Chapter 51 - Ghislaine vs Shigure

The entire Ryozanpaku Dojo had a tense atmosphere with everyone about to witness a fight between two equal forces clashing with one another. Normally the other Grandmaster won't fight nor spar too often due to the aftermath of the fight resulting in neither winning.

"Watch carefully, Kenichi. This is a rare opportunity for you to watch two Grandmaster class fights." Though the elder labeled Ghislaine as someone of this caliber doesn't have a certain answer as he haven't seen the sword king fight and only sent he technique used by Haruto that vastly similar to Jigen-Ryu in their "Essence" and focuses in Iaijutsu or the art of quick draw.

However they are somewhat different and eager to see the result of the fight. Meanwhile, Haruto was unsure how to feel seeing the two fight and knew that both were trying to prove who is superior in terms of ways in using a weapon. He can see that for some reason Shigure was jealous, annoyed and excited shown in his [ Relationship Meter ].

"Take your stance and begin!" The elder said as both combatants took a stance reaching for their weapon where a few seconds had gone by but both weren't moving and Kenichi was surprised by this since he was expecting them to already begin.

"They're not moving…" Kenichi exclaimed since he hadn't grasped what it meant to fight against the same level and Haruto shook his head where Akisame rubbed his chin.

"It already began. Gazing, shifting weight, taking stances…they already have been doing the fine tuning since before the match began. They've reached a deadlock after keeping each other's movement in check beneath the surface. They are waiting with an eagle's eye for the right moment to attack." Akisame said where two were like the time where samurai roam the line and find an opponent for a duel where both wait until the right opportunity to strike.

"This is a face off between masters of the sword, where a single strike could spell victory or defeat…" Kansei Ma said while taking a camera to photograph the fight only for Haruto to break the lens.

'She's good…if I make a mistake with my attack I'll be cut.' Ghislaine had removed her jacket since Haruto warned her that her clothes might be destroyed by fighting Shigure and told her they don't go for the kill nor deliver heavy injuries at their opponent much to her surprise but understood that this was just their way of fighting.

Haruto explained the two concepts of Katsujinken (Saving fist) and Satsujinken (Killing Fist). Ghislaine can't be placed in any category since she doesn't necessarily kill to prove it's better and only kills when it is needed.

On the other hand, Shigure also felt that a single mistake would be her loss and took precautions anticipating her next action. And carefully analyze the flow of her opponent and the same goes for Ghislaine with both having aligned with each other.

Kenichi intently watched when not moving, able to feel the pressure coming off from the two while Haruto able to see their movement creating a mental image where both would take their initial attacks predicting them. His [ Foresight ] and experience in both practice gave him an understanding of what the match could be without even starting.

In that next moment, everything became still as both of them drew their blade and in blind of an eye caused a whirlwind where Kenichi couldn't even see them anymore.

[ Sword God Style - Longsword of the Light! ]

Everything vanished as Ghislaine put her trust into her sword and technique virtually becoming one and her intent went into his sword slash while her flow followed moving without thinking. The speed was faster than anything that Haruto could do since he only recently was able to grasp the technique but even when he is it barely matches that of Ghislaine who might be Sword Emperor if she wanted but simply doesn't want to.

[ Kousaka Style - Shinto Gōrenzan ]

Unexpectedly even the grandmasters witness Shigure take the fight seriously and use a powerful technique. An extremely powerful sword technique whereas the user seemingly fuses with their sword and changes their appearance to that of a white wraith like silhouette. While in this mode the user can unleash devastatingly powerful sword strikes.

This technique is the epitome of Shigure's philosophy that one must fight with their weapons as one. This technique cannot be learned through pure skill but the user must have an intimate bond with their sword and there must be trust between the sword and the user.

As someone puts it, you and the sword must love each other. The greater the bond, the greater the ease this technique can be performed and the greater the overall potency of the attack. As a result, this technique is known as the highest level of sword mastery. It has been shown that this technique can be performed as long as the user has a blade of some kind in their possession.

In a split moment, spark appeared and the ground along with everything nearby was sliced to pieces. Haruto had used [ Tachypsychia ] or [ Niko style: Fallen Demon ] and could barely see them move where their technique clashed.

'Goodness gracious! What did I get myself into!?' Haruto was dumbfounded seeing the woman seemingly fighting for him. He didn't expect his life to turn into a Harem comedy story but blamed himself considering the world itself should have been an anime harem base from his memory.

"What's going on!? I can't see them!" Kenichi yelled out and felt as if he's the one who could be cut from the fight since it was extremely intense.

"It's been a long time since I've seen a fight like this." Akisame commented since they rarely got the chance to let loose and fight with someone their caliber. In the past they did but not anymore.

"Wanna bet?" Sakaki leaned in the door watching the fight seeing both were evenly matching their exchange.

"Sure. I'll bet on the person you'll pick against." Akisame said while Sakaki grinned and took a zip of his alcohol.

