Volume 4 Chapter 27 The Great Villain Of The World, Attacking Kozan's Base I
──Near the Summit of Kozan──
The sound of a waterfall echoed.
It was a deep-flowing waterfall that came from Kozan.
It is said that those who want to master the 'Five Gods' techniques perform guidance (dōin) by this waterfall.
──The splashing water falling down.
──The roaring sound of the waterfall.
──The unstable rocky ground.
──The cold mountain wind chilling the body.
Without being distracted by any of these, one must become like a beast.
Absorb the quiet 'ki' of the mountain.
Only by doing this can one truly become a master in both name and reality.
This was Bakkai's teaching.
However, only a few martial artists belonged to the bandit group 'Hidden Five Gods.'
The rest were just a bunch of gathered bandits.
They originally belonged to another bandit group.
That organization was suddenly taken over by Bakkai and the martial artists.
They killed the boss of the bandit group but did not harm the bandits.
They told them that from now on, profits would be shared fairly and kept them as subordinates.
The bandits had no loyalty to the old organization.
To them, the boss could have been anyone.
As a result, Bakkai's way was more convenient for them.
Bakkai's disciples were strong. With them, it was easy to attack merchant caravans.
They also established connections with the town of Toukaku.
With information from soldiers, they could work safely.
They were now able to live more comfortably than when they were in the original bandit group.
What surprised the bandits was that Bakkai's disciples prepared meals for them.
Normally, cooking is the job of the lower ranks in a bandit group.
The higher-ups taking care of their subordinates' meals is unthinkable.
That's why the bandits believed that Bakkai truly cared for them.
The boss of the bandit group 'Hidden Five Gods' has 2 leaders.
Their names are Ryo Ken and Ryo Kon.
They are twin siblings. They've heard they are not even in their twenties.
They are Bakkai's top disciples, but they are kind to the bandits.
They are in charge of cooking.
They always direct the martial artists under them and serve meals.
The only downside is that there isn't much alcohol, but they can't complain about that.
Their food tastes good and, most importantly, it's healthy.
When asked why the bosses cook──
'To deepen our bond.'
'So you can use your strength effectively.'
'We are one.'
──that's the answer they give.
No matter which twin they ask, the answer is the same.
However, the bandits can't tell which one is answering.
Ryo Ken and Ryo Kon look exactly the same.
Their voices, attitudes, and even their martial arts movements are identical.
Sometimes, they even switch names.
"Which one is Ryo Ken-sama and which one is Ryo Kon-sama?"
Some have asked Bakkai this question.
That person was slashed with a sword and seriously injured.
'That question causes conflict.'
'Ryo Ken and Ryo Kon are one person together.'
'If the strongest is the same person, there will be no conflict.'
That was Bakkai's answer.
There were some issues, but the bandit group 'Hidden Five Gods' has been expanding its power.
They gained more allies.
It seemed they would continue to grow their influence in the dark world.
Bosses encountered enemy martial artists in the town of Toukaku.
──The connection with Toukaku was cut.
──The agreement was broken.
Thinking this, the 'Hidden Five Gods' abandoned their base near Toukaku.
The Bakkai discussed and decided to leave this place.
They should be preparing to move from the forest base.
Furthermore, the Bakkai gave instructions to the two Bosses.
They were to conduct the final martial arts teachings at the mountain base.
So, Ryo Ken and Ryo Kon came to this place with their subordinates.Now, the two Bosses were near the waterfall, conducting their guidance.
It was a strange guidance.
It was as if there were 2 hungry beasts.
They were growling at each other and biting each other's limbs.
It seemed that this was how they increased their power.
The bandits' job was to guard Ryo Ken and Ryo Kon during the guidance.
They set traps on the mountain path to prevent enemy intrusion.
And if enemies came, they would fight back.
This was the order given by the Bakkai.
And then, in front of the watching bandits──
""──Uruooooo.""
With a creepy growl, the Bosses' guidance ended.
