Sen no Sen.
This was a unique skill that Uzen Igarashi had gradually honed over five years of bitter cultivation.
Based on muscle movement trajectories, shifts in center of gravity, a vast amount of environmental information, focal points of sight, and environmental details, it allowed one to deduce the future within an extremely short window of time.
Against an ordinary person, he could predict approximately 80% of their likely actions within the next three seconds. Against an average demon, the effect was similar.
However, when facing more powerful demons with exaggerated physical attributes, the effectiveness of this technique would diminish significantly—especially if the opponent possessed faster reaction speeds or similar pre-reading skills. In such cases, the effect of Sen no Sen would be shortened to about one second.
Of course, the more familiar and knowledgeable one was with an opponent, the better the effect of Sen no Sen would naturally become.
Naturally, this technique was ineffective against the treacherous and ever-changing Blood Demon Arts. Those superpower-like phenomena were impossible to judge simply by observing the opponent's body and movements. At most, one could only perceive the exact moment a Blood Demon Art was "about to be activated."
Igarashi set down his cup, his voice as calm as still water. "However, one second is enough to do many things."
One second was enough for Sabito to shatter a wooden ball target thrown by Igarashi. One second was enough for Kanae to use a thrusting sword form to leap across a distance of nearly twenty or thirty meters. One second was enough for Uzui to throw over a dozen specialized bombs and flick them toward an opponent with his blades.
And for the "Storm Hashira," Uzen Igarashi, who already stood at the pinnacle of the Demon Slayer Corps, one second was enough for him to decapitate the vast majority of demons and finely mince their remaining bodies into mincemeat with a storm of blade light.
Kuguruma Natsunishi: I get it!
This was the ultimate form of prediction and operational awareness!
Immediately, he couldn't help but think: I can directly see the names and icons of Blood Demon Arts. If I learn this skill, wouldn't my power level surpass even this "cheap" senior brother of mine?
"Senior Brother speaks the truth," Kuguruma Natsunishi said solemnly. "Please, you must teach me Sen no Sen."
Igarashi nodded. "That goes without saying. But for today, finish your coffee and walk with me through Yokohama."
He knew quite a bit from Master Kazami's letter—for instance, that his junior brother had a stubborn streak. Every day, the boy was either thinking about how to kill demons or training himself to death in preparation for revenge. But humans aren't machines; everyone needs rest. Besides, since the boy had come all the way from a small mountain village, as his senior, Igarashi felt he should fulfill his duties as a host in the city.
Kuguruma Natsunishi replied, "Senior Brother, there's no need to waste time. I think we can start this afternoon."
Igarashi pushed up his glasses. "No. This is part of the training."
Training well, studying well, slaying demons well, eating well, and resting well—these were the training principles he adhered to.
Thus, after lunch, Kuguruma Natsunishi was taken by his senior brother to visit the Yokohama Bashamichi. They accompanied a few of Igarashi's close ordinary friends to theaters and department stores. They strolled down Japan's first street lit by gas lamps and tasted the earliest and most authentic ice cream in the Far East.
He saw the stylish "modern girls" of the era and Western merchants, observed the vintage red brick walls of the port, and listened to elegant musical performances in the opera house. Kuguruma Natsunishi even drank a somewhat familiar beverage, "Calpis," in the rooftop garden of the Mitsukoshi Department Store.
This was a city steeped in romance and vitality. Western influence was visible everywhere. Kuguruma Natsunishi glimpsed shadows of modern life in more than one place.
To be wandering through a supermarket and walking the streets in a foreign land within a game... it's a rather magical experience, he thought. But... it doesn't feel bad.
The next day, Igarashi began his guidance as promised.
The daytime "classroom" unfolded among the streets and alleys of Yokohama. He had Kuguruma Natsunishi observe porters. He took him to watch sailors at work. He led him to bustling street corners to watch the words and actions of every passerby. He told him to watch the exertion of their muscles, the curve of their spines, the movements of their hands, and the expressions on their faces.
Kuguruma Natsunishi's task was to "see," and then to "remember" it all.
The nighttime "classroom" involved taking Kuguruma Natsunishi along on missions, letting him study Igarashi's methods of observation and various demon-slaying techniques.
