Kanashi sat next to Kenji on the large log which had been chopped down to create a bench like seat. Across from the two men on the opposite side of the camp fire were the two Iju which continued to laugh as they downed their gourds of Sake.

“Gyheieieiei?” One of them laughed while handing a small clay bottle of Sake to Kanashi.

“I-iya…” Kanashi muttered, shaking his head.

“Gyheieieiei…” The creature's laugh now sounded a bit more low and harsh, like it was angry at being rejected.

“Take it, it’s rude to ignore them.” Kenji said, taking the bottle and handing it to Kanashi.

“O-oh… okay then… Thank you.” Kanashi said bowing to the creature.

“Gyheieieiei!” It laughed, its joyful mood returned.

“S-so you speak Shinkai?” Kanashi asked Kenji.

“Yeah, I learned it when I was young.” Kenji answered, taking a big gulp of sake.

“C-cool…” Kanashi nodded, turning back towards the fire.

What do I say now? How do I recruit him!? This is not at all what I expected!

“You came looking for me didn’t you?” Kenji asked.

“Y-yeah! I did!” Kanashi answered, nodding his head vigorously.

“Was it for a fight?” Kenji asked, a wide smile creeping across his face as he grabbed his katana's handle.

“!”

Kenjis aura spiked and Kanashi felt as though he was about to crumble under it's weight.

“N-no! I didn’t! I’m here on good terms!” Kanashi argued, waving his hands through the hair.

“Hmmmm?” Kenji frowned, raising one brow.

“Well… we can talk about that later can’t we?” Kanashi laughed. “Can I have some of the boar please? I’m starving.” He said. As if to confirm his statement his stomach growled loudly.

“Gyheieieiei!” The two Iju howled with laughter at the sound of Kanashis stomach and Kenji joined them.

“Of course! I doubt we can eat the whole thing ourselves!” Kenji laughed.

“G-great!” Kanashi nodded, taking a sip of the sake bottle. The alcohol was heated up to a point in which it was more sweet then bitter a nice warm feeling filling Kanashis chest and stomach. I can recruit him later… I should take a moment to relax… He thought with a weak smile.

# # #

Kanashi opened his eyes, the sun blinding him. His head pounded and he was covered in sweat. In his hand was the empty bottle of sake and to his left the remains of a campfire.

“So it wasn’t a dream?” He asked, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

Though he couldn’t remember much of what happened after they began to eat he did know that things got wild. They danced around the fire and drank sake, laughing at each other's jokes and making fools out of themselves. It seemed like the further the night went on the more he understood what the Iju were saying. Their howl like laughter warping into a decipherable language. A rough language but one that was still understandable.

“Now where is everyone?” He asked aloud as he looked around. Both the Iju and Kenji were not where to be seen. The only evidence of the night before even existing was the ruined campfire and large bones of the oar. “Kenji!” Kanashi yelped, jumping up to his feet and looking around.

I just found him so I can’t just let him slip through my fingers. But where’d he go!? Did he say anything about him going anywhere last night!? Aghhh, I can’t remember if he did or didn’t!

Kanashi grabbed his backpack from off the floor and sprinted down the path he’d come uphill on. He ran so fast it looked like he was levitating. His head pounded and his legs were sore from the Kamaitachi fiasco but he continued to run anyway.

He leapt over animals and narrowly avoided running into trees as he sprinted further and further down the path, his breathing growing more ragged by the minute.

“Gyah!” He coughed falling to his knees, the wound in his side beginning to hurt for the first time in a while.

Why now? Why hurt now and not before!? You didn’t hurt during the Kamaitachi battle so why would you hurt when I’m just running!? He wondered, letting his head rest against the gravel path floor. Is it stress!? Negative emotions or the more I exert myself physically!? Is it all of them combined!? Why does it hurt so bad!? The pain reached a point where he thought he was about to faint. The sensation being like that of someone sticking a burning hot rod into your side and grinding it down into your liver.

Breathe, Breathe, Breathe. I have to take control… I need to calm down… calm down… Readjusting his breathing Kanashi calmed himself. The pain slowly faded until it no longer existed.

