I saw the pit bull off, slept for a bit, and then morning.

　I walked down the road to the Kabuto Bashi-ryu dojo.
　I learned the way from Akaneko yesterday. It's an ordinary straight road.

　On the last day, it was raining. My hands were getting numb from the winter cold.

　There was an umbrella at the front door, so we took the liberty of using it. I asked Anko later, and she told me that Masamune had come and left it there secretly around the time Mamushi had left.


'...... here?'

　We arrived at the dojo in about twenty minutes.

　In contrast to the quiet, drizzly morning, the inside of the dojo was quite busy.


'Good morning,'

　When I cut in front of the dojo, everyone inside turned to look at me and became quiet.

　In the dojo, there were Akaneko, what appeared to be students of Kabobashi style, and Masamune. If you look closely, you can see Kanbei of the Daikoku style, and next to him is a fat little middle-aged man with an unknown face who is smiling happily. There was also an old man named Urashima from the Juro style, and a pit viper that had just left us earlier this morning. And there's also a thistle.

　The samurai of the Eighteenth Country are all here. It's no wonder they're so busy.


"You're a Nushi?

　As I was looking around at the faces, the seventy-three parted man sitting next to Akaneko opened his mouth. His voice is calm and low. Even though he was just sitting and talking, it was quite intimidating.

''What?''
I'm a dojo breaker.
Yeah, yeah.

　He was waiting for me, apparently.
　The old man stood up quietly and continued to speak.


He said, "A man, whose name is Kensin, is the head of the Kabobashi School. The Kabobashi school is the head of the school. I am still training for eighteen years under the Bishamon's crown.


　Oh, it's called a name call.
　Okay, me too.


Stand down. I'm a stranger from the Kingdom of Castal. I'm an outsider from the Kingdom of Castal. I didn't want to wait for summer to get the head of the Bishamon, so I came to get it. The first and last names are in the second.


　I tried to imitate our butler's cubero. It felt different, but I guess it's a good improvisation.

　Then, as soon as I finished, the outside world became noisy and noisy. They said I was rude and arrogant, and it seemed to be me speaking ill of them.

"Shut up!

　I glared at the loudest Juroyleu student and said to him, and he quieted down.
　''I forgive you, Juro-school. I'll harass you later.


Come to ...... akaneko, come in.
Yes, sir.

　Then, as if waiting for it to become quiet, Kensin gave Akaneko the go-ahead.

　Akaneko stood up with a cold face and quietly walked out to the center of the dojo. The outfit, unfortunately, was not a mini-skirt, but rather a road jacket.


'Masamune,'
'Yes, yes, I thought you might.

　I borrowed a sword from a smiling Masamune, equipped it, and confronted Akaneko.


　The Akaneko is silent and expressionless, and even when her eyes meet mine, she doesn't react in any way.
　It's good, all my thoughts seem to be gone. I could feel my concentration rising to the extreme.

　It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the most important thing in a Bishamon fight is to stay natural. If you are even slightly distracted, you will lose in nine out of ten battles. This is evident from experience.
　Therefore, being able to immerse yourself in the game is a great advantage.

　That Akaneko guy made the condition (・・・・).

　He's so tough, so tough. He'll never, ever, ever, ever lose.

　He will do everything in his power to beat me, and he will do everything in his power to beat me.
　He's giving it all he's got, and he's giving it all he's got for me.

　That's 120% seriousness in the name of love.
　I can't tell you how many times I've received it and how many times I've broken it.

　...... Yeah, I can't stand it.


I'm not a fan of that.

　They bow to each other and brace themselves.


"-- begin.

　Kensin's command.


　Immediately after ...... the Akaneko did not move.

　In other words, it chose the rear.


　...... Heh, yeah. Hoho, ha, I see.

　I've shown my matches in front of Akaneko three times so far, and two of them were in the back. Two of them were backward, and only the match with Azami was the first to go. And that match was the one that lasted the longest.

　You think I'm bad at playing the first move?
　That's what I thought at first, but from the look on her face ...... it seems to be different.

　Well, that's interesting.
　Interesting, that idea.


.............


　--The Akaneco is saying, "Go ahead.

　"Let's go. Get that thing going.


"Good idea.

　How could I not do it when I'm invited like that!


　I closed the gap between us and prepared the Flying Car Battoujutsu.

　The Akaneko took a step backwards in response and cut the Koikuchi.

　I won't let her take the time. I finished my preparations and continued to close the distance between me and the Akaneko while building up my battou.

　Akaneko stopped retreating. This is the place.

　A moment later, I lower my stance and cancel the skill. At the same time, he spins sideways and pulls out the 《Silver General Battoujutsu》 at the same time as he completes his preparations.


''---!

　Akaneko stopped breathing briefly.


　The skill she unleashed - as well as the 《Silver General Battoujutsu》.

　A high-pitched sound rang out. My battling sword was played by Akaneco's battling sword.


　She saw me off?　Nope. It would be nearly impossible to spot that thing on first sight.

　He would have predicted the trajectory and hit the skills that would allow him to respond most quickly.

　A good decision. The amount of time it takes to bring it out later, she can accumulate more of the Silver General Battoujutsu. The more you accumulate, the more powerful the skill becomes. Because of this, my hand went numb.


''Ha!

　The second sword of Akaneko is approaching. Similarly, it is the Silver General Battoujutsu.

　The silver general without tame is the fastest. Kanbei criticized it as a minor technique, is it the main one in Kabobashi style?　If that's the case, Kanbei is in a bind.

