With a grin, Horitake drew Vigorous Light and turned to Shinobu Kocho.
"There's an indoor training hall, and no one told me? That's practically ostracizing me! I'm offended!
I don't know why you're training in the courtyard today instead of there, Shinobu-nee, but since we've crossed paths, I can't let this chance slip.
You're the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—your strength is no joke, right?
So, how about a spar, Shinobu-nee? We'll test each other, learn from our strengths, shore up our weaknesses. A perfect exchange—sounds great, doesn't it?"
Horitake's smooth talk left Shinobu little room to refuse.
His challenge sparked excitement among everyone present!
Kanao, Aoi, Sumi, Kiyo, Naho—each wondered who'd come out on top: Shinobu-nee or Lord Horitake.
Sure, Horitake was likely stronger, but a clash between Hashira? That was worth watching.
Shinobu caught the eager looks in her five girls' eyes, and her heart sank.
Oh no! Horitake, you sly jerk, you've turned this against me!
She knew she was no match for him.
This guy was deliberately setting her up to look bad in front of her girls!
What a devious plan! She wouldn't let him win that easily.
With a polite smile, Shinobu prepared to dodge the challenge, citing work as an excuse.
But Horitake saw through her. Before she could speak, he turned to the triplet sisters on the veranda.
"Sumi, Kiyo, Naho, who do you think'll win—me or your Shinobu-nee?"
The triplets barely hesitated before chirping in unison:
"Lord Horitake will win!"
"Oh? So sure Shinobu-nee will lose?"
"Shinobu-nee's strong, but clearly not as strong as Lord Horitake!"
"Well said!" Horitake beamed.
Shinobu kept her smile, but a vein ticked on her forehead.
Sumi, Kiyo, Naho! You three defected to Horitake's side without a second thought?! When did he bribe you? Have I not been good enough to you?
Horitake pressed his advantage, turning to Kanao.
"Kanao, what do you think? Me or Shinobu-nee?"
Kanao stood frozen, wide-eyed, trembling for no apparent reason, unable to respond.
Horitake, ever considerate, offered, "How about… you flip a coin? Heads, I win; tails, Shinobu-nee wins?"
Kanao remained a statue, her expression blanker than ever.
Shinobu stayed silent, unsure what to say.
Horitake turned to Aoi next.
Caught in his gaze, Aoi flailed, flustered.
"W-what? Lord Horitake, don't ask me! I don't know anything! I can't tell! Please!"
Horitake wouldn't push her. Finally, he glanced at the first-floor window, where Sanemi Shinazugawa was leaning out, watching the commotion.
"Sanemi, who do you think wins—me or Shinobu-nee?"
Sanemi had recovered enough to move freely, though not to train. That didn't stop him from spectating from his window.
Grudgingly, the blunt man answered:
"No contest! How could Shinobu Kocho stand a chance against you?"
Horitake nodded, pleased. The tide was in his favor.
He turned back to Shinobu, gesturing for her to make her move.
Shinobu stood there, smiling on the outside, cursing on the inside.
Cornered!
No way out—she'd have to face him head-on!
With a slow, deliberate motion, Shinobu drew her Nichirin Blade, her eyes flashing with barely veiled anger, a hint of killing intent in her gaze. The beauty's tone turned sharp:
"Horitake-san, belittling me like this? I can't let that slide.
I may not be your match, but I'll give it my all to teach you a lesson. You'll learn there's a price for angering a woman!"
With that, she fully unsheathed her blade.
Unlike standard Nichirin Blades, Shinobu's was custom-made—long, slender, with a barbed tip.
Her weaker arm strength couldn't decapitate demons, but her thrusting and pressing power was formidable, capable of piercing stone. Her thrusts were so fast they were nearly invisible.
Horitake noted this, realizing he'd need to watch her speed and agility.
With respect, he gripped Vigorous Light and assumed a stance.
"Here we go, Shinobu-nee!
To avoid hurting you, I won't use Sky Thunder Breathing. I'll use another sword style, just as powerful. Be ready!"
Shinobu glared, snapping back:
"Horitake-san, underestimating me will cost you!
Insect Breathing: Dance of the Butterfly—Caprice!"
In an instant, Shinobu vanished, darting forward with astonishing speed. Her haori fluttered like butterfly wings, her blade flashing in rapid thrusts aimed at Horitake.
"Whoa, that's fast!" Horitake exclaimed, raising his sword to parry swiftly.
Inwardly, he thought, This woman doesn't hold back!
Shinobu's thrusts were relentless, Horitake's blocks precise. The air rang with the clanging of their blades.
The sound alone told everyone Shinobu hadn't landed a single hit.
Gritting her teeth, a frustrated Shinobu switched tactics.
"Insect Breathing: Dance of the Bee Sting—True Flutter!"
Her next thrust came with a piercing whistle, its speed surging several times faster!
Horitake took it seriously now, his tone steady:
"Gale Sword Style: Steel-Cutting Flash!"
Meeting her head-on, Horitake swung Vigorous Light in a slicing thrust. Despite its simplicity, his speed matched Shinobu's.
His slash unleashed a gust of sword-wind, a fierce blade of air!
The howling wind disrupted Shinobu's thrust, forcing her to retreat, her haori fluttering as she leaped back.
Sanemi, watching from the window, gaped, nearly falling out. His eyes locked onto Horitake.
Shinobu landed, staring at Horitake with shock and uncertainty.
Sanemi leaned further out, shouting:
"Wind Breathing?!"
Horitake shook his head, smiling.
"Nope. Gale Sword Style."
"No way! How could a random sword style produce wind blades?!"
"You've never seen it, so how do you know it's impossible?"
Horitake had planned this—showing Sanemi his Gale Sword Style's wind-cutting power.
He was betting Sanemi's pride wouldn't let him ignore it.
That stubborn guy would come begging to learn it eventually.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.