Yashiro the Blind

"What about it?"

The one-eyed strategist pressed for an answer.

After a moment's consideration, the girl replied, "Let's turn the tables... and pass off the fake as real."

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Kansuke clapped his hands and laughed, "Not bad, not bad, a promising young man!"

……

If the fake is mistaken for the real, which one is fake and which one is real?

Cherry blossoms filled the sky, reflecting the setting sun. A naginata spun, flicked, chopped, and swept, its movements powerful and graceful. The old man with a full head of silver hair dragged a limp leg, his hands empty, but with only his bare palms, he easily restrained Shizu's fierce attacks, even having the strength to occasionally strike out and casually repel Inosuke who rushed over from the side.

"Inosuke, several years have passed, and your strength has regressed instead of improved. It seems that with me away and no one supervising you, you've become lazy. Honestly... still the same old you. At this rate, when will I be able to confidently hand over the school's seal to you..."

While the fight was taking place, the old man kept talking, one sentence after another, just like a real teacher. He was angry and annoyed with his unworthy disciple, but he was helpless. Even if he wanted to reprimand him, he could hardly say anything harsh. He could only sigh repeatedly, shake his head and smile bitterly.

"Stop impersonating my master!"

Inosuke's brow furrowed with anger. His body blurred; his short, stout frame, resembling a ball, leaped several meters in a single bound. He swung his sword in his left hand, but just as the old man dodged to the side, the sword vanished without a trace.

It suddenly appeared in his previously empty right palm, a change that happened in an instant, like the most exquisite street trick, followed by a slash upwards!

"Impersonation?"

But the old man only chuckled softly, "Have you forgotten? I taught you this move nine years ago, step by step. Back then, you were stuck at a bottleneck and couldn't learn it no matter what you did. On the contrary, Negishi and Kohachi had mastered this move long ago and teamed up to mock you... In the end, it was Shizu who stood up for you and gave them a good scolding. Have you forgotten these past events?"

His face showed a look of remembrance, his tone was light and indifferent, and he pressed down with both hands, using the force to deflect Inosuke's sudden slash, causing it to collide with Shizu's naginata in mid-air. Sparks flew, and both of them felt numbness in their hands and retreated.

This move is also one of the secrets of the Great Floating Style. It is said that the founder was inspired by the wooden spinning tops that children used to play with and created this move after years of seclusion. Because it is so obscure and profound, even though it was recorded in the school's military strategy book, very few people have mastered it.

As far as Inosuke knows, apart from the founder of the sect, only his master, Makiryusai, knows how to use this move.

Thinking of this, his expression grew even uglier. He stared straight at the old man, only to find that the old man was also looking at him, his slightly sunken eyes filled with a deep sense of helplessness: "Inosuke, are you now going to use the swordsmanship your master taught you... to kill me?"

"you--"

As if something suddenly exploded in his mind, Inosuke roared and charged forward again!

The gust of wind from the swung blade, the night breeze that gradually rose around him as dusk approached, the fragrant breeze carried by falling cherry blossoms—all sorts of sounds rustled in Inosuke's ears, and a fire of rage surged within him, a fury that seemed capable of burning him to ashes...

However, deep down, he couldn't tell how much of his anger was directed at the person in front of him, and how much... was directed at his own incompetence.

Why didn't he discover the other's true identity earlier than Shijin? He was the one who was taken in by his master the first time... He was the one who stayed by the old man's side the longest, yet he was completely unaware after his real master died. He ended up living under the same roof with his master's killer for ten or eight years.

The memories remaining in his mind—which ones belonged to the real master and which ones were fabrications created by this imposter—became increasingly difficult to distinguish the more he tried to discern, and that's why... the anger in his heart grew even more intense.

"I...you—"

What I see before me is a scene of swords and bloodshed, but in that instant, what flashes through my mind are those distant past events.

That was me, all dirty and grimy, when my master had just taken me in. I cried as I picked up a tree branch to replace my sword, practicing with all my might while vowing in my heart that one day I would take revenge on this unreasonable world, the world that had taken away my parents.

