Volume 5 Chapter 26-2 Tenho and Ouka, Confirming Each Other's Strength
"Come here, Tenhou!"
Shouou raises her wooden sword.
Her stance resembles the Suzaku bird. The 'Phantom Flame' surrounding the wooden sword grows stronger.
But, that could be a trap.
It might look like the Suzaku bird, but another technique could come next.
If that happens, I'll respond to it.
I read Shouou's movements. I have a technique for that.
I'm about to activate 'Chaos'──'Mirror of Shadows Reflection'...
Ah, no. This is a forbidden technique.
I quickly change the technique and swing my wooden sword.
"'Byakko Fang-Claw Attack!' (A 2-strike attack using Byakko Tiger's claws and fangs)"
"...'Kirin's Piercing Horn' (Kirin's Horn Is Not a Weapon. It Strikes Down Evil Only with Its Shadow)"
It was a coincidence that I was able to stop Shouou's wooden sword.
I couldn't fully absorb the impact, and I roll across the ground. I quickly take distance from Shouou.
I stand up and adjust my stance again──
"That's enough!!"
Shuu-sensei's voice echoed.
Shouou and I catch our breath, then lower our stances.
"Good job, both of you. Tenhou-kun, Kaou-kun."
"Yes, Shuu-sensei!"
"Now, may I receive some advice!!"
Shouou asks Shuu-sensei for advice.
Shuu-sensei thinks for a moment,
"Kaou-kun used 'Phantom Flame' very well. You controlled it completely, wrapping it around your arm and wooden sword."
"Yes. I didn't want to make any embarrassing mistakes."
"But... you still rely too much on Suzaku bird's technique."
Shuu-sensei said sternly,
"The last time Byakko Tiger used its move, was it to lure Tenhou-kun? You were planning to counter with a technique against Suzaku bird. Right?"
"Y-Yes."
"But before that, you might have predicted Suzaku bird's move and prepared a response. Using too much fire could also make the opponent's eyes get used to it. Be careful."
"Got it. Thank you!"
"Next, about Tenhou-kun..."
Shuu-sensei crossed her arms and looked at me.
"Last, you showed a opening. What was that about?"
"Yeah. That was weird for Tenhou."
"That was... a little mistake."
I let my guard down.
Recently, I depended on that move too much.
Now, that move is considered forbidden.
"The reason my movement looked strange is because I accidentally tried to use 'Mirror of Shadows Reflection', part of the 'Four Fiends - Chaos' technique."
I answered.
"Since I stopped that and used a different move... I ended up in a weird stance."
"Ah, I see now."
"No, no. About it being a forbidden move ── isn't that just about not using it in the martial arts tournament?"
Shouou, looking annoyed, said,
"During training, it might be okay to use it, I guess?"
"No, it's not. If you develop the habit of using it unconsciously, that would be a problem."
I bowed to both of them and said,
"This is something we all agreed on. Since 'Golden Feather Syndicate' might appear at the tournament, we shouldn't show all our tricks. So, I won't use 'Four Fiends - Chaos.'"
The martial arts tournament held in Kiryou town is also meant to lure out the 'Golden Feather Syndicate.'
That's why it's better not to use 'Four Fiends - Chaos' at the venue.
The Golden Feather Syndicate shouldn't know about the Four Fiends Technique: chaos... but we can't let our guard down.
And we don't even know where they got info on the Four Fiends Technique from.
I want to keep our moves hidden as much as possible.
So, in the martial arts tournament, I'll ban the Four Fiends Technique.
That's what we decided ourselves.
"Honestly, I'd love to see how much 'chaos' has strengthened in real fight..."
"I understand how you feel."
Shouou nods.
"I was so excited to use 'Genen' that I ended up relying on Suzaku's technique."
"I get how you feel, Shouou. 'Genen' is great."
Fire-cloaked attacks suit Shouou perfectly.
"I also wanted to learn techniques like Shouou's."
"No way! Even Tenhou's 'Sky Flip' is pretty strong!"
"...Can we stop calling that move by its name?"
"Why? Master Raikou named it himself."
"It's way too cool──I don't think I can pull it off."
"Tenhou's move is cool enough."
For some reason, Shouou looks bashful.
"To me, that move seems like it reflects Tenhou's spirit. Your ideas are flexible, so you've adapted to many situations. With your agility in the air, that kind of shape-shifting technique suits you."
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes. And it's pretty cool, honestly. Just watching it makes me want to gape ── cough cough!"
"Shouou!? Are you alright!?"
"I'm fine. Anyway, let's call that move 'Sky Flip.' Sound good?"
"So, you like it..."
"That's right! Junior apprentice must follow senior."
"Yes, I understand."
Shouou really isn't a match for me.
Honestly, I do like the airborne move... 'Sky Flip.'
It's useful for dodging attacks and could help rescue Seirei or Shouou from danger.
Shouou's words—*"That technique reflects Tenhou's heart"*—are probably right.
"Shikei, let's spar again."
"You're fired up, Tenhou."
"Yes. This tournament has important goals."
One is to dispel the rumors around Kiryou.
If successful, it'll improve the town's stability, which in turn helps maintain peace in Aika Country.
The other is to lure the *Golden Feather Syndicate* into the martial arts tournament.
Defeat or capture them.
That's the tournament's purpose.
"And since Yuuri-sama went out of her way to prepare this training ground, we should make the most of it."
"Tenhou's right,"
sShuu-sensei nodded.
"According to my senior disciple, Yuuri-sama asked Mō Etsu-sama, 'Is there a place in Kiryou that could be used as a training ground?'"
"I heard too. Yuuri-sama said, 'Please entrust the search for a training ground to someone you truly trust.'"
"I see. I don't quite understand the meaning, though..."
"Me neither. I think Yuuri-sama has deeper intentions."
"...Yes."
I hesitated, because I had a vague idea of Yuuri-sama's intent.
It was—
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