(Extra chapter)
We haven't reached the final review or even 100 energy stones yet, but consider it a gift from me.
_______
Kiyokawa Izumi being able to hold his own against Sanemi didn't mean his swordsmanship had surpassed him or that his strength had significantly improved.
It was only because he used the Fourth Form, relying on his enhanced five senses to make up for his deficiencies in swordsmanship, strength, and speed.
But even so, he was fighting a very difficult battle.
Although Kiyokawa Izumi's strength and speed weren't top-tier, it didn't mean his swinging speed was slow, nor did it mean his reaction speed was far inferior to the other Hashira.
It was just that some of his base stats were at the bottom.
The Domain of the Five Senses constructed with the Sharingan as its core was not as powerful as the Transparent World, but he believed it was definitely not inferior to the Sound Hashira's Score.
Setting aside endurance, it was even superior to the Score.
Reading the enemy's attack rhythm and converting it into a melody—simply put, memorizing moves—required too much preparation time.
Using only the Sharingan, Kiyokawa Izumi could also break down and analyze the enemy's movements to achieve a similar effect.
And the Fourth Form allowed him to oversee the entire situation.
Even without looking with his eyes, he knew where Senior Brother Giyuu's blade tip would land.
He could use his scabbard to instantly neutralize it, buying time to press forward against Sanemi.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to break the deadlock within a few breaths.
Fighting two at once was still too difficult for him.
He could defend, but that was the limit.
With the intense consumption of mental and physical energy, coupled with a lack of sleep all night, Kiyokawa Izumi felt a bit dizzy—the Fourth Form couldn't be maintained for long after all. If he couldn't break the deadlock even with this move, it meant he would be out of options.
Right now, The Wind and Water Pillars could still fight at full strength, but it was difficult for him to maintain his Peak.
At most, he could take three to five more moves before he would be defeated.
Compared to his previous arrogance, Kiyokawa Izumi was much more low-key now—once the Cognitive Domain was reconstructed and the puzzle was complete, he would dare to fight two at once.
For now, Kiyokawa Izumi coughed lightly. "Drawing blades is a violation of the Corps Rules. Everyone, calm down."
"?"
Sanemi, who was in the heat of the fight, really wanted to ask: Didn't you say you wanted to fight me and that annoying guy at the same time?
"This is it?"
Puzzle complete, strike hard.
Out of form, act timidly.
"Cough, Giyuu-san actually meant no harm. He just heard you like to eat hagi mochi, so he specially prepared... He's just not very good with words. Well, let's all calm down and put away our nichirin blades first."
Kiyokawa Izumi said with a sincere expression.
Hearing this, Tomioka Giyu, whose heart was filled with countless questions, still obediently put away his nichirin blade.
The considerate Senior Brother didn't forget to pick up Kiyokawa Izumi's scabbard.
'Why did Sanemi hit me? Why did Kiyokawa Izumi hit me too?'
'Did I do something wrong?'
That's what he was thinking, but what came out of his mouth was:
"Farewell!"
Tomioka Giyu silently turned and left, leaving everyone confused.
Especially when he said it with a cold face, it gave off a feeling of being looked down upon.
Sanemi, who was just about to sheathe his blade, became irritable again—what does this guy mean?
"?"
Kiyokawa Izumi was also a bit confused.
I call for sheathing the blades, and you say "farewell." What are you trying to express?
Could you say a few more words?
Kiyokawa Izumi grabbed Giyuu's sleeve and stared at his silent expression, unable to understand what he was thinking even after looking for a long time.
Actually, what Senior Brother was thinking was:
They both hit me. Is it because I did something wrong?
Maybe I should just leave first?
To avoid fighting again.
"Anyway, let's eat the hagi mochi first!"
Kiyokawa Izumi sighed softly, because he noticed that the irritable Sanemi was also preparing to leave.
These Hashira are really not cute at all!
The irritable Sanemi was about to leave in a huff. His expression was indeed a bit scary, but Kiyokawa Izumi familiarly grabbed his sleeve.
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Stay and see how the Team Members' training is going and if they've improved.
Also, let's talk about the Upper Ranks... The Former Sound Hashira Senior became a Hashira much earlier than us; he might know some information we don't.
Don't tell me you're not interested at all?"
When he grabbed him and met that fierce expression, Kiyokawa Izumi didn't panic at all.
He even considerately provided a way out.
Sanemi originally wanted to flex his wrists, feeling that the persistent Kiyokawa Izumi was too annoying—using a blade was indeed inappropriate, so he'd use his bare hands!
This guy's state just now was also intriguing, as if he could see through everything.
Even though it was their first time clashing.
After a slight hesitation, Sanemi finally didn't rush to leave, but he didn't forget to say: "You're too soft. Those trash haven't made any progress after so many days!
As for the Upper Ranks, as long as they are Demons, not a single one shall remain!"
'The Hashira of this generation certainly have their own personalities!'
The old man watching couldn't help but think to himself, recalling his own younger days.
"The Upper Ranks are not that easy to deal with. If you encounter one, you must be careful!"
The old Sound Hashira didn't actually know much.
But this was just an excuse, a reason used to make Sanemi stay.