The first hurdle in Kanata’s hell tour seems to be Bakura Kidoin, who leads the Shishikagura.
Having learned the astonishing fact that Shion was actually a submissive type, I returned to the training area of the Garden. This was because Bakura-san had called and told me to come to the training area immediately.
“What a pain. I was planning to have a relaxing day, but I’ve already arrived at the first circle of hell. This is the start of the hell tour prepared by Shigure-san. The first trial is Bakura, the ‘Lion’s Mane,’ a master of spearmanship. My opponent is more than enough. Though, it might be beneath Bakura-san to fight against me.”
“You’re here, Kanata. Let me tell you now, be prepared for one or two scratches, no, three or four, wait, wait, one hundred or two hundred?”
“You went from four to two digits all at once? Well, I’m prepared, so it’s fine.”
At the training ground was Lieutenant Akihosuji Jodei, the副長 (vice-commander) of Bakura’s Shishikagura. According to Shigure-san, Jodei-san and Bakura-san studied spearmanship together at Kidoin. He was the heir to a prestigious temple and a legitimate monk, but he was an unusual person who joined the army out of admiration for Bakura-san. I don’t want to think about it, but I heard that Jodei-san handles the funerals of fallen soldiers who have no relatives. Apparently, members of the 4th Unit, which has many war dead, often rely on him.
“Will Jodei-san also spar with me?”
“No, I was asked by Shigure-san to be a witness. He said Bakura might ‘overdo’ it because he’s an idiot. Apt for a ‘spear’ user, isn’t it? Heh heh.”
“Hey, ‘idiot’ was unnecessary!”
“‘Horse-brain’ only makes you an idiot. Heh heh.”
Jodei-san, you already did that joke.
“Shut up! Don’t laugh at cold jokes! The air conditioning is more than enough!”
“Bakura-san still lacks ‘humor.’ Truly, you, more. Heh heh heh.”
… Is everyone in the Garden a weirdo?
“Kanata-san, to not laugh even after hearing the master joke three times… is your heart dead?”
“I’m dying of cold, Jodei-san.”
“Kanata-san, please call me Johnny. Heh heh heh.”
“Johnny?”
“That idiot Abby misheard Jodei as Johnny. He liked it so much that he’s going by Johnny now.”
“In that case, Johnny-san, please be my witness.”
“Understood, heh heh heh.”
If I have to deal with this otherworldly humor any longer, I’ll freeze to death. Let’s start quickly.
As I took a training sword in hand, Bakura-san also got into position with a training spear, jutting his chin, which was covered in stubble. “Come at me, huh? Well, I won’t hold back!”
The tip of the spear was “placed” where I was about to step! As I stopped in surprise, Bakura-san delivered three thrusts in rapid succession. I managed to deflect them with my sword and tried to step in again, but the tip was there once more.
“Don’t charge straight at a spear like a wild boar! Use your head! What happened to your precious Natto Bacteria!”
Quite right! It’s time to use the footwork of the Infinite Ittoryu, Ryūgeki!
“…Hmph. You can use the footwork Agito used, can’t you? It’s still a bit rough, but you’re pulling it off nicely. Just as Curtis said, you seem to have the qualifications to stand on our ground.”
Bakura-san himself stepped forward and thrust his spear. I used Ryūgeki to dodge with minimal movement. First, I need to get used to the speed of his thrusts. The spearmanship master’s techniques are powerful yet precise. I took many thrusts and was blown to various parts of the training ground. Still, after an hour of struggle, I’m starting to see the tip of the spear clearly!
“What a scary kid. I intended to kill you a hundred times, but you finished me in about ten. There’s no point in drawing things out, so let’s make this next one the last. Concentrate, Kanata. I’ll concentrate too. Use whatever you want, including Wolf Eye! The last one isn’t practice, it’s a real fight! Come on!”
“Ooh!”
I moved left and right with my footwork, trying to keep the spear tip from closing in. But my opponent is Bakura, the “Lion’s Mane,” who has mastered the Kidoin-ryu Gō-sōjutsu. It’s difficult to escape his spear tip. However, I have a trump card I’ve been saving!
First, Third Cut, Twin Fangs! I received the spear tip with the wakizashi I drew with my left hand, and then transitioned to Third Cut, Breaking Style, Sky Fang! The sword I threw with my right hand was deflected by Bakura-san’s spinning spear, but in that opening, I had already lunged into Bakura-san’s personal space.
But this is where the true power of “Lion’s Mane” shines. It’s hard to get close, but even if you do, hell awaits. Bakura-san’s long hair tried to wrap around both my arms, but I raised my arms and deliberately let it wrap around my torso.
“Fool! I understand you don’t want your arms caught, but if my hair wraps around your torso, I can crush you whole!”
