The world of Type-Moon starts with saving Altria!

"Saizo——!"

"I'm coming!"

Souji Okita declared his attack, then kicked off with both feet and lunged towards Ian.

"I knew you would do this!"

"Okita, you know how to change your fighting style, but I'm not static either!"

As he spoke, as Okita Souji rushed towards him, Ian demonstrated his clever way to counter this thrust.

The young man, with his back exposed, bent backwards.

Most people can't do this - because of insufficient waist strength, doing so will only make the whole person fall backwards like a head start.

But Ian was different.

After years of running around with Okita Souji in his arms, he had already developed strong waist muscles.

This was something he had just discovered and was now taking advantage of.

With a posture like an arch bridge, Souji Okita "flew" straight over Ian.

The moment they met in the air, both of them smiled at each other.

That is not the pleasure of having the upper hand, but the joy of knowing that the other person is constantly growing because of you.

staggered.

separation.

Souji Okita came to Ian's seat, and Ian went to Souji Okita's seat.

"You actually came up with such a clever way to evade it?"

"Sui San, you are indeed like me!"

When saying these words, Okita Souji did not show any displeasure at having his attack broken. Instead, he was completely excited about his friend's strength.

"You're almost there, Okita."

Ian tightened his grip on the sword.

"The offensive is getting more and more fierce."

"Hehe!" Okita Souji smiled proudly, "Of course."

"In order to defeat you, Sui San, I am getting stronger all the time!"

"Me too. I can think of any method to defeat you, Okita!"

"..."

"..."

Without further words, Okita Souji and Ian met eyes again.

The kendo competition is about to begin again.

There is no such thing as winning or losing, only becoming stronger.

The inheritance of the natural rational flow is now slowly unfolding between the two of them, turning into a spiral future.

but--

Just at this time.

Kondo Shusuke's voice suddenly came, interrupting the duel between Ian and Okita Souji.

"Hijikata, Okita, come here for a moment."

[Simple and neat requirements, without any superfluousness.]

【Kondo Shusuke is the kind of person who never drags his feet when doing things. 】

【only--】

[This doesn't bode well for you and Okita Souji.]

[Because Kondo Shusuke would never suddenly interrupt you like this during your sword training.]

【You realize that perhaps something important has happened. 】

【And Okita Souji also realized this. 】

"Sui San..."

Following Kondo Shusuke all the way to the edge of the dojo, Okita Souji asked his friend in a low voice.

"Could something big have happened?"

"I do not know."

Ian lowered his voice, fearing that Kondo Shusuke in front of him would hear the whispers between him and Okita Souji.

"But it's definitely not a good thing, right?"

"Okita, I think we need to be mentally prepared."

"Yeah." Okita Souji nodded, "I understand."

As soon as the two finished talking, Kondo Shusuke, who was walking in front, stopped.

He turned around and spoke as if to comfort her:

"Okita, Hijikata, you don't have to worry."

"I asked you to come here not because you did anything wrong, but because I need your help."

"Our help?"

Okita Souji and Ian looked at each other.

They really couldn't think of any way they could help their master Kondo Shusuke.

However, this doubt did not last long, because this decisive man soon revealed the answer.

"Yes."

"This is something you can help me with."

"I need you..."

"Go and help me persuade Shima Qiyong."

"what?!"

[This is naturally something you and Okita Souji did not expect.]

[After all, in a sense, the relationship between Kondo Shusuke and Shima Noriyuki should be more "close."]

"However, precisely because this is about Shima Qiyong, you and Okita Souji are both much more serious than before."

[She... is your "determined" good friend.]

"Speak, Master."

Ian grew serious.

"What is it that requires our help?"

"It's very simple." Kondo Shusuke looked towards the entrance to the dojo, "I hope you can persuade her to comprehend the 'Natural Rishin Flow'."

"what?!"

Kondo Shusuke's words once again shocked Ian and Okita Souji.

"Master, do you mean to take her as your apprentice?"

"Yes." Kondo Shusuke said this, with a hint of guilt in his tone.

"His father is one of my good friends."

"He also died in the previous demon-hunting operation, just like the owner of the broken sword."

"If you don't do this..."

Kondo Shusuke touched the sword at his waist.

"I will feel sorry for Shima Qi."

"And Xiaoyong clearly also wants to comprehend it."

Shimazaki is the surname of Shimazaki Isamu, so the one here naturally refers to Shimazaki Isamu's father.

Accepting a disciple like this is naturally a form of compensation for the friends who did not survive.

Both Ian and Souji Okita fully understood their master Kondo Shusuke's thoughts.

But this does not mean that they have no doubts in their hearts.

"but--"

"If it's something like this, shouldn't you just tell her?"

Okita Souji asked cautiously.

"Master, given your status, she will definitely agree, right?"

Okita's doubts were Ian's doubts, and he soon followed suit.

"Yeah, Shima Qi isn't an unreasonable person. If Master is willing to accept her as his disciple, there won't be any problem, right?"

"Not to mention she still has the will."

"That's true, in theory—"

Kondo Shusuke's eyes seemed a little complicated.

"But things are often not as simple as we think."

"like this……"

Kondo Shusuke suddenly shouted towards the door, as if he had known that there was someone there.

“Xiao Yong——!”

"Yes!"

Like a clockwork puppet, Shima Qiyong "refreshed" directly at the door of the dojo.

She held a wet rag in her hand - it was for cleaning, of course.

"Uncle Kondo, what do you want to talk to me about?!"

"it is this."

As Kondo Shusuke spoke, he picked up the swords that Ian and Okita Souji had just used for training.

"Do you want to try it?"

"Eh?"

Okita Souji blinked.

Master Kondo Shusuke's words were naturally very direct, so logically speaking, Shima Qiyong should be very willing.

however--

The result was just the opposite.

After Kondo Shusuke picked up the sword, Shima Qiyong began to wave his hands, showing a very obvious attitude of resistance.

"No no no!"

"I won't! Don't look for me! You should look for Toshizo and Okita!"

"Uncle Kondo, I'm going to clean somewhere else!"

"See you later at dinner!"

Having said that, before Kondo Shusuke could say anything more, Shima Qiyong had already slipped away like a rabbit.

"Ugh……"

Kondo Shusuke sighed.

This was a reaction he rarely showed - it usually meant that the sword master was really at his wit's end.