Volume 5 Chapter 31 Tenhou's Companions Prepare For The Martial Arts Tournament (Part I)
──Ouka's Perspective──
The day before the martial arts tournament, the air buzzed with anticipation.
Ouka and Tenhou were training in martial arts, their movements sharp yet fluid under the warm afternoon sun.
"'Suzaku Flame Dance'!"
Ouka's voice rang out, filled with determination. Holding a wooden sword, she unleashed a technique from the revered 'Five Divine Swordsmanship,' her strikes mimicking the fiery grace of the Suzaku bird.
In front of her stood Tenhou, his face etched with a desperate expression. He was using the technique of the Seiryuu dragon, his sword moving with a supple, twisting motion, as if the dragon itself were alive and coiled in his hands.
However, there was a sense of discomfort in the air, like a missed beat in a dance.
(...His footwork is different. That is...)
Ouka's eyes widened involuntarily, her focus sharpening. Indeed, Tenhou was swinging his sword in the form of the Seiryuu dragon, but his footwork was that of the Byakko tiger, powerful and grounded.
The Seiryuu dragon is 'wood attribute,' while the Byakko tiger is 'metal attribute.' In the five elements, 'metal attribute' negates 'wood attribute,' a principle known as mutual overcoming.
Therefore, Tenhou's technique would not activate. The wooden sword he swung came to an abrupt stop, as if hitting an invisible wall. Because of that, Ouka's wooden sword cut through the air without making contact with Tenhou's, leaving her momentarily off-balance.
Seizing the gap, Tenhou closed the distance with lightning speed. His fingertips grazed Ouka's arm, but his stance faltered, and he stumbled back.
Immediately, Ouka readied her sword again, her posture alert. Realizing his mistake, Tenhou rolled on the floor, creating distance between them. He stood up, wooden sword in hand, and looked at Ouka with a mix of frustration and determination.
"I'm sorry, Shouou. I failed the technique. Let me try that again..."
"No, wait a moment, Tenhou."
Ouka lowered her wooden sword, her expression softening. Tenhou, who had stood up, also sheathed his sword, his breath coming in short gasps.
Tenhou's legs were unsteady, likely from the strain of executing the mismatched technique. Without thinking, Ouka rushed over to him and supported his body, her heart aching at his struggle.
"...You know, Tenhou."
"What is it, Shouou?"
"Earlier, weren't you executing the technique in a strange way?"
"Do you understand?"
"I do. It's just like you, Tenhou—always thinking outside the box."
"Actually... it's not a feint, but I was conducting an experiment to abruptly stop my technique."
"Abruptly stop the technique?"
"When we swing our sword, the opponent will try to respond, right?"
"That's right. I was just like that now."
"So, what happens if you abruptly stop your technique when the opponent tries to respond and unleash a different technique?"
"The opponent would... be caught off guard."
"Yes. If you close the distance with footwork during that time, I think you can enter the range of the Pressure Point Technique."
"Was that what you were trying to do earlier?"
"Yes. It might be useful in the martial arts tournament."
"So you were trying to use the techniques of the Seiryuu dragon and Byakko tiger simultaneously..."
The practitioner of 'Five Divine Swordsmanship' continues to swing the sword while embodying the Seiryuu dragon, Byakko tiger, Suzaku bird, Genbu turtle, and Kirin. The swordsmanship, unleashed without interruption and with great versatility, can overwhelm any enemy.
What Tenhou was trying to do was to abruptly stop that midway. By swinging the sword as the Seiryuu dragon and using the footwork of the Byakko tiger, they would become mutually exclusive. The sword and footwork would cancel each other out, and the technique would not be established. The flow of the technique would come to a sudden stop.
(That would catch the opponent off guard and create an opening. What Tenhou is trying to do is probably something like that.)
Tenhou's ideas are unique, often surprising Ouka with their creativity. Utilizing that, Tenhou is likely trying to devise a new way of fighting—one that could change the tide of battle in an instant.
(Speaking of which, he mentioned, 'In the martial arts tournament, I want to avoid showing our hand as much as possible.')
Tomorrow, a martial arts tournament will be held in Kiryou's town, a bustling hub of activity and danger. It is quite possible that enemy martial artists will participate there, their eyes gleaming with malice.
Therefore, Tenhou decided not to use the 'Four Fiends Technique' at the tournament. Tenhou's enemy... the Golden Feather Syndicate knows about the 'Four Fiends Technique.' If he uses that technique, he might reveal that he inherited the 'Secret Book of Chaos' from the Bokou Tribe. There's a possibility that measures will be taken in the future. Tenhou probably wants to avoid that.
Not using the 'Four Fiends Technique' and also reducing the number of other techniques used. Surprise the opponent and win with a few quick moves. Tenhou is trying to develop techniques for that purpose, his mind sharp and his resolve unyielding.
(But... no matter how much, it's too reckless. Tenhou.)
Ouka unintentionally pressed her chest, a sharp pain blooming deep inside. Seeing Tenhou now, her chest feels heavy, her heart pounding with worry and affection. She doesn't know what to do, torn between admiration and fear for his safety.
Tenhou's feelings are understandable. He probably intends to settle with the Golden Feather Syndicate here in this Kiryou town, to end the cycle of suffering once and for all.
Tenhou has been struggling because of that organization all along, carrying burdens no one should endure. The suffering he shouldn't have had to carry weighs heavily on his shoulders.
In the northern land, Tenhou's older brother... Kou Kairyou was almost killed by Zeng Taiga. It was the Golden Feather Syndicate that manipulated Zeng Taiga, turning him into a pawn in their game. Because of that organization, Tenhou almost lost his brother, a wound that still aches in his heart. Moreover, he became an enemy of Jinkyo Tribe's strongest warrior, a title that brought only pain.
The same goes for the Bokou Tribe. Tenhou, who went to foster friendly relations with them, ended up fighting the Jinkyo Tribe instead. That was because the Golden Feather Syndicate desired the 'Konton Secret Scroll,' a treasure worth more than bloodshed. Because of that, Tenhou and Ouka ended up fighting the user of 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki,' a battle that left scars on their souls.
Afterwards, the Jinkyo Tribe split apart, their unity shattered by betrayal and greed. Thanks to Tenhou, Aika Country succeeded in establishing friendly relations with the moderate faction, a small victory in a sea of chaos. However, Tenhou once again had to fight against Zeng Taiga, a battle that tested his strength and his spirit.
After a fierce battle, Tenhou defeated Zeng Taiga. However, Tenhou is a kind-hearted boy, his compassion as sharp as his sword. Even though the opponent was a sworn enemy, he probably did not want to kill him. That battle must remain as a wound in Tenhou's heart, a reminder of the cost of victory.
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