“Damnit, how long was the distance between Kenji waking up and me waking up? Half an hour? One hour? Three hours or six?” Kanashi growled and stumbled to his feet. He leaned against a tree for support as he clutched his side.

Which way did he go? Did he leave to find food or is he traveling to his next town? Did the Iju take him somewhere like their secret hide out? And when I do find him, what do I say to recruit him? That I’m going to fight against the Toumeikan and need his help? Would he have any incentive to fight them in the first place? What can I offer him as a reward for helping us?

Kanashi shook his head and looked around him, there were three options, he could either follow the path to the next town, return to the camp site from before and wait or run through the woods hoping to find any traces of Kenji.

“The next town will be the best choice then huh? If not I can wait for him to eventually come through there unless…!” Is he going to go through Renshou valley? From what I understand only Renshou valley and the town down the trail lead to waterfall basin so he's probably heading in a straight line to wherever the path takes him!

Making his decision Kanashi spun around and ran down the trail which lead back the valley the same path as from the night before. It hadn’t been that long of a walk but that’s because Kanahis ran through the bushes, if you’d followed the trail it’d have probably taken a bit longer. So there was a chance he could catch Kenji if the timeline was favorable.

# # #

Kenji stood before the valley's entrance. his hand on his katana and his mouth torn into a wide grin. His fierce orange aura writhing as he stared at the valley's brownish red walls. The thoughts of Kamaitachi racing through his mind. The Iju had told him of the powerful creatures which murdered all who’d entered the valley, their endless numbers and vicious nature only fueled Kenji's excitement.

“Kenji!”

“?”

Kenji whipped around and saw the boy he’d seen the previous night, the strange foreigner who drank with him and Iju before falling into an alcohol drive coma.

“Hahaha, so you survived boy!” Kenji laughed.

“Wait a second!” Kanashi pleaded as he kneeled on the floor, struggling to breath.

“...”

Kenji stood there waiting with his arms crossed as Kanashi regained his breath. His foot tapping on the floor impatiently.

“Alright, I think I can breathe again.” Kanashi laughed standing up.

“So then, are you here to challenge me?” Kenji asked, pointing to his Katana.

“N-no! I don’t wanna fight you!” Kanashi argued, waving his hands through the air.

“Hm…” With a disappointed pout Kenji crossed his arms once again and tilted his head to the side.

“I’m sorry I didn't ask you last night but I didn’t know how. To be honest I still don’t but I guess I have to try something…”

“You want to confess your love?” Kenji asked, cocking his head back.

“What no! Nothing like that!” Kanashi yelled, shaking his head. I guess I should just be upfront about it huh? Just be honest, no smooth talking or foreplay? With a deep breath Kanashi stomped his foot on the ground and yelled out his wish. “Tatakayaiba Kenji! I want you to join me in a battle against the Toumeikan!”

“...” Kenji tilted his head to the right and rubbed his chin in thought. Then he tiled it to the left and scratched his scalp. Not quite finished with his thinking he then looked up at the sky and scratched his cheek.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Well?” Kanashi asked as sweat dripped down his face.

“.... Who are Toumeikan?” Kenji questioned after another long pause.

“!”

Kanashi nearly choked at the question, his brain rattling in confusion. “What kind of question is that!?”

“Am I supposed to know who they are?” Kenji asked. Is it some kind of food? He wondered.

“The Toumeikan!? The largest Yakuza organization in the country of Edoland and the 2nd largest criminal gang in the world!? You have no idea who they are!?”

“Never heard of em.” Kenji answered as he picked at his ear.

I can't believe this! Kanashi thought as he pulled at his own hair. How am I supposed to convince him of anything if he has no frame of reference!?

“I know about Yakuza though.” Said Kenji nodding his head slowly.

“Oh great! That helps a lot!” Laughed Kanashi wiping the sweat from his brow.

“Yeah, I never liked that movie. I prefer Shirosawas Samurai films more.”

“!”

Once again Kanashi's jaw dropped and he looked at Kenji with wide eyes. The movie!? Is he talking about a Yakuza movie!? He screamed internally. “No! I’m not talking about a movie! I’m talking about the real life Yakuza!”

