Volume 5 Chapter 15 Touma Yukinojo Assassination Plot I： Final Move – Shoulder Throw
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Eh? I’m not going out.”
After breakfast at the Touma household, the five people around the table had mixed reactions to Naoshi’s comment about the upcoming “study session.”
Touma Yukinojo and Kazuramichi Ako nodded thoughtfully, as if that made sense.
Shiun Suzuri and Kusurugawa Haruno raised eyebrows, clearly caught off guard.
But Touma Mana, Yukinojo’s younger sister, looked utterly confused.
”What’s this about?”
After serving everyone tea, Mana asked in a voice that perfectly matched her calm, gentle appearance, the kind of girl who seemed like she had stepped out of an old-fashioned Japanese story.
”Naoshi-san said he’s not joining the tournament to fight Yuki-nii… is something wrong with him?”
”Is he sick?” Naoshi’s younger sister added, looking worried.
Surprisingly, the two girls called their older relatives with similar affectionate nicknames. Their surprise was evident in their voices.
”Really?” Yukinojo asked, raising an eyebrow.
”Why not?” Haruno chimed in, her tone playful.
”Why not take the chance?” Ako said, puzzled.
”Well, what’s the format, Ako?”
”Right. It’s a one-day, single-elimination tournament with seven participants,” she replied, her voice calm and precise.
”Seven? That’s odd,” Haruno questioned, clearly surprised.
”I’m seeded. I’ll be joining from the semi-finals,” Naoshi added, sounding casual.
”Isn’t that cheating?” Haruno quipped.
”Ha, come on, if it’s Yuki-kun, even the finals will be easy,” Naoshi responded, giving a teasing grin.
”If I make it that far, I think a different format would be better. But you really aren’t joining?” Yukinojo asked, raising a brow.
”I’d rather fight without the crowd. If it’s going to be with Yuki-kun, it’d be better if it’s just the two of us. Quiet, peaceful…”
”That sounds… suspicious,” Suzuri muttered.
”That’s not what I meant, Suzuri-chan!” Naoshi defended himself quickly, but with a hint of discomfort in his voice.
”You should know better than anyone,” he added, directing his words at Suzuri.
”You’re not even second in line!” Suzuri shot back, her voice sarcastic.
”Who put someone like that above me?” Suzuri added dramatically, burying her face in her hands.
Haruno shot a cold look at Naoshi.
”You’re cruel, Naoshi-san.”
”What are you talking about, Haruno-chan? I’ve got a reputation as ‘gentle with girls.’ I’m a nice guy!” Naoshi smirked.
”Yeah, only when it suits you,” Haruno shot back, unimpressed.
Haruno’s gaze shifted to Ako, who looked serious.
”That’s the charm of step-brothers,” Ako remarked, nodding slightly.
”Seems like it’s too late for you, too,” she added, with a gentle smile.
The Touma siblings shared a brief, almost imperceptible chuckle.
”Sorry,” Yukinojo cleared his throat, quickly trying to mask his amusement.
Everyone knew that he was an easy laugh, even if he kept it under wraps.
”So, Yuki-kun, who’s the opponent?” Mana asked, curious.
”The first foreign force is a sergeant from the Army Special Forces at Yokota Air Base. I’ve heard he’s a veteran.”
”Is he the rumored super soldier? And a sergeant, too? The Americans are really going all out.”
”Absolutely.”
Ako explained to the group, who looked somewhat confused.
”A sergeant is a non-commissioned officer, kind of like a middle manager, always on the front lines. Even if they get promoted, they usually stay on duty.”
”Ah, I see,” Mana responded, now understanding.
”I get it now,” Suzuri nodded, following the explanation.
Naoshi, looking like he still wasn’t quite sure, asked Yukinojo again.
”What about the other participants?”
”I heard there was supposed to be a master-class witch from the UK and a Slavic relic user from the EU, but the slot was recently moved to China.”
”That’s just chaos.”
”It seems like there’s no real connection between the EU and China…”
”Maybe it’s about the money?”
”Who’s the Chinese competitor then?” Mana asked.
”It seems to be a kung fu practitioner from Hong Kong. Perfect for Naoshi,” Yukinojo mused, glancing at Naoshi with a smile.
”I wonder if they’ve kidnapped another action star,” Suzuri joked.
”That’s from decades ago, isn’t it?” Haruno replied, with a laugh.
When Naoshi mentioned the old incident from long ago, Yukinojo gave a small, awkward smile.
”Well, if I showed up there casually, my strength as a top exorcist would be clear to everyone.”
His words made something click for Suzuri and Haruno. Naoshi’s real power was in physical combat, boosted by his spirit energy — the simplest and strongest skill for an exorcist.
”If they really mass-produce super soldiers just to beat Nao-san, that’s scary.”
”We need to watch out, even if it’s our ally, the United States. There are precedents.”
They thought of the exorcists who fought in the war, and the dark times after — when super soldiers were tested by hunting exorcists. The divide between them was deeper than normal people could understand.
