Book 6:: Chapter 54: The Other Shinobu |
Needless to say, Kagaya immediately took measures to prevent news of Yeruashi's appearance from spreading. He was well aware that the treacherous Muzan would instantly scuttle into the shadows and go to ground if he learned of the existence of a god who favored humanity.
If the Progenitor of Demons waited for the current generation of slayers to pass away while the god grew disillusioned with mankind, the opportunity to end everything once and for all would slip away, and the future would turn bleak.
Since the slayers were accustomed to strict discipline, only a few people knew about Yeruashi even after a couple of months had passed.
In a small courtyard.
Two figures exchanged blows, their blades creating a constant drone as they clashed.
Makomo and Shinobu had very similar builds, but their strength was worlds apart. Because of this, their sparring was a true trial and an excellent learning experience for the Insect Hashira.
Clang! Clang! Clang...
Every collision was accompanied by a burst of sparks, and sharp gusts of wind left small nicks in the ground, even though the opponents were using blunt training blades.
After a while, Makomo took a deep breath.
Even though the sword was blunt, the impact still produced a piercing whistle, followed by a dangerous flash of steel that hurtled toward the Insect Hashira.
Hearing the warning, Shinobu concentrated, her first instinct being to rely on her speed to dodge. However, the speed of the attack exceeded all expectations, leaving the Insect Hashira with no choice but to instinctively bring up her blade to block.
Clang!
A sharp ring of metal echoed through the air.
Shinobu managed to block Makomo's ranged strike, but due to her lack of raw strength, she was thrown back nearly forty feet.
Whoosh!
"Are you all right?" the Sword Hashira asked, rushing to her side immediately, having no intention of continuing the spar.
"I am fine," Shinobu replied with a calm nod, though she gripped her hilt as hard as she could to steady her trembling hand. 'Is my body always going to lack the strength I need?'
At this rate, she would never be able to defeat Doma...
Her progress was far too slow, despite the fact that she had been training constantly for the past few months and sparring with the Sword Hashira at every opportunity to hone her skills.
So much, so very much could have been different if she were at least four inches taller and twenty pounds heavier.
And yet...
Shinobu glanced at Makomo.
They had similar builds, but their power was on entirely different levels.
"Let us go again!" the Sword Hashira declared with an energetic nod.
Makomo was more than happy to help the Insect Hashira. The problem was that she only knew how to guide someone onto the path of the sword. It was incredibly difficult to find the words to express the sensations a swordsman feels when ascending to the next level of mastery.
Therefore, Makomo could think of nothing better than to try and pass on her skills through relentless sparring, hoping that Shinobu would eventually grasp the nuances. Unfortunately, despite some progress, the Insect Hashira still could not catch the true essence of swordsmanship.
Struggling to catch her breath and pushing all unnecessary thoughts aside, Shinobu resumed the rapid exchange of blows with Makomo.
Looking toward the eastern side of the courtyard, one could see an unremarkable window. Behind it sat a tea table where Yeruashi sat carefree, a book in one hand.
Out of the blue.
"Should I help?" he asked with a faint smile, glancing at Kanae as she carefully poured him tea.
"She has a weak constitution and mediocre talent for swordsmanship; at this rate, she will never defeat Upper Rank Three, no matter how much she wants to," Kanae replied, wearing her fox mask as she set the teapot down. She let out a heavy sigh. "I just fear she will take a path that will very soon lead to..."
As she spoke those words.
She looked out the window at her sister with deep concern.
Over the past few months, she had barely interacted with Shinobu, but she had been secretly watching over her while serving Yeruashi.
Kanae knew perfectly well that her younger sister would resort to desperate measures without hesitation if she did not find a way to defeat Doma. Just the other day, she had noticed that Shinobu had begun researching poisons derived from wisteria.
It was no secret to anyone here that wisteria poison was only lethal to ordinary demons. In the case of the Upper Moons, an extremely high concentration was required for it to have any effect.
Even highly concentrated wisteria poison would need to be administered in massive doses, something an experienced demon would never allow. The same applied to other toxins. Usually, in the heat of battle, one might manage to inject a poison once, maybe twice at most. Not to mention that Upper Rank Three preferred to fight from a distance.
Furthermore, Doma took great pleasure in consuming women. Especially beautiful, young, and innocent ones...
Based on this information, Kanae had already devised a way to defeat Doma: saturate her own body with poison, become the bait, and voluntarily allow the demon to consume her.
If she could think of such a thing, her younger sister likely had as well.
However, Kanae wanted Shinobu to live a long and happy life, not die in an attempt to avenge her death—a death that had, in reality, been staged.
"Heh..." Yeruashi chuckled in response, thoughtfully stroking his chin as he watched the girls sparring in the courtyard. "Well, it cannot be helped, since it is my maid's wish..."
With those words.
He stood up and leisurely walked out into the yard.
As Yeruashi appeared, the sparring session came to an immediate halt.
"Teacher!" Makomo said, bowing deeply.
"Greetings!" Shinobu followed her example, quickly catching her breath, though her chest was still heaving from the exertion.
Now, she was ready to do whatever it took for the sake of revenge.
A few months ago, she had even come to bow before Yeruashi, willing to give up everything in exchange for the power to take revenge on Doma, but she had been refused.
Despite that, she continued to show Yeruashi the utmost respect and reverence during every visit to Makomo.
That former recklessness was a thing of the past.
Shinobu had matured very quickly after Kanae's death. As the younger sister, she had always just followed in the older's footsteps. Now, however, the responsibility for the entire Butterfly Mansion rested on the Insect Hashira's shoulders. She was no longer a younger sister; she was the elder figure for everyone else...
"Follow me," Yeruashi said nonchalantly.