The Girl Who Fought to the End

"Ah...!"

"I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you!"

Tie Kui felt a burning pain in her butt. Humiliation surged through her, and her expression turned icy as a murderous glint flashed in her eyes. She screamed furiously.

"Smack!"

"Are you going to behave now?"

"You're my little sidekick from now on. If you still won't listen, don't blame me for disciplining you."

"My discipline is very strict. Want to find out?"

Hearing Tie Kui threaten to kill him, Senju Fujima raised his hand and smacked her again, then warned her.

"You... you...!"

Tie Kui had never endured such humiliation in her life. Her face flushed red as anger steadily built inside her, threatening to erupt at any moment. She looked up and glared viciously at Senju Fujima.

"Ding! The host has made a successful choice and completed the mission. Reward: Shikotsumyaku (without Bloodline Disease)."

After Senju Fujima completed the mission, the system determined that his choice was valid and immediately granted him the Shikotsumyaku. All its abilities and methods of use appeared in his mind.

"Haha, it's back again. This is the feeling."

"Shikotsumyaku really is a great ability!"

"I can grow bones however I want and shape them into anything. Not bad, not bad."

Feeling the powerful bloodline within him, Senju Fujima's lips curled up slightly. Looking at Tie Kui sprawled across his legs, he found her more and more pleasing to the eye.

"A bet's a bet. This is just punishment for refusing to keep your promise."

"If you behave and serve as my little sidekick from now on, this won't happen again."

"By the way, I haven't asked your name yet."

Looking at Tie Kui lying across his legs, Senju Fujima smiled faintly.

"Hmph."

"Tie Kui."

Tie Kui snorted. Her face slightly red, she struggled to climb off Senju Fujima and stood up, speaking coldly.

"Tie Kui?"

"Iron sunflower?"

"Well, that's not a bad name."

Senju Fujima already knew Tie Kui's name, but since she hadn't introduced herself, he'd asked anyway.

"You're the iron sunflower!"

Tie Kui glared at Senju Fujima. She didn't like her name much either, but what could she do? Her surname was Tie.

"Haha...!"

Seeing Tie Kui's expression, Senju Fujima couldn't help laughing.

"Hmph. Just you wait. I'll kill you one day."

"Go ahead and laugh! Laugh all you want. You'll be the one crying when the time comes."

Seeing Senju Fujima laugh without restraint, Tie Kui furrowed her brow and snorted, grumbling to herself.

"I'm Senju Fujima. You can call me Big Brother Fujima."

"Come on! I'm going to the Land of Hot Water to soak in a hot spring."

"You've already wasted plenty of my time."

Seeing how reluctant Tie Kui looked, Senju Fujima smiled slightly, then led the way into the Land of Iron.

"Senju Fujima? From the Senju Clan?"

"Why does that name sound familiar?"

Tie Kui was slightly taken aback by Senju Fujima's introduction. She felt like she'd heard his name somewhere before.

"Come on!"

"What are you thinking about?"

"If we don't get moving, it'll be dark."

Senju Fujima had gone some distance before he realized Tie Kui hadn't followed. He quickly turned around and called to her.

"Hmph, I'm telling you, once I get stronger, I'll challenge you again."

"When I beat you, you have to let me go."

"Otherwise, I won't come with you. Even if I go back on my word, I still won't come along."

Tie Kui clung to a sliver of hope as she looked at Senju Fujima and spoke coldly.

"No problem. Once you beat me, you can leave whenever you want."

"But for now, you'd better behave and be my little sidekick. Do as I say."

"Otherwise, your little butt is going to be in trouble again."

Senju Fujima smiled at Tie Kui, then raised his right hand and waved it.

"You...!"

"Hmph."

Seeing Senju Fujima make that gesture reminded Tie Kui of how her butt still stung. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Let's go! It's getting dark!"

Senju Fujima smiled faintly and turned to walk ahead.

"Ugh...!"

Tie Kui watched Senju Fujima's retreating figure, then lowered her head to look at the katana in her hand. A trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes, and she let out a long sigh.

"Forget it. I was simply outmatched. I thought I was already pretty strong."

"I never imagined I'd be nothing compared to someone else."

"But I'll keep working hard. I'll definitely beat you."

Tie Kui had been disappointed in her strength, but after giving herself a pep talk, she regained her confidence. She slid her sword back into its sheath and hurried after Senju Fujima.

"Heh!"

"This girl's interesting."

Hearing movement behind him, Senju Fujima sensed Tie Kui following and curled his lips slightly.

"Oh no, I've run out of chakra."

Suddenly, Tie Kui felt her chakra completely drain away, and a wave of dizziness swept over her.

"Hmm?"

Senju Fujima sensed that Tie Kui's presence behind him had grown faint. He turned around and saw that she was about to faint.

"This girl really doesn't care about her life. That last strike must have used up all her chakra, right?"

"I didn't even notice. She's really pushing herself. What's the point?"

"I'm not your mortal enemy."

In an instant, Senju Fujima appeared beside Tie Kui and caught her in his arms, sparing her the embarrassment of falling.

"Hmm?"

Just before she passed out, Tie Kui saw Senju Fujima catch her. Her face reddened, and then she lost consciousness.

"Forget it. We'll sleep outside tonight."

"I give up. You're impossible."

Seeing Tie Kui pass out from lack of chakra, Senju Fujima shook his head helplessly.

Then Senju Fujima leaped lightly and bounded through the forest until he found a secluded clearing.

"Wood Release: Super Large Villa Technique!"

Senju Fujima stamped his right foot on the ground, and a two-story wooden villa appeared before him.

"Get some rest for now."

"You can't push yourself so hard again."

"And you're a little silly, you know. Why do you pick a fight with me every time you see me?"

"If you'd run into someone else, you'd be dead by now, I'm telling you."

Senju Fujima gently laid Tie Kui on the wooden bed, took a blanket from his storage space, and covered her with it as he muttered.

"Let me help you recover."

"Mystical Palm Technique."

Senju Fujima also used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal Tie Kui's injuries. Years of martial arts training had left her with many hidden injuries, and he healed them all.