”Maybe it’s better to show something no one else can copy. They probably won’t mind facing Japan’s best. And tournaments like this always get messy with surprises.”
”What kind of surprises?” Suzuri asked.
”You’ll see. By the way, besides Omyoren, what about the other two?”
”One is Miss Dushan from Kanto,” Yukinojo answered.
”That’s impressive — the top two from the east, both here.”
Dushan Cecil was a rare Christian relic user in Japan and a strong fighter, second only to Yukinojo in the Kanto region. It made sense that they let Omyoren take a spot.
”The eldest daughter from the Suwa family wanted to join too…”
”No way,” Naoshi said, waving his hands.
”If she shows up, it’d be worse than me. What is she thinking?”
Ryuju Suwa, the eldest of the prestigious Suwa family from Nagano, was said to descend from the dragon god. She was one of Japan’s strongest exorcists — a living legend, known especially for her hand-to-hand skills. She had more raw power than Naoshi, and her stories were famous.
”Nao-nii?” Suzuri asked quietly.
”Step-brother?” Ako added.
They all caught the subtle meaning in Naoshi’s words.
”This is boring. I just got targeted after fighting that second son. I haven’t even talked to him lately, and Ako-chan knows why.”
”That’s why I’m careful. That person is dangerous.”
”No matter how pretty I am, a human-faced gorilla is too much,” Naoshi joked, trying to lighten the mood.
The stories about Ryuju Suwa were well known — like how she came home on her wedding night after breaking three ribs of the bride. No one doubted her strength.
”In the end, only one person from the Suwa branch is coming.”
Naoshi nodded, knowing things might get tough.
”How about Suzuri-chan takes my place?” he asked suddenly.
”Huh!?” Suzuri blinked, glancing between Naoshi and Yukinojo.
Naoshi’s sly smile didn’t surprise her. Yukinojo, calm and quiet, just nodded.
”Is that okay?”
”If Nao-san recommends it and Suzuri-san wants to, I’ll support it. It should pass easily.”
Suzuri hesitated.
The young men exchanged quiet looks, waiting to see if she would refuse right away. Fear was natural, but sometimes only those who face it can reach Umeda.
”May I think about it a little?”
Yukinojo nodded softly.
”Take your time. If you decide today, even if you don’t join, I doubt they counted on Nao-san’s participation. It will work out.”
”Alright, then — Yuki-kun, where’s the venue?”
Naoshi ignored Suzuri’s annoyed look.
”It’s in Ryogoku. We’ll use the National Sumo Hall.”
”Are the sumo wrestlers from Osaka available?” Haruno asked.
Sumo was originally a sacred ritual, and even today, the ceremonies kept a strong spiritual meaning. The National Sumo Hall was treated like a temple — pure and clean, a fitting place for the event.
”It’s quite spacious and ready to use, so it’s perfect.”
”But I think it might be too small. Can’t we use a dome?”
”This isn’t a concert.”
”Step-brother, there’s no general admission.”
”Why does Naoshi-san like Yuki-nii so much?”
”You three really pile on.”
Naoshi looked annoyed as the teasing continued.
The Touma siblings laughed softly, filling the room with warmth.
Notes:
• Touma Yukinojo – The head of the Touma family, a prominent exorcist clan from Kanto. At just 21 years old, he is regarded as the strongest exorcist in Japan, known for his exceptional swordsmanship and mastery over fire. He is also referred to by the title ‘Ice Blade’, which scatters spirits, and is noted for possessing the ‘Divine Eye’, a unique ability that further enhances his prowess. Yukinojo is described as a handsome young man with the blood of a snow woman.
• Kusurugawa Haruno – Female. A sharp-tongued individual with a strong presence. She has a slender build and often wears elegant attire. She is an acquaintance of Naoshi and has a teasing relationship with him.
• Haruno – A cheerful, talented exorcist close to Yukinojo, related to Naoshi; confident, proactive, and supportive of her friends.
• Touma Mana – Female. Touma Yukinojo’s younger sister with a gentle and innocent personality. She has a petite build and often wears traditional attire. She looks up to her brother and has a close family bond.
• Mana – Yuki’s step-sister, involved in romantic or social pursuits with Naoshi.
• Yokota Air Base – Located in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan. A military base where the Army Special Forces are stationed. It is mentioned as the origin of the first foreign force participant.
• Dushan – She is a rare Christian relic user in Japan and a strong fighter, second only to Yukinojo in the Kanto region
• Ryuju – The eldest of the prestigious Suwa family from Nagano, was said to descend from the dragon god. She was one of Japan’s strongest exorcists — a living legend, known especially for her hand-to-hand skills. She had more raw power than Naoshi, and her stories were famous.
• Ryogoku – Located in Tokyo, Japan. The National Sumo Hall, a spiritually purified venue used for sacred rituals and festivals. It serves as the stage for the upcoming tournament.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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