Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Kazuto: Haa!
I shout and swing down the blade as I make a step forward. The sound of blade cutting the air is followed by my foot kicking the ground.
I step, I swing it down, I ready it once again. Those movements are all linked together. And the delay between them is getting smaller.
Huh, captain. What's up with you swinging that around? (He's training for once. Wish he did that more often)
When I finally got used to it, I heard Mao's carefree voice.
I gather my breath and then put the bokuto that a city craftsman made for me back at my waist.
I would've prefered shinai... Even though I'm using it everyday, its fine structure is hard to get used to. I tried a lot, but in the end settled on a simple bokuto.
Kazuto: Hmm? Ah, I thought I should work out a bit. So I was doing the swings.
The security force is finally enhanced, so the times of me going to the frontlines is pretty rare now.
They still happen, but that's why I need to train daily or I'll be of no use...
Captain. From the looks of it... you had a knowledge of swordsmanship?
Kazuto: Not as good as everyone else. And I only studied it for a bit, so I'm not really of much use to the guards.
I normally use quarterstaffs as the rest of the guards. It has longer reach and being the only one with different weapon in a group is a disadvantage.
Eeh... that's surprising.
Kazuto: I'm more surprised with Shia being with you. Weren't you all having a normal training day today?
Eeh? Why not, getting along with guards is nice. Right, Mao-chi? (Yaaay, Shia. I guess the only ones who didn't join yet are Fuu and Rin)
Right, Nee-san?
Ah. Onee-sama, you won't get along with me then?
Hmm? That's not true. My love spreads equally. So, Nagicchi, come a little closer... (Oh yeah, Shia is really trying to seduce Nagi a lot...)
No, I'll pass... (And she finally talks)
Ah, really, how stiff of you...
Kazuto: There's nothing bad with getting along...
But aren't those "Nee-san" and "Onee-sama" sound a bit weird?
Ah. Captain, are you getting jealous of us and Nee-san getting along?
Heh. That's kinda nice too. Onee-sama.
Don't worry. If we do something, we'll call for Kazuto too! (You will... but in your events and with Nagi... and... THANK YOU for that!)
Kazuto: Wait, what are you planning to do!
What, you ask... right?
It's obvious, right?
Kazuto: ...You're kinda in the way, so leave already. (Shia is probably the most friendly to Kazuto in Gi)
Eeh. Stingy captain.
...Well then, captain. Can I ask you for a match?
Kazuto: Me and Nagi? Impossible, no way I can win.
Sounds fun. I want to see that. (I know, I do too.)
Right, right. Noone's expecting for Kazuto to win to begin with, so you can just do it light-heartedly.
Kazuto: Hey. That kinda hurts my dignity as a captain...
You have it?
Kazuto: No.
Though it pains me to say that!
Then, I ask you to.
As she said that, Nagi was already in a battle stance, willing to fight.
Kazuto: ...Just once.
If she's so excited about it, I have to respond. I ready my bokuto and face Nagi. Shia and Mao are first-class warriors after all. They stopped joking and are silently watching the fight.
Both of you, do your best.
Captain. Nagi-chan. Do your best.
Then, I'll be the judge. Both sides, get ready...... start!
Here I come, captain!
Kazuto: Okay, come!
What are you doing? (Worst... possible... timing)
Ah, Karin-sama. (So you're finally using mana, not "Sousou"...)
Kazuto: Haaaaa!
Eeh... So Kazuto knows martial arts, I didn't know that.
I see. That's why he could work right away after joining the guards. (Stop talking. I'm more interested in the fight)
But, his skill is not that great. (Wanna face him then?)
True.
No, Sawa can't really talk about captain much.
Eeh. Mao-chan, that's cruel. (But you are pretty equal in skill to him)
Both sides, stop!
It seems to be over. (That was fast. A pity)
Kazuto: Well, well. I couldn't win against Nagi after all... (You and Nagi should train daily with each other)
The result was my loss, of course. We had a difference in reach at first, so I held decently... but around halfway through I ran out of stamina.