　However, its usefulness is greatest even in the Battoujutsu. The Kabobashi school understands the Battoujutsu skill quite well.


　Oh, shucks, I'm going to have to respond with my numb hands. It's disgusting.

　Let's do the ...... thing.


Yo.
!

　I plunged head-on against Akaneko's kesa-slash.

　Looking at her surprised face, I approach even more rapidly.

　I averted my body just before the sword hit my brain, stood on one leg and pushed the sword itself from Akaneko's swing with my shoulder.

''I ......?

　Because she was swinging down as hard as she could, Akaneko was pulled by the sword that was deflected to the side, and she broke her stance.

　This thing is extremely effective if you do it with [Aiki Jutsu], but right now I'm tied up with [Battoujutsu]. However, it's effective enough without using the skill.


''Well.''

　Conceding the sword, we re-partitioned.

　I turned to Akaneko, who re-positioned herself with her hands on the ground and smiled.

".............

　Akaneko glanced at me, then tightened her expression and got rid of her thoughts again.

　With this series of changes in expression, I could feel the frustration of "it was so close", the anger of "you're ridiculous" and the expectation of "next time".


　It's not good to show what's on your mind on the playing field.

　He has outstanding talent, but he's still very rough around the edges. In addition to that, they haven't reached their full mental maturity.


　In the end, ...... is a batsman worth bringing up.


I'm not sure I'm going to be the only one. The Battoujutsu is not just about the sword.

　Since it's a good time, I'll teach you one now.

　I prepare the Flying Car Battou Technique while closing the gap between the two, just like the first move.

''

　Akaneko retreated with a "not again" look and showed the same response.

　She seems to think that that response that made my hand numb is the best (...).


　That shouldn't be the case. You can't say this only for the Battoujutsu, but there is no "single best" at the beginning of a battle. It is impossible to find the best from among the mountain of choices and keep picking it up. The only way to do this is to choose one of the many candidates and to get as close as possible to the best one. Abandoning the idea that this is the best thing to do is just plain stupid.


I hope I don't have breakfast (...)

　He lowers his posture, cancels the skill, spins around and prepares the "Silver General Battoujutsu" and then draws the sword.

　Akaneko also prepares to respond with the Silver General Battoujutsu.

　If this is the case, it will be a repeat of the previous one.


　But--.


Huh?


　--Dosri, and.

　Immediately after, with a dull sound, Akaneko looked in agony.


　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.

　The Akaneko, who had assumed that the sword came from the right, had an empty abdomen.

　The tip of the scabbard struck its pommel, and Akaneko writhed, unable to speak.


　Poor thing. My STR is pretty high, so it probably hurts like hell.

　Finally, Akaneko couldn't stand and kneeled down on the spot.



'There's a winner.'

　Kensin calls out.


'That was fun. Let's do it again.

　When I greeted her with a smile, Akaneko hung her head with a gulp as she squatted. It must have bowed in pain.


''Well,''

　The next one is finally the main dish, ...... and as I look at him, Kensin stands up, meditating, and walks over to me.

　Then, he stands in front of the Akaneko and crouches down.


''Chi, father, please wait--!


　............ The next moment, Kensin punched Akaneko in the cheek.

　There was no mercy whatsoever, it was a hateful blow.


''You are a disgrace to Kabobashi. I don't remember raising you like that.''
...... Sorry, I can't stand up.
I'm not warm. Show me some resolve.
............ Yes.

　After a brief moment of silence, Akaneko pulls out his armpit.

　Then, when he brings the cutting edge to his own right eye ......


What--?

　...... quicksilver, I can't look at it.
　I'm going to summon Anko and instruct her to take up the armpit.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


''Do you want to stand in the way of ......, woman?''

　Kensin didn't look surprised at all, but stared at Anko.


'Aha! What a lively human being! Lord (Aruji-sama), let's have sashimi for lunch.


　Anko's thread-thin eyes narrowed even more, smiling, and she clasped her fingers between her armpits--

　--"Paquiri. It was so easy to snap him in half.


　The air in the dojo is frozen.

　Everyone has noticed. It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can get your hands on a new one.

　...... But Kensin was different.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for, and it's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It was as if he was looking for an opening in Anko.

　That bastard looks like he's planning to cut down on you at the drop of a hat.

　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.


　In a moment, I understand.

　The first time I landed on this island, Akaneko didn't hesitate to try to kill me and Yukari. I've been wondering ever since. How do they grow that way, I wondered. I wondered what he thought of human life.

　I see. ...... It's because of this guy.


"Anko, I'm sorry, but you have to give it to me.
"As you wish, my Lord.

　I approached the red cat and repatriated the anko.


''Hey. You can't even hide it, old man.

　I'm going to pull the Akaneko up from behind and stand him up.
　And then I'm going to let you go behind me.

"What?

　Kensin replied with a single word, maintaining his spacing with me.


It's a killing spree.

............

You were right.　You look like you can't wait to kill me.


　Otherwise, there's no explanation.

　A disgrace to the face of the helmet?　You don't remember raising him?　Show me some resolve.

　There's only one reason to beat up your daughter in front of a crowd and pronounce such a thing.


　He's pushing himself (・・・・・・・・・・), this guy.


　And so, he is desperate to risk his whole life, to win a game he can't afford to lose, to fight for his life and his life.

　Right?


"......, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. ......


　You see? He's laughing.

　I know, I know, I was too.


　But you know, ...... there's one thing that's definitely different from you.

　And I'm going to die trying to tell you that--.