第３１８堀：一の太刀を疑わず 二の太刀要らず これ示現流といふなり (Part2)
In other words, there are plenty of follow-up strikes beyond the first.
Kondo-dono likely meant that I shouldn't try to match the initial strike, which is characterized by its high velocity.
He was telling me to bring the flow into my own rhythm.
With that, I understood that Taiki-kun hadn't been learning swordsmanship in a half-hearted manner.
He had easily dodged the strike that caught me off guard and had already exited the range of my follow-up attacks.
In short, his physical capabilities are overwhelmingly superior.
*Clack...*
Only the sound of us returning to our stances echoed amidst the falling cherry blossoms.
Well, judging by his movement, I felt that while my swordsmanship was superior, Taiki-kun’s physical prowess was overwhelming.
If things continue like this, I will eventually be defeated by the gap in our physical abilities...
Perhaps that would be fine in its own right, but what I need to demonstrate now is comprehensive superiority; there is no meaning unless I show that I have surpassed them even in technique.
Therefore, I, too, shall show him the power I have cultivated here, just as he has.
"...Eh? Huh? W-wait a second!? Y-yikes, the magic power inside my body is dropping rapidly!? Hifi, give me some magic power!! If this keeps up, I'm going to turn back into a corpse!?"
"I-it's impossible!? I-I am also experiencing a rapid depletion of magic power..."
"Yes, yes. Just guard against this much. There. Don't you dare step out of there. Still, as expected of a transmigrator from Japan. I didn't think you would seal the very skills of this world. Or perhaps, to be precise, 'interfere' is the better word?"
Ho, as expected of someone who claims to be superior to Hifi-dono herself.
She easily bypassed the interference of the magic power connection.
However, it also affects those on her side. I cannot use it indiscriminately if it causes collateral damage.
It still requires further refinement.
"...Jamming, is it?"
"I believe that is the word for interference. Does your world also have things related to this?"
"We do. But I never thought you'd perform MCM—Magic Counter Measures—instead of ECM... To think you could seal not just physical enhancement, but all skills."
"I have done many things since coming here. While the investigation into magic power itself has not progressed, I have produced various research results of my own. Now, the real duel begins."
Unlike the others, he calmly accepted the change in his own body and arrived at the answer.
Even if the same concept already existed, to remain so composed when it happens to oneself...
That courage, that intelligence... it is worthy of praise.
"Your advantage is gone. Will you still proceed?"
"Yes. To withdraw here would be to betray the spirit of a Satsuma Hayato, a true man of Yamato."
Within this force field, the concepts of levels and magic have been erased.
It is truly a world governed solely by natural science.
What is unleashed here is nothing but the accumulation of one's own training.
It is a place where only those who believe in themselves can stand.
*Step.*
We both take deep stances.
The next exchange will likely be the end.
Both Taiki-kun and I understand this.
A katana is inherently a weapon for a single decisive strike; if you clash blades like in some stage play, the steel will quickly fail.
It is simply a matter of whether the blade reaches the opponent or not.
*Whoosh...*
The wind blows, and the cherry blossoms that had fallen to the ground dance back into the sky.
In that moment, our figures vanish, and both Taiki-kun and I surge forward.
Without the assistance of physical enhancement as before, we push forward, relying on the training we have built up until now.
It is by no means as fast as before.
But our fighting spirits have risen to a level that can be felt even from a distance.
A blade thrusts out from the wall of cherry blossoms...
*Clang!!*
"!? He clashed with me!?"
Did he prioritize deflecting my blade...?
*Thud.*
A heavy kick slams into my abdomen.
I am pushed back, unable to resist.
And, as if he had been aiming for exactly that, Taiki-kun leaps out from the wall of cherry blossoms.
So that’s how it is!!
If I am at a disadvantage in swordsmanship, there is no need to insist on a duel of swords.
I should fight in a range where swords—where katanas—cannot be used.
In other words, a battle of martial arts.
Does Taiki-kun intend to use his katana for defense and then dive into my guard to strike?
If so...!!
*Clang!! Thud!!*
"Gah..."
*Clatter, clatter...*
Such sounds ring out as both our katanas leave our hands.
It was a gamble, but by throwing my sword and catching Taiki-kun while he was focused on defense, I succeeded in knocking his blade away.
However, he took the initiative beautifully.
Had I grown arrogant, thinking I was superior in swordsmanship?
Even the Jigen-ryu has countless techniques for unarmed combat...
My mind had become too rigid.
Well, neither of us will be retrieving our swords.
Then...
"Here I come!!"
"Yes!!"
From here on, we use our own bodies as weapons!!
The Jigen-ryu always faces reality with everything one has.
Now then, in this world, if someone doesn't take responsibility, the damage will only spread further.
It is a matter of having a plan for the aftermath once you have taken action.
And for a man, the final way to speak is with his fists.