ENTER THE GREATEST SWORDSMAN (2)

After swinging the newly made longsword once, the blade flew off the handle and was sent flying in the direction of Markos but as if in an instant, Asakusa unsheathes his blade and parries it, redirecting the blade into the ceiling where it gets stuck.

The entire room becomes quiet and Markos goes back to working in a separate area. Kibe, with a surprised look on his face, walks up to Markos once more.

"Let me have another chance, old man!"

"Why? So you can almost decapitate me again? Certain skills are not for everyone, kid. Now go home."

This was an unsatisfactory answer in Kibe's eyes and he leaves, as a result with Asakusa following behind him.

"At least come to my home first, Lord Kibe. It was a simple mishap. Besides, not everyone is built to be a blacksmith without the proper training."

"If I can't create, then I have no purpose here."

(Especially because it's my blessing.)

While Upgraded Creation does create and upgrade things made by the user, if the user himself is not able to create it, the blessing will not activate.

"Surely, you would not just give up after something like that? And to think I thought you were interesting. Do as you wish."

Asakusa leaves, heading in the direction of a small compound.

(...He's right dammit! But I don't like the way that bastard said it!)

"Whatever. I'll apologize to Asakusa for now."

Kibe heads in the same direction heading to the same compound and upon closer inspection, there is a sign that says 'Yota Family Compound'. While walking into the compound, he sees Asakusa leaning on a wall with his hands folded. He seemed to be somewhat agitated.

"...You ok?"

"Nevermind my issues right now. Why have you come?"

"I thought about what you said and I realized that I have never quit anything before seeing it through completely! Therefore i'm going back to the blacksmith to do a better job."

"That's good. It would have been a shame if you did give up and lose all hope."

"I hate your way of speaking. It has me curious about you."

"...Nevermind that. For now, I have more pressing matters to deal with."

Asakusa grips his blade and stares into the forest.

"What's up? You're giving me weird vibes."

"My sister, Akane, went missing. The last place someone saw her was at the edge of the forest with some suspicious folk. I must go now."

"So what are we waiting for?"

Asakusa stares at Kibe with a surprised face then smiles.

"When this is all over with, you gotta tell me who you really are though."

"Very well. Let's go. Akane is in danger."

The two boys dash off to the forest searching every part. They eventually come across a bandit camp, with two bandits guarding the gate. The two hide in nearby bushes that are relatively close to the camp.

"So how do we go about this, Asakusa?"

"You take care of the guards at the gate. I'll sneak in using the distraction and get my sister back. I will have to trust your strength on this one as more bandits are bound to show up."

"Yeah, don't worry about it. I have an idea."

"What's that?"

"A FULL ON BRAWL!"

"..."

Kibe activates his Right Dragon Claw and rushes at the guards. One of the guards see this and slashes at him but he dodges by jumping over the blade, hitting his intended target with a fist followed by a dive kick that sends the bandit into a tree, knocking him out.

"I take it that you're next?"

"Why are you doing this?! We did nothing to you!"

"Yeah. Don't care."

Kibe flips him off and this enrages the bandit who rushes at him with another slash that Kibe parries. Kibe then throws another punch but the bandit puts up his blade to block it, which he did successfully, breaking it. He picks up the other guard's longsword and slashes at Kibe at a weird angle, which almost connects but Kibe counters with an uppercut, ending the fight in one hit. Weaponless. Kibe picks up the bandit's longsword. He then runs into the camp where he is surrounded by eight more bandits.

"Now you are definitely dead, kid!"

"No way to escape now! Let's hurry up and kill him already!"

Kibe doesn't say anything. He simply gets into a position to fight. The fight begins and they all rush at him, closing the circle they had formed around him. Kibe jumps above the group, but they still manage to somewhat slash him in various areas of his body. He still managed to suffer minimum damage. He then slashes at one with the longsword which cuts him and gravely injures him in the process.

(Dammit! What's taking him so long?! Hey Echo! Search the area for me!)

Echo appears, looking a bit translucent and smiling.

"Boss, you know I can't do that haha!"

"Damn it all!"

Echo is an imaginary friend. Therefore, he can only see what Kibe can see.

While Kibe fights the wave of bandits, Asakusa infiltrates the tents, searching through them. While looking, he found a giant tent with two guards talking in the back. Asakusa pulls out his katana and swiftly takes care of both, killing them silently.

"It's a shame that had to happen. Find peace in death."

Asakusa then walks into the back of the giant tent where he sees multiple cages holding people, one of which looks like his sister. He also sees a man polishing an axe, wearing a bear fur coat and a necklace with some bones on it. He had tattoos that went from the right side of his face to his right leg. Asakusa, angered at the sight, jumps up and slashes at the man in an attempt to assassinate him.

"I hope those boys outside sufficed."

The man turns around and catches the sword.

"Wha-"

"Did you think I would not feel the bloodlust you have been releasing since you came into this forest? You were a fool if you thought you could get away with an assassination. As the leader of this place, I shall smear your body across this camp!"

The man takes his fist and punches Asakusa through the tent, outside to the group of bandits.

"Asakusa!"

Kibe, who gets distracted at the sight in front of him, gets an arrow to the back.

The leader begins to walk out of the tent laughing.

"You brought two people? You are a failure!"

"I just…want my sister to be freed!"

"Haven't you heard of me kid?!" I am Mujima, the Axe! Your sister will fetch a pretty penny, especially because she is fresh hahaha!"

This angers Asakusa, who emerges from the rubble. He then begins to walk towards Mujima.

"Kibe… this is personal. Handle the infantry."

"Sure."

"Good. Hyakuya, unseal!"

Asakusa's katana erupts in a white light, blinding the bandits in the area. Kibe, who waited for a chance, seizes the opportunity to improve his longsword with the old materials.

"Upgraded Creation! Fusion!"

With this, he improves the longsword and rushes at the remaining bandits. When the light fades, Asakusa is seen in a stance standing with one Katana in the right hand and a shorter Katana in the left.

[END OF CHAPTER 5]