“The actors?”

Kanashi nearly smashed his head into the tree nearest to him, his mind melting more by the second.

“I’m really confused by what you’re saying here boy.” Kenji sighed.

“YOU’RE CONFUSED!? I’M THE ONE WHO’S CONFUSED! How the hell do you not know what Yakuza are?!”

“But I just told you I watched the movie before…”

“I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE MOVIE!” Kanashi screamed.

Kenji's head turned bright red and smoke blew from his ears as he thought the hardest he had in years. “Yakuza… yakuza… Nope doesn't ring a bell.” He sighed, shaking his head. “But even if I did know about them, what do I have to do with them? If I went out chasing after every person who claims to be strong I’d be on the demon continent by now.”

“Ignoring your ignorance the Toumeikan has a lot to do with you! You’re a citizen of Edoland right? Well it’s a long story but basically…” Kanashi explained the situation of the Orochi Kingdom and Toumeikan to Kenji who silently listened. He showed no emotions at these words and didn’t budge at all; he just processed all the information.

“Well that’s the lay down.” Kanashi sighed trying to catch his breath.

“Hahaha, I like what you’re saying! So there’s an evil Shogun who needs to be defeated!?”

“I mean… I guess if you want to look at it that way then yeah…” Kanashi muttered.

“Then I shall head there immediately and vanquish them and take control of Edoland for myself!” Kenji laughed.

“Wait! No, Kenji you can’t. I get that you're excited and all but we need to wait for the Venator Society.”

“We?” Kenji asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Well yeah, you’re gonna work with me right?” Kanahsi asked nervously.

“I refuse, why would I work under somebody weaker than me? The strong rule those weaker than them.” Kenji scoffed as if this was obvious.

“No! I think you’re misunderstanding me here Kenji! You’re not working for me, you're working with me! Think of it like we’re both retainers for the Shogun (Venator Society)!”

“Why would I work under somebody I’ve never met? If they truly wanted to recruit me they must show themselves to be worthy of my servitude. Yet they’ve sent a young boy to do the work.”

“So what you’re saying is you need somebody to defeat you first?” Kanashi asked as a vein popped on his forehead.

“That’s the process.” Kenji said with a wide grin.

“The Venator Society is plenty strong! If you at least work with me for now I promise I can introduce you to a worthy opponent at some point!”

“No, like I said before, if I chased every single rumor I’d be across the world. If you want my assistance you must prove yourself first!” Kenji yelled, stomping his foot.

The birds fled from the trees at his cry and Kanashi felt his mouth grow dry as his head grew hot.

“Fine then! I’ll defeat you!” Kanashi yelled, stomping his own foot down.

“!”

As soon as the words left Kanashi's mouth his observation flashed red, the word “Death” might as well have been written across his vision.

It all happened so fast, Kenji was standing there one moment and then before Kanashi could even blink Kenji appeared before him aiming his katana at his neck.

[Crescent Moon Style: Crescent Moon!] In a panic Kanashi just barely deflected Kenji's Katana upwards right as the tip would have sliced his jugular straight open.

“!”

However before Kanashi could finish the [Crescent Moon] form and strike Kenji's side, Kenji kicked him straight in the chest, sending him flying backwards and crashing into a tree with a crack.

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“Gyah!” Kanashi coughed, a searing pain shooting up his spine and neck.

“!”

But he didn't even have time to be feel the pain. Right above Kanashi appeared Kenji, his sword raised over head and ready to split Kanashis skull straight down the middle.

[Sonic Boom!]

With help from the conjured gust of wind Kanashi rolled to the side right as Kenji's sword would have cleaved him in half. Kenji's sword instead sliced straight into the tree that Kanashi had crashed into, the power from his strike not only shattered the tree but also the dozen or so trees which had been behind it. Forming a straight path of destruction.

He’s so strong! Only Julius could do something like that! Kanashi panicked.

As soon as Kenji's foot touched the ground he leapt in Kanashis direction, his eyes pure white and mouth curled into a demonic like smile.

