Kanata was forced to retreat due to the sheer number of new enemies. However, he didn’t forget to leave behind a little trick.
From the Author:
I previously referred to Gammon Agito, Kanata’s Original, as the “Kenrou” (Sword Wolf). I’d like to change this to “Hyoro” (Ice Wolf). I apologize for not having fully ironed out the settings. Please make the mental substitution. I’ll explain the reason in the afterword, but it contains spoilers for future events, so if you’d prefer to avoid that, please skip the afterword.
The enemy is making a large group push, aren’t they. Just retreating wouldn’t be very interesting.
Even if it’s not as elaborate as Shuri’s tricks, is there no room for some innovation?
…There’s a classic, but effective method.
“Shuri, let’s set up a wire trap.”
“Kanata, there isn’t time for that.”
“I’ll have the Shuri Unit and Rimse fall back first. Only you and I, who have legs, will stay behind and set up just one. We can do that, right?”
“…I see! If we cleverly set just one trap and manage to catch the leading enemies…”
“Exactly. Even if the pursuers are wary of traps, they’ll have to be cautious. Even if they see through it for the most part, they’re gambling with their lives. They won’t be able to afford a bold advance.”
“Alright, let’s do it. I’m actually quite good at setting traps. Kanata, I’ll need your help.”
Given Shuri’s diligent and meticulous personality, it’s no wonder he’d be good at it. And for Shuri, who is usually so reserved, to say he’s good at it means he must truly be confident.
“You got it. I’ll help.”
Shuri began skillfully setting up the trap using trees, piano wire, and a hand-cranked detonator, and I helped him.
“There, that should do it. I hope it catches them nicely.”
“It’s fine if they discover it. If they’re cautious of the trap and their pace slows, that’s all we need.”
“Right. Let’s fall back to the rear guard as well.”
“Just say you’re running away honestly.”
Shuri and I ran at full speed, weaving through the trees, trying to catch up with the Shuri Unit that had been sent ahead.
As expected of a Jonin of the Hokagakure, Shuri was fast, easily keeping pace with my top speed.
“You really are fast.”
“I’m an Assault Ninja, of course my speed is my specialty. It’s impressive that you, a Command Samurai, can keep up with me.”
“I’m known for my getaway speed.”
“That’s not something to brag about. Listen, a tactical retreat is sometimes unavoidable. However, as soldiers, a retreat is…”
“Please save the lecture until we rendezvous. Timing is important…”
An explosion sounded from behind. It seemed they had taken the bait.
“Good job, Shuri.”
“Nice assist, Kanata.”
We gave each other a high-five as we ran. That makes it one point for Shuri and one assist for me.
Our target is MVP of the Crystal Widow.
We safely rejoined the members of the Shuri Unit who had been sent ahead.
“Captain, are you alright?”
“There’s no way those slowpokes could catch me and Kanata. Is everyone unharmed?”
“So far.”
“And it will stay that way. I won’t have any casualties from my unit.”
…Hmm? I heard a faint sound.
“Shuri, please be quiet for a moment.”
“? Understood.”
I surveyed the surroundings.
Something glinted among the tree branches. That is!
I drew my Man-Eater from its holster and shot down an insectoid drone.
“Kanata, what is it?”
“It’s a drone. It seems the enemy isn’t entirely foolish.”
“I see. They’ve realized we’re outnumbered.”
“And that we’re depleted. They’re going to press their advantage.”
Damn it, it’s always a tightrope walk in a pinch.
“This is from the Command Leader to the Shuri Unit. Sergeant, you short-sighted fool, can you hear me?”
“I’m not wearing glasses right now! Can you do something about your foul mouth already!”
“Ah, right, I’m supposed to take off my glasses on the battlefield. So you’re just a fool, got it? Reinforcements will arrive in ten minutes. Prepare to intercept them there.”
“Being called a fool is better than being called a short-sighted fool! Reinforcements in ten minutes? Is it Marika-sama?”
“No. According to Hotaru’s intel, the enemy’s total strength is about 550. The reinforcements heading your way are just over 50.”
“Even with my unit, that’s not even 80 people. That’s a more than five-to-one disadvantage!”
“Can’t you calculate that quickly? It’s 550 versus 78, so the power ratio is about 7.05128205128 to one.”
I couldn’t help but retort.
“You don’t need decimals! About seven to one is fine! Ah, ah, I get it. If we take down seven enemies each, that’s all there is to it. Easy peasy.”
“Kanata and I are fine with that, but it’s too much for my subordinates. Do we really have to intercept them?”
“You can let the reinforcements handle the dying. The ones heading our way are the Fourth Unit.”
“The Fourth Unit! Tozen-san is coming!”
“Yes. Iska, sensing a disturbance, dispatched the Fourth Unit, which was returning from another battlefield, directly here.”
I have a rough understanding of my comrades in the Asura Unit.
The Asura Unit’s Fourth Battalion, “Rahou.” It seems to mean “we are Rakshasa.”
They are also called the “Death Unit” or “Death Squad.”
The Fourth Unit has the highest number of casualties in the Asura Unit.
That might sound like they are weak, but they have also killed the most enemy soldiers in the Asura Unit.
They are killed, but they kill more. No, they kill an insane amount. That’s Rahou.
The previous captain was Gammon Agito. He was my Original, a man feared as the “Ice Wolf.”
The current captain is Orochi, Tozen. Nicknamed “Tozen the Slasher.”
He’s the man who made Commander Iska say, “Agito was bad enough, I didn’t think there would be anyone worse.”
Ugh. Scary. Worse than Agito? What kind of terrible person is that?
