Chapter 728 - The Little Cannon and the Unyielding Sword
—When asked who his favorite junior is, Uni, the second-ranked member of the Southern Faction, the Heavy Tank, one of the most senior rankers known as the 'Original Ten Seats', answers without hesitation.
Irori, the Sword Protector… or rather, the current Peerless.
Uni is hardly the only one who thinks favorably of that perfect superman; countless others do as well. One could list enough virtues and charms to fill both hands. But if asked to point out one specific reason… it would be none other than the fact that they were simply kindred spirits.
The Sword Queen and the Sword Saint. Both looked up to those who bore the title of the sword, and both, while holding various emotions including respect, sought to stand by their side.
And both, in the end, could only manage to offer a small measure of support to their hearts.
As time passed, their shared experiences piled up. If there was a difference, it was whether or not they harbored 'special feelings', but that's probably not very important.
Uni once placed a one-sided expectation on such a person. On the Sword Protector, who, despite being in a situation he felt a laughable amount of sympathy for, had a different mentality from his own.
Unlike himself, who was desperate just to follow, determined not to be left alone, this junior from another faction aimed to stand beside the one he looked up to.
Even in times of stagnation, when his pace slowed, his will to move forward never stopped.
He couldn't help but direct a respect for this man that was different from the one he held for his own princess. He had placed his hopes on him, thinking that perhaps, this man would one day be the one to clear away the 'clouds'.
…Well, as a result, things ended up as they are 'now', but that's that.
The feelings Uni holds for Irori remain unchanged. Namely, he's 'a promising junior whose endless growth I wish for, which is why I can't help but mess with him'.
And so, to face such an opponent on the stage of combat—
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—When asked who his most difficult senior is, Irori, the third-ranked member of the Eastern Faction, Peerless, who has become quite comfortable in his role as a relative veteran, answers without hesitation.
Uni, the second-ranked member of the Southern Faction, the Heavy Tank.
That flippant demeanor can be both a virtue and a flaw, and Irori is likely not the only one who finds it difficult to deal with. But, still.
Of course, he possesses countless other charms, which is why he was chosen by the system to be among the rankers. Though he's teased about being popular with the brats and what not, the reality is that he has extremely few detractors and boasts stable popularity.
And so, even acknowledging and understanding all of that, why does he answer without hesitation that he 'finds him difficult'? —It's because ever since Irori rose to the ranks of the Eastern Faction, Uni has taken every opportunity to mess with him.
From cheap provocations to carefully planned schemes, he was constantly challenged to a fight. And the reason he developed a sense of unease was not because he was forced to pile up defeat after defeat until he finally managed to land a single blow in the Four Pillar War two tournaments ago.
Nor was it because Uni's intentions for constantly picking on him were unclear and unsettling.
It was because what was being demanded of him was so straightforward and blatant that it was, in various senses of the word, irritating.
Not irritating because of Uni.
But because of both Uni and himself.
It wasn't that he was displeased with having expectations placed upon him. It wasn't that being burdened with someone else's hopes was infuriating.
It was because the days he couldn't meet the expectations sent by none other than the unshakable second seat of the Southern Faction made him feel his own slow progress twofold.
Uni and Irori, while their mentalities may have differed, were certainly similar in their circumstances. This, combined with their own perceptions, made them feel almost like mirror images—which is why.
The reflection in the mirror doubled the image.
Two versions of himself, unable to catch up, unable to stand beside. It became a reality he couldn't look away from, weighing down his steps.
There was no villain. The one Irori… the one Nate Mitake, directed his anger and frustration at was never others, but always his own lacking self.
He doesn't hate the senpai who placed his hopes in him. But… yes.
Having reached the 'present', that's that.
He's come to terms with his various emotions and now finds himself playing the role of someone's troublesome senpai. He, who has done similar things, has no right to complain about past troubles.
And so, with his heart cleared, all that remains is pure, unadulterated frustration. He has only returned one blow in the tenth Four Pillar War; countless black marks still remain.
And so, to face such an opponent on the stage of combat—
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—Their eyes are only on each other.
「Well then… I'll leave the Wolf Pack to you, sleeping princess. Just do me a favor and don't get taken out before I take down their number two.」
「…Mmm, yeaaah…」
「Could you please stop replying with a sleepy breath?」
While a wry smile escaped him at the difficult communication with his partner, with whom he shared neither breath nor spirit, the sapphire eyes of the samurai who had drawn his azure blade were unwavering, fixed straight ahead on the enemy.
「Alright… Well, I'm leaving Mei to you, Jin. Please, just don't get yourself killed in an accident before I take down Irori.」
「Hmm.」
「Could you please stop replying in a way that makes me so incredibly anxious?」
Is it that they get along, or is it just that their airs mesh because they're both so aloof?
While exchanging a lax conversation with his partner, the iron-blue eyes of the warrior who had drawn his twin black steel daggers were opened wide… and now, as always, they were fixed straight ahead on the enemy.
「…—Here I come, Uni. I'm taking my second win.」
「—You can have it. If you can surpass my expectations.」
Their relationship continues unchanged even as time passes. Each bares their fangs at their rival.
「[Blade Road]」
「[Pygmalion]」
And their blades, having crossed countless times, meet once more.
Another pair of kindred spirits.