“I know! But you can’t kill me instantly, right?”
Ignoring my creaking ribs, I grabbed Bakura-san’s hair and pulled him towards me, grabbing his face. At this close range, even Bakura-san can’t escape my Wolf Eye!
“Guh! It… it’s effective!”
“I’m using Wolf Eye with all my might! I don’t care what happens!”
“Indeed! If it keeps hitting, it’ll be bad!”
The next moment, with a shock, I was blown backward. Nenshin Shock Sphere! While preparing to pursue with my wakizashi ready, I pulled the training sword back to my hand with Psychokinesis and regained my stance. Bakura-san focused his Nenshin Power into his eyes, unlocked them, and straightened the tip of his spear towards me, taking a breath.
“That’s enough!”
“Johnny, it’s not over yet!”
Facing the enraged lion, the composed monk spoke as if giving a sermon.
“You must have seen that Kanata-san’s ribs are cracked. This is merely a training session. Pushing your will and causing serious injury is the height of recklessness. As a witness, I cannot overlook this.”
“Tch. Fine.”
“Besides, I don’t want Bakura-san’s brain to become any more idiotic. Heh heh heh.”
“Unnecessary concern, you damned priest!”
Hearing Johnny-san’s words, which lacked any respect for his superior, I felt my strength drain from my entire body in more ways than one. Oh, it’s too early to relax. First, I need to thank him for the lesson.
“Thank you very much!”
As I bowed, Bakura-san answered, scratching his stubbled chin.
“Don’t mention it. I learned something too. Most of the guys who closed the distance would usually take the lion’s mane on their arms and end up self-destructing. The ones with guts would take it on their torsos, prepared for a mutual kill. I was beaten this time.”
“Against a superior opponent, an ordinary tactic won’t work.”
“Bakura-san might get overtaken by Kanata-san if he gets too full of himself, you know. Heh heh heh.”
“Tch! I won’t let you get above me no matter what!”
The training with Bakura-san boosted my confidence, but I also keenly felt my immaturity. Bakura-san blew me away with Nenshin Shock Sphere, but I just realized that in a real fight, he would have slammed me into the ground with his hair. My judgment is still shallow. Only further practice can help.
I’m all sweaty from Bakura-san’s special training, so I should go back to my room and change.
Lilith wasn’t in bed. She seemed to have woken up and gone out somewhere. Relieved from the worry of being spied on, I showered to wash off the sweat and dried myself with a towel.
“Meow, meow.” The Handycom is ringing again.
“Arrow, this is Kanata…”
“Hinkley here. I’m sorry, I seem to have put you through quite an ordeal with my foolish request.”
“Brigadier General Hinkley is not responsible. I’ll take it on my computer, please wait.”
I connected the Handycom to my computer and spoke with the Major General via video call.
“I’m glad Kenrou was able to return alive. As expected of the nickname holder of the Asura Unit.”
“…Barry and Jacqueline’s bodies were cremated in the forest. I’m bringing back their hair and dog tags.”
“…Thank you. I’ll deliver the hair and dog tags to the bereaved families myself. We have lost precious comrades.”
“…Yes. They were good soldiers. Regarding the mission I accepted, I’m currently being taught the fear of top-tier Asura Unit soldiers. Once my training is complete, I’ll go teach your son the fear of elite soldiers.”
“There’s no need for that. I’ve sent my son to pick up the hair and dog tags. When he arrives at the Garden, don’t hesitate to beat him up. A few injuries, no, send him to the hospital, beat him senseless.”
As the alliance’s fiercest general, he’s strict with his son too. It’s like the saying “the lion throws its cub into a thousand-fathom valley.”
“Understood. I’ll heartily break his growing ego. But what if he loses his confidence?”
“If he can’t get back up after having his ego broken, then Rick is just that kind of man. Kenrou, an ideal soldier never falls, but to become one requires absolute talent like Commander Iska, and such talent is found in one in a million. …But you know, even ordinary people can stand up again after falling, as long as they have the guts. Do you understand?”
Brigadier General Hinkley must have survived the brutal battlefield by standing up again no matter how many times he failed. His soldiers praise that way of life with the nickname “Unbending.”
“I understand. Falling isn’t shameful. But if you can’t get up after being face down… that’s shameful.”
“Kenrou is a good soldier. Please teach that mindset to Rick. I’m counting on you.”
Brigadier General Hinkley saluted me and ended the communication.
A pathetic man who can’t get up after being face down…
That was me in my previous life. Simply failing an exam, I withdrew into myself. If I had had the guts, I would have used that setback as a springboard to attend high school and aim for the same university as my father. Perhaps my father’s opinion of me would have changed then.
It’s too late now, but… I want to show my father how I live now.
The life of Namihira Amakake, abandoned by his father, living as Kanata Amakake.
