Kanata moved to the indoor training ground, but…
I moved to the indoor training ground and performed unarmed combat techniques of the Mugen Ittouryu in front of mirrors lining the walls.
My fighting style is a blend of the Mugen Ittouryu’s unarmed combat techniques and the Kyosui Jigen Ryu Aikijujutsu I learned from Shigure-san.
The idea is to divide multiple opponents with Jigen Ryu Aikijujutsu, and to finish off single opponents with the Mugen Ittouryu’s striking techniques.
This is the perfected form of my unarmed combat style that I aim for. Even if the road is long, I must keep walking to reach it.
I spent about an hour on the demonstration. I kind of want to try some practical sparring. Should I ask someone?
Python-san, who goes by the alias “The Strangler,” is apparently one of the Garden’s top grapplers.
Honestly, what’s scarier than his grappling is his grip strength, which is said to be the best in the Garden.
If he grabs your neck, he’ll strangle you to death in an instant, hence “The Strangler.”
He’s also an excellent boxer-style martial artist; his no-motion jabs are difficult for even seasoned soldiers to track.
He transitions from lightning-fast jabs to grappling and strangulation. He’s truly a python.
… I think I’ll refrain from calling Python-san. I’m no match for him in a fight yet.
Besides, the 4th Unit doesn’t seem to be the type to go easy on anyone.
“… Found you, Kanata~!”
Natsume poked her head into the training ground. Hmm? Isn’t this perfect timing?
“Natsume, you’re here at the perfect time. Will you spar with me?”
Natsume’s fighting style, which uses dual swords and kicks, makes her speed rival that of Marika-san in the 1st Unit. She’ll be a more than sufficient opponent.
“…A gargantuan chocolate parfait from Garimpeiro.”
Natsume is a spicy girl, but she’s also got a sweet tooth. It’s a fair price.
“Okay. If you win, I’ll throw in some pancakes too.”
“Mont Blanc, please.”
Come to think of it, her favorite food is kurikinton. So, she just likes chestnuts, I guess.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
Natsume’s face, as she took a cat stance, transformed from that of an angel to a killer angel.
While her rank is Sergeant Major, her combat capability is said to be at the Company Captain level, or even surpass it. Natsume is the best opponent I could ask for.
I took a defensive stance and waited for Natsume.
Natsume has the advantage in speed. I’ll try to find an opening for a counterattack after receiving her moves.
“…I’m going all out to kill.”
Natsume, uttering dangerous words, used her impressive jumping ability to close the distance with large steps, bouncing left and right like a pinball.
But what’s truly frightening is…
Suddenly, Natsume leaped into the air, kicked off a Psyche-Barrier she formed mid-air, and delivered a cross-chop after a wall jump.
This is her specialty. Natsume’s true strength lies in her three-dimensional killing techniques, utilizing her springy body and agility.
I raised both hands above my head and blocked with Mugen Ittouryu, Muto no Ni, Juji Shukaku, commonly known as the cross-arm block.
Then, with Muto no San, Jaryusho, I grabbed her wrist and threw her. However, Natsume twisted in mid-air, landed, and immediately counterattacked.
She unleashed a heavy kick, unusual for someone of her lightweight class, which I blocked again with Juji Shukaku, but I stumbled slightly.
The killer angel doesn’t miss even the slightest opening and barrages me with a rapid succession of kicks to the upper, middle, and lower body.
I desperately parry the killer angel’s fierce onslaught, but a smile naturally comes to my lips.
… It’s amazing to have someone like her as an ally!
“…Don’t underestimate me!”
Natsume, misinterpreting the meaning of my suppressed smile, attacks even more fiercely.
That’s where she goes wrong. Too impulsive. Look, her kick is becoming too wide!
I throw a kick, prepared for an exchange of blows. I took a heavy kick to the ribs and staggered, but Natsume couldn’t withstand it and was sent sprawling to the ground.
“… A blow delivered with the intent of mutual destruction. … You’re still strong.”
Natsume gets up, clutching her ribs.
“Natsume, no matter what swordsmanship or martial art it is, there are weaknesses that cannot be overcome.”
“…Tell me? What kind of weakness?”
“When you launch a powerful attack, your ‘feet inevitably stop’.”
“…Right! When delivering a powerful kick, you can’t move your supporting leg.”
“It’s the same with swordsmanship. Whether it’s Iaido, thrusts, or sweeps, your feet stop when you unleash a full-powered slash.”
“…An opponent superior to me in toughness might aim for a mutual exchange of blows. …The countermeasures are either to scatter my attacks and not let them pinpoint me, or to anticipate a mutual exchange and go for a counter… Faints might be good too!”
As expected, she’s a bundle of combat sense. Speak one word, and she grasps ten.
“Kanata, in return, I’ll teach you something. There’s a moment when even a master cannot attack.”
“I’d love to know, what moment is that?”
“It’s when you ‘inhale’.”
…I see. One attacks accompanied by a fierce cry. This means they are ‘exhaling’.
