Volume 1 Chapter 3 This Is My Path III – Swift As The Wind
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The meeting of the 8 families was held at the office of a shrine belonging to the Bureau of Onmyō, and there was a small open space like a park on the same grounds.
The ground, just packed dirt surrounded by a protective forest, was prepared for exorcists’ training, emergency evacuations, or as a battlefield to draw in ayakashi.
In the center, 2 figures faced each other with about 4 meters between them.
To the east stood a young man in traditional hakama, Kazuramichi Naoshi, the Acting Head of the Kazuramichi family and a first-class exorcist.
To the west was a girl in a white sailor uniform, Shiun Suzuri, the eldest daughter of the Shiun family and a second-class exorcist.
While the man moved his body lightly to prepare, the girl stood quietly with a sword in a black sheath at her side.
”By the way, Suzuri-chan, you really ain’t gonna change? With a skirt that short, you don’t need to be showin’ off for the old men.”
Though it wasn’t too short by modern standards, the knee-length skirt was not great for movement.
Her worn sneakers looked like they had seen better days, and she didn’t want to be teased about her underwear.
”I’m wearing something underneath, so there’s no need to worry.”
Suzuri replied, her tone more assertive than what you’d expect from a girl her age.
It seemed she was being herself, even if she had been acting a bit more reserved during the meeting.
”Alright then.”
”Kazuramichi-dono, the match is──.”
Naoshi dismissed the voice calling from afar.
”No need to be so dramatic. You think I’d mess up against a second-class girl? Just step back, will ya?”
Are they aware or not, what can those who are already overwhelmed by Suzuri in battle mode do?
”I understand, then I’ll leave the signal to start to you.”
”Okay, okay──so Suzuri-chan, you can kick things off anytime.”
Naoshi said this in a light tone, completely pushing the audience out of his mind.
Even Suzuri wouldn’t think of that attitude as arrogant.
No matter the field, if someone can’t keep up one-on-one with a second-class exorcist, there’s no way they can become a top-class one.
”Even if I’m up against the strongest in Kansai, I won’t say I’m borrowing your strength──I’m aiming for the win.”
As she lowered her stance and took a ready position, Suzuri’s beauty, which looked almost artificial, formed a smile for the first time today.
It wasn’t just beautiful; it had a sharpness──almost a ferocity──that was evident in her smile.
It seemed to be a warrior-like temperament, a type often seen in exorcists.
”I hate bein’ called that.”
However, seeing that, Naoshi stuck out his tongue as if he had tasted something unpleasant.
”What?”
”Ain’t it lame? You call me ‘the strongest’ but only in Kansai. What happens if I head over to Gifu or Okayama? I gonna lose there?”
The reason Naoshi isn’t called the strongest in Western Japan is that there are people in Kyushu and Shikoku who are seen as his equal or stronger.
Kazuramichi Naoshi is a confident person with a strong sense of pride, but he is also a pure believer in raw strength.
He is sincere and honest with those he sees as equals or stronger, which is why he dislikes the excessive praise from local exorcists and hates false titles.
”Though, I could accept ‘the best in Kansai’ as a straight-up fact.”
However, that was only about trying to look strong.
In Kansai, especially including the practitioners from Kyoto, He had the pride of being the strongest. He didn’t even think about being modest.
”──I was thinkin’ ’bout givin’ you some credit, but is that all you got?”
Suzuri made a face that showed she was unimpressed.
He secretly heard the sound of her sword being drawn.
Ignoring that, Naoshi continued.
”If ya think I’m wrong, feel free to prove me wrong anytime, alright? I ain’t bothered by what weaklings say.”
”I see──!”
With a flash of silver light,
Suzuri responded with a quick slash at Naoshi.
* * *
”Wh──!?”
In a single breath, that strike, which seemed to shrink the distance of 4 meters (13 ft), achieved nothing.
”──Your body movement’s solid. You got enough killin’ intent. But the key part, that ‘spirit energy’ trainin’, is lackin’.”
”Ugh!”
Naoshi easily caught the sharp strike with his palm and, faster than the blade could be pulled back, he held it down with a fox shape made by his fingers.
”With that, you can only cut through a low-level youkai at best.”
”──!”
Feeling the strength of his grip, Suzuri quickly realized the futility of a strength contest and let go of her sword, taking a step back.
”Good call.”
Naoshi genuinely said as he slid the sword he had taken back to her.
Not wanting to give her a chance to pick it up, Suzuri caught it with her sneaker but kept her stance, watching Naoshi’s movements closely.
”──What are you planning?”
”I said I wanna show you the difference, right? If I off you instantly, that kinda defeats the purpose.”
If she got provoked or doubted my words, there would be no saving her.
”I see.”