Not long after, another filthy little monkey was brought back. At first, he was resentful because the other had taken away his master's affection, and he would often try to bully the "junior brother" who came later. Until one day, he couldn't stand the heat and dragged the other to a nearby stream to bathe, washing away all the mud from his face and body.

When the other person was completely submerged in the river and raised their head again, the bewildered panic made the naive young boy freeze on the spot for a moment—and then he realized that this brat named Zhijin was not his junior brother, but his junior sister.

His junior sister.

"Senior brother, Senior Brother Qingtian..."

The junior sister, who used to timidly follow behind him, had somehow grown taller, even surpassing him. As her gaze shifted from looking up to looking down, her attitude changed drastically. In the end, she even stopped calling him "senior brother," calling him "Inosuke" instead, which infuriated him. Shizu, on the other hand, grinned, looking like she had gotten her revenge.

"Serves you right for bullying me before."

She has a very good memory, so she always remembers things that happened in the past clearly. She is also vindictive and never suffers a loss. As a result, Inosuke's life can be described as miserable.

"Inosuke, we're running out of firewood! Quickly chop some more!"

"Inosuke, go fetch water!"

"Inosuke, Master brought back two more brats the day before yesterday. We're about to starve. Go see if there are any wild boars in the mountains... What, you can't beat wild boars? Then go find some rabbits! You're such a useless fellow..."

"Inosuke! Inosuke..."

"Inosuke, what do you think... we should do from now on?" On an ordinary night, Shizu rested her head on his shoulder, her voice sounding like a sigh.

"What can we do... just do it this way," he muttered.

"Let's do it this way... Things that need to be done should be done."

"We don't have time for that. We'd be better off using that money to buy some medicine to help our master recover. His health has been getting weaker and weaker lately..."

"Speaking of which, have you noticed that Master has been acting a little strange lately...?"

"Have it?"

"Maybe I'm overthinking it." Zhijin hesitated for a moment, then changed the subject. After a while, he laughed and said, "Never mind, it's fine as it is. Anyway, you're not a big deal, so there's no need to make it so elaborate."

"I'm just afraid you'll feel wronged."

"I've already given myself to you, what's there to feel wronged about..." She reached out to the moon in the sky, "Let's just live like this forever. If Master passes away one day, we can go out and travel around, see the sights of the world..."

"I don't have the money for the trip."

"Then find a way to make money, become a street performer, or find a famous family to serve in... If you ever make something of yourself, remember to give me a grand wedding."

"it is good."

……

The right hand, which had been extended towards the moon, slowly descended.

"Senior brother... I..."

Zhijin stood there, a bloodstained blade in his hand, with the old man's bleeding body lying at his feet. His mind went blank for a moment. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but before he could utter a sound, he had already turned and climbed over the wall, running away like a wild deer.

We met again several years later.

"Senior Brother Qingtian, it's been a long time."

The current Shizu is vastly different from the one in his memory. She has shed her youthful naiveté, and her figure is even more alluring. Yet, a faint sorrow and a hint of menace linger between her brows and eyes. This feeling is completely unfamiliar to Inosuke, but the body that then presses against him is so warm, so intimate.

One night passed, followed by an even more intense one. In that feeling of almost melting away completely, the estrangement Inosuke had once sensed seemed to melt away like spring snow. Unconsciously, the way he addressed him changed from "Aota-senpai" back to "senpai," and then back to "Inosuke." Shizu, a lingering smile on her face, hugged him from behind, rested her chin on his shoulder, and breathed softly, her breath warm.

"Inosuke...do you want to avenge your master?"

"Of course!"

Even if it requires sacrifice?

Sensing her implied meaning, Inosuke paused slightly, glancing over to see Shizue revealing a charming smile: "There's no other way. Our enemy is just too powerful. Although I'm fairly confident I can kill him, to ensure everything goes smoothly, I'd like to ask you for a favor, senior brother. Is that alright?"