By the second week, Igarashi had Kuguruma Natsunishi attempt to deduce. He would have him close his eyes and name three things the observed subject was likely to do next. It wasn't random guessing, but a prediction made in advance through observation, understanding, and summarization.
At night, he gradually began to let Kuguruma Natsunishi participate in his missions, allowing him to try and understand the "logic" of a demon's movements.
Although the results were slight, Kuguruma Natsunishi could feel that he was starting to get a lead on the Sen no Sen Igarashi spoke of.
Of course, it wasn't just about learning this pre-reading technique. Igarashi continued to provide swordsmanship guidance, helping Kuguruma Natsunishi familiarize himself with the four Breathing Styles and their methods of exerting force while accelerating his mastery. He would also use Sen no Sen techniques to spar with him in the courtyard.
When slaying demons at night, Igarashi would occasionally have Kuguruma Natsunishi fight demons blindfolded during missions, while he stood by to offer pointers and support.
Whenever Igarashi had to travel far for a mission, he would arrange for Kuguruma Natsunishi to visit various Kendo dojos and martial arts halls in Yokohama. He made him spar with those swordsmen and martial artists without using Breathing Styles. The goal wasn't victory, but rather to understand the techniques and "logic" of other people across various combat styles and systems.
Naturally, the weekly rest periods were never missed. The Storm Hashira would take him to enjoy the luxuries of Yokohama life.
After two months had passed, although he hadn't fully mastered the Sen no Sen his senior brother described, Kuguruma Natsunishi's gains were nonetheless substantial.
Thunder Breathing had broken through to Level 4. Progress on Wind Breathing was more than halfway complete. His life skills had also improved. Not only had he unlocked five new skills—Dojo Challenging, Insight, Baking, Drinking, and Luxury Appreciation—but his long-neglected Suburi (Practice Swings) had reached Level 3. His Achievement Points had replenished to 8.
Kuguruma Natsunishi [Energy Level: 189]...
The current me is truly terrifyingly strong!
What delighted him most, however, was that his custom-ordered secondary Nichirin weapon had finally arrived.
In a secluded washitsu arranged by the Storm Hashira, the visitor sat quietly in a seiza position. He was of a stocky build, dressed in clothing characteristic of the Far East. Of course, the most striking feature was the strangely shaped, even somewhat comical, "Hyottoko" mask on his face.
Kuguruma Natsunishi didn't care about that, though. He had seen far stranger weapon merchants in other games—bald old men with blindfolds, green-skinned nomadic merchants carrying massive racks, or giant white cats with canes. Compared to those, this merchant in the ugly mask was quite normal. Kuguruma Natsunishi was respectful; he didn't mind even if the man had a fetish for ugly masks.
"Where's the blade?"
"Lord Kuguruma, I am Hyōto Tamamaru of the Swordsmith Village."
A muffled yet respectful voice came through the mask. Beside him lay a purple silk bundle.
"As per your request, the prototype 'Katar' is complete. Since the chief smith, Lord Tecchikawara, is of advanced age and finds it difficult to travel far, I have come to present it on his behalf."
He carefully unwrapped the silk, revealing the weapons inside. About the length of a forearm, they were a pair of cold weapons with a metallic luster and a sleek, ferocious design. They were not traditional Nichirin Swords, but rather a hybrid of a blade and a gauntlet. They featured a horizontal grip, with a curved blade made of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand extending forward from the connection point. They could be used for both thrusting and slashing.
Kuguruma Natsunishi picked them up. As expected of a weapon forged like a Nichirin Sword, it once again underwent a complex color change.
The last time, it had left the Kakushi member baffled. This time, it was the swordsmith's turn. Fortunately, it eventually settled on a silvery white; otherwise, Kuguruma Natsunishi suspected the masked man would have performed a dogeza to apologize. The smith's first instinct had been that it was a quality issue.
Looking at the new weapons in his hands and then glancing at the three swords at his waist, Kuguruma Natsunishi felt the urge to name his weapons once more. Since the others were named Master Kang III, Jinmai-Kiri, and Tong-Yi Maru... the new weapon naturally had to be...
Kuguruma Natsunishi made his decision.
"I'll call them... [Duan Feng]! (Wind-Cutter)"
(Probably something like this; the part outside the fist is just the striking point.)
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