I can’t even use bog because he’s not touching the ground! It’s almost like the earth is a trampoline to him, his legs are so strong!

[Rock Riffle!]

A dozen round chunks of rock flew at Kenji who easily sliced them in half mid air, however his swing left his stomach exposed, something Kanashi would not ignore.

[Kyoyu Style: Yuuka!]

From the tip of Itachi came a wave of bright orange mana, it soared through the air and straight into Kenji's chest with a spray of blood throwing him backwards.

Kenji's smile didn’t fade as he received the blow, in fact it only grew larger and his aura became fiercer. “What kind of sorcery is this Kanashi!?” Kenji laughed.

“Wait a moment you don't know what magic is!?” Kanashi asked.

“I have no need for the dark arts, in this world the sword triumphs above all else!”

With that declaration Kenji once again appeared before Kanashi, his movements even faster then before.

[Bog!]

Forming a bog beneath his own feet Kanashi sank down into the ground as Kenji's sword sliced the air where he’d just been.

That strike would have sliced my arm clean off! Kanashi thought, biting his lip. Jumping out of the bog he ran in the opposite direction of Kenji and into the forest. Kenji quickly chased after him.

I can’t beat him! I knew that from the start but I thought I’d be able to injure him somewhat but that [Yuuka] did nothing! At this point he’s just playing with me, if he wanted to he would have killed me with that first strike!

“!”

Dropping from the trees in front of Kanashi was Kenji, his sword cocked back and ready to swing.

He jumped over me!? Kanashi thought in a panic.

[Inogiri!]

[Kyoyu Style: Zangeki!]

Kanashi and Kenji's blades clash, sparks of mana flying into the air and their intertwining auras making the leaves fall down from the trees around them. The air warped and both men were pushed back from the clash.

“Ha-ha-ha!” Kanashi panted, feeling as though he was ready to vomit.

“Hahahaha! Don’t tell me you're already out of fuel, Kanashi!” Kenji roared, preparing another straight on slash.

[Bog!]

Kanashi cast a thick deep bog right before Kenji, the trap sucking his straight down into its waist deep almost immediately.

“Ha?” He gasped as he tried to pull himself out of it.

[Paralysis!]

An electric current ran through the bog and shocked Kenji whose body tensed up, foam coming from his mouth.

“Phew.” Kanashi sighed, catching his breath, he’d made sure to keep the electricity lite enough that Kenji wouldn’t be seriously damaged. Only restricted.

“!”

However, his calculation proved to be incorrect, Kenji leapt out of the Bog with a crackle of electricity, blood dripping from his eyes and nose.

“I thought I was going to die!” Kenji laughed, “You’ve proved yourself to me Kanashi, now let’s see if you can survive this!”

[Rashomon!]

Kenji dove towards Kanashi, the air cracking from Kenji's insane physical might. Using only a single hand Kenji swung his Katana down onto Kanashis shoulder.

Kanashi could only watch in slow motion as the blade etched further and further towards his body.

If this lands it will cut my arm straight off at the joint, my right arm the one Kenken gave me. I’ll lose it. His sacrifice would mean nothing. I have to move faster, I have to go beyond my capabilities!

[Kyoyu Style: Zangeki!]

Kanashi enhanced his right arm as best as he could and swung Itachi upwards to meet Kenjis katana.

“!”

Sparks of mana flew across the air once again, vibrating radiant shades of orange. The struggle despite being brief had enough impact to shatter the ground beneath the men.

Kenji was thrown backwards and landed on the floor with a skid, the wound on his chest slowly healed through the process.

He can use advanced Enhancement despite not knowing what magic is!? Is he a naturally born genius or something else? Did Jin ever mention this? Did he say anything of the sort at some point think, think, think!

# # #

Kanashi gasped for air as he kneeled on the ground, a puddle of sweat forming beneath him.

“Not bad, your imagination is really remarkable Kanashi!” Jin laughed as he reclined on Kanashis back as if it was a chair.

“That’s great and all but how the hell am I supposed to utilize it then!? No matter what I come up with, nothing works on you!” Kanashi barked.

