. Next, we'll go to the dojo of Juro-Style--
All right, I'm not going. We'll skip the Juroku School.
What?

　After hearing that conversation, I lost interest in going.

''I'm more of a fan of the Tiannan School. If it was still the Antarctic School, I could have been tempted to go: .......

　I don't care for these guys who only have tradition (...)

Seriously?　Utterly ludicrous.
Are the Urashima's strong?
He is 80 years old. He is declining, but his skills are the best in the island. However, he is no match for your father. Recently, he has fallen behind even the Bensai-ryu.
I know.

　Finally, there's no point in going.
　And I know from the Elnte one that there's nothing pleasant about beating up an old man.


'So where's next?'
"Flying the Juroku Style: ......
There?
It's Kissho's style.

　Kichijo-ryu. It's a name I just heard.

"That's where Masamune was from.
'You know it well. Yes.
'That's where my son-in-law cheated on me and got messed up.
How well you know me!

　I didn't tell him that I heard it from the person in question.

　Akaneko and I exchanged a few words as we walked to the dojo of Kissho-ryu.

'What kind of style is this?'
''One child. A Battoujutsu family lineage unparalleled on the island: ...... No, was there an exception?
Exception?
This is a style that never appears on the stage. This is also a style that never appears on the stage, and is also a style that is passed down from one child to the next. The current Miroku-sama is, I believe, the 20th generation.
Hereditary system. ...... is the 20th generation?
It's the oldest school in the island for a thousand years.

　You're a real pain in the ass, dude.

That's why all the schools on the island are named after Miroku-sama.
'You started out with only Maitreya style, didn't you?
Next, the Kabuto-boro style was created, followed by the Kissho style, the Nankyoku style and the Daikoku style. Next came the creation of the Kabuto-ryu, followed by the Kissho-ryu, Nankyoku-ryu and Daikoku-ryu, and then the Hinako-ryu, and then the Nankyoku-ryu became the Juro-ryu and the Tiennan-ryu, and then the Benzai-ryu.
Wow.
In short, the Kissho School you are about to visit is the third oldest school on the island.
Looks strong, doesn't it?
''...... no. The previous Iemoto Violet-sama was strong, but the current Iemoto Thistle is .......

　When Akaneko slurred her words, they arrived at the dojo of the Kissho style.
　It's certainly a tasteful building. But ...... does not feel as lively as previous dojos.


''Excuse me!　Kabobashi School of Akaneko, I'm here to greet you!

　As usual, as Akaneko spoke up, I heard slamming footsteps from the back of the building.

　And.


''--No~!　What are you wearing, Red Cat?　Cute, cute, cute~!


　A glamorous beauty suddenly appears, squeezing Akaneko in a tight embrace.
　It's a beautiful woman in her late twenties with black hair in loose waves.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.
Oh, goodness, you're a daredevil!　You call me sister, just like in the old days!　Ready?
"But Master Thistle is the head of the Kissho School.
'I don't care about the details!　It's Sister Thistle. Here, say it?
...... thistle sister.
Oh no! It's so cute!

　I don't know what I'm being shown.

　As I watched absentmindedly, the woman called Thistle seemed to notice me and turned her gaze towards me and gave me a huff.

The actuality of this is the fact that it's not a good idea to have a ...... me.

　Ohoho laughs and moves away from Akaneko.

　Akaneko sighed with a tired expression and lined up next to me, "Huh.

''Sister Thistle. This is Second, a traveler. We are introducing you to the island and making the rounds.
Hey, man.
'Introducing the island: ......?　Oh, is that a good idea?
I'm not sure, but ......, well, there's a reason for that.
Translation?　I wonder if the translation would have made it better: ......?

　Thistle twists his head around, pulling his face up to mine a long way.
　Does he look hoity-toity, but is he surprisingly strict?

'...... Well, anything for a beautiful young man!

　Wrong.

　It's nice to meet you~, and he smiles and insists on shaking my hand.

