Tsugikuni Kuuga had already unleashed his Thirteenth Form four times. No wonder Lower Ranks were instantly defeated by Hashira. Kuuga now clearly understood the strength of a Hashira. Above the Lower Ranks, they could even go head-to-head with an Upper Moon.
Just like Big Brother—if he had not been injured, unable to recover, and exhausted, Akaza definitely would not have been able to defeat Big Brother.
Sanemi Shinazugawa felt it too. He could see Kuuga's techniques were cycling, but their power was increasing. If this continued, he would lose.
The two fought with burning intensity, but they had not asked their swords for permission. We're just a pair of wooden swords. How are we supposed to endure this kind of abuse? Fine, break already. We can't live like this anymore.
Kuuga's and Sanemi Shinazugawa's swords shattered into fragments almost at the same time. The sudden change nearly made the two kiss.
When Kuuga's lips were less than a few centimeters from Sanemi Shinazugawa's, they shoved each other away at the same time. Kissing another man would kill both of them.
The two fell down together. Gazing at the stars filling the sky, Sanemi Shinazugawa smiled. It had been a long time since he had felt this good, and he burst into loud laughter.
"That was incredible! Kuuga, you're amazing. I lost!"
"There wasn't even a result. The swords broke!" Kuuga complained.
"I know your techniques would keep getting stronger. It should have something to do with Tai Chi, right?"
"You guessed right. I blended in the forceful yang side of Tai Chi. The power increases with each strike!"
Kuuga did not know what the God of Humanity's Thirteenth Form was like. Perhaps he needed to stack his power to the limit before he could reach Yoriichi Tsugikuni's realm.
Tai Chi had Eight Trigrams, so Kuuga could stack it eight times. This was currently the limit he had tested. Just now, he had not even unleashed four trigrams' worth.
Sanemi Shinazugawa sat up and handed Kuuga a jar of wine. Kuuga hesitated for a moment before accepting it. His sister would scold him to death, and Shinobu would beat him to death, but his brother was right here.
Before long, only several empty jars remained before them. After three rounds of drinks, bragging mode automatically activated.
"Kuuga, you like Miss Shinobu Kocho, don't you?" Sanemi Shinazugawa burped.
"Everyone practically knows already, okay?" Kuuga let out a drunken burp as well.
"If you like her, go after her!"
"Now isn't the time. There's still something I haven't accomplished. I need to protect my sister!" Kuuga said firmly.
Kuuga had his own plans. Only after Kanae Kocho truly survived Upper Rank Two could he rest easy. But Upper Rank Two was his opponent, and he did not know whether he stood a chance.
"Kanae?"
"She really is an incredibly gentle girl," Sanemi Shinazugawa praised without hiding it.
"You like my sister. Stop pretending!"
"You're talking nonsense. How could someone like me ever be worthy of gentle Miss Kanae?"
Kuuga threw an arm around Sanemi Shinazugawa's shoulders and declared confidently, "Don't you have me as your brother? Good brother, trust me!"
"You? Normally, you're scared stiff of Miss Shinobu!" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked utterly doubtful.
"Hm?"
"What do you know? That's love, okay!"
"You're impressive." Sanemi Shinazugawa gave him a thumbs-up.
"I'm telling you, when the time comes, you'll have to be like that too!" Kuuga pulled Sanemi Shinazugawa as they staggered to their feet.
"Just tell me whether you believe me or not! When I, Tsugikuni Kuuga, step in, I'm worth two men!" Kuuga shouted.
"Oh? You're that amazing? How come I didn't know?"
Shinobu Kocho's voice rang out. Kuuga looked at Sanemi Shinazugawa in confusion and asked, "Brother, did you hear Shinobu's voice?"
"I think I did!"
Behind the two brothers, Shinobu had already limbered up. She said to Kanae Kocho, "See? I told you he was here. He's gotten bold, and he's drunk out of his mind too. He needs a proper lesson!"
"My, my! My dear little sister, let's take Kuuga home first." Kanae walked toward Kuuga as she spoke.
Perhaps Kuuga really was drunk. After all, he had been suppressing himself for too long since coming to this world. He had finally made a true friend, so he was happy.
Kuuga looked at his sister and said seriously, "Thank you so much for giving me a home, Sister. Having all of you is wonderful!"
"Huh?"
"We're family, Kuuga. You don't need to say things like that!" Kanae gently patted Kuuga's head.
Kuuga gave Kanae Kocho an adorable smile, then walked straight toward Shinobu Kocho, waving as he said:
"Sister, help me take my brother home. Thank you. I'll go home and sleep with Shinobu. My brain isn't working right!"
Kuuga staggered crookedly toward Shinobu. The sight of him made Shinobu furious. He was dead drunk and reeked of alcohol. It smelled awful.
"Stay away from me. You smell terrible!" Shinobu said with a disgusted expression.
"Do I?" Kuuga raised his sleeve and sniffed it. It did not smell bad to him.
Suddenly, Kuuga lifted Shinobu's chin with one hand and said domineeringly, "Hey, girl, give me a smile!"
"Hah!"
"Say that again if you dare!"
Kuuga's words immediately stunned Kanae Kocho and Sanemi Shinazugawa beside them. Sanemi Shinazugawa felt like he had sobered up a little.
Now this was a real man, true to his nature. As the Wind Hashira, I deeply admire you. May you be well, brother.
"Say it again? Say what?" Kuuga did not know whether he was playing dumb or had truly forgotten.
"Oh, you've really gotten bold, haven't you?"
"No, no, no. What I meant was, Shinobu's smile is captivating!"
"As the saying goes, one backward smile creates a hundred charms. My Shinobu is as beautiful as an immortal maiden from heaven!"
"Hm?" Shinobu did not quite understand.
"I mean, when my Shinobu smiles, she could topple cities and kingdoms. Even heavenly maidens cannot compare to you. In short, it means you're very beautiful!" Kuuga suddenly felt that reading more books really was useful.
Thank you for Bai-sama's talents. Kuuga offers his respects here.
Shinobu felt a little embarrassed by Kuuga's praise. Taking the opportunity, Kuuga picked her up. Though he swayed as he walked, the moment he held Shinobu, he steadied himself.
"Put me down!" No matter how Shinobu struggled, it was useless.
"No!"
"Let's go home and sleep!"
Watching their receding figures, Kanae Kocho wore a fond, motherly smile. My Kuuga has finally figured it out.
Compared to Kuuga's noisiness, usually hot-tempered Sanemi Shinazugawa was very quiet. The evening breeze brushed through Kanae Kocho's lovely hair, yet it tugged at the Wind Hashira's heartstrings.
"Miss Kanae, you're very beautiful," Sanemi Shinazugawa said honestly.
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Shinazugawa!" Kanae said with a smile as gentle as a warm spring breeze.
"I'll help you back. Kuuga must have made you laugh."
"It's all right. We're brothers."
Kanae Kocho still helped Sanemi Shinazugawa away. On the quiet grassland, moonlight gently caressed the blades of grass. Today, a pair of dear friends had been added here.
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