The two quietly sat down next to the waterfall.
"Are you done with what you needed to do, Bosses?"
Seeing that the guidance was over, one of the bandits asked.
"If the 'transmission' that Guide-sama mentioned is finished, let's leave this place."
"We don't know when Toukaku's soldiers might arrive."
"We've set the traps. I think it should be safe for a while, but..."
The bandits looked worried.
They haven't heard about what comes next.
Will they find a new base and continue working as a band of bandits?
Or will they contact an organization related to Guide or Boss?
The bandits, knowing nothing, are filled with anxiety.
"──There's no problem at all, Ryo Kon."
"──I don't understand what you're worried about, Ryo Ken."
The twin Bosses murmur like they're singing.
Their brown hair, cut at the shoulders, sways as they gaze blankly at their subordinates.
Their lips, painted red, show a faint smile.
Normally, they would seem relaxed.
You would think it was safe to leave things to Boss.
But the situation has changed.
The town of Toukaku is no longer an ally.
There's a chance that connections with the powerful people in that town have leaked to the higher-ups of Aika Country.
If that's the case, it's possible that an extermination army could come here.
So──
"'The Legend' is over, right? There's no need to stay long."
One of the bandits said in a flustered tone.
"Honestly, I'm not even sure if 'The Legend' is necessary. You bosses are strong enough, right?"
"──You all don't understand."
"──You really don't get it."
"We do understand! Guide-sama is impressive. She can use martial arts despite old injuries in her arms and legs. The skill to find you two and train you into the strongest martial artists is amazing."
"But still,"
"We're not complete."
"No, you're strong enough, right!?"
Frustrated, the bandit shouted.
Voices of agreement rose around him.
──We, the 'Hidden Five Gods,' are the strongest band of bandits.
──Even if we run away now, we can make a comeback.
──We can take in another group of bandits.
──With Bakkai and the Ryo siblings, they can kill the boss of that group.
──Also, if we take over another group, the 'Hidden Five Gods' will grow even more.
The bandits keep talking about this.
"I'm sorry the plan failed. But it's not all over yet."
""......""
Hearing the bandit's words, the Ryo siblings' expressions change.
The goal of the 'Hidden Five Gods' was to make the town of Toukaku their base.
The powerful person in that town was connected to the 'Hidden Five Gods.'
In exchange for not attacking Toukaku, they had a deal to share information about the surrounding towns.
This was a stain on the powerful person's reputation.
They couldn't reveal the deal to others.
This would become a weapon for the 'Hidden Five Gods.'
Eventually, the balance of power would have to shift.
'If you don't want it known that you're connected to us, give us a place in Toukaku.'
They could have made such a demand.
By doing this, the 'Hidden Five Gods' would infiltrate Toukaku and make that town their base.
They would wait for the right time to step into the spotlight.
That was the goal of the 'Hidden Five Gods.'
But the plan failed.
"I'm sorry the plan failed, but we can bounce back! Even if we can't step into the spotlight, we can become rulers of the dark world!!"
The bandit speaks to the Ryo siblings.
"So, come on, let's escape! That 'legend' is over, right!?"
"──Not yet."
"──There's just the final touch left."
The two sitting near the waterfall stood up slowly.
There was no warning or preparation in their movement. Even the familiar bandits were startled.
"...I'll ask the twins Ryo."
One of the bandits inquired.
"'Hidden Five Gods' will stay as it is, right?"
"──Of course."
"──'Hidden Five Gods' will stay the same, right?"
"We're going to become the great bandits who rule the dark world, right?"
"──You are important to us."
"──You are a precious existence, you know?"
The Ryo siblings smiled faintly as they looked at the bandits.
""We will finish the legend.""
The voices of the Ryo siblings synchronized.
"──Your limbs will wither."
"──Your organs will dry up."
""'Kyuuki's Third Technique──'White Cage of Despair'.""
The palms of the Ryo siblings struck one of the bandits.
The bandit's body rolled on the ground... and then, it stopped moving.