No, it was pretty difficult for me. You are quite skilled, so how about you use this as an opportunity to start training?
Kazuto: If I have time... (Good suggestion, Nagi! And damn you, Kazuto, you can easily find an hour per day)
Doing it to not let my body rust like today... is one, but for me to catch up to Nagi-tachi's level, I'll need to do double that.
Captain. You looked cool.
Good job.
Kazuto, I fell in love with you all over again. (Wait, what? You just joined in the previous event)
Yes, yes.
Kazuto: Oh, Karin-tachi are here too... you had to see something weird then.
That's not true. It was a fairly interesting sight.
I wasn't planning to make a show out of it... well, if she's satisfied, it's all good.
Hongou. Is that a swordsmanship from your country?
Kazuto: Yeah. It's called kendo... though it's more of a swordsmanship that focuses on training itself more than on the actual use of it.
Is something like that even useful in the actual combat?
Kazuto: There's no wars in my country. So it's not teaching us to fight with a sword, but it's more about using swordsmanship to learn courtesy, attitude towards the opponent and other mental training like that.
Courtesy...?
Towards the opponent...?
Mental training...?
Kazuto: ...Yes, yes, I know I'm missing all of that. (No, they are used to actual fighting, so they just don't understand the need)
First of all, it's wrong to develop courtesy and resolve through the skills developed for fighting.
Kazuto: Is that so? (No, but it's wrong to focus on that instead of actual skills)
Of course. Swordsmanship is a skill to defeat your opponent. It's unrelated to the mental training.
Kazuto: Hmm. I don't think that's so. (It's important, but of no use on its own)
Shuuran. What's required when you shoot your opponent with a bow?
Calm judgement and concentration to aim at the target, Karin-sama. (So it seems everyone aside from Shunran do realize it's needed)
Shunran. What's required to defeat opponent with a sword?
Mettle and fighting spirit, Karin-sama.
...I think mental training is valuable enough then, no?
Kazuto: Well, it's obvious for a swordmanship of peaceful and warring worlds to be different. It's not like one of them is wrong...
...Hongou.
Kazuto: Hmm?
Do it with me!
Eh? (Oh, I see what they did here)
Sis?
Shunran-sama!?
Ton-chan!?
Kazuto: ...Huh?
Why's everyone making those faces? (So many dirty minds revealed...)
Well, that bold statement was too sudden...
Just what are you planning to do with Kazuto.
What you ask... I was trying to tell Hongou "I'll beat into you which swordsmanship is correct in this age, prepare yourself, hahahaha!"...
Sis. Please stop skipping everything when talking.
...Hmm? I just have to be careful about it? Understood.
This face obviously shows she understood nothing. (I'm more curious how you came to your perverted conclusions in this context)
Kazuto: Or actually, I just said that since the era is different, the goal is also different.
No way I understand those complicated phrases! If you're a swordsman, speak with your sword!
Kazuto: Huh? No way I can win against Shunran! (Surprisingly, you can)
And I haven't trained enough to speak with my sword!
Kazuto: Everyone thinks so too, right?
True.
Right.
I guess so.
But, it'll be fun to watch.
Will he get killed?
Sis, make sure you go easy. (Shunran? Go easy? She's a female Apachai, so... not happening I think)
Kazuto: ...No, you're right, but.
At least one of you could've helped me here.
Then, do you have a chance to win?
Kazuto: None!
Though, humans shouldn't say they can't do something from the start, captain. (They should, actually. I wouldn't doubt my gravity and jump out the window)
Do your best. I'll at least cheer for you. (Well... okay, I guess that would change my mind...)
Do your best! Captain!
Oh, good for you to have kind subordinates, Kazuto.
Kazuto: ...True. They're my precious subordinates, after all.
Come! Hurry up and come! Come anytime you want! I'll pulverize you with a counterattack! Hahahaha!