“Well, that’s a given. Nothing can work on me, I’m simply different from everyone else.”

“Then what the hell is my imagination good for if genetics are clearly the meta!?”

“Magic is a science, another one of nature's art which we’ve yet to decipher. And just like science your ventures are only limited by your imagination. For those who are too stuck in their rigid ways with things such as their understanding of logic they won’t be able to reach their full potential. Tell me how you copied my rubber barrier when fighting the witch.”

“I just imagined a barrier which was made of rubber… I didn’t put much thought into it.” Kanashi answered.

“See, that’s something others aren’t able to do. They’ll get too obsessed with the process and never reach the solution. You on the other hand are able to simply create what you want. While you’re still bound by the rules of magic you’re able to exploit them more than others.”

“So if somebody out there is too obsessed with all the intricacies of Magic they won’t be able to use it?”

“Well, not exactly. It’s good to know the intricacies of magic but not to obsess over what’s possible and what isn’t. Of course there’s going to a logical limit of what you can do but some people put tighter restrictions on themselves. It’s the same as a person who thinks they can’t be an olympic runner because of how much work it takes. You’ll never know if you can or can’t until you try. Now of course you’ll never be able to fly across the track but you can still become a fast runner if you practice.”

“Well… I guess I kinda get it.”

“As long as you understand the basics of what I’m saying you’re going to do great… though someone's lack of imagination can also be used to their benefit.”

“Hm?”

“You see, if somebody truly with all of their being believes magic isn’t real then they won’t be affected by it.”

“Huh!? How does that make sense!?”

“Well, Magic is built upon your thoughts, beliefs, desires and so on right?”

“Right…”

“Well that’s just their beliefs coming into reality in a different way. It’s their own form of magic you could say.”

“...”

“There’s also those who can use their imagination in strange ways, sorta like those who can ignore magic. Say for example there’s somebody who believes that a gun can triumph magic with all of their being. Well if they tried to shoot me it wouldn't work but their gun will be naturally stronger than a normal gun.”

“So if somebody belvlies their sword can cut magic it can?”

“Within reason yes, their belief will make themselves stronger. Just like how the Witch you fought embodied a Witch to make herself stronger, somebody might embody themselves as a swordsman to make themselves stronger. Even if they don’t know that’s what they’re doing.”

# # #

[Karakiri!]

The end of Kenji’s katana grazed Kanashis chest, his shirt being ripped open and blood beginning to drip from the fresh wound.

“Damnit!” Kanashi growled and jumped backwards, it looked as though somebody had driven a bulldozer through the forest, the ground was littered with fallen trees and large cracks.

“You said you were gonna kick my ass didn’t you!? Put your money where your mouth is Kanashi!” Kenji laughed.

He’s so headstrong and single minded in his obsession with being a swordsman that he’s become a true superhuman! And now that he’s seen my [Bog] he’s been purposely avoiding touching the ground. Instead relying on kicking off the trees to move around so I doubt I can use the same trick twice. But I don't think that’s him recognizing it mentally exactly… instead it’s like he naturally avoids it now without thinking. Like it’s become a genetic memory that influences his instincts! So I need to make sure every attack counts. I need to finish him in a single move! But can I actually do it!? He’s been playing with me this whole time. I can tell because the longer the fight goes on the stronger he’s becoming. He’s slowly testing me, trying to see how strong I really am by showing his true strength the longer this fight goes on. I need to not only make a single winning attack but also do it quickly. Before he starts fighting at a level I can’t keep up with! Akatora was right, he really is remarkable, he might match a Hachibuto in strength when going all out if he can cause this much destruction while heavily holding back. So that’s all the more reason to recruit him!

“You’re boring me! Let’s pick up the pace a bit, see if you can keep up!” Kenji began to move faster, so fast Kanashi using his max observation could barely follow his movements, he was nothing more than a blur as he darted around.

Where he’s moving around doesn't matter, I need to wait until he strikes! When he’s right in front of me that’s when I can deal my final blow!

Kanashi closed his eyes and expanded his aura a foot around him. The moment Kenji penetrated that barrier he’d act, that’s all he had to do. Just wait and focus for the strike.

