The clash of Naoki and Raikō's Noble Phantasms produced a thunderous roar.
The sound reached the ears of everyone fighting at Tsuchiura Castle. The light emitted by the Holy Sword shot into the dark night sky. The pillar of light, bright as day, drew everyone's attention.
"That direction is…"
"Katori Shrine!?"
"Is someone fighting there!?"
"What kind of commotion is that!?"
"…"
The samurai, who had never seen such a grand spectacle, exclaimed in shock. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Musashi, panting and wielding her dual swords while facing her enemy, saw the light and felt a slight relief in her heart.
(That… it's Naoki, right? As overwhelmingly strong as ever. I can see it even from here.)
Musashi had never seen Naoki use the Holy Sword, let alone release its True Name, but her instincts told her that light was his doing.
With that light, she didn't need to worry about Naoki—though she never intended to worry about him in the first place.
(In that case, it's my turn to—)
"They're attacking over there."
In front of Musashi, Mochizuki Chiyome, surrounded by a massive pitch-black snake, her body clad in a fishnet bodysuit and black bandages, glanced toward Katori Shrine.
"How foolish. That place is a key location guarded by several Heroic Spirit Swordsmen. Whoever's attacking… Haaah, they're like moths to a flame. Just like you."
Chiyome's last sentence was directed at Musashi.
Moths to a flame?
Musashi sneered. "Who knows? Maybe it's the other way around? At least for me, the situation over there isn't moths to a flame—it's grasshoppers against a chariot. And you're the grasshoppers."
"By the way, you're no different right now."
The power of Heroic Spirit Swordsmen was nearly limitless. They knew no fatigue, no death. They would fight until their bodies were utterly destroyed.
Musashi, on the other hand, was just a human.
It had been over ten minutes since their battle began. If it dragged on, it would be heavily disadvantageous for her. She needed to settle this as quickly as possible!
(Please, Naoki's Protection. I need the power to cut her down now!)
*WHOOSH!*
Golden light flowed from the blades of her dual swords, seeping into Musashi's body one by one.
The difference between Musashi and Chiyome wasn't in strength but in speed.
Specifically, as a female ninja, Chiyome excelled at using various tactics to disrupt her opponent's movements, ultimately summoning a fragment of Ibuki Daimyōjin's spirit to deliver a devastating blow.
For the past ten minutes, Musashi had been stalled by Chiyome's guerrilla tactics and the divine snake spirit she summoned. If she could fight head-on, she was confident she could cut Chiyome down.
So, for Musashi to behead Chiyome…
*WHOOSH!*
The overflowing light vanished. Musashi positioned her dual swords, taking a deep breath—
*CRACK!*
The floor beneath her feet shattered from her step. Her entire being transformed into a golden flash, streaking forward with godlike speed!
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
The snake spirit coiled around Chiyome saw this and lunged to bite! But compared to Musashi's lithe form, the snake spirit's body was too massive. With Musashi's speed and current perspective, dodging it was easy!
*SLASH!* *SLASH!* *SLASH!*
Flashes of light streaked across the snake spirit's surface dozens of times. The crisscrossing slashes cut the spirit into dozens of pieces!
(Wh-What—)
Chiyome's eyes trembled. Musashi had never shown such power before! She quickly formed several hand seals and hid herself—her go-to ninja concealment technique. Previously, when fighting Musashi, Chiyome used this Ninjutsu to stall for a long time.
But this time…
"You can't escape!"
Cutting through all the snake spirits blocking her path, Musashi reached Chiyome in the blink of an eye!
Chiyome's Ninjutsu wasn't complete yet.
(My body feels so light, and my mind is so clear. There's a distinct sensation that I can think of everything, see everything…)
Ninjas excelled in agility and disruption. To counter them, one needed speed to keep up and a clear mind to avoid being deceived.
This was the power the Fairy Protection granted Musashi now.
(No! I won't make it!)
(You can't escape this time!)
Staring at Chiyome, now so close, Musashi swung her sword at her fastest speed. The light-wreathed blade approached Chiyome's body with incredible swiftness!
This slash would surely kill her!
*CLANG!*
But just as the slash was about to hit Chiyome, a pale arm suddenly intervened! The arm blocked between Musashi and Chiyome! Then it swung hard!
*THUD!*
Musashi felt as if she'd been struck by a boulder. The heavy blow sent her flying back uncontrollably! After spinning twice in the air, she crashed hard onto another rooftop!
Who saved Chiyome?
Raising her head to see who had blocked her attack, Musashi saw a small-bodied Oni in revealing clothing.
In her hand was a red sake cup filled with liquor, and a large blue gourd hung at her waist. She seemed drunk, her entire body exuding a strong sake scent, like a drunkard.
"Saṃghāta Hell!"
Chiyome called out the name of her rescuer.
"What are you here for?"
"Oh? I just saved you, so why do I feel you're not exactly friendly, Paraíso?"
Saṃghāta Hell—Shuten Dōji—the Oni by True Name—sipped sake from her cup. "Mmm~~~ Ah~~~~ I just came to find some snacks to go with my sake. After all, you're doing something big here tonight. I figured there'd be plenty of interesting things happening, so I tagged along."
"But I didn't expect you'd almost die."
"Ugh—!"
Chiyome gritted her teeth.
Indeed, if Shuten Dōji hadn't acted, her head would've been severed by now. Then her Spirit Core and karma would've been pierced by Musashi's other sword, and she'd have vanished from this world entirely.
"Need some help?"
Dōji approached Chiyome, smiling.
"You and I have some fate between us. The power of Ibuki Daimyōjin flowing in my blood and flesh… Want me to share a bit with you?"
"I…"
"Give it all to her, Saṃghāta Hell."
At that moment, a figure suddenly descended from the sky, accompanied by that voice.
Chiyome and Dōji were slightly startled upon hearing it and seeing who had arrived.
"Ara ara~, this is really…"
Dōji covered her mouth, laughing.
"Why do you look like the remnants of a defeated army, Magus-sama?"