Come on. Act like a man once in a while and go show your cool side.
Kazuto: Raising hand against a woman is considered cool now...? (He has a point... even though that woman is Shunran)
I'm not a woman! There's no men and women at the battlefield! Face me as a warrior, Hongou Kazuto!
You heard her, Hongou.
Kazuto: ...Fine.
Kazuto!
Kazuto: Oh, Shia, you'll also cheer?
It's important to know when to give up for humans! (Well... she's right, but...)
You almost crushed all the courage I managed to gather, Shia.
Hoho. Nice expression on your face.
Before I notice it, Shunran is wearing armor and holding scimitar in one hand. And against that I wear guard armor and hold a bokuto. Well, heavy metal armor would restrain my movement, so this is better...
Kazuto: Well then, Shunran. I'll forget that you're a woman for now.
What! Are you telling me I'm a monkey or some kind of a monster! (...Why!? They just talked about that)
Kazuto: You just said yourself that I should face you as a warrior!
I'm not that vengeful to remember something that happened that long ago! That would make me similar to Keifa!
What!
Kazuto: Karin! Do something about her, and just what are you doing there!
How did that happen. All of sudden there are audience benches... and at the very front of it something that looks like commentator seat for the upcoming tragedy.
I did my best! Praise me! (Well, this IS impressive)
Kazuto: Don't work hard at such things!
Don't make such a nice smile while holding a drill! Just how much did you make while I was getting equipment! Your craftsmanship is astonishing!
Well, it begins, the fight of the century, the strongest of our army, scimitar of Gi Kakoton-shogun versus the weakest of our army, Gi's stallion Hongou Kazuto, a one-round match with no time limit! the commentators will be me - Riten and...
A songstress of all thirty million of people of Gi, Chiho-chan! Pleased to meet you! (I don't know about what she said about "sisters", some group name or something)
Also, our lord Sousou-sama and strategist Juniku will provide their commentaries. You two, we're counting on you today.
Yeah. I'm looking forward to a battle worth watching. (Talk about applying extra pressure to Kazuto...)
Both should just die. (Great commentator, yeah...)
Kazuto: Karin, you too!
And she's seriously being a commentator!
Oh, should you really look here?
Kazuto: Eh?
Kazuto: Whoa! (Still alive)
Oh! Kakoton-shogun suddenly does pre-emptive strike with her famous killing method! This is cruel, this is vile! Precisely, an unforgiving deathblow!
I dodged in a hurry and the scimitar's swing went a hair away from me... or, more likely, she didn't try to hit me.
Kazuto: Sh, Shunran! You, they didn't even signal the match start yet... (That's her idea of holding back, eh...)
I look at Shia, since she's the judge... and she waves her neck happily! Ah, seriously, this is some sort of away game for me!
No way I'll wait for that! First of all, do you think war or fight won't start without a signal?
What do you think of that statement, commentators? (This is not a war or fight, it's a sparring)
If she did that on the battlefield, other countries would laugh. I wish she would have some pride as a warrior.
Well, her logic is not completely wrong.
And while we're talking, Kakoton-shogun doesn't slow down the assault! And her opponent Hongou is escaping? Weakling, fire it up! Pathetic!
Kazuto: That's taunting, not commentating, Chiho!
Hahaha! Run, run! Show me how you run, coward! (The fact that he's even here is a proof enough that he's not)
Kazuto: Ugh, true that I can't win like that... what can I do... nope, impossible!
Kazuto: Daaaah!
Though, Shunran forgot how to hold back it seems and is doing an unforgiving all-out attack. The best I can do is dodge it...
Umm. Commetator Sousou-sama. That's quite a one-sided match. (You don't say? What did you expect?)
Well, of course. There's a huge gap between Shunran and Kazuto's stamina, ability and courage.
Then, his chances are...?
None. It's obvious.
Well, is that really so?
...Karin-sama?
Shunran. Can I have your attention?
