Chapter 3 Ultimatum

Standing in his follow through stance, Nanashi glared at his opponent.

Nanashi: Of course that’s not all I’ve got… Mop-Head…. 

Yuto gazed at the boy with intrigue, continuing to smile at him. 

Yuto: Good.

Watching the two of them, Ruika felt a bead of sweat roll down her cheek. 

Ruika: (This was unexpected… I didn’t think his Karmablade would be capable of an attack like that…) 

Remembering the wave of energy that took place a moment earlier, the black haired girl narrowed her eyes. 

Ruika: (Is it S Grade?…. No… this guy hasn’t scratched the surface of his sword’s full potential… I can see it in the way he fights..) 

She shifts her standing position and slightly juts  her hip. 

Ruika: (… And Yuto Sensei… it looks like he’s toying with him too… could he be…) Tch… 

Nanashi meanwhile, flicks the blood from his forehead with his thumb, staining his ripped bandages in the red substance. 

Nanashi: (This guy isn’t gonna get careless… no matter how sloppy I get… I need to go all out, and end this quickly before he decides to go on the offensive…) 

Spreading his footing and leaning into a lower stance, Nanashi changed his grip into a reverse grip. This stance caught Yuto’s eye, surprising him. 

Yuto: Oh? A new stance??? Why is it a reverse grip???

Nanashi: Have you heard… of the Jigoku Yasha style?… 

Yuto’s eyes widened. 

Yuto: You mean that forbidden style created by Yasha Jubei, The Demon Sword? Yeahhh I’ve heard of it. 

Nanashi: It’s a style that I’m not too fond of to be honest… it’s way too loose… not enough structure… Honestly, it pisses me off. But… at least its freeform has some perks… 

Yuto: (This kid knows The Demon Sword’s style??? That doesn’t make any- 

Nanashi: It allows me to create stances that really come in handy… what you’re about to witness… is my Enma-o Stance. 

Yuto narrowed his gaze. 

Ruika: (Enma-o Stance??? What a load of bull…. It’s not possible to fight effectively in a reverse grip…there’s no defense, not to mention, the muscles in the human arm are way too weak to attack in such a way… so what the hell is he going on about?)

Nanashi furrows his brow, readying himself by grinding and sliding his feet into position. Upon recognizing this, Yuto felt his hair on the back of his neck rise. And in an instant-

SHMM!

Ruika:!!

Yuto:!!!

Nanashi dashed quickly toward Yuto, appearing in his guard with his sword ready. 

SHWSH!!! SHWK!!!

Dodging the two swipes thrown at him, Yuto maintained enough distance between him and Nanashi. However, his white haired opponent sped up, closing the gap in order to take a couple more swings. 

Yuto: (His running speed has increased… and he’s becoming far more aggressive with this stance… If I juuust…)

Jumping back and winding back his sword hand, Yuto smirks as Nanashi continues to run forward. 

SHWK!

Yuto swung right at Nanashi’s neck. 

Yuto: (...Interrupt his raave….)

But then-

SHMM!!!

Yuto: !!!

As if by instinct, Nanashi ducked under the fade away swing. Yuto’s eyes widened in surprise, being caught off guard by such reaction speed. 

Ruika: He dodged that???! 

In that same movement, Nanashi raised his sword hand. With a regular grip, Nanashi aimed for a rib height backhand slash. Yuto barely blocked the slash with his scabbard, surprising Nanashi. 

Nanashi: Tch!

WHMM!! FWOOM!!!

Pushing off of Yuto with a kick to the stomach, Nanashi threw his scabbard at Yuto’s forehead. With a swift block, Yuto deflects it, but didn’t notice-

DOOM!!

…that Nanashi slid behind him with a reverse grip. 

Nanashi: (I’ve got him now!)

Yuto: So that’s how it works…

Nanashi:!!!

Stopping mid swing, Nanashi’s blade was inches away from Yuto’s neck. Sweat ran down his cheek, as he listened to every word the man he stood behind spoke. 

Yuto: Your stance prioritizes speed and ruthlessness over defense. You prioritize attack over everything else… that’s your style… 

Nanashi: Ngh! 

Clenching his teeth, Nanashi cocked his arm back for a swing. 

Nanashi: SHUT UP!!

SHMMM!

In an instant, Nanashi hit absolutely nothing. Instead, Yuto was now behind him. With a finger poking Nanashi in the back of his head. Frozen in shock, Nanashi could only hear Yuto continue. 

