"Shinkage-ryu · Simple Domain."
A faint blue halo, invisible to the naked eye, appeared beneath Kusakabe's feet.
His aura had changed. Was taking the initiative really the right choice?
Sasaki's lips curved into a smile when he saw Kusakabe's transformation.
Sasaki was not worried that his opponent had become more troublesome. Instead, he eagerly anticipated the battle ahead.
"A sword style that has been passed down for a thousand years, let me witness it."
With that, Sasaki stepped into Kusakabe's attack range, holding his clothes-drying pole.
"I won't disappoint you. Shinkage-ryu · Iai Draw."
This was a battle for the legacy of their styles. Kusakabe could not allow himself to be suppressed in aura.
The Simple Domain's automatic counterattack activated.
Kusakabe swung his katana at Sasaki with extreme speed.
Clang.
Facing the iai draw that cut from lower left to upper right, Sasaki swung his clothes-drying pole upward, its tip angled toward the ground, deflecting the katana upward.
Kusakabe released the scabbard with his left hand and gripped the hilt from above.
He stepped forward, bringing the katana that had been deflected upward down in a vertical slash.
Sasaki flicked his wrist and brought the clothes-drying pole down from above with one hand.
Clang!
The two blades collided.
After a brief stalemate, both exerted force at the same time and each retreated one step.
The first exchange ended.
His speed is extremely fast, and his strength is great.
Kusakabe reached a conclusion.
If we clash head-on, I will lose.
"Shinkage-ryu · Iai · Evening Moon."
Iai · Evening Moon was an advanced form of Iai Draw.
A faster strike surged toward Sasaki.
Sasaki responded with equal speed.
Clang, clang, clang.
Their blades collided continuously, crisp sounds echoing throughout the dojo.
"So fast."
"I can't see anything at all."
"As expected of Kusakabe-san, the strongest of this generation's Shinkage-ryu."
Whispers gradually spread.
Many newly enrolled disciples, including Miwa Kasumi who was still in junior high, could not clearly see the clash in the arena.
They could only guess what was happening based on brief pauses in the exchange.
However, those who could follow the battle fell silent.
They saw that Kusakabe kept accelerating, executing one Shinkage-ryu technique after another.
Yet Sasaki blocked every single attack. Not one strike touched him.
There was a clear gap in swordsmanship.
"Shinkage-ryu · New Moon."
The last day of each lunar month is called the New Moon.
On that day, the moon is small and nearly invisible.
Amid his relentless offense, Kusakabe seized an opportunity and used this nearly undetectable technique.
The katana slashed from behind at an angle, attempting to break through Sasaki's defense.
Clang.
"What!"
Kusakabe stared in shock at the clothes-drying pole blocking his blade.
Sasaki did not turn around.
Instead, he passed the long blade beneath his armpit and intercepted the subtle strike.
"Shinkage-ryu · Waning Moon."
Since the sneak attack failed, he would break through with a stronger strike.
He does not have time to turn around. This will hit.
"A good choice, but..."
Clang.
The clothes-drying pole blocked the attack once again.
I suspected it earlier, but can this guy really swing his blade from any angle?
Kusakabe looked at the pole that had stopped him again, his expression solemn, a sense of helplessness rising in his chest.
Swish.
Sasaki slashed with his long blade and then turned to face Kusakabe directly.
"A beautiful attack, but useless against me."
"Seriously, do you have eyes in the back of your head?"
Kusakabe steadied his stance once more.
"This is Insight. In your terms, it is a danger prediction ability based on innate talent, similar to premonition or a sixth sense."
In reality, it was far more than that.
Sasaki not only possessed Insight, he could also discern an opponent's weapon and fighting style after only a few clashes.
Even among Servants, his Insight was rare.
During their recent exchanges, Sasaki had already analyzed Kusakabe's style.
Kusakabe was different from a pure swordsman.
Because his main enemies were Cursed Spirits, he did not emphasize spiritual concepts such as bushido.
His sole objective was to eliminate the enemy.
From their exchanges, Sasaki had also grasped Kusakabe's techniques and core variations.
His opening moves were primarily Iai.
His mid-combat techniques mirrored the phases of the moon.
Evening Moon, Waning Moon, Full Moon, New Moon. A style that fused lunar phases into swordsmanship.
"As expected of the legendary Sword Saint. Then I will show my true abilities as well."
Kusakabe expanded his Shinkage-ryu · Simple Domain once more.
"That is how it should be."
Sasaki smiled in satisfaction.
In the year since his summoning, Kusakabe was the first Jujutsu Sorcerer he had encountered with such refined swordsmanship.
He greatly anticipated this exchange.
Raising his clothes-drying pole, Sasaki no longer maintained his relaxed posture.
He launched a serious attack.
However, this time Kusakabe moved first.
The range of the Simple Domain expanded.
The Shinkage-ryu · Simple Domain, which originally required drawing the opponent into attacking first before countering, now automatically intercepted anything that entered its range.
This was the improved Simple Domain developed by Kusakabe, the leading figure of Shinkage-ryu, refined into his own version.
"Interesting!"
Watching attacks come from all directions, Sasaki swung his clothes-drying pole with excitement.
Rip.
A small tear appeared in Sasaki's kimono.
Kusakabe's attack had finally broken through his defense.
"Not enough!"
Sasaki continued swinging, intercepting countless strikes.
Forcing his way through the Shinkage-ryu · Simple Domain, he rushed directly in front of Kusakabe.
"Inhale, exhale."
Kusakabe took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on Sasaki with intense focus.
"A full-power strike. Then I will give my all as well."
"Shinkage-ryu · Full Moon."
Kusakabe swung his katana with all his strength, and a full moon seemed to rise within the dojo.
"Secret Sword · Swallow Reversal."
Though only one sword was swung, the blade approached Kusakabe simultaneously from three directions.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)