"Dragon of Takachiho, Great Tengu Sword Saint, Sage Saga, Heavenly Blade Okita Sōji..."
Fortunately, before Riki entered, she had already built up the momentum for one transformation.
Soft became hard!
An invisible domain spread outward with Riki at its center, shoving the four Heroic Spirit Swordmasters aside!
Creak—
The door opened.
Hebe stepped out of the room, her calm gaze falling on Riki's face.
She paused slightly.
She had seen this face when she descended by possessing Toyokawa Shoko, in the band's rehearsal room.
Her name seemed to be Shiina... Shiina something?
Oh, right. Shiina Ringo.
Historical Divergence Point
Taking advantage of the opening created by the four Heroic Spirit Swordmasters being pushed away, Riki rushed before Hebe and swung her blade down.
Soft became hard.
Hebe raised an eyebrow.
During her time in Kyoto, she had already seen many varieties of secret sword techniques.
Under normal circumstances, such mechanisms posed no threat to Hebe. But if Riki's strike landed, Hebe herself would suffer no loss, though this entire courtyard would be finished.
So Hebe would not let the tanuki swing that sword.
Yet in Riki's eyes, the fox simply raised her hand and pressed her index and middle fingers together.
The fox's joined fingers tapped between Riki's chest and abdomen.
Riki grunted and turned to flee.
She couldn't win.
The "vengeful spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae" had not even used swordsmanship. Her physical abilities alone had already stripped Riki of every advantage in initiative.
A crisp clang rang out. Riki changed her secret sword's attribute from hard to soft once again, and in the instant the domain repelled her opponent, she cast an illusion and immediately vanished without a trace.
No matter what, surviving came first.
On the streets of Kyoto, Riki staggered as she ran in desperate haste.
She