Volume 2 Chapter 26 The Great Villain Of The World, Becomes An Official Messenger To The Foreign Tribe Ix
──Gen Shuuyoku's Perspective──
"'Finger Control Art'──'Flowing Water'!!"
Gen Shuuyoku's sword deflected the enemy soldier's blade.
She then slammed the hilt of her sword against the enemy soldier's temple.
"Ugh... what!?"
The enemy soldier staggered.
Taking advantage of the opening, Gen Shuuyoku applied the Pressure Point Technique.
She touched the enemy soldier's arm and knee, sending 'ki' into them.
This should... stop their movements for a few seconds...
"Gen-dono. We'll handle the rest!"
"Don't! This enemy is too dangerous!!"
Gen Shuuyoku shouted at the soldiers of Aika Country who had rushed out.
Surprised by the forcefulness of her voice, the Aika Country soldiers hesitated.
Gen Shuuyoku and her group were in a building at the innermost part of the fortress.
It was said to be the residence of the commanding officer.
Perhaps because of that, it was spacious.
The large hall they were in could probably accommodate more than ten soldiers.
In that large hall, there were soldiers from the Jinkyo Tribe and users of the 'Four Fiends' techniques.
(I had only intended to delay them...)
The plan didn't go as expected because the enemy soldiers were too strong.
They moved with abnormal speed, taking out the scouting soldiers with a single strike.
The struck soldiers were blown away, slammed against the wall, and knocked unconscious. Gen Shuuyoku performed first aid, but they still haven't regained consciousness.
The enemy soldiers were about to jump into Gaku Kiryuu and the others' fight.
So, Gen Shuuyoku and her team had no choice but to show themselves and hold them off.
"...Gen Shuuyoku-dono. What are those guys?"
"...Their muscles are abnormal. I didn't know the Jinkyo Tribe had such strength..."
"...Even we can barely hold them back."
They were the elite soldiers chosen by Ryougen-kun.
And those soldiers were trembling.
In front of them were a few soldiers from the Jinkyo Tribe.
All of them were big men with unusually developed muscles.
Their bodies were hard to cut through. Their movements were fast.
What was most abnormal was that the Pressure Point Technique hardly worked on them.
Gen Shuuyoku carefully used the Pressure Point Technique on the enemy.
Normally, it would take half a day for the numbness to go away.
Yet, the enemy was already trying to get back up.
"I've heard of pills that enhance the body... or maybe elixirs. But to cause such a dramatic change is impossible. It's likely that some forbidden technique was used..."
Gen Shuuyoku turned her gaze to the man behind the soldiers.
"Is this your doing!? You, the user of the 'Four Fiends' technique!!"
"Gen Shuuyoku, I didn't expect you to come here."
A figure stood up at the back of the room.
The first thing that caught the eye was his gray hair.
His body wasn't muscular; rather, it could be described as slim.
But Gen Shuuyoku knows that the techniques this person uses have terrifying power.
"What are you plotting? You, who wield the 'Four Fiends Technique'."
Gen Shuuyoku glares at the enemy behind the soldiers.
"Are you going to unleash your techniques on the young Touri again, and this time take women and children hostage to control the 'Bokou Tribe'? Shame on you, scum!!"
"It's all fate."
The response was brief.
"Aika Country will perish. Therefore, I will take the quickest means to destroy it. That's all."
"Stop your nonsense!"
"After this, chaos will come. Aika Country will fall. This is fate."
The gray-haired man continues.
"Then, those who must be destroyed will be destroyed. Those who must be killed will be killed. Gather the power for that, and increase efficiency. That way, the time of chaos will be shorter. We can also reduce the number of victims. So why do you interfere?"
"...What are you saying!?"
Gen Shuuyoku asks with a groan.
She didn't want to understand the enemy.
But it was unexpected that they couldn't communicate this much.
A few years ago, the enemy targeted Gen Shuuyoku, saying "it's fate," and hurt Touri.
And now, they are attacking the 'Bokou Tribe' along with the Jinkyo Tribe, trying to obtain the 'Secret Book of Chaos.'