What is it, Karin-sama!
It's not really fun to watch your one-sided torment of Kazuto. How about this? Let's put a condition for Kazuto's victory.
...What? Another of Karin's whims.
I see. I won't lose anyway, so I don't mind...
Kazuto. That'll give you some chances, right?
Kazuto: Depends on condition... I guess. If Kakoton-shogun will give me a bountiful condition, I'll have some chances...
Wha... you, did you say my belly makes loud noises if you tap it!? (That again... "Futoppara" means "generous/bountiful" but also "fat belly")
Kazuto: I never said that!
There's noone who mishears that for such an insulting comment!
You... you knew I overteaten at today's lunch...! Unforgivable! I won't forgive you, Hongou Kazuto!
...Is that true, Shuuran?
Yes. Sis and Kii overeaten a bit. It seems they're quite worried about that...
Fine then! If you can touch me even once, it's your victory! There's nothing for you to complain about now!
Should be enough. Right, Kazuto?
Kazuto: Ugh... well, better than before...
If I hit her even once, it's my victory. Then... betting on a slim possibility is not a bad idea.
Oh. It seems you're motivated now!
Kazuto: Yeah. Backing off after all conditions for victory are set... is not something a man should do.
You're planning to win... interesting!
Match... resume!
At that moment, Shunran's body stared to look twice as big. So that's an aura she lets out at the battlefield...!
Kazuto: Eh... umm... Shunran-san?
What?
Kazuto: You'll... hold back, right? (Don't think so)
I'll make sure you don't get killed at least. Here I come!
Kazuto: Eh, wait a biiiiiiit!
That side has a cutting edge!
Kazuto: Dowawawawa!
Kazuto: Whoa! (Still alive)
What's wrong, it's no different from before!
It's more bad than before! If you hit me with a sharp part at this speed, even if I won't die, I'll lose an arm! And how should I block it with a bokuto!
Oh! I thought he's getting serious, but Hongou Kazuto is running after all! This is terrible, this is pathetic, audience cries out in displeasure!
Kazuto: If you say so, try standing here instead, Chiho! It's freaking scary!
No. Chiho is no good at fighting. (He's also not a fighter. And damn Keifa looks happy)
Hongou. Since you already gave up, just get cut in half and die. You can take Shunran with you too.
Kazuto: And you wasn't interested from the beginning, Keifa!
Of course.
Oh! Reacting to comments during battle, how confident of you, Hongou!
Kazuto: Whoa!
I parry the scimitar Shunran swings down with a bokuto desperately and its surface gets shaved off... as I change the direction of her scimitar's swing.
Oh. So you can if you try! But it won't work next time!
Kazuto: Daaah!
Two, three... I guess it's kinda arrogant of me to count them, but I desperately parry Shunran's scimitar.
Oh... He's pretty good. (Pretty good. That's beyond "pretty good" in my dictionary...)
Is that so? He's being one-sidedly pushed back. (Even against that combo, he's STILL alive and not wounded)
He tilts the blade and parried the shock from Shunran's blade well. I'm looking forward to see what kind of a counterattack he'll do.
Karin is right, I parried the shock somehow... but it's only a bit better than a direct attack. My arm is getting numb and is about to give out.
And bokuto is at its limits. (Yeah, you don't get Gintama's cheated bokuto)
Hmm... fine then! Let's end this already!
As if to back up that shout, Shunran brandishes her scimitar. (I might be wrong and this is "greatsword" instead of scimitar"
Kazuto: Ah, that's! (Dirty tricks mode activate!)
I won't fall for such a basic trick, idiot!
Not happening, huh!
This is the end!
Kazuto: Ah, Karin-sama is looking lascivious! (Well-played)
What!? (Of course... mention Karin, Shunran gets distracted instantly)
Kazuto: Hei!
...Huh?
...It's Kazuto's victory.
Match over! Winner, Hongou Kazuto!
Wha... whawhawha...!
