I never thought I'd see the day when I'd have to face my sister Thistle again.
So do I, Akaneko-chan. And to be facing each other as an ordinary samurai instead of the Kabuto Batao and Kisshou ryu.
It's strange.
Yeah, it's really weird.

　The two samurai facing each other in the center of the arena exchanged a few words and then giggled out of either side of the room.

'You've changed, Sister Thistle. I don't mean to be rude in saying this, but it looks like the ...... possession has fallen off.
'I think so myself, especially these days. 'It's funny, you know?　I hated the Battoujutsu so much, but for some reason I'm enjoying it these days.
That's right. And that's why you're going to compete again this season?
"Hmmm, yes, but ...... the girl at the shop you're looking after right now, she said she's never going to leave. It's good publicity.
Phew, you've met the right person.
Yes, but so are you, baby cat. But so are you, Akaneko.
...... Yes, exactly. I've grown beyond belief, even for myself.
Oh, that's ...... very exciting.


　The harmonious atmosphere between the two men gradually grows hotter and hotter until it finally burns out and is blown away by the wind.

　Instead, a rush of burning desire to fight between samurai and samurai appears.

　This is what happens when two people who have staked their lives on a sword face each other with swords in hand.

　This is the fate of being born a samurai.


"Bow to each other!　Ready!

　We take our positions and stand in peace and silence.


　Ruthlessly, the game is an instant. The transience of that momentary glimmer is what Battoujutsu is all about.

　The two men know it firsthand.

　They are both in a situation where it can be said that their lives have been ruled by the Battou.
　The next Iemoto of the Kabobashi School and the Iemoto of the Kissho School.

　Now, they are just samurai.
　He has nothing to carry on his back.

　She is just a woman, looking ahead and waving her sword.
　There is no need to feel anxious about a single moment of brilliance, if only in anticipation.

　The merciless fragility is now transformed.

　The two of them have never seen anything like it before, and it's an intense, passionate, exciting entertainment.


Let's have some fun, Akaneko-chan!
Yes. Otherwise, it would be of no use to me. ......!


　They looked at each other again, and they laughed.

　It was a big, carefree smile.



'--Beginning!

　As soon as the start signal is given, he closes the distance and activates his skills.

　Akaneko prepared for the "Katsurama Battoujutsu", while Azami became half-formed and cut the carp mouth and waited.

　Azami chose to take the rear. A beautiful victory that took the lead. That is the secret of the Kissho style.
　On the other hand, Akaneko chose to take the first move. Kabobashi-ryu is an offensive battoujutsu. The ultimate goal is to kill at a stroke.


　...... but.


'What a thing!
I thought so!

　Thistle suddenly approached and bent down, activating the 《Ginshou Battoujutsu》.

　Akaneko had read the surprise attack. He cancelled Katsuma to match his opponent and immediately prepared the 《Ginshou Battoujutsu》.

　The two of them, who had been meeting hands many times since they were children, knew each other's moves. However, the changes in the past six months in their relationship were too unpredictable.

　Such a thing had never happened before. It was unthinkable when they were living on the same island. That's why they both think this way. If it were to happen, it would be a change of such magnitude that it would completely overturn what was known.

　The result was just as they had expected.

　Both of them had abandoned their schools. No, I should say that they didn't dare to show their school's mold.

　It is not that they are cutting corners. In other words, the Battoujutsu of the two men has matured until they are able to demonstrate their abilities despite the fact that they have broken the kata of the Battoujutsu that they have cultivated so far. In other words, the bottom of their ground power has risen.

　Battoujutsu, which is almost decided by a single blow. It is a privilege that only advanced players are allowed to enjoy using such a delicate skill without being confined to a battle pattern.

　The bottom line is .......


''That's the way it is. I've only learned from him.
I see you haven't been kneading bread all day.

　The corners of his mouth rise and provoke.

　Yes. As they said before the opening, the two were trying to enjoy the match.


　The gaze of the two men, who were clashing the silver general and fighting with each other in a battle of perseverance, was as sharp as a drawn sword. However, their mouths couldn't help but smile at the fun that came from deep within.

　In front of thousands of spectators, he was able to fully demonstrate the skills he had accumulated one by one with a blood-soaked heart. Neither of them had thought that this would be such a fun thing to do.

　It was very exciting.

　What would Akaneko, who had grown up as an apprentice of Second through Kabobashi-ryu, and Azami, who had abandoned Kissho-ryu and awakened to her own way and evolved into her own style, be able to do? Both of them couldn't help but look forward to it.


