A Mission with Shinobu

Just as Tsugikuni Kuuga was about to ask something, Shinobu Kocho tossed him a sword. Kuuga caught the Nichirin Blade in one hand.

"My sister agreed to let you go out and gain experience. This time, you'll be coming on a mission with me!" Shinobu said.

Kuuga smiled at that. He had asked Kanae Kocho many times if he could accompany them on missions, but Kanae had always told him to wait until he passed the Final Selection. Kuuga knew his sister was worried about him, but he felt that real combat was the fastest way to improve his strength.

Holding his sword, Kuuga followed Shinobu with a grin. Suddenly, Kanae Kocho came running out, carrying a large bundle in her hands.

"Big Sister, I'm not going on a trip. I'm going to kill demons. What's with this bundle?"

"There are clothes, medicine, and things you like to eat!" Kanae Kocho instructed him with a serious expression.

Faced with Kanae Kocho's enthusiasm, Kuuga did not know what to do for a moment. He knew that because of his tragic past, Kanae had always taken especially good care of him.

In the end, Kanae Kocho only let him leave after he took some medicine. The moment he stepped out of the Butterfly Mansion's gates, an unwelcome visitor swung a wooden sword at him.

The newcomer had spiky white hair, three long scars across his face, and wounds covering his entire body. Most eye-catching of all were the strong muscles exposed by his open chest.

Kuuga sidestepped Sanemi Shinazugawa's attack, dodging the hotheaded man, then swiftly used his scabbard to block Sanemi's next slash.

"Come on, I only threw you once. You've been pestering me for half a year already. If you want to spar, wait until I get back and pass the Final Trial. Why does a Hashira like you keep harassing a reserve teammate every day?"

Kuuga unleashed a barrage of words, then took advantage of the instant Sanemi Shinazugawa was stunned to quickly flee the scene.

Just as Sanemi Shinazugawa was preparing to continue the chase, Kanae Kocho walked out. The moment he saw Kanae, Shinazugawa immediately stopped to greet her.

"Morning, Kanae!"

"Morning! Here to find Kuuga again today?" Kanae asked with a smile.

The usually irritable Shinazugawa actually scratched the back of his head awkwardly like a child.

"He promised to spar with me when he gets back. He's always too low-key, even though he's clearly very strong!" Sanemi Shinazugawa complained.

"Mr. Shinazugawa thinks so too?" Kanae Kocho wore a gentle smile.

"Of course!" Shinazugawa answered without hesitation.

"Then I can rest easy!" Kanae let out a sigh of relief.

Knowing how worried Kanae was about Kuuga only made Shinazugawa want to fight him more. He was probably jealous—nothing wrong with that!

As Kuuga's figure gradually disappeared from view, Sanemi Shinazugawa bid Kanae Kocho farewell.

From afar, Kuuga looked back and saw that Shinazugawa had not chased after him. He breathed a sigh of relief as well.

The grudge between them could be traced back to one day half a year ago. Sanemi Shinazugawa had come to the Butterfly Mansion to recover from an injury. One day, he discovered Kuuga practicing some unknown technique and went up to attack him, only to be thrown away by Kuuga with a deft redirection.

From then on, Sanemi Shinazugawa would come looking to spar with Kuuga every now and then, but Kuuga refused him every time. That was how today's scene came to be.

"What, can't stop thinking about Mr. Shinazugawa?" Shinobu asked with a smile.

Shinobu's teasing broke Kuuga out of his memories, and he hurriedly shook his head.

"Impossible. That hotheaded guy never lets anyone have a moment's peace! Besides, I'm male, and I like women. There's absolutely no way I could like a man!" Kuuga said solemnly.

Seeing how serious Kuuga looked, Shinobu burst out laughing.

After joking and playing around along the way, the two arrived at a modest town. Since it was daytime, all sorts of vendors still lined the streets, including the stall where Kuuga was currently standing.

The seller was a middle-aged man. One look at the line was enough to tell how delicious the owner's dorayaki were. How could Kuuga possibly resist?

So, using gathering information as an excuse, Kuuga went to join the line. After all, a popular shopkeeper naturally knew more.

Gradually, it became Kuuga's turn. Seeing the sword at Kuuga's waist, the owner was clearly a little frightened. After all, the government's Sword Prohibition Act had been in effect for decades. Anyone who still dared to carry a sword was not to be trifled with.

"Boss, give me twenty—no, thirty dorayaki. I want a few of every flavor!"

"Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment, they'll be ready right away!" the owner said very politely.

Soon, Kuuga held a large yellow paper bag in his hands. Just as he was about to pay, three thugs approached.

The owner was even more frightened by the thugs than he had been by the sword-carrying Kuuga. His body had already begun to tremble.

The leader of the thugs said, "Boss Murata, it's time to pay this month's protection fee. Hurry up."

Trembling, the owner took out some money from his stall and prepared to hand it over. The other customers turned a blind eye, and judging from their expressions, they were used to it.

Just as the thug leader was about to take the money, Kuuga grabbed his wrist.

The thug looked at Kuuga in slight shock, then said viciously, "You want to meddle in other people's business? Do you know the last person who did that was crippled?"

Under the shocked gazes of the bystanders, Kuuga handed the bag of dorayaki to the owner. Just as he was about to teach the man a lesson, Shinobu's voice came from behind him.

"Kuuga, what are you doing?"

Kuuga turned around and immediately released the thug. The thug's eyes went wide when he saw Shinobu, and he arrogantly licked his lips with a lecherous look on his face.

"Not bad, little lady. Come have some fun with me!" the thug said as he walked toward Shinobu.

Shinobu looked at his predatory gaze with disgust.

Before Shinobu could say anything, Kuuga angrily grabbed the man's wrist and lifted him up in one motion.

"Say that again," Kuuga said, nearly enunciating every word.

Then Kuuga punched the thug in the stomach, twisting his face in pain. After that, Kuuga used a Shoulder Throw to slam him to the ground.

With a loud bang, the thug began foaming at the mouth, but he still managed to say, "You two idiots, why aren't you getting him already?"

He was clearly talking to his two lackeys, but before long, both of them had fallen to their knees and started begging for mercy.

"Sir, please have mercy. Just treat us like we're nothing and let us go!"

"Get lost. If I ever see you collecting protection fees again, I'll beat you up every time I see you!" Kuuga threatened, raising his fist.

The two lackeys immediately carried their leader away and ran. Everyone around them was stunned. Kuuga turned back toward the owner, who was so terrified that he barely dared to breathe.