"Yes, yes... What would you like to borrow?"

As soon as he asked the question, he felt a finger on the back of his neck. The fingertip traced a circle across his neck.

"I want to borrow... your life." Shizu chuckled softly. "How about it, dare you?"

……

Chapter Sixty-Six: Dreams as Reality

"As long as it can avenge my master, what's wrong with giving you my worthless life? But..."

Fueled by passion, he spoke boldly, yet his words still held a hint of doubt, "If what you're saying is true, Zhijin, that guy has been impersonating Master for many years. It's not just his usual demeanor and mannerisms; his skills couldn't possibly be far inferior to the real Master's... otherwise, you wouldn't be the only one to realize something's amiss all these years. Moreover, if he really is that 'Shin-no-Kami,' his abilities certainly extend beyond our Great Floating Stream..."

"Are you saying we can't win?"

"At least... I don't see any chance of winning."

"Then close your eyes." The woman behind him breathed softly. "Close your eyes and trust me. As long as we work together, we will definitely be able to avenge our master."

"Really?"

"Really? How about we make a bet?"

……

The words of that conversation still ring in his ears, but now, with the battle unfolding almost entirely one-sidedly, Inosuke sees no hope of reversing the situation.

He glanced at the corner of his eye and saw that Shizu's hair was already disheveled and he was panting heavily. Although they had been fighting for a long time, he didn't have a single wound on his body. That was simply because the enemy hadn't drawn his sword... He had completely suppressed the two of them with his bare hands.

"Drink!"

With a sharp shout, the priestess swung her sword again!

Like most military strategists of the time, the teachings of the Great Floating School were not limited to the katana. They covered spears, naginatas, short swords, clubs, and hand-to-hand combat. As a woman, Shizu was relatively weak, so the naginata, which was relatively light and focused on centrifugal force, became the most suitable weapon for her compared to the usual swords, spears, and clubs.

Even though Inosuke was reluctant to admit it, he knew in his heart that Shizu's talent and comprehension far surpassed his own. So much so that despite being a few years younger and having started his training several years later, Shizu's height and strength had improved by leaps and bounds, allowing him to surpass Inosuke long ago.

It's clear that the master also dotes on this only female disciple the most. He has no wife or children—it is said that he once married a very beautiful village girl when he was young, but she died in a plague. The old man is sentimental and never remarried—he essentially treated these disciples as his own children.

Given his age and seniority, Inosuke is undoubtedly the eldest brother in this family. However, precisely because of this, even though his strength still far surpasses that of his junior brothers after being surpassed by Shizu, he is still inevitably teased and ridiculed on a daily basis.

He actually harbored some resentment about this, and for a long time, he held a grudge, only thinking about striving to surpass Zhijin as soon as possible and restore his senior's glory. Although he later "overwhelmed" the other party from another angle, this obsession never disappeared.

He thought that after four years, traveling far and wide and honing his martial arts skills in real combat, even if he was still no match for Shizu, he should have at least gotten a little closer to him. But after their reunion, he found that the gap between their strengths had not only not narrowed, but had actually widened considerably...

He wondered what Zhijin had gone through during this time, what kind of experiences he had had. He initially wanted to ask, but noticing the murderous aura between his brows, he suddenly decided not to ask anymore.

It's probably not going to be anything good.

Inosuke thought to himself, feeling somewhat discouraged again—it was the same back then, and it was the same now. As a man who stood tall and upright, he could only stand in Shizu's shadow, never shielding her from the wind and rain or helping her through difficulties.

From any perspective—whether as a senior brother, a husband, or simply as a childhood sweetheart—he is unfit for the role. If this utterly useless person could use his life to make some contribution to Zhijin and their deceased master, it would surely be a good thing…

So when Shizu asked to borrow his life, Inosuke felt a chill run down his spine, but he readily agreed. While dying is cowardly, sacrificing oneself to avenge one's master is worthy of praise as a hero, regardless of who it is.

In this way, he suddenly began to look forward to his death.

