To become a king and a magician

(Well then, it's my turn too—)

"They've been attacked over there."

Before Miyamoto Musashi, surrounded by a giant black serpent, Mochizuki Chiyome, completely bound by a fishnet bodysuit and black bandages, glanced sideways at Katori Shrine.

"Foolish. That place is guarded by several heroic swordsmen. Although we don't know who the attackers are, well... they must be moths drawn to a flame, just like you."

Chiyome Mochizuki's last words were spoken to Miyamoto Musashi.

Like moths drawn to a flame.

Miyamoto Musashi sneered: "Who knows? Maybe it's the other way around? At least in my opinion, the situation over there shouldn't be a moth flying into a flame, but rather a mantis trying to stop a chariot—you guys are the ones trying to stop a mantis."

"By the way, you're the same now."

The power of the Heroic Swordsman is almost limitless; she knows no fatigue, no death, and will continue fighting until her body is completely destroyed.

In contrast, Miyamoto Musashi was a human being.

The two have been fighting for more than ten minutes now, and continuing to drag it out would be very disadvantageous for her. She must decide the winner as soon as possible!

(Please, Tiger's protection, I need the power to kill her right now!)

"Buzz~~~~~"

Golden light flowed from the blades of the twin swords and entered Miyamoto Musashi's body one by one.

The difference between Miyamoto Musashi and Mochizuki Chiyome was not in strength, but in speed.

To be precise, Mochizuki Chiyome, as a female ninja, was skilled at interfering with her opponents' actions using various methods, and finally used the Summoning Jutsu to summon a fragment of Ibuki Daimyojin's spirit to deliver a devastating blow to her opponent.

For the past ten minutes or so, Miyamoto Musashi had been held back by Mochizuki Chiyome's guerrilla tactics and the snake spirit she had summoned. If they were to engage in a direct confrontation, she was confident that she could kill her.

So, for Miyamoto Musashi to be able to kill Mochizuki Chiyome...

"Buzz—!"

The overflowing light dissipated, and Miyamoto Musashi raised his twin swords, taking a deep breath—

"Boom--!"

The floor beneath his feet shattered under his foot, and he instantly transformed into a golden streak of light, rushing out at lightning speed!

"Hiss hiss hiss hiss hiss~~~~~"

Upon seeing this, the snake spirit coiled around Mochizuki Chiyome pounced and bit at her! However, compared to the slender Miyamoto Musashi, the snake spirit's body was simply too large. With Miyamoto Musashi's speed and current perspective, dodging it was an easy task!

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle sizzle—!"

The light flashed dozens of times across the surface of the serpent spirit, and the crisscrossing slashes cut the serpent spirit into dozens of pieces!

(Varied--)

Chiyome Mochizuki's eyes trembled slightly. Miyamoto Musashi had never displayed such power before! Then, she quickly formed several hand seals and hid her body behind her back—this was a ninja's proud concealment technique. When she fought Miyamoto Musashi earlier, Chiyome Mochizuki used this ninjutsu to buy herself a considerable amount of time.

But this time...

"You can't escape!"

In an instant, he shattered all the snake spirits blocking his way, and in the blink of an eye, Miyamoto Musashi arrived in front of Mochizuki Chiyome!

At this point, Mochizuki Chiyome's ninjutsu was not yet complete.

(My body feels so light, and my mind is so clear. I have a clear sense that I can think of anything and see everything...)

Ninjas are known for their agility and disruption abilities. To counter them, one needs to be able to keep up with their speed and possess a clear and unwavering mind that will not be deceived by them.

This is the power that the spirit's blessing bestowed upon Miyamoto Musashi at this moment.

(No! It's too late!)

(You can't escape this time!)

Staring intently at Mochizuki Chiyome, who was so close at hand, Miyamoto Musashi swung his sword with lightning speed, the blade flashing with light as it swiftly approached Mochizuki Chiyome's body!

This strike will surely kill him!

"Clang!"

However, just as the blade was about to touch Mochizuki Chiyome, a pale arm suddenly darted in! It forcefully pierced between Miyamoto Musashi and Mochizuki Chiyome! Then, with a powerful swing!

"Bang----!"

Miyamoto Musashi felt as if she had been hit by a stone; the heavy blow sent her flying uncontrollably! After spinning twice in the air, she landed heavily on another rooftop!

Who saved Mochizuki Chiyome?

The first thing Miyamoto Musashi did was look up at the person who had blocked his attack. What came into Miyamoto Musashi's view was a scantily clad and petite "demon".

He held a red wine glass filled with liquor in his hand, and a large blue gourd hung from his waist. He looked drunk, and his whole body reeked of alcohol, like a drunkard.

"United Hell!"

Chiyome Mochizuki called out the name of the person who saved her.

"What are you here for?"