“Understood. If the Fourth Unit and Tozen-san are here, even a seven-to-one disadvantage can be managed. Kanata, let’s prepare for interception.”
“Are you sure about that? That Tozen guy is the captain, so he’s strong, but he’s not as strong as Marika-san, right?”
“If it came to a fight, Marika would win. But among the Asura Unit, not many could face Tozen-san, perhaps only Marika and the Commander.”
“What about Shigure-san?”
“Shigure-san herself says she doesn’t think she can defeat someone born with a destiny solely to kill people.”
A destiny solely to kill people… what an unpleasant destiny.
“I want to meet this Tozen guy, but I also don’t. Still, he’s the best reinforcement we could ask for right now.”
“Indeed. Let’s prepare to lay down smoke to buy time until the Fourth Unit arrives. Though Tozen-san will probably be angry.”
“Why would he be angry? It’s a natural tactic.”
“He’d probably say something like, ‘Can’t see my prey, brat! Don’t do anything foolish in my hunting grounds!'”
Wow, he sounds reliable, but also scary.
We busied ourselves preparing the smoke.
I just helped Shuri and the Shuri Unit members with their efficient setup.
I’ve been too focused on fighting and neglected training in small tricks.
If I survive, I’ll ask Shuri to teach me.
As we finished preparing, the enemy vanguard appeared. The reinforcements were not yet here.
“Lay down the smoke! Buy us time!”
Under Shuri’s command, we laid down smoke and began to fight back.
The question is, how many enemies have thermo-sensors?
I cut down a couple of them, but we were being pushed back by the overwhelming pressure of their numbers.
I scanned the surroundings, looking for places that needed backup.
!! Rimse is in trouble! She’s being pushed back by a formidable bearded man and three weaklings.
I rushed to her aid.
Just in time. I blocked the bearded man’s wide-bladed sword with my own and cut in.
“Rimse, leave the three weaklings to me! Can you do it?”
“Yes! Thank you, Sergeant!”
Alright, if I can just handle this guy, Rimse will be fine.
The bearded man chuckled.
“How kind of you. But kindness is weakness on the battlefield.”
“Shall I tell you the characteristic of someone who says things like that so casually? They’re usually losers who can barely protect themselves and can’t protect anyone else. Just like you.”
“Insolent brat! I’ll show you a thing or two!”
“Unfortunately, I can see just fine! I can see your sure defeat!”
My sword and the bearded man’s wide-bladed sword clashed, sending sparks flying.
He has considerable power and technique. I need to finish this.
After a few exchanges, the victor was undecided. Our strengths were evenly matched.
“Not bad! To hold your own against me, Clifford, the ‘Beautiful Beard’!”
Are you trying to be like Guan Yu from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Then grow your beard longer. They call beards that extend from the cheeks “beautiful beards.”
“Your beard is not beautiful, it’s just unkempt. I doubt anyone calls you that. ‘Beautiful Beard’ is your self-proclaimed title, isn’t it?”
“You insolent little brat!”
We exchanged verbal blows while engaging in a deadly dance with our blades. Now, how to defeat him?
This time, I don’t have the luxury of time. I need to defeat him quickly and support others.
…!! …Understood! Alright, I see a path to victory.
I parried his swing with my own. His skill is indeed superior to mine.
I can’t pull off a counter like Shigure-san.
Clifford, the self-proclaimed “Beautiful Beard,” must have realized that too, and a slight smile touched his lips, confident of victory.
Fool. You only trust your own strength. That’s why you’re a loser.
My delayed strike reached Clifford’s body first.
It pierced through his ribs and reached his lungs.
I kicked Clifford, who spat blood from his mouth, sending him sprawling onto his back, and offered a parting word.
“Earlier, I said you were a loser who could barely protect yourself and couldn’t protect anyone else, but I’ll correct that. You were a loser who couldn’t even protect yourself.”
“Oww… wha… what…”
“What happened, you ask? Look at your right shoulder. If you can, that is.”
With a fading gaze, Clifford looked at his right shoulder.
A shuriken was embedded there. Shuri’s brainwave-guided shuriken was the key to my victory.
I wasn’t aiming for a counter.
I knew his strike would slow down when the shuriken hit, so I made it look like a counter.
Shuri made eye contact with me while fighting other enemies.
“…Cowardly…”
“Cowardly? You attacked Rimse with four people. What are you talking about? You can do it, but you don’t want to be on the receiving end, right?”
“…True, indeed… I was… defeated…”
Clifford spat blood and said that with a laugh.
Bio-Metal really is tough. Even with a fatal wound, he can still talk.
“Let me correct one more thing. I said your beard was just unkempt, but it is indeed a well-maintained beard. Come to think of it, you were quite handsome… Farewell, ‘Beautiful Beard’ Clifford.”
“…Heh… Thank… you…”
Leaving “Beautiful Beard” Clifford behind, I fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Shuri.
“That was a good assist, Shuri.”
“I’m glad Kanata scored this time.”
There’s no time for a high-five now.
Both Shuri and I are fully occupied fending off the swarm of enemy soldiers.
“We should start preparing to retreat.”
“It’s fine for us, but our subordinates are starting to have trouble. We probably should.”
As if to interrupt Shuri’s words, a shriek echoed across the battlefield.
A snake does not scream. But this could only be described as the roar of a snake.
Regarding the reason for the change: this contains spoilers!
Readers who have made it this far have likely guessed, but Kanata will become a soldier known as the “Kenrou” (Sword Wolf). I decided to change it because the original plan of a relationship between the first and second Kenrou might become confusing. I apologize to my readers for my shortcomings.
