kscans

Chapter 593 - The Acrobat's Explanation: Part 5

—Shifu Itto, First Strike... 《Hayate (Gale)》

—Kashiki Nito, First Strike... 《Hakuo (White Warbler)》

On the screen.

In response to me, who had formed the same two-handed stance as for 《Shizuku (Droplet)》, Irori's stance was a cross-shape. His left hand's white blade was thrust forward, while his right hand's blue blade was swung back over his left shoulder.

I know, for the most part, what he did.

—And because I know, this is the part that frustrates me the most.

"...First, I'll explain the《Hayate (Gale)》 that I used."

"Go ahead."

"I think I get this one, though."

As Tetra said, even if they couldn't see it—

—all three of them had probably figured out the nature of the extremely simple first strike. They weren't tilting their heads or looking confused like they were with 《Shizuku》.

Well, this one is pretty obvious.

"As you've guessed, the first strike is just a simple charging technique where I rush straight at the opponent. No, it's more accurate to say I pass by them. I fix the blade to the side of my body, place the target on the path of the blade, and cut them down with a single, full-speed step."

"It's incredibly simple... but with your speed, it's practically impossible to deal with."

"Yeah, that's exactly it. I created Shifu Itto with the aim of being 'a technique that's impossible to deal with even if you know it's coming'—...or so it was supposed to be."

He adapted, and he dealt with it.

Fifty... no, a hundred times slow-motion. Play.

And then, a single, perfect step.

My avatar kicked off the ground and flew straight toward the target, the [Samidorizuki] drawing an unwavering horizontal line of jade light through the air as it closed in on Irori.

Even 《Hayate》, which my master described as 'the ultimate 'speed' sword, surpassing the First Strike, 《Hisui (Flying Water)》, and the Tenth Strike, 《Hourai (Blade Thunder)》,' has its weaknesses. For example, the stance of fixing the blade limits its trajectory to a horizontal path relative 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—like Irori's white blade.

"The instant freeze of 《Hyouka》 has a long charge time after it's been used once. So this is a pure contest of skill between our blades. ...In other words."

As I provided my commentary, the three of them watched the video intently without reacting. I let out a small smile and, narrowing my own eyes, watched the screen—and savored it.

"He was, without a doubt, a cut above me."

It had its weaknesses, but the true value of 《Hayate》 was in mowing down everything, weaknesses and all. Without fear, my past self closed the distance, even as the white blade, which he must have placed there after reading the trajectory of my technique from my stance, loomed.

And the moment the jade and white blades touched.

The 'blue' that erupted as if triggered by that contact, at a speed that was still a blur even in a hundred-times slow-motion playback—

—in a magnificent flash, severed my neck.

I truly can't find any other words to describe it. It's just that frustrating.

Because that was—

"'Matoi,'"

"Huh?"

"...What?"

"...?"

As I watched the finale, I muttered to myself, and the three of them turned to me, their expressions asking, "What are you talking about?"

"Irori's dual-wielding style is based on a technique that's an arrangement of my 'Matoi'... or rather, it's an evolution of it, after having been reversed."

In other words, even if it's a different path, it's a technique that can 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 great his opponent's power or speed is... with his own power added on top, he will always surpass it."

If I had to describe it, that was...

"An 'impenetrable guard sword'—damn it, he's a true genius."

It was a sword of the after-initiative, a counterattack whose success was guaranteed.

I have many tricks up my sleeve, many feints. But in the end, my style is based on 'charging straight ahead and pushing through.' His school is like my natural enemy.

—Well then, that being said.

"I've explained everything up to the end, so I'm gonna take my leave... whoa!"

Putting some spirit into my half-dead avatar, I stood up, shaking off the pipsqueak on my head. My reactions were still dull, but if I walked slowly, it shouldn't be a problem.

"...Senpai, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Whether he 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 pushed yourself. Rest up until the afternoon."

"Yeah, see you later."

Ri-na bowed her head politely, and Mi-na waved her hand back and forth. I gave them a casual wave in return and left the training room.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—Mmm... He seemed fine, so I just messed with him, but..."

"...I wonder if he's okay."

After their junior, who was presumably older, left with his usual easy smile.

The red-head regretted her annoying pestering, which she realized was a bit more high-strung than her usual teasing in response to his 'usual' demeanor.

The blue-head, as if to cover for her partner who had been shaken off and landed on her lap, a rare occurrence, stroked her head somewhat carelessly, her listless face showing a hint of 'worry.'

And the black-clad figure beside them, as the only other male, thought about the feelings of the young man who was his senior, his junior, and his clanmate, feelings he could understand to some extent—

"...Well, he'll be fine. It's him, after all."

He had probably gotten frustrated all over again while re-watching the match, but... "Guys are like that sometimes," he declared nonchalantly.

The two girls tilted their heads slightly, and the lively post-mortem came to an end.

---

Thank you for your hard work.

It's about time for some sugar, don't you think?