Naoshi was ready to change his words and immediately dismiss Suzuri, but he whistled at the sight of her quietly picking up her sword.
”Hey, you know what you’re doin’. I was thinkin’ of tellin’ you to die if you came at me without a weapon.”
”…You think that’s a compliment, don’t you?”
”Of course it’s a compliment! If ya don’t like it──”
”Ah, I’ll show you with my strength!”
The tip of her sword suddenly lunged toward Naoshi.
It was a sharp thrust that made him instinctively turn his face away, but it was actually a feint.
The blade dropped its angle mid-attack, aiming for a slash at his right leg.
Not only would it injure his leg, but a wound on a thigh could also lead to serious blood loss.
”I told ya it wouldn’t cut!”
But Naoshi, without panicking, lifted his thigh and moved his leg in a circular motion from the inside out.
”Ugh!”
The sword that was pushed toward his knee was swept away, and Suzuri’s body flowed with it. Even if she wanted to hold her ground, a slight stiffness formed.
This time, Naoshi didn’t miss the chance. His left fist, held loosely, flew forward.
With no hesitation, he aimed for her face, and Suzuri clenched her teeth, following the movement with her eyes as his fingers suddenly opened wide in front of her.
”Ugh!”
Suzuri let out an unexpected but painful scream as her high nose was hit hard.
”Kukuu.”
Naoshi laughed with a sound that was a mix between a chuckle and a snicker at her reaction.
The ground rumbled as he moved.
”Shh!”
With a fierce shout, another silver flash appeared, and a diagonal slash aimed for Naoshi’s torso.
Fueled by anger, it carried more killing intent and spiritual power than before.
If it hit, it might have cut through a thin layer of skin.
”Whoa, scary!”
Naoshi dodged by leaning back, a smile growing on his face.
”Ha!”
As Suzuri followed up with a downward strike, he stepped half a step forward, spun around, and dodged the vertical attack to slide to the outside of Suzuri’s right arm.
”You’re slow, ya know.”
With that, she completely lost the distance needed to swing her sword effectively.
He leaned in close enough that their faces were almost touching, and upon closer look, she was indeed a beautiful girl.
That made him feel a bit amused at the tip of her red nose.
”Wow, but you’re really a pretty girl, huh? Did it make you that mad gettin’ hit on your pretty face? Sorry ‘bout that.”
”Y-you…!”
As Suzuri tried to create some distance, Naoshi stepped in the same amount.
He blocked her sideways strike with his hand as she tried to pull away.
”Now, what’re ya gonna do next──”
The moment he asked, without hesitation, Suzuri charged at him, aiming to headbutt his face.
He leaned back to dodge it, but then a knee came flying toward his groin.
It was unexpected for Naoshi to take a step back to avoid it.
”Ssh!”
”Oh, whoa!”
Using the distance he created, a sharp thrust came at his throat this time.
Naoshi twisted his neck to dodge the first strike.
He quickly sensed the second strike coming back and twisted his body the other way, moving out of the sword’s range before the third strike could hit.
”That was close, close──you’re pretty rude, Suzuri-chan.”
The distance between them was now about 4 meters, just like before they started.
However, while Naoshi still kept a cool face, sweat was forming on Suzuri’s forehead, and she was starting to breathe heavily.
”I’m just being aware of my limits. You’re not someone I can take lightly.”
”That’s true. Good answer, that.”
Feeling refreshed for the first time in a while, Naoshi smiled.
It’s not just a beautiful sword; there are also tricky moves and rough tactics, and he had them all down.
If he got too lost in the sword, he would be done for the moment I lost it. If he got drunk on a mistaken pride, he wouldn’t be able to grab the sword back, and he would be stuck there too.
But Suzuri, besides making smart choices, also had a strong fighting spirit that pushed her forward even when faced with a difference in skill.
It was good that she didn’t rely too much on techniques.
The sorcery used by exorcists can create flames, winds, and lightning, and can cause even more complex phenomena, but in the end, the most reliable thing is still her own body, strengthened by spiritual power.
An exorcist who can’t handle close combat has no right to be on the battlefield──just like those leaders who only watch and rely on techniques.
Many say they will do anything, but often it’s just talk; this girl truly had the qualities to become a real exorcist.
If that’s the case, it’s no wonder the head of the Shiun family showed hesitation about the duel.
At the same time, it makes sense why he couldn’t control her.
There aren’t many great teachers who can show her a path they haven’t walked themselves.
To be fair, he can’t be blamed for not being that kind of teacher──after all, a hawk can’t teach a crow how to fly.
”Well then, it wouldn’t be right to end it like this. Suzuri-chan, ya must have at least one trump card, right? Show me your proud technique.”
With that, he intended to bring out everything she had and then overpower her.
Understanding Naoshi’s intention, Suzuri nodded as well.