……

His thoughts raced through the air, but reality was but a fleeting moment. Under his gaze, the shrine maiden, filled with resentment, swung her naginata down like a crescent moon!

"Alas, I have warned you more than once that when performing the 'Attracting Fortune' technique, one should not go too far. Otherwise, once you make a mistake, it will be difficult to recover and you will end up in a dangerous situation... Zhijin, although you are exceptionally talented and have a strong personality, being too rigid can lead to breaking. You must be careful."

His words were full of earnest guidance, gentle yet stern, like a teacher's admonition. The old man simultaneously released and pressed his hand, a simple move, yet the timing was exquisite, instantly blocking the naginata's trajectory at the very moment the snow blades crossed paths.

He then changed his grip to a slap, striking the blade with a palm strike using pure skill. The slap made the entire blade tremble violently, as if it had come alive. Shijin lost his grip, and not only did his attack miss, but the weapon also slipped from his hand and was caught by the old man!

"This……"

Her expression changed drastically, and she was about to snatch it when she saw the old man shake his head, sigh, and then flip his wrist, returning the naginata he had just taken. This was so sudden that Shizu couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. When she came to her senses, she hurriedly grabbed it and then jumped back to create some distance.

The old man did not press his advantage; he remained standing in the same spot, his hands behind his back once more.

"Do you want to fight again? After these few rounds, you should know that you are no match for me. If you continue, the result will be the same." He glanced at Inosuke and Shizu and suddenly spoke up to persuade them.

For some reason, Inosuke felt a little strange when he heard this.

And he immediately realized what this strange sense of unease was coming from—

"Since you know we are no match for you, why... why don't you make your move now?" Shizu put down his naginata, trying to regulate his breathing as he asked calmly. His voice no longer betrayed the anger or hatred he had shown before.

"Hmm?" The old man frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The meaning is simple: you deliberately spread the news to lure us here, with the sole purpose of eliminating us completely... In fact, we have indeed fallen into your trap, and we are no match for you in terms of martial arts. Since that's the case, why are you hesitating to draw your sword and give Inosuke and me a quick death? What are you waiting for, or rather... what are you hesitating about?"

Her voice was soft, and it didn't sound like she was talking to a sworn enemy, but rather like she was chatting casually.

But it was precisely this ordinary sentence that caused the old man, who had always been at ease, to change his expression.

"You..." The old man seemed to want to retort for a moment, but his throat moved and he finally said nothing. Judging from his expression, he seemed to have a kind of panic and anger after being exposed.

"It seems I guessed it right."

Seeing this, Zhijin let out a soft breath. "From the moment we started fighting until now, you have been holding back, and you have never drawn your weapon. It's not because you disdain it, but because... you can't bear to. You are indeed hesitating because you—somewhere in your heart, can't bear to kill us."

This sound was like a thunderclap to Inosuke's ears.

"Interesting. You actually think I wouldn't have the heart to kill you two?"

On the other side, the old man let out a cold laugh.

“Of course,” Shizu replied in his usual calm tone, “after all, we… are ‘your’ disciples. What teacher, what father in this world could be so heartless as to kill his own children, the disciples he has raised for decades?”

"..."

The smile on the old man's face disappeared.

At the same time, Inosuke finally understood what Shizu meant by "being confident" and in what way he would "borrow" his life.

"...Humans are not plants or trees, how can they be without feelings? Looking at your appearance, we are indeed somewhat hesitant, but you... but what about you? Back then, we, master and disciples, lived together day and night for nearly ten years. I dare not forget your every word and action, every interaction, and every word of your teaching. I remember them clearly in my heart."

The priestess pointed to her heart and asked, "So I can't help but wonder, were all the emotions you showed back then completely fake, with none of them real? After all those years of playing Mu Liuzhai, did his life really have no impact on you whatsoever?"

“I believe that’s not the case, so even though I know I’m no match for you, even though I know this is a trap, I still came. I’m betting—” she said in a deep voice, “betting that you, this inhuman demon, still have a human heart that hasn’t been extinguished.”