'Well, let's take a look!

　Suddenly, Akaneko put in a lot of force and flicked Azami's sword.

　Immediately afterwards, Akaneko began to prepare for the 《Flying Car Battoujutsu》 and began to gently close the gap between the two.

''Ha!''

　Thistle realizes. It is a technique that the second showed once.
　It is not surprising that Akaneko, who is studying under the second, has mastered this technique.

　And, as expected, the Akaneko suddenly cancelled the flying car just in time, and while keeping her posture low, she spun around and showed her back.

　--next comes the fearsome and fast Silver General. That, he knew.


　But for some reason, Thistle didn't prepare any ...... skills and moved only one step to the left.


''!

　The scabbard (...) poked at the sky.

　Akaneko didn't dare to invoke the Ginshou here, but aimed for a surprise attack with the sheath.

　It was a technique that Akaneko was hit by Second at the Kabuto Bashi dojo. The more you prepare yourself for the coming of the Silver General, the harder it is to avoid the surprise attack.


　However, Azami had read it. Hence, she prepared her skills while dodging with the least amount of movement, and launched the Kakugou Battoujutsu to Akaneko, who was in a state of openness with her scabbard out.

　The abdomen of the Akaneko was empty. Kakugyo is a skill that stops the battou in front of you, and from that state, you can return your wrist and thrust in quickly. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.


''......!''

　Then, for the first time, Thistle realized a new fact.

　Sheath's surprise attack had been followed by ...... (...).


'I thought I'd be ducked,'

　At Akaneko's muttering, Azami realized her own defeat.

　Azami had already pulled out his sword.
　It can no longer be stopped.


　When in the world did Akaneko complete the preparations for the Golden General Battoujutsu (...)?

　After you poked him with a sheath?　If so, there is no way you can make it in time. Yes, probably when he spun around, before poking it with his sheath.

　The Golden General is a skill with a counter effect. If you attack there, you will receive a counterattack at your mercy.

　But even though he knew that, there was nothing he could do about it now.


''Ah-rah!''

　The moment the kakugyo reached Akaneko, the golden general's counter effect was activated and Azami's kakugyo was disabled. Immediately after, Akaneko pulls out her sword and with the firepower of her counterattack riding on it, she slashes Thistle's neck.

　Fresh blood danced around. A fatal wound. Then, just before he passed out, it occurred to Azami.


　That Akaneko's readings were one better than her own.

　The moment she spun around. From that point on, Akaneko had started preparing for the Golden General and only saw this ending (...).

　He had read this sequence of events long before the start of the match, that he would duck the sheath strike and then be cut back with a kakugyo. Therefore, he was able to prepare the golden general not so long ago. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　...... horrible fighting sense. I can understand why the Second would want it, Thistle smiled and agreed.


''--That's it!　Winner, Red Cat!


　Azami collapsing to the ground and Akaneko delivering the sword.

　After only a moment's pause, the two men were surrounded by loud applause and cheers.

　With just a single blow, the winner is decided. It seems tasteless, but that momentary bargain is more dense and flavorful than any other skill.

　The audience had already learned how to enjoy the Bishamon fight through these two battles.


''Thank you very much.''

　When they were leaving, Akaneko bowed to Thistle and the arena, and thought to herself: "This was really fun.

　It was really fun.

　This is the first time since she left Kabobashi School to compete in a serious fight in public.

　She was confident that she could do so from the bottom of her heart.

　And so did the audience.

　Their battling of battling swords had grown immensely as entertainment, and was about to become top-notch.

　Entertaining for everyone, fun for everyone. That is the new Battoujutsu that Akaneko is aiming for, and it is the shadow that is far away now that they have been chasing for a long time.

　The time of completion is near.






Hello, Miz Akaneko!　Nice to see you!　It's a pleasure to see you here!
Hahaha ...... I'm glad to see you're looking well today, Mr. Pitbull.
Yeah!　Me is always fine!
Are you sure?

　First semifinal match of the Bishamon match, pit bull versus red cat.

　Mamushi is the kind of guy who doesn't seem to have a high tension day, but today he was more excited than ever. The proof of this is in the form of a pair of sunglasses in a good mood.

　And that's no wonder, as he was able to demonstrate his "hop-hip Battoujutsu" in front of such a large audience. It was impossible not to get excited.


"Bow to each other!　Ready!

　The greetings were in moderation, and then the call of the judges came.