[Zatoichi!]

Kenji dove down at Kanashi from the front, a frontal assault with his sword aiming to slash the right side of Kanashis chest clear open. It wouldn't be a fatal wound but It’d surely take Kanashi out of commission for weeks, maybe even months of time. He’d sever every single muscle and tendon, even with healing magic it’d be a slow, painful and difficult process.

“!”

The moment Kenji's toe perforated Kanashis aura, Kanashi made his move.

[Wolf Fang Style: Lupaster!]

Kanashi thrust his Katanas end forwards like a rapier, rotating his hips he used his full body in the strike.

“!?”

Kenji, taken by surprise, smiled from ear to ear while gritting his teeth. His blood shot eyes glazed over with excitement.

The point of Itachi stabbed right into Kenji's stomach, though Kanashi made sure to avoid any major organs he also expected Kenji to easily heal any serious damage as long as it wasn’t fatal. Kenji continued to fall down with his strike. Smashing into Kanashi and forcing the pair to the ground.

Kenji lay on top of Kanashi, the end of Itachi nearly an inch and a half inside of his stomach as blood dripped from his mouth. His own Katana was stabbed in the ground right above Kanashi's shoulder.

“I win!” Kanashi yelled in a panicked voice. “This is a fatal blow! The match is over!” He argued nervously.

“The match isn’t over until one of us is either dead or on death's door!” Kenji laughed, reaching for his Katana.

“!”

Kanashi grit his teeth at Kenji's word and sweat began to pour from his face.

“What’s wrong!? You’ve almost won Kanashi! Run your blade through me right now, this is the perfect position for you! I have no defense right now and the moment I draw my blade from the ground I’ll slice your neck open and win! So do it, stab straight through me!” Kenji yelled, splitting flying from his mouth.

“!”

Kanashis eyes widened and tears began to form in the corners of his eyes. His hands shook as he clutched Itachi's handle, he was frozen in both fear and refusal to continue to battle. He’d won so why wasn’t Kenji surrendering?

“Here I’ll even help you!” Kenji laughed, pushing himself further down onto Itachi, the sword piercing his stomach further. “Do it! Defeat me! You’ve earned this right so take your reward!” He screamed slowly pulling his own Katana out of the ground.

I need to do it! I need to stab him straight through! He probably won't die. I made sure to avoid any major organs but my plan wasn’t to get this far! I’d only pierce him to the point where he surrendered so why isn’t he!? Why won’t he give in!? Why can’t I finish this!? Everything is at stake here! My life, the mission, Kenjis cooperation, Kenjis life, Akatoras trust in me! If I fail now it’ll all be for nothing! But I’ve already won so what’s the point!?

Tears ran down Kanashis face as he clutched Itachi's handle. He clutched it so tightly that the scabs on his arms began to tear open with drops of blood.

“Do it!” Kenji yelled, ripping his Katana from the ground.

“I don't want to kill you! Please, give in! I’ve won, there’s no point in going any further! What is there for me to win by going further!? Honor!? Status!? I don’t care about any of that!” Kanashi cried out.

“You fool! There’s nothing else to gain in this world other than Honor and status! Your worth is decided by your achievements!” Kenji argued.

“If that’s how this world is then I don't want to be worth anything!” Kanashi screamed at the top of his lungs deconjuring Itachi back into a ring.

“...”

“...”

Kenji continued to sit atop Kanashi, his sword raised over head ready to stab Kanashi straight through the throat yet he didn’t. The hole in his stomach poured blood down onto Kanashis shirt, staining it dark red.

Kanashi closed his eyes in a mix of emotions, his tears slowly drying.

Kenji looked down at Kanashi with a frown, his teeth gritted and eyes upturned in his own array of emotions. “So that’s how it is…” He said after a long pause.

“...” Kanashi didn’t speak, he kept his eyes shut and turned his head away.

Without another word Kenji stood and turned his back to Kanashi and began to walk away towards the valley, a trail of blood behind him.

As Kanashi sat up his hand grabbed onto a rock which he squeezed with enough force to shatter. His teeth were grit and his eyes burned with passion.

