Chapter 593 - The Acrobat's Explanation: Part 5
—Four Winds One-Sword, First Strike… [Hayate]
—Kashiki Nito, First Strike… [Hakuou]
In the video.
Against me, who had formed the same two-handed grip as for [Shizuku], Irori’s stance was a cross-shape. His left, white blade was thrust forward, while his right, blue blade was swung back over his shoulder to the left.
I more or less knew what he’d done to me.
—And because I knew, this is the part that frustrates me the most.
"…First, I'll explain the [Hayate] I used."
"Go for it."
"This one, I think I get, at least."
Even without seeing it clearly—just as Tetra said.
All three of them had probably guessed the true nature of the brutally simple First Strike. They weren't tilting their heads or looking as confused as they were with [Shizuku].
Well, that was to be expected.
"As you've guessed, the First Strike is just a charging technique where I rush straight at the opponent. No, it's more accurate to say I pass by them. I lock the sword to the side of my body, place the target on its running trajectory, and cut them down with a single, full-speed step."
"It's super simple… but combined with your speed, senpai, it's pretty much impossible to deal with."
"Yeah, that's exactly it. I created the Four Winds One-Sword to be a technique that's 'impossible to deal with even if you know what's coming.' …Or at least, that's what it was supposed to be."
But he responded, and he dealt with it.
Slow motion, fifty times… no, one hundred times. Play.
And then, a single, perfect step.
My avatar kicked off the ground and flew straight toward the target. The [Samidorizuki] drew a horizontal line of green light through the air, unwavering, as it closed in on Irori.
Even [Hayate], a technique my master called 'the ultimate sword of speed, surpassing the First Strike, [Flying Water], and the Tenth Strike, [Hourai],' has its weaknesses. For example, the very foundation of the stance—locking the blade—restricts its trajectory to a line horizontal to my own body.
Furthermore, if that trajectory is read and an obstacle is placed in its path, I have no choice but to challenge it head-on—just like the white blade Irori had placed there.
"The instant freeze of [Hyouka] has a long charge time after it's used once. So this is a pure contest of skill between our blades. …Which means…"
As I provided my commentary, I let out a small smile at the three who were staring intently at the video, not reacting at all. I, too, narrowed my eyes at the screen—and savored the moment.
"It means he got the better of me, fair and square."
The true essence of [Hayate] is to mow down everything, weaknesses included. Without fear, my past self closed the distance, even as the white blade, which he must have placed there after reading my technique's trajectory from my stance, stood in my way.
And the instant the green and white blades touched.
The 'blue' that burst forth, as if triggered by the contact, moved at a speed that was a blur even in 100x slow motion—and with a magnificent flash, it severed my neck.
Truly, I can find no other words. I find it so, so frustrating.
Because that—
"That's 'Matoi.'"
"Huh?"
"…What?"
"…?"
As I murmured while watching the finale, the three of them turned to me, their expressions asking what on earth I was talking about.
"I think the foundation of Irori's two-sword style is a technique that's an arrangement of my 'Matoi'… or rather, one that reverses and then evolves it."
In other words, though it may be a branching path, it's a technique that could be called a superior version.
"It's a multi-stage acceleration where he imbues his own 'Inner Force' into the 'power' received from the 'Outer Force.' No matter how immense the opponent's power or speed… he adds his own power on top, guaranteeing that he will surpass it."
To put it another way, that was…
"An impenetrable 'Sword Protector.' …Damn, he's a true genius."
A counter-attack sword that is guaranteed to land, a perfect follow-up after reaching the pinnacle.
I have many tricks up my sleeve, many feints. But in the end, my fundamental style is to 'charge straight ahead and overwhelm.' His is a school that's like my natural enemy.
—Well, with that out of the way.
"I've finished the explanation up to the end, so I'll be taking my leave… now!"
I put some spirit into my half-dead avatar and stood up, shaking off the Chibisu on my head. My reactions are still dull, but I should be fine if I walk slowly.
"…Are you okay, senpai?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Whether she was asking about my body or not, I returned a light smile to Tetra's concerned question.
"Thanks for the explanation."
"Well, I get that you really overdid it. Get some rest until the afternoon."
"Yeah, see you later."
I gave a similar reply to Ri-na, who bowed politely, and Mi-na, who was waving her hand back and forth.
With a casual wave of my own, I left the training room.
◇◆◇◆◇
"—Mmmph… he seemed totally fine, so I ended up teasing him, but…"
"…I wonder if he's okay."
After their senior, who was also their junior, departed with his usual easygoing smile.
The red-haired girl regretted her playful teasing, which she recognized was a bit more high-strung than usual, in response to his 'business as usual' attitude.
The blue-haired girl, as if to offer rare support to her partner who had fallen onto her lap after being shaken off, gently patted her head, her listless face now showing a hint of 'worry.'
And the black-haired boy beside them, understanding to some extent the feelings of the young man who was their senior, junior, and fellow clan member, thought—
"…Well, he'll be fine. It's senpai we're talking about."
He had probably gotten worked up all over again with 'frustration' while rewatching the match footage… but reasoning that "boys are like that sometimes," he offered a casual remark.
The two girls tilted their heads slightly, and the lively post-match review came to a close.
Thank you for your hard work.
It's about time for something sweet, don't you think?