They are doing all of this. The enemy must have some reason.
If they were to fight, she wanted to hear that reason first.
At the very least, she wanted to know what kind of person the enemy was.
But that wish could not be fulfilled.
The man with gray hair just keeps repeating words that Gen Shuuyoku can't understand.
"What you're saying is all nonsense!"
Gen Shuuyoku, holding her sword, shouts.
"The country will fall!? A chaotic era is coming!? If you really believe that... shouldn't you be thinking about how to prevent it first!? Are you planning to attack the 'Bokou Tribe' together with the Jinkyo Tribe, thinking that will do some good!? Don't be ridiculous!!"
"I have no intention of making you my ally anymore."
The man with gray hair replied in a cold tone.
"It seems the joint operation with the Jinkyo Tribe has failed. I will prepare new measures and come again to take 'chaos.'."
The man with gray hair touched the bodies of the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers.
Like fangs, he struck their backs with his hand.
"'Four Fiends Technique'──one of 'Kyuuki.' 'Devour.'."
""...Ggh! Ggh...""
"O those who have consumed the Secret Art Elixir. In the name of 'Kyuuki,' I will take your 'energy' and 'sense of pain.' Until I leave, go ahead and kill them all."
"""Gggggh!!"""
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe howled.
Then they slowly began to walk toward Gen Shuuyoku and the others.
"Strange medicine... no, are they being poisoned?"
Observing the soldiers, Gen Shuuyoku muttered.
"Their eyes are bloodshot. Their skin is a reddish-brown color. I can feel the 'ki' inside them moving in a strange way. That 'ki' is probably strengthening their body, but... it's reckless. At this rate, their body won't hold up."
The 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki' probably manipulates the opponent's 'ki.'
It eats the opponent's 'ki' and injects the user's 'ki' in return. This changes the opponent's body.
The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe are in this abnormal state because of that.
(Did this guy also... eat Touri's 'ki' back then?)
When Touri received the 'Kyuuki' technique, her 'ki' was probably consumed.
Losing 'ki' so suddenly caused deep wounds in the meridians of 'ki'──the meridians.
That's why Touri is still suffering now.
"The soldiers of the Jinkyo Tribe, we will stop them."
Suddenly, the soldiers from Aika Country declared.
"In the meantime, Gen Shuuyoku-dono will deal with the man with gray hair. It's frustrating, but... we can't stop him."
"Is that okay? You all will be in danger..."
"We can't let a man who uses dangerous techniques escape. Please... please!"
"Understood. But you must not die either."
Gen Shuuyoku told the soldiers from Aika Country.
"If you get hurt, I will take responsibility and treat you. I will settle in Aika Country and heal you no matter how long it takes. So, please don't throw away your lives."
"""Understood!!"""
Aika Country's soldiers run out with swords in hand.
In front of them are enemy soldiers with bronze-colored faces. Their body temperatures are unusually high. They have wounds on their bodies. Blood is still flowing from them.
Yet, they show no signs of feeling pain.
The 'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki' must change people into a special state.
"We can't leave a user of such a technique alone!!"
Gen Shuuyoku kicked off the ground.
She lowered her body and did a roll on the ground. While slipping past the enemy soldier's feet, she swung her sword.
Her target was the back of the enemy soldier's knee. Even soldiers who feel no pain still move with their muscles. If she injures the tendon behind the knee, she can stop their movement.
"...I can only catch them off guard once."
The enemy soldier quickly reacted. Other soldiers turned their attention to Gen Shuuyoku.
However, a gap opened in the enemy formation.
Gen Shuuyoku started running toward a man with gray hair.
"I won't let you escape!! User of 'Four Fiends'!!"
"Fool. Who can stand against me, chosen by destiny!"
Gen Shuuyoku's thrust was deflected by the enemy's sword. The enemy swung down his sword toward Gen Shuuyoku with that momentum. Gen Shuuyoku deflected it using the 'Flowing Water' technique.
Her goal was to buy time and not let the enemy escape.
She felt anger for the injury done to Touri. That anger would never fade.