You sure fall for basic traps, idiot.
Sis...
Oooh! It's settled, it's finally settled! And, surprisingly, Gi's stallion, Hongou Kazuto, gets a sudden reversal victory! He did it, it's our captain's victory!
I'm glad I won, but shouting that title loudly is some sort of punishment, Mao-san.
Captain, amazing!
Congratulations, captain!
Wha, I can't accept that! For him to use that... have some shame, coward! (And who was it who used real sword against novice and started before the signal?)
Kazuto: Hey. Shunran, do you think falling for tricks won't result in losing in a war or a fight?
Sis. Let Hongou get the spoils today.
E, even Shuuran...!
And, if you resist here, Kakoton-shogun will lose her name. Karin-sama won't be happy with that too.
Ugh... then, can't be helped. Damn!
The fight is over. Audience left the garden...
We're putting the audience seats away. And Shia has escaped.
Kazuto: Or actually, just how did you assemble it.
Building it was a rush job, but taking it apart is really hard. (I bet Mao with her skills give everything she makes +500% durability)
Well... I prioritized assembling it fast, so I didn't think of how to take it apart...
Can I remove this, Mao? (Nagi is a perfect worker. Works hard and doesn't complain)
Sure. Do it with all your might.
Kazuto: Whoaaaaa!
Why does the left side collapse when you remove the right plate!
Eh... just what are you doing, Nagi-chan. (Hey! Don't you dare blame her for that. Blame Kazuto instead, he's used to it)
Mao...?
That's weird... you remove this, you remove that and it goes like this... ah, it was the opposite.
Kazuto: Hey... spare me that.
It seems cleaning up is progressing. (Ah, yeah, it was your event...)
Kazuto: Karin?
It was a quite interesting match, Kazuto.
Kazuto: That's thanks to Karin. If you didn't give me that favorable of a condition, no way I could've won against Shunran.
It's true that I gave orders to set a condition. But, everything after that was your talent. Normally, even with that condition, winning against Shunran is difficult...
Kazuto: If you say so... I'm happy, but I kinda wanted to win fairly.
Oh, that's surprisingly childish... (Ah, yeah, Karin doesn't hate tricks)
Kazuto: Is that so?
Sawa.
Y, yes!
If you're told to stop ten thousand soldiers with a hundred... what will you do?
Eh...? Umm, first we'll all think of strategy, right...? But that's... no good?
Do you think you can win in a direct assault?
That's... impossible, right...?
Nagi, what do you think?
Yes. We'll confirm situation about soldiers and battlefield and think of an optimal strategy. It'll be guerrilla or siege warfare... but since we don't know the details about battlefield, I can't say for sure.
Ooh... Nagi-chan, amazing... (Guerrilla warfare is a really nice strategy)
Your subordinates understand well. The basics for individual and group battles are the same. If you're inferior in ability, use strategy to win.
Kazuto: Well, if it was Shuuran, I wouldn't win.
Determining that is also a part of the strategy. In fact, rushing at Shunran and dying bravely... I despise that way of thinking more.
Kazuto: I see...
...Well, you were a bit cool when you tried to directly oppose Shunran. (Oooh. He already manages to bring out that pose... Good job, Kazuto)
Kazuto: Did you say something? (Why do you always fail to hear those phrases, you deaf idiot?)
I didn't say anything. Anyway, after you clean up here, come to my room. I have a work I need your help with.
Kazuto: Got it.
Well then, I'll be waiting. (Did... did Kazuto just make good impression... and DIDN'T screw up right away?)
Waiting... huh. Knowing Karin, I bet she'll give another unreasonable order.
C, captain...
Kazuto: Hmm?
Stop standing there with a relaxed face and help! It's collapsing again...! (Just get Kii to help you here)
Kazuto: I wondered why it's so quiet, just what are you doing!
W, well, before you say that, hurry...! Kyaaa!
Kazuto: Whoaaaaa!