”──Alright, you can enjoy your confidence while you can.”
Her hand traced along the blade from the hilt to the tip.
The sword, about 2 shaku and 3 sun (70 cm / 2.3 ft) long, seemed to shine even brighter.
”Kinjo-sui (Gold and Water).”
”…Oh.”
No, it was because the droplets of water that kept appearing on the blade made the blade wet and reflected the light.
According to the Five Elements theory of compatibility, gold produces water through condensation.
The ink drop that dripped from the blade left a ‘black’ stain on the ground──unbeknownst to me, the sword was shedding black tears. The unique smell was that of ink.
”The Dance of the Whirlwind!”
The ink that splattered from the sword, which was swung around, drew a picture of a storm in the void.
Immediately, the swirling black-and-white storm became a visible entity and attacked Naoshi.
”Ahh!”
The shock I let out was not an act.
(So that’s how it is~!)
By using the sword to create water from the surrounding qi, and then changing it with his own spiritual power.
The name reflects the body, and it is only natural that Suzuri grinds ink.
And as the Draft of “Adding the Eye to the Dragon” says, the idea that a drawing comes to life or that a masterpiece has a soul is one that is seen all over the world.
That is, if a drawing is a reflection of reality, what is so strange about the reverse happening?──However.
”──It’s too rough and too sweet.”
Naoshi clapped his hands in front of his chest as the storm tried to swallow him.
A single pleasant sound, and the raging wind simply melted into the air.
A gentle breeze slightly ruffled the man’s hair.
”Wha──!?”
Suzuri, who was waiting for a chance to dodge or receive, was caught off guard by this.
”Good idea. Seems to be effective, and if ya think about it, a little trouble ain’t no big deal. It’s just that the practice ain’t enough──it’s still in the realm of art, not skill.”
”Damn it!”
Suzuri swung her blade again, and an even stronger and larger storm was created.
But Naoshi simply took a step, and with a loud thud, he erased it.
”It’s messier than before.”
”…No way.”
”Walkin’ is also a ritual. If ya understand it right, you can do this──but it was a bit of a waste.”
”…”
”What do you mean,” Suzuri asked with her eyes alone, and Naoshi smiled at her.
No matter what Suzuri’s intention was, it was a very spiteful smile from others.
”No, I said it was thin, but I reckon there was a chance Suzuri-chan could become stronger than me. Sorry to Shiun-san.”
”Not yet, I’m not defeated…!”
”You’ll lose. I’ll take ya down now. I won’t tease ya; I’ll show ya my respect for your potential with a serious blow.”
”…!”
Suzuri tightened her face for a moment at Naoshi’s words, but she quickly readied her sword in a straight position.
Her fighting spirit was not diminished, and her heart was not broken.
(Good, let’s break it.)
This further raised Naoshi’s tension.
”By the way, Suzuri-chan, do ya train your abs?”
”…To some extent.”
Suzuri answered honestly, although she was puzzled by the intention.
”Then I’ll give ya a full-power belly punch from now on, so get ready. Oh, and it’s impossible to avoid it. If ya don’t wanna spill your guts, make sure ya practice your spiritual power and put some strength into it.”
Naoshi said, “Please,” and half-turned her left foot forward, slightly dropping her waist.
A small popping sound began to rise.
The pure air produced by the sacret forest was slightly mixed with a pungent, fishy smell, and since the wind had stopped, it did not blow away, but remained in place.
”Wh-what is this smell…?”
”Hey! Kazuramichi’s acting head, what are you planning to do!?”
The heads of the families sensed something was wrong and started to panic.
Of course, Naoshi ignored all of them.
”This is, could it be your──ugh.”
On the other hand, Suzuri, realizing something from their reactions, tried to attack with a panicked voice──but remembering Naoshi’s warning from a glance, she froze.
”That’s right, ya won’t make it in time. Normally, ya shouldn’t be this dramatic, right? Just stay calm and watch.”
Body enhancement through spiritual power and adjusting bioelectric currents.
This allowed the brain’s commands to be executed in the body without any delay──movements matched the speed of thought.
”This is the origin of my nickname──”
As Naoshi took a step forward, it was so fast that even those watching from a distance couldn’t catch it.
It was even more so for Suzuri, who was facing him.
In an instant, a flash of light and a thunderous sound echoed around them, and everything was decided.
”──!!”
Naoshi’s fist, slipping past all of Suzuri’s defensive moves, struck her stomach as promised.
”Swift as the wind and fierce as lightning.”
That blow was as quick as the wind and as fierce as lightning──hence the name.
The impact was so strong it felt like her body was blown away, and it didn’t even allow her to speak.
By the time Naoshi’s words reached her brain, Suzuri’s body had been sent flying several dozen meters, bent in a shape like a “<," all the way to the sacred forest.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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