"Huh?"
Ryosuke was taken aback, a little confused.
"Thank me for what? I should be thanking Mr. Rengoku for his guidance, and you for your medicinal wine."
"It's different."
Kyoujurou shook his head, "Since you came, Father hasn't trained with such focus, or been so full of fighting spirit, in a long time."
"After Mother's illness worsened, he became somewhat dejected."
"Although you didn't do anything special, your arrival, your request for guidance, seems to have made him rediscover his past self."
Ryosuke fell silent for a moment, thinking of Kagaya's entrustment, his feelings somewhat complex.
"I didn't do anything; it was Mr. Rengoku..."
"But you appeared, and you became stronger."
Kyoujurou's eyes gleamed, filled with pure trust and anticipation.
"Father needs an opponent, a junior who can make him serious! Mr. Yasui, perhaps you really can help Father get back on his feet!"
Looking at the young man's incredibly serious and hopeful eyes, Ryosuke suddenly smiled.
He impulsively reached out and ruffled Kyoujurou's golden-red hair, which flared out like an owl's.
Ryosuke had wanted to touch it ever since he watched the anime in his previous life!
Indeed—
The texture was good, fluffy and soft.
Kyoujurou was startled, but he didn't dodge or show displeasure.
He blinked, interpreting this gesture as a form of recognition and closeness.
After two more days of hellish training, Ryosuke felt his fighting spirit had initially stabilized.
Although far from as immense and terrifying as Shinjuro's, it could now be integrated into his breathing and techniques, significantly increasing their power.
As the Final Selection on Fujikasane Mountain was about to end, Ryosuke bid his farewells.
Shinjuro did not stop him, merely crossing his arms and saying,
"Honing fighting spirit in isolation is ultimately inferior; the true battlefield is the best crucible! If there's a suitable mission, I'll have my Kasugai Crow notify you to come with me. You'll gain insights much faster in actual combat!"
"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Rengoku!"
Ryosuke bowed respectfully.
He would remember this debt of gratitude for the guidance.
Leaving the Rengoku residence, Ryosuke quickened his pace, heading straight for Fujikasane Mountain.
When he arrived at the shrine, the seven-day period had just passed.
The wisteria flowers swayed, and the swordsmen who had passed the selection had already gathered at the exit.
There were more people than in Ryosuke's own selection, over twenty, and most looked tired but not overly terrified.
Clearly, this was all Sabito's doing.
He had once again triggered his excellent tradition, single-handedly clearing out most of the demons.
"Ryosuke-nii!"
A clear cry rang out, and a slender figure crashed solidly into Ryosuke's embrace.
Rika hugged his waist tightly, rubbing her small face against his chest, her voice carrying a hint of playful fear.
"Waaah! It's great! Ryosuke-nii! You came to pick me up~
"It was so dark in there, and the demons were so ugly, I was so scared~"
Feeling the gazes around them, Ryosuke immediately felt awkward, unsure where to put his hands.
He pursed his lips, only able to give a dry laugh and pat Rika's back.
"Alright, alright, aren't you okay now? So many people are watching..."
Just then, the silent Tomioka Giyu next to them suddenly tilted his head in confusion.
"Um, Kirigaya, weren't you the one who killed the most demons besides Sabito? You even twisted off that demon's head and used it as a ball..."
"Woah! Giyu! Come look at this!"
Sabito, quick as a flash, clapped a hand over Giyu's mouth and pulled him away, winking at Rika before he left.
Rika also gave him a sly smile.
Ryosuke: w(ﾟДﾟ)w
Seeing this scene, Ryosuke was dumbfounded.
No... how did you guys get together?
How did you guys get led astray and betray me by this girl?
What did she say to you, anyway?
Rika lay on Ryosuke's chest with a dazed expression, sniffing him.
"Hehe~ Ryosuke-nii~ Hehe~"
"..."
Ryosuke rubbed his forehead.
Girl, aren't you scary?
Headache!
Seriously, what a headache!
With the selection over, next came choosing the Nichirin ore and assigning the Kasugai Crows.
When it was Rika's turn, a brightly colored red and white Hummingbird landed on her shoulder, affectionately rubbing against her cheek.
"Wow! So pretty!"
Rika's eyes widened in surprise, and she carefully stroked the Hummingbird's feathers.
"Ryosuke-nii, look! It's as cute as yours!"
"Mm, it is quite cute."
Ryosuke nodded.
Everything was complete, and after exchanging greetings with Sabito and the others, Ryosuke prepared to leave with Rika.
Just as they stepped out of the crowd, they happened to run into Shota, who was rushing over.
"Hey! The selection, is the selection over?" Shota ran, panting.
Ryosuke glanced at him, saying faintly, "Yes, you came too late, of course it's over."
"Damn it! Still didn't make it!"
Shota was annoyed.
Why wasn't I the first person my sister saw after the selection?
Ryosuke knew what he was thinking and tried hard to suppress a laugh.
Shota gritted his teeth, irritated by that punchable expression!
He was about to retort when a cry suddenly came from the sky.
Ryosuke's dark blue Hummingbird swooped down, landing on his raised arm.
"Caw! Yasui Ryosuke! Urgent order! Flame Hashira Rengoku Shinjuro summons you!"
"Proceed immediately to Hachijo Island, Tokyo Prefecture, to rendezvous and investigate!"
Ryosuke's eyes suddenly lit up.
It's here!
The opportunity for practical training is here!
"Let's go, Shota! Rika's in your care."
Ryosuke instructed Shota, patted Rika's head, and transformed into a lightning flash, speeding off into the distance.
Rika hadn't even had time to say anything before that figure disappeared at the end of the mountain path after a few leaps.
"Hmph~ Nngh!!!"
Rika: (,,Ծ‸Ծ,,)
Rika pouted in annoyance, grinding her toe on a small stone on the ground.
"Running so fast! Another mission! Another mission! Is Flame Hashira-sama really that important?"
Shota, seeing his sister like this, was also helpless and gently comforted her.
"Alright, that guy's just like that. All he cares about is killing demons and getting stronger. Let's go, home. Grandpa must be getting anxious."
He ruffled Rika's head: "When you get stronger, you'll also be able to take on higher-level missions. I'll take you then!"
Rika stopped complaining, only giving a muffled "Mm."
The joy the young girl felt from just passing the selection was largely diluted...
Ryosuke pushed his Thunder Breathing to the limit, his body darting like lightning flash.
"Hachijo Island, Tokyo Prefecture..."
The wind whistled in his ears, but Ryosuke kept chewing on the place name in his mind.
"Why does this place sound so familiar..."
Even having thoroughly read the original story, Ryosuke couldn't remember all the place names and events.
But connecting it to Shinjuro's life story... Ryosuke's heart jolted, and he gasped.
Hachijo Island... Snake Demon... Sacrifice... No way, is the plot starting already?!
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