　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing for you.


　-- a meat sting.

　Her palms were so lumpy that it was hard to believe she was a woman.

　Wouldn't the potion help her recover?　No, there have been many times when using a cheap potion would not fully heal the wound. No wonder he could get a meat stab if he kept using the cheap stuff. Or if you practice battling techniques every day, every morning, to the point where you can get a meat prick: .......


'Come on in, come on in!　I'll make you a cup of tea now~

　Thistle happily ushered us indoors and ran to make a cup of tea. Unlike previous schools, she is in an unusually welcoming mood.

　However, the surroundings are extremely quiet. The house is deserted.
　I didn't see anyone in the dojo, the hallways, or anywhere else I had passed before the guest room.

　Was it a holiday? As I was thinking this, Akaneko opened her mouth.


'Sister Azami-sama has been guarding the Kissho School all by herself since Sumire-sama's death.

　Sumire. You're the previous Iemoto of the Kichijo style and Masamune's mother-in-law. She's already dead. .......

'Does that mean she lives here alone?
''Naturally. Kichijo-ryu is a one-child family affair. Unless a child is born or adopted, the technique cannot even be passed on.

　I see. I think I understand a little bit more about the reason for the unprecedented welcome.

　Maybe he's lonely.


'Yes, here you are. We only had a few crackers, would you mind?
Thank you. I was just starving.

　Thistle returned with a tray of rice crackers and several cups of green tea.

　I reached for the sembe and chewed it. The rice cracker had a wonderfully supple texture. Is it a wet rice cracker? The soy sauce flavor goes well with the tea.

...... Oh, it's so damp.

　Thistle said with a dispirited look on his face. Give me back my impressions of it.

　No, but it's surprisingly edible. I couldn't resist and reached for the second one. The red cat next to me gives me a perturbed look.

"It's okay, you don't have to worry about it.
No, I'm hungry.
Yeah, yeah. Thanks.

　Thistle also pulled me in.

　But I got the point when I thought, "Why don't you put out something else ...... rather than pull this much? It's not that I can't get it out, I just can't. Cheap potions and damp crackers. Okay, I made the connection. I guess Kichijo-ryu must be very poor (...).

Well, make up your mind to go to ...... Hey, Akaneko-chan. By the way, what do you want today?　Oh, yeah, you said it was a guide. Then should I introduce you to the Kissho School too?
I don't need an introduction. I would like my tea and then go home.
Wait, wait, wait, wait!
............

　I was about to be automatically escorted out.

　That Akaneko is starting to understand how to handle me.
　The way she looks at me with her white eyes when I give her my best shot is just like a certain female knight.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!
All right, all right. Shut up, all right? Please be quiet.
No.
'Totally!　This man!
Shut up, civic cat. Couldn't you be a little quieter?
d*mn it. ......!

　Around the time the Akaneko turned red with anger, he returned his gaze to Thistle.

'Ufufu, it's so lively and fun.

　Thistle looks like he's in a good mood.

　I guess that's a good sign.


Hey, can I ask you a favor?
Yeah, you can tell me anything you want. I'll help in any way I can.
Then be my guest. I'd like to have a fight with you.

............ Heh.


　As soon as he spoke, Thistle's mood changed.

　The guys on this island all do. The moment they hear the word "Battoujutsu", their eyes change color.

　I'm sure Azami is a real samurai, too.


'I don't mind. Now?
Yeah. Akaneko, give me your sword.
No!
............

　When I glanced to the side, Akaneko was looking at me with a "How do you like that?" look on her face.

　You're quite good at it, you .......


　But I'm troubled. This means that you'll be fighting Thistle with your bare hands. That would be no fun.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to have to worry about that.



"--Then I'll lend you one.


　A familiar, boyish voice.

　At the same time, Thistle's face transforms into a demon's form (・・・・).


　When she turns around, there is Masamune with a scowling smile on her face.