In combat, when you rush into the opponent’s guard, you hold your breath, meaning you’re ‘holding your breath,’ right?
As Natsume says, in swordsmanship and martial arts, attacks don’t come when you ‘inhale’.
Natsume doesn’t just rely on her innate intuition and sense; she also deeply understands the principles of martial arts. She’s quite something.
And… the world of martial arts is indeed profound. Lately, I’ve not only felt its severity but also its joy.
Reading someone’s breath is not easy, but if I can apply it to the principles of the sword… I’ve learned something valuable.
“‘Everyone I meet, everything I encounter, is my teacher.'”
“That’s a great quote. Whose is it?”
“A certain great author. Alright, let’s continue.”
“Okay!”
Natsume and I are both climbers, striving to reach the distant mountain peaks. If that’s the case, I don’t mind climbing together.
“Let’s make this the last round. It’s almost noon.”
Natsume and I are evenly matched, and the stalemate continues with neither of us scoring a point, but we can’t go on forever.
“Yeah. I’ve figured out my problem. I lack decisive power without my Kiken and Yabai. Opponents with tough skills like Kanata, who can pull off mutual destruction blows, are a real threat.”
“I don’t think Natsume would be careless enough to drop her weapons, but anything can happen on the battlefield.”
“Alright. I’m definitely taking this last point! For the Mont Blanc!”
“I can’t lose if I’m going to act like Captain! Come on!”
“I’ll show you my trump card that I’ve been saving!”
Natsume is Marika-san’s direct disciple, so she must have a trick or two up her sleeve.
A whirlwind around Natsume? This is indoors; there shouldn’t be any wind. So! Natsume is…
Natsume’s fierce attack, with wind-like blades emanating from her limbs, is different from anything before!
Natsume’s rare ability is Gufuu (Hurricane), pyrokinetic abilities to release wind!
“I can’t control it perfectly yet, but Kanata should be fine!”
“Yeah! Use it on Tozen-san when you fight him!”
“I’ve been training hard since then, and I’ve gotten it to a point where I can use it in practice!”
I see. If mishandled, she could slash her own limbs to shreds with the wind blades. It’s an extremely difficult technique to handle.
I’ll have to deploy a strong Psyche-Barrier to block this.
“Impressive! If your Psyche-Barrier is strong enough, you can block it!”
“Compared to bare fists and kicks without the wind blades, the sharpness is lacking. It’s still not perfected, is it?”
“Yeah. I’m practicing to be able to wrap them around my full-power punches and kicks!”
“It’s perfectly usable in actual combat. Mix attacks with wind blades and attacks without them! It’s not something people can easily adapt to! It’s best to perfect it, though!”
Panting, I somehow managed to endure. If it’s perfected, it’ll be truly terrifying.
“…You endured it. Then, my final move!”
…She still has a trump card? I’ve had enough.
Without regard for my haggard state, Natsume formed wind blades in front of her chest… and tore through her military uniform!
Her soft skin is exposed! The remnants of her bra, barely clinging on, look like they’re about to fall off, and I can see her most important parts!
N-no! Just a tiny bit, the edge is peeking out!
Even though we’re not blood-related sisters, it’s pink, the same color as Marika-san’s!
It’s understandable that my body and mind froze at the manifestation of a goddess who has perfected the beauty of a flat chest.
“Opening!”
I was easily tripped and put into a mounted position.
“I win!”
Natsume, not bothering to hide her exposed chest, gloats triumphantly. Keep gloating. This is the first time I’ve had such a wonderful loss!
“…”
Um, Natsume-san. Why are you staring at me?
I want to be staring at Natsume-san’s chest.
W-what?! Why are you leaning closer?! You’re too close, too close!
D-don’t close your eyes! W-what should I do… Ugh, I have no choice, do I! It’s okay to go there, right?
“Captain! What are you doing?!”
Absolute zero, a scream, echoed through the indoor training ground, jolting me back to reality.
W-what was I about to do just now! I was about to get killed by Marika-san!
Shion, walking with long strides, strode over and put her jacket on Natsume, pulling her away.
“Natsume! What was that supposed to mean?!”
“…Tch… We were sparring, what’s it to you?”
Um, Natsume-san. You just clicked your tongue, didn’t you?
“What kind of sparring involves tearing off clothes! And… getting that close to your face…”
“…If you get mounted, you can do whatever you want. That’s the golden rule of grappling.”
Who taught you such a rule?
“Captain, you too! This is what happens when you have an opening! Natsume is only 17! This is a crime!”
“…She’ll be 18 soon. Besides, you can get married at 17.”
“You’re not reflecting at all! Come here! It’s time for a lecture!”
Natsume, slung over Shion’s shoulder, waved innocently at me as she was being dragged away.
I reflexively waved back, but Shion, looking back with half her face turned, had the eyes of an assassin.
Pierced by the gaze of a demoness, I swallowed the drool that had pooled in my mouth from looking at Natsume’s breasts and resigned myself to my fate.
I wonder what kind of punishment awaits me. I just hope I keep my life…
