Chapter 9: Okita Souji vs. Bazett

"Yes, Master!"

In an instant, Okita Souji materialized before Roy. Her delicate face was cold and serious, as sharp as a blade ready to strike.

Without a sound, she moved, her steps ghost-like as she advanced toward the enemy.

"A Servant?"

Bazett was briefly stunned.

The Holy Grail War hadn't started yet, and this man had already summoned a Servant? Though her mind faltered for a second, her body reacted swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, the girl dressed in a green haori crossed the distance, appearing right in front of her.

Despite facing a legendary Heroic Spirit, Bazett showed no fear. She raised her left fist in defense while her right fist shot forward like a bullet, aiming straight for the swordswoman.

Okita's eyes were unwavering, without hesitation or mercy. Her gleaming blade didn't dodge but met the punch head-on.

Clang!

The sound of steel against flesh echoed in the air like a ringing bell.

Okita's eyes flashed with surprise.

So hard. Reinforced with magecraft? And the strength... comparable to firearms!

Bazett's expression remained unchanged as she retracted her right arm, keeping her left ready. She launched a fierce punch toward Okita's wrist, aiming for the hand gripping the sword. The force of her punch was enough to make the air tremble, accompanied by a faint whistling sound.

Okita sidestepped, evading the blow and slicing toward Bazett's torso in one swift motion.

Bazett quickly blocked the strike with her right arm. At the same time, her left arm swung down like a hammer, aiming for Okita's face. Okita, however, raised her sword hilt high, blocking the punch with an overhead guard.

The rapid exchange was fierce—neither side gaining an advantage.

In mere seconds, they had already traded over a dozen blows.

Okita's swordsmanship was fierce and relentless. She pounced on even the smallest opening, pressing her attack with the determination to tear a piece from her opponent, even at the cost of injury.

But Bazett was cautious. Fully aware of a Servant's strength, she avoided recklessness. Her attacks were calculated, her defense always in place. Whenever there was a gap in her defense, it was quickly mended, giving her an impenetrable presence.

Okita's eyes gleamed.

She hadn't expected to find such a skilled warrior in this era. This woman, though a magus, fought like a composed and battle-hardened warrior, with hand-to-hand combat skills that were top-tier.

Okita inwardly admired her opponent.

Then, her eyes sharpened, and a surge of magical energy enveloped her. The mana flowing from her Master greatly enhanced her strength. She stepped forward, her slender form now brimming with explosive force as she rushed at Bazett with terrifying speed.

"A change in strategy?"

Bazett was startled.

The shift in Okita's attacks made her strikes several times more ferocious.

Bazett took a few steps back, dodging the initial thrust. For a moment, she hesitated.

In martial arts, there is a delicate balance between strength and speed. Enhancing one's power might yield greater damage, but it often comes at the cost of leaving larger openings.

As Bazett weighed her options, Okita had already closed the gap again, reversing her grip on the sword and slashing upward toward Bazett's side.

Bazett's eyes narrowed.

Had she miscalculated the height?

The sword wasn't aligned with her vision, but instead, its side was exposed.

When a blade is aligned with the opponent's sight, it becomes a mere line, making it difficult for them to gauge the length or distance. Such a move often forces the opponent to retreat in caution.

But exposing the side of the sword gives the opponent a clearer sense of distance. It allows them to block more effectively and might even provide an opportunity to counter and close the distance for a decisive blow.

Was it an overzealous strike, neglecting the angle of attack? Was this a genuine flaw or a trap? If it was truly a mistake, this could be her chance for victory!

"I can't afford recklessness against a Heroic Spirit!"

Bazett's instincts urged her to strike, but in the end, she resisted the temptation and retreated.

Okita continued her relentless assault, delivering a flurry of powerful blows. Every few strikes, she seemed to leave a glaring opening, as if daring Bazett to take the advantage.

But seeing that Bazett remained cautious, refusing to engage, Okita furrowed her brow slightly.

Not taking the bait.

She had deliberately left several openings, and although Bazett seemed tempted, she suppressed her urge every time, remaining firmly defensive and cautious beyond belief.

A warrior this disciplined would have been a force to reckon with even in Okita's era.

"But as an enemy of my Master, I must cut you down!"

Okita's resolve hardened, and the killing intent on her face deepened.

Suddenly, she covered more than ten meters in an instant, appearing right in front of Bazett.

It was as though she had teleported. With a single step, the distance between them seemed to vanish, as if time itself had been skipped. The seamless transition from standing still to closing the gap was astonishing.

"What?!"

Bazett's eyes widened in disbelief.

Gatotsu!

Okita held her sword in a middle stance, the tip aimed directly at Bazett's left eye.

Bazett felt a piercing pain in her eye, as if it were locked onto by a bullet. Before her mind could even process the attack, her body reacted instinctively. Her feet scrambled backward, while her left arm, held defensively near her face, shot up to block.

Clang!

The clash sounded like the tolling of a bell, as Bazett was sent flying backward, skidding more than ten meters across the ground. She scrambled to her feet, immediately resetting her guard.

A searing pain spread through her left arm. She didn't dare look at the wound, her eyes fixed on the petite, golden-haired swordswoman. Sweat dripped from her brow.

"If I hadn't been defending from the start, that strike would have pierced my brain!"

Bazett's heart raced, her chest heaving.

She had nearly died!

It was as if she had just returned from the brink of death, leaving even the reaper confused by her sudden visit.

Had she acted with even a hint of recklessness, there was no way she could have blocked that strike.

"That wasn't teleportation. If it had been, I wouldn't have been able to react. It must be some form of advanced footwork! She's using her swordsmanship, breathing, blind spots, movement, and even her opponent's consciousness to its fullest—the pinnacle of footwork!"

Bazett held her hands tightly near her chin, her arms raised defensively. Her eyes never left Okita for even a second.

"But now that I'm ready, if I go full defense—"

Bazett calculated her next move. That previous strike had given her some insight into this young swordswoman's technique.

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