"Then I'll take that woman over Shigure." Sakaki said betting on Ghislaine over the weapon master and Akisame nodded observing the fight further.

"I didn't expect Shigure would use one of her strongest technique." The elder sees their movement a lot more clearly than the rest of them where he noted that Ghislaine focuses too heavily in speed and offense while Shigure evades and parries the attack. It's clear that both seem evenly matched in their techniques and flow of fighting.

Ghislaine did a horizontal cut that Shigure easily evaded and leaned back before flipping to kick the sword kick face but she was far quicker and reacted looking up to dock then pushed forward as the two had blade locks causing a spark in the air and pushing the wind around them.

"Wow it's like watching anime but in real life!" Honoka commented on seeing the two fight where even when she couldn't see the fight was able to feel their weapons clashing.

"Wait…where did you get the popcorn?" Haruto had to check twice to see Honoka eating popcorn, sharing it with everyone.

"Secret." Honoka said while he wryly smiled but took some as a snack since he also started to enjoy the fight. Haruto pondered in his heart and felt a sense of happiness watching the two fight.

'Is it me or is it the [ Battle Junkie ] power…' Haruto pondered feeling the passion and thirst for battle fueling his heart. He pondered for a moment and had his attention back to the fight where they pushed themselves and simply took a moment where the two walked, having their sword in their stance.

Ghislaine and Shigure smiled as they had communicated through their sword and got some understanding of their intention. Though, the sword king saw her fighting style to be nothing more than a way to fight and not an art form like Shigure still had some grasped in its way of communication. People can put their emotion into their action that can be interpreted as their intent.

"I'm satisfied, I got what I need." Ghislaine said sheathing her blade and Shigure did the same as both walked over to each other staring stoically and shook their hands having ended their duel as both knew their fight would result in an injury. The two shared mutual ground in the form of Haruto and somewhat acquainted themselves with each other

Sakaki was disappointed that it was undecided meaning their bet was meaningless but still it was enjoyable to see two fighters with similar style fight.

Sometime later, Ghislaine stayed in Ryozanpaku to watch how Haruto is trained by the Grandmaster and see their way of combat. She was impressed by their unarmed combat and rarely saw someone from her world doing the same thing as they were since it's either become a mage or learn how to use a weapon.

"Why haven't you used that form, Haruto?" Ghislaine was observing his spar against Sakaki teaching more of his technique and letting him understand the flow then the essence.

"Form?" Sakaki thought it might be his Tempest states since he had seen it before and placed him at a Low Master class. Without the form he was around an Expert.

"Well, I'm trying to learn something but I forgot that I haven't shown this." Haruto took a deep breath then in an instant everyone could feel his Dou Ki skyrocketed and placed at the Pinnacle of a Master surprising the rest of the grandmaster.

"How in the hell!?" Sakaki is taken aback since if he is at Pinnacle of a Master then adding his martial art then he would be comparable to a Grandmaster. Kansei Ma witnessed seem to be in deep thoughts about something and Shigure unfazed but grew interested.

Haruto explained his technique and the principles behind it giving Sakaki a run for his money when they trained but he quickly reverted back since he focused on improving his technique rather than rely on physical advancement.

===========

Training soon ended and Ghislaine had joined Miu along with Shigure in the Hot Spring allowing her to experience the relaxing feeling of its cleansing water. She never expected that it was several times better than how it was described.

"Is this your first time in a Hot Spring, Ghislaine-san?" Miu asks, submerged in the water, having Byakko join them.

"Yes, and it's a lot better than it was described. Too bad there isn't alcohol like they mention being a good companion." Ghislaine replied leaning on the rocks seemingly purring from the amazing feeling of the water.

"I want to ask, where did you get that sword?" Shigure asked, pointing at Ghislaine's Katana.

"That, where I'm from, is forged by Yulian Jalisco, the Demon World's craftsman who created a total of 49 swords from the bones of the king of King Dragons, Kajakut." Ghislaine said, surprising Miu and Shigure as she gave them a run down of her world earlier but still surprised about supernatural creatures.

"My master, the Sword God Gal Farion likes collecting swords especially those made by Yulian that he keeps in his room which is commonly given to his students after reaching the Sword king rank as proof of mastery. I received it after reaching my rank." Ghislaine said, grabbing the Katana showing its pristine state that will never rust nor dull.

"It is an impressive sword. Maybe I should make Haruto one." Shigure finally had an idea as a gift and Miu suddenly recalled something.

"Isn't Haruto's birthday coming soon?" Miu said the date of his birth is the day when he was found by his foster parents.

"Isn't he only 15?" Ghislaine is confused since in their world it is celebrated only every 5 years and that age is considered an adult. Miu was also confused and then explained why it was the case.

"I see, well I might also consider finding a gift for him." Ghislaine said out loud while she pondered for a moment.

"Are you two interested in Haruto?" As their conversation went to the man that shifted their life was currently heading somewhere.