Obanai looked somewhat confused: "After entering the mountain, I only encountered Tokito."
"Sister..." Muichiro suddenly spoke. Though he didn't name names, the "sister" in his mouth basically meant Ritsuka.
"Before the competition started, Sister said to come in this direction."
Obanai's face showed suspicion: "You're saying that Kimura girl told you to come?"
Kimura was Ritsuka's surname. Hearing this, Muichiro slowly nodded.
The kid probably didn't understand his stinky sister's sinister intentions yet. Obanai and I exchanged glances. Already understood.
Oh no. Shinazugawa wouldn't be getting ganged up on, would he?
Obanai also thought of this. Somewhat hesitant. But his feet didn't budge half a step.
"Those guys know their limits. Shinazugawa taking a beating won't hurt him." He muttered this. "Tokito, let's continue discussing the previous topic."
Really feel sad for your thin friendship with Shinazugawa!
Though Obanai didn't want to care, I still had to go check.
Fortunately Daifuku could fly. It darted to the treetop. Saw where sleeping bird flocks were startled into chaotic flight. Pretty much knew where those brawling guys were.
The closer I walked, the noisier the birds became. Chirping and chattering, all excessive greetings to the hateful humans disturbing their sleep.
I leaped between trees, rising and falling. Before seeing the scene, discovered the commotion there was tremendous.
Suddenly with a boom, a tree with a thinner trunk tilted and fell.
My pupils shook. Jumped over and shouted hoarsely: "Don't destroy the trees! All of you write self-criticisms when you get back!"
The fighting sounds below paused for an instant. Then continued.
Ritsuka shouted while fighting: "Shinazugawa cut it down!"
Damn girl, so quick to shift blame. Practiced on Giyuu, right?
I looked carefully. Even Giyuu was here. But they weren't so low as to gang up three-on-one.
Just one person fighting Shinazugawa. Then occasionally another person suddenly joined the fray. Coordinated with their companion. Then switched to fight Shinazugawa.
After watching a while, I understood. These three guys were using Shinazugawa to practice combo techniques.
And Shinazugawa didn't look angry either. Accepted whoever came to fight. Would also rapidly change combat techniques and fighting styles based on each person's characteristics.
I rarely went on missions with the Pillars. So didn't understand their individual combat styles.
Seeing Shinazugawa, I opened my eyes somewhat in surprise.
Different. This child was different from all previous Wind Pillars.
Though the techniques he used were familiar Wind Breathing moves, the effects in his hands were completely different.
Remembered Gyomei once praised Shinazugawa. Said he was Wind Breathing's culmination.
I had to admit—Shinazugawa seemed born for Wind Breathing. His strength ranked top-tier among all Wind Pillars throughout history.
More interesting was he wasn't single-minded in combat. Instead quite skilled at using the environment.
Like suddenly circling behind a tree. Or kicking up dirt underfoot. Using this to block enemies' vision and movements.
Everything around him—even those two spectators—could become tools in his battle.
Taking advantage of that instant when someone joined to assist, needing to coordinate techniques... Shinazugawa could always catch the opening and make them briefly flustered.
If I had to describe his characteristic, it should be flexibility. Like untamed wild wind.
Most Pillars I'd seen before used combat techniques methodically against enemies.
Only Shinazugawa achieved unity with the environment. Not bound by techniques at all.
No wonder he could fight three people alone for so long without falling behind.
Though those three guys were using him to practice combo techniques, Shinazugawa was likewise using them to hone his endurance and combat skills.
After all, fighting demons was also equivalent to wheel battles. Greatly tested a swordsman's sustained combat ability.
Really. Said it was a competition. These kids weren't thinking of playing at all. Minds full of improving combat power.
I was ashamed. After all, I only wanted to watch the excitement.
No, no. As an elder, I couldn't be outdone by them.
I focused seriously. Concentrated on watching them. Suddenly spoke: "Shinazugawa, one step left! Don't actively step into the trap!"
"Ritsuka, told you how many times not to make flashy useless movements. Watch your surroundings—Sabito will crash into you!"
"Giyuu, thinking too slowly! Want to catch the right moment to join the battle? Don't hesitate!"
"Sabito, are you a wild boar?! Charging so fiercely—how is Giyuu supposed to cover you?!"
I started out nice and gentle. Before long started cursing.
Couldn't help it. Demons' dynamic vision was considerably stronger than humans'. Their movements were crystal clear in my eyes.
No matter what, I was a senior with hundreds of years of experience. Countless swordsmen had demonstrated techniques before me.
Catching mistakes in their movements was truly easy.
Just that being a teacher really wasn't something ordinary people could do.
Seeing them always habitually make wrong responses, my temper really easily shot up.
After I scolded each of them once, they didn't say a word. Just silently increased speed and precision. Tried hard to avoid getting scolded again.
After fighting for an hour, I called a stop to this training.
This wasn't a life-or-death duel. No need to force themselves to continue after exhaustion. Injuring their foundation wouldn't be good.
Just as I called the stop, suddenly a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted behind me. Nearly scared me into falling from the tree.
I turned back to discover—the remaining Pillars were all standing beside the tree I sat in. Even Tengen and Gyomei whom I hadn't found were there.
Kyojuro clapped hardest. Just watching him made my hands hurt.
"Truly a most spectacular battle!" He said loudly. "Even this observer benefited greatly!"
Kanae smiled broadly. Eyes shining brightly as she looked at me: "Miss Chihaya's guidance was quite incisive. Shamefully speaking, I also feel I still have many shortcomings. Could you please also give me some pointers?"
As her words fell, the rest looked up at me in unison. Expressions self-evident. Made my scalp tingle.
"Uh, um... me?" I felt I hadn't said anything special. Scratched my face and agreed.
"If you have time, sure."
Kanae clapped her hands cheerfully. Smiled and said: "That's wonderful. Since I proposed it, I'm first. Everyone has no objections, right?"
Everyone looked at her silently. After a long while, Obanai spoke faintly: "Since that's the case, I'm second."
"What 'since that's the case'—I don't agree!" Tengen shouted. "Master Himejima is second, I'm third. That's more like it!"
"Uzui! Don't go too far!"
"Mmm, I object!"
Seeing them about to erupt into a new round of quarreling, Gyomei fingered his prayer beads and spoke: "Namu... Everyone, please don't quarrel. How about leaving this matter for the Master to decide?"
Well done, Gyomei. Couldn't tell—you with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, directly tossing this hot potato into Kagaya's hands!
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