Yuto: As for your Karmablade… I think I’ve got an idea of how it works… That blast attack you launched earlier… you condense your Karma into the blade, and release it all after swinging it. A pretty dangerous move if I do say so myself…

Nanashi immediately turns around and says-

Nanashi: Mu-

CLTCH!!!

Before he could finish the word, Yuto grabbed Nanashi by the face. 

Yuto: N when you say the word “Mu”... You damn near teleport because of an insane physical boost… Am I wrong???

Nanashi: !!

SHOOM!!!

BOOM!!!

With a push of his hand, Yuto launched Nanashi into the wall, creating a massive explosion. 

Ruika furrowed her brow in response. 

Ruika: Hm… He figured it out…Looks like this battle’s over…

Coughing as the smoke clears, Nanashi ended up with his back against the wall as he was left in a sitting position. 

Nanashi: Shit…. 

Yuto approaches, standing a few feet away from his downed opponent. 

Yuto: You have enough yet??? Orrr do you wanna keep at it..?

Nanashi:....

Raising his head, Nanashi spoke in a rather condescending manner. 

Nanashi: You think I’m done…???

Yuto: Hm???

Nanashi: Sure.. you know my abilities now… but you indirectly exposed your own… Your karmablade… It’s mind reading isn’t it…?

Yuto:...

Nanashi: That’s the only way you’d understand how my sword works… So regardless… we’re on even playing field-

Yuto: Is that what you think???

Nanashi: Ngh??!

Yuto: I’ll illuminate your situation, Nanashi…

Yuto lifted his head, looking down on Nanashi with an intimidating gaze. 

Yuto: I haven’t used my swordsmanship yet. Not one bit…. I haven't even released my Karmablade… 

Nanashi felt his stomach drop, speechless now. 

Yuto: Even footing??? Don’t kid yourself. Like I said earlier, you’re far too weak. 

Nanashi: (You mean…. I never stood a chance to begin with…?)

Looking at the floor, Nanashi couldn’t help but gaze at his blade. 

Nanashi: (After everything… I don’t even stand a chance against another Swordsman…? This… can’t…) 

Crouching down, Yuto noticed the look on Nanashi’s face and raises a finger. 

Yuto: I like you a lot, kid… so I’ll offer you a new deal.. No take backs, and this time, I’ve got three options for ya. 

Nanashi raised his head, furrowing his brow. 

Yuto: You can keep fighting, probably die, and end your quest right here. You can give up, and rot in a maximum security prison for the rest of your life…. Or… You can join my squad… 

Nanashi:!!

Ruika: What??!

Yuto smiles, his warm energy returning. 

Yuto: You’ve got potential… I’d hate to see it wasted because of pride or cowardice. 

Nanashi:...

Yuto: You’ve got a goal right??? Maybe we can scratch each other’s backs, eh???

Nanashi: Whaddya mean…?

Yuto: I need talented swordsmen to help me make a change in this world… I can’t do that alone. N I know you’ve got some kind of beef with the Amatsu, so perhaps I can help you with that in some way… 

Nanashi:...

Yuto holds out his hand for a shake, causing Nanashi to gaze upon it before looking at him. 

Yuto: All you’ve gotta do is pick the third path… and I’ll put you in position to kill the guy you’re lookin’ for… Aaaas long as you follow my orders of course. 

Nanashi narrowed his eyes. 

Nanashi:....

Yuto: You’ve got potential, Nanashi… If you fully realize it… you can become strong… 

Nanashi remembered that night, how afraid he was, how weak he was. He vowed to kill them…. He vowed to avenge. And in order to do that… 

Nanashi: (In order to do that…. I clearly need to become stronger… even if it means wading through the mud….)

With a sigh, Nanashi spoke finally. 

Nanashi: Looks like I’ve got no choice….  But under one condition…. 

Yuto: Hm???

Nanashi: You tell me everything I need to know about the Amatsu… I won’t let my motivations be overshadowed. 

Yuto grinned.

Yuto: Welcome aboard… Nanashi. 

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A few Days Later…

Dressing and getting ready in a small room, Nanashi held Tensai Shin’en in hand. Drawing the black blade, Nanashi looked at his reflection in the blade, pondering as he gazed at his scars. As he did, the door to his room opened, with Yuto standing in the doorway. 

Yuto: Yo! Nanashi! The informant’s got somethin’ for us. Somethin’ on some sorcerers causin’ a ruckus! Get yourself ready, we don’t want Ruika bitin’ both of our heads off for bein’ late. 

Looking over his shoulder, Nanashi returned his gaze back to his sword as Yuto left. With a final moment of reflection, Nanashi sheathed his sword, responding under his breath.

“Right…”

End of Chapter 3

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