But Gen Shuuyoku realized she was not consumed by her anger. She remained calm while holding onto her rage.
Feeling strange about it, she continues to swing her sword at the enemy in front of her.
(...I see. Right now, I'm not just fighting for myself.)
Staying calm is because of that.
Gen Shuuyoku is here as a member of the Aika Country delegation.
Finding her enemy was thanks to Ryougen-kun, who made her a part of the delegation.
Meeting Ryougen-kun was because of Tenhou.
Without him, Gen Shuuyoku would still be wandering, searching for her enemy.
With the help of many, Gen Shuuyoku has found the user of the 'Four Fiends.'
So──she can no longer fight just for revenge.
Gen Shuuyoku understands that.
She is fighting the user of the 'Four Fiends' for the ones she believes in──Jibun, Tenhou, Shouou, Ryougen-kun, and her friends from the 'Bokou Tribe.'
"What are you laughing at? Gen Shuuyoku!"
"Am I laughing? Me?"
She blocks the enemy's sword. She dodges. Looking for an opening, she strikes.
She gets pushed back. Avoiding the enemy's kick. She ducks down and sweeps the legs. It gets dodged.
Rolling to avoid the enemy's sword coming down.
She circles around the enemy and swings her sword again.
There's no decisive blow. Just entangling. Buying time.
With a feeling like stepping on thin ice, she focuses on stopping the enemy.
"Ah, I see. It's strange that I've changed."
Clank! The sword clash.
She couldn't completely deflect the enemy's power──instinctively, she lowers her head. Just then, the enemy's sword passes right by her. A few strands of her hair get cut. Gen Shuuyoku unleashes the Pressure Point Technique 'Leaffall' on the enemy's arm.
No effect.
Instead, a tingling sensation runs through her fingertips.
Still, Gen Shuuyoku continues to swing the sword.
"I was a traveler, and many helped me find you. I no longer need to roam. I will stay in one place and live while repaying their kindness. It's strange that I have accepted this."
"Is this the time to be thinking about such things in a death zone!?"
"Ah... I see. You haven't changed at all."
Gen Shuuyoku laughs again.
"Four years ago, you were saying 'fate' just like now. You haven't changed at all. These 4 years must have brought you nothing. How unfortunate."
"I'm too busy to entertain your nonsense!"
The enemy's stance changed.
He moves the hand that isn't holding a sword behind him and stops breathing for a few seconds.
Gen Shuuyoku quickly creates some distance.
She takes a few steps back, getting out of the enemy's sword range.
But──
"'Four Fiends Technique: Kyuuki'──Army Shatter Palm."
──From the gray-haired man's palm, a powerful 'ki' bursts forth.
"G-ggh!?"
It becomes a physical strike, hitting Gen Shuuyoku's body.
Gen Shuuyoku quickly activates the receiving technique 'Flowing Water.'
She tries to deflect the strike with her sword, but... she can't completely deflect it.
The sword couldn't withstand the shock and broke.
Gen Shuuyoku was blown away by a strong pressure and slammed against the wall.
(...Energy Burst!? No... is it something called Long Shot!?)
While enduring the intense pain, Gen Shuuyoku analyzed the enemy's technique.
(That guy was using 'Kyuuki' to consume other people's 'ki.' Then... he should be able to release it all at once.... He could attack someone from a distance. How can I stop that? If 'Flowing Water' won't work, then what technique can deflect it...)
Gen Shuuyoku desperately continued to think of a countermeasure against the Hagun Shou.
In front of her, a man with gray hair approached.
"You are dangerous. Die here, Gen Shuuyoku."
Gen Shuuyoku did not answer the enemy's question.
To avoid being noticed, she glanced sideways at her fellow soldiers.
They were fighting well. But they were injured.
It would be dangerous to let them fight the gray-haired man.
However, the soldiers of Aika Country would not run away. They would not leave Gen Shuuyoku behind. Ryougen-kun chose people like that.
(...I have good friends and disciples, huh)
There was still a chance to counterattack.
The moment he tried to finish her off, she would unleash a desperate strike.
