Courage +300

Tsugikuni Kuuga had already swung the Thirteenth Form four times. No wonder Lower Ranks got one-shot by Hashira—Kuuga now clearly understood the Hashira's strength. Above Lower Rank, you could even go toe-to-toe with an Upper Rank.

Just like Big Brother. If not for his injuries preventing recovery and his stamina drain, Third Brother Akaza absolutely couldn't beat Big Brother.

Sanemi Shinazugawa felt it too. He could see the cycle in Kuuga's techniques, but the power was increasing. If this kept up, he'd lose.

The two were locked in a fierce battle, but they never asked the swords' opinion. We're just a pair of wooden blades—how can we endure this torture? So shatter. This life isn't worth living.

Kuuga's and Sanemi's swords shattered almost simultaneously. The sudden change nearly made them kiss.

When Kuuga's lips and Sanemi's mouth were only a few centimeters apart, they both shoved each other away. Kissing a guy? Those two would rather die.

They both fell backward, staring at the star-filled sky. Sanemi laughed. It had been a long time since he'd felt this good. He burst into loud laughter.

"That was amazing, Kuuga. You're strong. I lost!"

"No result either. The swords broke!" Kuuga complained.

"I know your techniques get stronger. It must be related to Tai Chi, right?"

"You guessed it. I blended the yang, aggressive side of Tai Chi into it. The power escalates."

Kuuga didn't know how the God of Humanity's Thirteen Forms worked. Maybe he had to stack to the limit to reach Yoriichi Tsugikuni's level.

Tai Chi has the Eight Trigrams, so Kuuga could stack up to eight times. That was the limit he'd tested so far. He'd only swung less than four trigrams just now.

Sanemi sat up and handed Kuuga a jar of sake. Kuuga hesitated, then took it. He'd get scolded to death by his older sister and beaten by Shinobu, but his brother was right here.

Soon, only empty jars remained before them. After a few rounds of drinking, the bragging mode automatically activated.

"Kuuga, you like Miss Shinobu Kocho, don't you!" Sanemi belched.

"It's practically common knowledge, isn't it!" Kuuga belched too.

"If you like her, go for it!"

"Now's not the time. There's something I haven't finished yet. 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 against Upper Rank Two, he didn't know if he had what it took.

"Kanae?"

"She really is a gentle girl!" Sanemi praised without holding back.

"You like my sister. Stop pretending!"

"You're crazy. How could a guy like me deserve gentle Miss Kanae!"

Kuuga threw an arm around Sanemi and said confidently, "Don't you have me as your brother? Good Brother, trust me!"

"You? You're scared stiff of Miss Shinobu usually!" Sanemi's face was full of doubt.

"Huh?"

"What do you know? That's called love, okay!"

"You're something else!" Sanemi gave a thumbs-up.

"Mark my words, you'll be the same way when the time comes!" Kuuga pulled Sanemi up, both of them swaying.

"Just tell me—do you trust me or not? When I, Tsugikuni Kuuga, step up, I'm worth two men!" Kuuga shouted.

"Oh? You're that impressive? I didn't know!"

Shinobu's voice rang out. Kuuga looked at Sanemi blankly and asked, "Brother, did you hear Shinobu's voice?"

"Sounds like I did!"

Behind the two brothers, Shinobu was already cracking her knuckles. She said to Kanae, "I told you he'd be here. Getting bold, drinking himself stupid. I've got to straighten him out good!"

"Oh dear, my dear younger sister, let's just take Kuuga home first!" Kanae said as she walked toward Kuuga.

Kuuga was probably really drunk. After all, he'd been holding back for too long since coming to this world. Finally making a real friend—he was happy.

Kuuga looked at his older sister and said seriously, "Thank you so much for giving me a home. It's great having you all!"

"Huh?"

"We're family, Kuuga. You don't need to say that!" Kanae gently ruffled Kuuga's head.

Kuuga gave Kanae a cute smile, then walked straight toward Shinobu, waving his hand as he said:

"Sister, help me send my brother back. Thanks. I'm going home to sleep with Shinobu. My brain's not working anymore!"

Kuuga staggered toward Shinobu. Shinobu looked at him and fumed. Dead drunk, reeking of alcohol, disgusting.

"Stay away from me. You stink!" Shinobu said with disgust.

"Stink?" Kuuga lifted his sleeve and sniffed. Not really.

Suddenly, Kuuga lifted Shinobu's chin with one hand and said domineeringly, "Smile for me, sweetheart."

"Ha!"

"Say that again if you dare!"

Kuuga's words stunned Kanae and Sanemi on the sidelines. Sanemi felt like the alcohol was wearing off.

Now that's a real man. True spirit. I, the Wind Hashira, deeply admire you. May my brother rest in peace.

"Say it again, say what?" Tsugikuni Kuuga didn't know if he was playing dumb or had genuinely forgotten.

"Fine, you've gotten bold, haven't you!"

"No no no, I mean, Shinobu's smile is enchanting!"

"As the saying goes, a single glance and a smile brings a hundred charms—my Shinobu is as beautiful as a celestial maiden!"

"Huh?" Shinobu Kocho was a bit confused.

"I mean, my Shinobu's smile topples cities and kingdoms; even the heavenly fairies can't compare to you—in short, it means you're incredibly beautiful!" Tsugikuni Kuuga suddenly felt that reading more books had its uses.

Thank you for the talent, my great Bai—Kuuga offers his respects here.

Being praised like this by Tsugikuni Kuuga made Shinobu Kocho a little embarrassed. Kuuga seized the moment to scoop her up in his arms. Even if his steps wobbled at first, the moment he held Shinobu, he steadied himself.

"Put me down!" Shinobu Kocho struggled, but it was useless.

"Not letting go!"

"Time to go home and sleep!"

Watching the two figures recede into the distance, Kanae Kocho wore a gentle, motherly smile. My Kuuga has finally wised up.

Compared to Tsugikuni Kuuga's noisy antics, the usually hot-tempered Sanemi Shinazugawa was very quiet. The evening breeze brushed through Kanae Kocho's hair, plucking at the Wind Hashira's heartstrings.

"Miss Kanae, you're so beautiful!" Sanemi Shinazugawa said earnestly.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Shinazugawa!" Kanae smiled, like a warm spring breeze.

"Let me help you back. Sorry about Kuuga making a scene."

"It's fine—we're brothers."

Kanae Kocho still helped Sanemi Shinazugawa walk away. On the tranquil grass, the moonlight gently caressed the blades. Today, this place had gained a pair of close friends.