"Huh? We clearly saved you, so why do you seem a bit unfriendly to us, Paraíso?"

The demon from the Hell of All Nations—whose true name was Shuten-dōji—took a sip of sake: "Hmm~~~ Ah~~~~ I just came here to find some snacks to go with my sake. After all, you're going to pull off a big heist here tonight, so I figured there would be a lot of interesting things to happen, and that's why I followed you."

"I just didn't expect you to almost die."

"Well--!"

Mochizuki Chiyome gritted her teeth.

Indeed, if it weren't for Shuten-dōji's intervention, her head would have already been severed, and her spirit core and karma would have been pierced by Miyamoto Musashi's other sword, causing her to disappear from this world completely.

"Do you need our help?"

Shuten-dōji approached Mochizuki Chiyome and smiled.

"We're somewhat destined to meet, aren't we? The power of Ibuki God flowing in our blood and flesh... Shall I share some with you?"

"I am..."

"Give it all to her, to the collective hell."

Just then, a figure descended from the sky accompanied by that sound.

Mochizuki Chiyo and Shuten-dōji were both slightly startled upon hearing the voice and seeing the newcomer.

"Oh dear, this is really..."

Shuten-dōji chuckled and covered his mouth.

"Why do you look like a defeated and pathetic army, Your Excellency, sorcerer?"

23. I'm starting to like backstabbing.

The figure that descended from the sky was none other than Amakusa Shiro.

Hearing Shuten-dōji's teasing, Amakusa Shirō coldly replied, "I simply underestimated my opponent's strength. The Black Rope Hell can't hold him off for long. I need to complete the Edo Tensei before he catches up."

"......"

Shuten-dōji and Mochizuki Chiyō both fell silent upon hearing this.

They all thought they had misheard.

(That cow couldn't be held back for long?)

The feud between Shuten-dōji and Minamoto no Yorimitsu was deep. She knew her old rival quite well; he was not someone who could be easily dealt with. If they were to fight seriously, even Shuten-dōji wouldn't dare to guarantee a victory.

The output area needs to be larger.

After all, he was the most powerful and mysterious assassin of the Heian period, and the leader of the Minamoto clan.

So now Amakusa Shiro says she can't hold them off for long? Then who exactly attacked Katori Shrine?

"Wait a minute, I remember hearing thunder over there just now?" Shuten-dōji looked in the direction of Katori Shrine. "Could it be that that cow was already taken care of back then?"

"It's not impossible~~~"

Behind Amakusa Shiro, Ashiya Dōman had quietly emerged from the shadows at some point.

Glancing at him, Amakusa Shiro said coldly, "You're still here, Limbo."

"Why do you think I am not here?" Ashiya Dōman said with a smile. "It is a pity that I could not help you just now. My magic was shattered by that stranger, which caused me to suffer a strong backlash. I have only just barely recovered."

"It's alright, let's get ready to begin. Is everything set up, Paraíso?"

"Yes."

Mochizuki Chiyoko knelt and nodded.

She came to Tsuchiki Castle tonight for two reasons: first, to kill Princess Kiyohime; and second, to make arrangements within the castle so that Amakusa Shiro could bring down the Edo Tensei Castle here.

The latter has now been accomplished in her skirmish with Miyamoto Musashi, but the former...

"Because Inferno had returned to normal over there, we couldn't succeed."

"It doesn't matter. With us gathered here, this matter can be accomplished at any time. The most important thing now is to bring down the City of Repulsion and complete the preparations for performing that great spell."

Having witnessed Natsukawa Torato's power, Amakusa Shiro was certain that if he continued to delay, his goal would never be achieved. He had to act now; any later... it would be too late!

On another rooftop, Miyamoto Musashi watched Amakusa Shiro and the others gather together, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.

(Are you kidding? So many all at once?)

If it were just Mochizuki Chiyome alone, Miyamoto Musashi was confident of victory; with Shuten-dōji added, he was at least confident he wouldn't be killed. But now there are four of them...

(Tiger's side got defeated? But the situation just now should have been... Could it be the other way around?)

Miyamoto Musashi originally interpreted the pillar of light that shot into the sky at Katori Shrine as Natsukawa Tora using some powerful attack to defeat the enemy. However, the fact that the four of them are gathered here means that Natsukawa Tora was not able to defeat everyone there.

Perhaps quite the opposite is true; Natsukawa Torato unleashed that attack because he was driven to the brink of despair.

(No, that's impossible, it's a tiger!)

Miyamoto Musashi shook his head vigorously.

Even though they hadn't known each other for very long, Miyamoto Musashi had great faith in Natsukawa Torato's strength. He always acted as if he could do anything and had everything under his control, and the strength he displayed lived up to that impression.

Someone like him... at least Miyamoto Musashi couldn't imagine what it would be like for him to be killed.