　The Akaneko had a hard time with pit bulls.

　The conversation, but most of all that funny (・・・・) battling technique.

　A brown dreadlocks grasping samurai with brown dreadlocks, a pit bull. Anyone would look like a joke. But ...... he is, as he looks like this, the head of the Tennan-ryu school (...). He was the fourth best player in the last tournament.

　That battoujutsu, which is feared to be transformative, will be disliked by the orthodox schools.


"--Begin!


　But ...... that was until 6 months ago.


'Whats!?'

　It was Akaneko who took the initiative.

　It was a sprint using AGI, which had been improved by the acquisition of the 【Body Technique】 skill, to quickly close the gap between the two, and then the Silver General Battoujutsu. As I thought, Akaneko suddenly canceled the Ginshou, activated the 【Katsura Battoujutsu】 and jumped.

　It's no wonder that Mamushi was surprised.

　An aggressive first move full of momentum. It would be a battle technique that did not exist in any school.

　Even the hop-hip battoujutsu of the Tannan style produces a more sedate first move.


　...... Now, Akaneko's was much more unconventional than Mamushi's Battoujutsu.

　It's not necessary to say whose influence it is.


''To receive this, you are brilliant, Mamushi-dono!
''Wow, that's quite a Dangerous Battling technique. ......!

　《Katsura Battoujutsu》 is a skill that combines a large movement and battoujutsu. If an auxiliary run was added to it, the initial speed would be added to the movement by the skill, so it would produce a very special speed.

　Mamushi received it with the 《Ginshou Battoujutsu》. The Akaneko's approach was faster than he expected, and he turned his body upside down to gain maximum distance, and then drew his sword at the very last minute, bringing him into a battle of attrition. It was all improvised. The fact that he was able to do this on the first try was probably due to the fact that he was the Iemoto.


Now, how about this one?

　A single front kick, Akaneko kicked the pit bull, took a pause and began to prepare the skill.

　《Kakugyo Battoujutsu》 - a high-powered sharp thrust skill.

''Don't underestimate the hop-hip!

　Mamushi regained his balance, which had been disrupted by the kick, like a hip-hop dance, and began to prepare for the 《King General Battoujutsu》.

　Enough timing to make it. Due to the counter effect, Akaneko couldn't just bump Kakugou like this.

''!

　However, Akaneko cancelled the skill just before activating the Golden General of the pit bull, and at almost the same time, he began to prepare the Dragon King Battoujutsu.

　Dragon King Battou is a range attack battou. The counter effect of the Golden General can only be activated on a single attack.

''SHIT!　But!

　Still biting. Mamushi cancelled the Golden General and prepared the Silver General Battoujutsu to crush the Dragon King before activating it, and immediately slashed at him -




　-- but here, for the first time, he was speechless.

　With his mouth open, he was unable to speak.


　Akaneko, who should have been preparing the Dragon King, had accumulated the 《Silver General Battling Technique》 before he knew it.


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

　I was about to say why, when I realized the answer.

　I rushed to crush the Dragon King. Hence, he activated the silver general with a clap of his hand.

　Calmly, I could have waited once.

　There was a good chance that the opponent had cancelled the Dragon King early and started preparing the Silver General.

　Silver General is a battling skill that is so powerful that it can be accumulated. The first one can be said to have a basic advantage.


''Auch!''

　The silver generals collided with each other and the pit bullocks lost the race.
　The Akaneko's sword slid over the pushed sword and slashed at the pit bull's right arm.

　The pit bull's hand came away from the sword.

　There's no way Akaneko would have missed that opening.


''--That's it!　Winner, Red Cat!


　Akaneko advances to the final.


　The crowd cheered and thought heartily, "Strong.

　They were so strong.


　Akaneko's strength was unusually stable in both the match against Azami and the pit viper.

　She was top-notch in every aspect of her game, including her quick decisions, boldness, precision, depth of reading, sense of balance, momentum and skill. There is no flaw in his technique.

　On top of that, she enjoys the art of battoujutsu.

　There is no room for error on her part.


It's a good thing that you're able to do that. ...... The audience naturally begins to feel this way.

　But why is that?

　It's a good thing that the all-around style is exactly like his, but ...... something about it is different.


　It's not just the audience that feels this way.

　She too had the same question.

　What exactly is the difference? That's what she really wants to know.


　It's just a few minutes away from completion.

　What we are waiting for is the final game.

　Perhaps the final piece of the puzzle will be held by that man - and so on.