“Kenji, I’m the winner!” He yelled, jumping to his feet.

“...” Kenji froze and stood still for a minute, waiting to hear if Kanashi would continue such a ridiculous statement.,

“I won! There’s no other way to look at it if I wanted to have you’d be dead!”

“Hehehehe.” Kenji giggled, pushing his hair from his eyes.

“You can try to laugh it off but it’s the truth! I won, I spared you life because I refuse to kill you!” Kanashi screamed.

“Shut up! How the hell did you win!? I could have killed you from the start if I’d tried! I gave you your chance and you failed to take it!”

“You can try to deny it all you want but I’m the winner! I spared your life, you didn’t spare mine!”

“What kind of logic is that!? Do you understand the shame it would bring me if that’s true!? That someone weaker than myself looked down on me enough to spare my life!? I might as well kill myself right now!”

“I refuse! You belong to me now, I forbid you from taking your own life!”

“You bastard!” Kenji growled, clutching his Katana.

“If you have an issue with it then you can wait! If you work with me until the liberation is over I’ll set up a fight between you and my teacher, the world's strongest Swordsman Julius Phoenicia!”

“!?” Kenji flinched at that name, Julius Phoenicia the world's strongest swordsman. Though he didn’t know who that man was by name, if truly was Kanashis teacher then he must be of notable strength. “What’s stopping me from killing you right now and heading to him myself then!?”

“You’ll never reach him without me! Only I have that connection!” Kanashi yelled.

“You expect me to believe your words without doubt!? How can I know how strong your teacher is if he represents a weakling like you!?”

“Julius Phoenicia can slice a mountain in half!” As Kanashi declared that his aura spiked, the hot emotions from the screaming match between the two had riled up his soul which filled the area around him.

Though Kenji wasn’t a judge of character nor a mind reader he truly believed that Kanashi was not lying. He stood firm on his teacher being the strongest swordsman, a man capable of cutting a mountain in half. A feat only rivaled by the God Of Destruction Nagowa Susano.

“To be honest, I don't want to be your Shogun, or master or whatever you want to call it. But I won that fight! And as such per our agreement you’re going to help me fight the Toumeikan! Even if we’re equal, as long as you participate I’m satisfied!”

“...”

“You only lost our match because you underestimated me, not because I’m stronger so you can keep your pride. You’ll get to fight the Toumeikan like you wanted and you’ll get to fight Julius Phonecia. All in all it’s nothing but positives for you!”

“...” Kenji scrunched his face up in frustration and pondered his options though that probably wouldn’t be the correct choice of words seeing as not much thinking went on in Kenjis head.

Come on, my years of arguing online should pay off now, against anyone else I’ve met so far this wouldn’t work but I can read this guy like an open book! He’s stupid and headstrong! Just like how he’s stronger in a physical fight I’m far stronger in a verbal one! Thought Kanashi.

Kenji sighed and put his hands on his hips and he turned his head to the side. “You won.” He grumbled.

Kanashi tried to hold back his urge to jump in the air and scream in excitement instead only letting a small fist bump slip through.

“We’ll work together until both of our promises are met.” Kenji nodded.

“Perfect- oh wait actually…” Kanashi paused and picked his backpack up off the floor where he’d thrown it earlier and pulled a small utility knife out of it. One which he’d been given by Akatora before departing. Putting the blade to his finger in a single quick motion he sliced his skin open and let a few drops of blood leak out. Shit! That hurts way worse than I thought it would! He thought wincing in pain. Perhaps it was due to his lack of reinforcement that he felt the pain in full.

“What’d you do that for?” Kenji asked, tilting his head to the opposite side.

“It’s a blood oath, the highest level of a contract possible.”

“Got it.” Without question Kenji slit his own finger tip with his nail and both he and Kanashi pressed their fingers together, their blood pooling together.

Well this isn’t the safest thing because of HPV but we should be fine here right… Kanashi thought with a frown.

With that their contract was formed and both men had entered a blood oath, whoever broke it would suffer a fate worse than death. They would work together until each fulfilled their promises.