She would hold him back so he couldn't escape. She would fulfill her role.
With that determination, Gen Shuuyoku steadied her breathing.
"Nameless enemy, I have figured out the true nature of your technique."
"You're talking nonsense."
"Even if I die here, they will notice the same thing as me... They are talented kids. Your wishes will be easily crushed!"
"It's pointless to talk. Die!"
The gray-haired man raises his sword.
Gen Shuuyoku focuses her 'ki' energy in her legs.
She slides across the floor and sneaks under the enemy, using all her 'ki' to perform the Pressure Point Technique. Just a little time is enough. She needs to take away the enemy's ability to act.
Just when Gen Shuuyoku made up her mind──
"Shuu-sensei!!"
"Sensei! Are you okay!!"
From the entrance of the hall, she hears Tenhou and Shouou's voices.
Instinctively, Gen Shuuyoku squeezes out her 'ki' energy and shouts.
"Tenhou! Shouou! Use the Pressure Point Technique! Inject your 'ki' into the Jinkyo Tribe soldiers!!"
""Yes!!""
"Stop talking nonsense! Gen Shuuyoku!!"
The user of the 'Four Fiends Technique' swings down his sword.
Gen Shuuyoku concentrates 'ki' in both legs──then kicks off the floor.
Not towards the enemy, but in the direction to dodge.
"The 'Kyuuki' technique injects 'poisonous ki.' Then, give them your 'ki'... the 'ki' that can heal!!"
Gen Shuuyoku raises her voice again.
She cannot die here.
She must tell Tenhou and Shouou what she knows about that guy's technique.
It should be a countermeasure against the user of the 'Four Fiends Technique.'
"You're clinging to life in such a pathetic way, Gen Shuuyoku!!"
"Yeah, I'll cling to it! I'll do whatever it takes to keep my daughter and my disciples alive!!"
Gen Shuuyoku is not a martial artist. She is a traveling doctor.
She has no honor or fame to protect.
What she must protect are her beloved daughter, her cherished disciples, and her friends. That's all.
(For that, I would gladly expose my pathetic self!!)
Gen Shuuyoku rolls on the floor, dodging the enemy's thrusts.
After repeating this for several seconds...
"──'Kirin's Horn Thrust'!!"
"────huh!?"
Kou Tenhou's sword, which rushed over, deflected the enemy's sword.
"...I'm glad I made it in time."
He said, breathing heavily.
When she looked back... Shouou and the soldiers from Aika Country were still fighting the enemy soldiers.
Shouou and the others took on the enemies to help Gen Shuuyoku.
And... probably from Tenhou or Shouou's Pressure Point Technique,
a soldier from the Jinkyo Tribe fell to the floor, shaking.
"Seriously. Why did you come, Tenhou?"
"Of course I came. I'm Shuu-sensei's disciple!"
"The 'Four Fiends Technique' is dangerous. Even you might not come out unscathed. I actually didn't want you to come..."
"I know it's dangerous!"
Tenhou shouted.
"However, I'm more scared of Shuu-sensei dying. I also don't want this enemy to run free. I don't want to live in fear, wondering when the 'Four Fiends Technique' user will attack. So..."
"...Tenhou."
"I've released the hostages. The enemy leader, Ren Padu, has been defeated by Gaku Kiryuu-san. Soon, soldiers will surround this place. Please let me hold him off until then."
"...Understood."
Gen Shuuyoku nodded.
The enemy was shaken by the sudden intruder.
Tenhou's sword was sharper than expected, which probably added to their caution, leaving them unable to move.
The opportunity is now or never.
"I'll tell you about the enemy's abilities. You might be able to fight back against him."
Gen Shuuyoku sat up and whispered in Tenhou's ear.
Kou Tenhou's body was trembling.
She was facing a strong enemy. It was natural to be scared.
So Gen Shuuyoku continued in a gentle tone.
"However, don't push yourself too hard. If you really think you can't win, then run away. Leave me alone. That's the only thing I ask you to promise. It's your mentor's order."
With that, Gen Shuuyoku shared everything he knew about the enemy with Tenhou.
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