Act 11: Kisuke Vs Yagyuu Yukinojo
"Watch carefully, Momohime! I will prove that there is no one better than me to be your husband."
Yukinojyo shouted with an expression that barely concealed his delight, drawing his long katana sword from his waist, and positioning himself with a somewhat swishing sound.
Momohime and Yuzuruha were already further away before I drew my Muramasa sword from my waist. As one would expect from a member of the Yagyuu clan, his sword is crafted nicely by a great blacksmith no doubt.
As we stood about five meters apart, waiting patiently for one of us to make the first move.
Until a small group of people started to crowd around us from behind. It wasn't all that strange or surprising during this era of time. Especially when two men are preparing to dual each other.
"Wow, Yukinojo Yagyuu is gonna duel a child."
"His Yagyuu style is unstoppable."
"That boy doesn't stand a chance in hell."
"That kid must have really pissed him off or something."
"Poor kid, he won't last five seconds with a samurai-like Yukinojyo Yagyuu."
"Come out everybody, place your bets, place your bets!"
The crowd talks amongst themselves. They haven't seen me in action yet. I felt a cold thread pass through my body like when I was fighting a demon.
I focused in order to read the atmosphere around Yukinojyo, who was looking about here and there with glances of annoyance, and examined his stance and the way his feet moved.
Experienced samurai like Yukinojyo are a little liable to show certain habits when they are about to go on the defensive and offensive. While the average samurai have almost the same abilities.
Whether it would start low or from high up, if their body or facial expression revealed this kind of information, then it became a critical weakness.
Yukinojyo's sword was leaning a bit back from the middle of his body and his lower body was bent down.
It was clearly a sign that he was going to use a high downward attack with his katana. Of course, it could have been a feint.
I myself was actually posing with my Muramasa sword in a low and calm posture, giving the impression that my first attack was going to be a weak blow to his lower body. I saw Yukinojyo, who gazed directly toward me and I struck forward.
Our blades collided with one another as small sparks flew between them.
That scumbag was probably aiming for my shoulder since I was smaller than him. Not even a moment had passed before Yukinojyo's body began to move as well.
But there was an expression of surprise on his face since I had shattered his expectations of a low, defend-type attack and charged forward.
Yukinojyo's first attack was, as I had guessed, a quick two-handed sword thrust. So I attempted to collide our blades together. Until I could find an opening.
The space between us was a little narrower. But my perception had quickened as well, and it felt like time had slowed down. All I knew was that I could see all of his movements. The sword, which was leaning backward, started to speed toward me. Yukinojyo's face showed his ecstasy at his apparent victory.
But my sword, with its head-start, moved a little quicker, drawing a slanted green trajectory and hitting his sword just before it ended its attack. The game calculated the damage dealt by my sword, producing a huge spark.
Another result of two weapons colliding was a chance of the sword breaking. Our blades screeched together as Yukinojyo blocked, but they both couldn't dampen enough of the impact and tumbled back.
They both stood up immediately and made no attempt to surrender. But I was certain that it would break. Weapons with too much decoration had low durability.
As expected with, an ear-wrenching sound of Yukinojyo's long katana sword broke.
The broken half of his sword spun in mid-air, reflecting the sunlight before it dug itself into the stone ground between us. Silence overtook the area around us for a while. All of the spectators were frozen with their mouths wide open.
But after I stood up, and habitually stealth my Muramasa sword, they started cheering.
"Incredible!"
"Impressive!"
"Where did that boy learn those sword techniques!?"
"Was he actually aiming for that!?"
As I heard everyone starting to critique the short fight, I sighed. At least the battle is over and Momohime doesn't have to forcibly marry Yukinojyo.
"This battle is over, Yukinojyo. Hand over the Muramasa swords as promised."
"You won this fight, Kisuke. But next, you won't be so lucky." Yukinojyo said as he glared at Kisuke.
"So long as I draw breath in this world. You'll never lay a finger on Momohime." Kisuke threatened Yukinojyo.
"Very well, perhaps I'm not good enough for her. Even if I won this battle. She'll never love me. Like she did in the good old days." Yukinojyo said as he accepted his defeat and slowly walked away.
"It's like an old wound that can never be healed. It's about time you move on and let Momohime decide who she wishes to marry. Without any outside interference." Kisuke suggested, as he parted ways with his former boss and started walking over to Momohime and Yuzuruha.
"I knew you'd win, Kisuke. No man or demon can't chance against you." Yuzuruha complimented the young ninja's glorious victory.
"Thank you, Kisuke; for protecting me like that." Momohime offered her gratitude to Kisuke.
"It was my pleasure Momohime," Kisuke said as he bowed his head to her.
"Hey quit wasting time you guys, let's grab those Muramasa swords and be on our way. Since the banquet birthday party for the sixth son of Naito Kiyokazu. Has ended." Yuzuruha has already proceeded without them, alongside Yukinojyo. Who was leading the way.
Yukinojyo didn't want to disturb Momohime and Kisuke's private talk with each other. So Yuzuruha took the lead instead.
Eventually, Momohime and Kisuke joined Yukinojyo and Yuzuruha. Back inside the Takato Castle.
To claim the Muramasa swords that were inside the basement of the castle. Kisuke and his group said their goodbyes to Yukinojyo and exited Takato Castle.
As the group traveled back to Fox Manor, Kisuke broke the silence and responded to Momohime.
"Just so you know Momohime, I didn't dual Yukinojyo because I was obligated as your bodyguard or the promise I made to your Torahime. I fought with all my strength today. Because I deeply care about you. More than you could possibly know."
I can't believe he goes so far as to challenge Yukinojyo. Not for honor, glory, or award. Kisuke must really like me.
Momohime blushed so hard that her cheeks were practically two Sakura cherries.
"I already knew. The moment you challenged Yukinojyo and spoke about me with such high regard. It touched my heart Kisuke. Even hearing the reason behind why. Makes me feel so happy to have you, right by my side. I love you Kisuke." Momohime spoke sincerely to Kisuke.
"Here's my gratitude for everything Kisuke. From the beginning, until the very end." Momohime moved forward to hug Kisuke in a warm embrace and gave him a loving kiss on the cheek.
"Aww, how romantic. Keep this up and you two will have offspring in no time." Yuzuruha teased both Momohime and Kisuke's youthful display of love. With a sly smirk on her face.
"One more word from you Yuzuruha and I'll knock you out with the sword on my hilt and drag your ass back to Fox Manor myself." Kisuke threatened the smirking vixen.
"Okay, okay, no need for violence Kisuke. I'll silently watch the seeds of romance blossom between you two."