"......Boss, what is this...?"
The male bandit remained fallen.
His face was pale. His breathing seemed like it would stop at any moment.
"Your meals were managed by me and my master. To make it easier to eat your 'ki'."
"Your 'ki' becomes our strength."
""Thank you for everything. Goodbye.""
One by one, the two struck the gathered bandits.
Just that was enough for the bandits to lose their 'ki' and fall to the ground.
Some bandits turned their backs and started to run, but they couldn't escape.
Before they knew it, either Ryo Ken or Ryo Kon was blocking their way.
The twins were users of the 'Fallen Five Divine Steps.'
A bandit who can't use martial arts has no way to escape from them.
Soon, it took only a few minutes for all the bandits to fall down.
"...Boss... why?"
"...What did we do?"
"...What is a meal?"
The bandits groan.
"We're different from you."
"We're meant to be in the spotlight."
In a calm tone, the Ryo siblings continue.
"We're going to an organization that carries Heaven's Fate."
"We're going to kill the disciples of those who betrayed Bakkai-sama."
""We're going to a different place than you.""
Saying this, the Ryo siblings touch one of the bandits.
A strange scream of "Ggh!" escapes.
The bandit's face goes completely pale, and he stops breathing.
"We're going to become complete beings."
"We're going to become invincible martial artists."
""Following Heaven's Fate, we will leave our names in history.""
The two slowly approach another bandit.
Just as they were about to take 'ki' from the second bandit──
PEEEEEEEEEP!!
A high-pitched sound echoed.
Someone had blown a whistle.
""────!?""
The Ryo siblings instinctively pull away from the bandits.
They stand back to back, getting into a defensive stance.
And then──
"Soldiers are coming soon. You are already surrounded."
A voice came from the path leading down the mountain.
Immediately, the Ryo siblings activate 'Fallen Five Divine Steps.'
The technique they use is 'Fallen Dragon King Iten──God-Killer's Leap Technique'.
The Ryo siblings split to the left and right, charging at the source of the voice.
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'!
Two figures jumped out from the tree in front of them.
One was holding a sword.
The other was clinging to the back of that person.
The boy's sword deflected the blades of Ryo Kaen and Ryo Kon.
Then, the boy and girl landed.
With the trees behind them, they looked up at the Ryo siblings.
"I'll say it again. You are surrounded."
"There's no escape. Soon, soldiers from Aika Country will arrive!"
The boy and girl stared at the Ryo siblings and declared.
"Also, the bandits are important witnesses. It would be a problem if they were all killed."
The boy's sword shone with a silver light.
──'White Kirin Sword'
That name flashed through the minds of the Ryo siblings.
They had heard about it from Bakkai. It was a treasure that their master had.
One day, Bakkai was supposed to draw the sword and make a name for herself.
But because of Gyoun, she couldn't obtain it.
"──Change of plans. We need to kill that boy."
"──Ryo Ken gets angry quickly. We should stay calm."
"──Bakkai-sama's enemy is our enemy. Ryo Kon doesn't show enough respect for our master."
"──It's Ryo Ken's fault for not explaining that feeling."
"──The worst ones are that boy."
"He interrupted the ritual of inheritance!"
The twin siblings did not attack recklessly.
'Killing within the same school'──Gyoun's disciples are strong opponents.
To kill them, they should use the techniques they just inherited.
That means they have truly defeated the true 'Five Divine Swordsmanship.'
"──State your name."
"──I'm related to Gyoun. Tell me your name before you die."
"My name is Kou Tenhou."
"I'm Gen Touri. I'm the daughter of the mother who learned medicine from Gyoun-sama."
The boy and girl declared.
"──I am the top disciple of 'Immortal Phantom' Bakkai's Ryou Ken."
"──Ryouken is lying. The true top disciple of my master is this Ryou Kon."
After introducing themselves, the Ryou siblings moved.
And those who inherit the techniques of the 'Five Gods' faced each other in front of the waterfall.
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