Secret Sword: Swallow Reversal

Miyama Town, Fuyuki, before the mountain gate of Ryudou Temple.

As night fully descended upon Fuyuki, the temperature for the day reached its lowest point.

The biting wind chilled to the bone, and leaves drifted down incessantly amidst the rain.

The swordsman guarding the gate of Ryudou Temple wore his long, deep blue hair in a ponytail, secured with a pale purple ribbon.

He was handsome, with sideburns that reached his collarbones.

He wore a deep purple sleeveless haori over a purple kimono, with matching purple bracers on his wrists and straw sandals on his feet.

A nodachi, a full five feet in length, was slung diagonally across his back.

He stood with his arms crossed, looking down at Sasuke and his group at the foot of the stairs.

Illya was slowly set down from Berserker's palm, her expression puzzled as she stared at the kimono-clad swordsman:

"Assassin?"

The swordsman did not seem to intend to hide anything, answering straightforwardly:

"That is correct."

"Sasaki Kojiro."

"It is only natural to state one's name before engaging in battle, is it not?"

However, as Sasaki Kojiro looked at Berserker, he could not help but let out a sigh:

"It is just that having a conversation with Berserker would likely be a very difficult task."

"What a pity."

With that, Sasaki Kojiro began to descend the stone steps, slowly drawing the nodachi from his back.

Raindrops slid across the blade of the nodachi, producing a sound like metallic percussion. Sasaki Kojiro's face was filled with confidence:

"But that is no matter..."

"To know the enemy, this blade is sufficient."

"If you wish to pass through here."

"Then defeat me first."

Illya had not expected that Assassin would actually cooperate with Caster. But, did a mere Assassin think he could stop her Berserker here?

Illya stared at Sasaki Kojiro atop the stairs and issued her command:

"Kill him, Berserker!"

Receiving the clear order, Berserker let out a war cry on the spot, brandishing his giant axe as he charged toward Sasaki Kojiro to strike!

Berserker's massive frame, combined with his high-speed charge, tore up the stone steps, sending mud and water splashing in all directions—a testament to just how savage his strength was!

Yet, Sasaki Kojiro's expression showed not a hint of panic; instead, there was an indescribable composure.

In the blink of an eye, Sasaki Kojiro and Berserker exchanged countless blows!

The collision of their weapons made the surrounding air tremble, and for a moment, the rain could not even touch their bodies!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Each strike shattered the stairs, and the damp leaves caught between them were ground into powder by the immense pressure!

This was a battle between Servants, a war that ordinary people could never intervene in.

Of course, that depended on the person.

Take Sasuke, for instance; he could have easily stepped in.

But Sasuke had no such intention; having already activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he simply observed the fight.

He could only say that this Sasaki Kojiro was quite interesting.

Although only a few rounds had passed, Illya already sensed that something was wrong.

Berserker swung his giant axe toward Sasaki Kojiro at the top of the stairs once more, but before Berserker could exert his full force, Sasaki Kojiro intercepted him with his exceptionally long blade.

He took the opportunity to unleash a series of slashes; had Berserker not possessed superior agility and instinct, his throat would likely have been cut just moments ago!

But even though Berserker dodged several strikes, his massive body had already sustained quite a few blade wounds!

However, such injuries meant nothing to Berserker.

Yet, every time Berserker attempted a full-power strike, Sasaki Kojiro would intercept it, and even creating distance had no obvious effect.

Instead, it only drove them further away from the mountain gate.

Berserker was actually being suppressed by Assassin...

Watching Berserker being continuously pushed back, Illya furrowed her brows.

How could such a thing be possible?

Berserker clearly possessed abilities far exceeding Sasaki Kojiro's in every aspect, save for agility, which was only slightly inferior.

Whether it was strength, endurance, or magical energy, Berserker held the advantage, yet every one of his fierce attacks felt as if it were landing on cotton.

Although Illya knew that the barrier constructed by Caster could weaken a Servant's magical energy and Noble Phantasm capabilities, it shouldn't have been to this extent.

While Illya was still puzzled, Sasuke, who had remained silent from the beginning, finally spoke up at this moment.

Watching the incredibly confident Sasaki Kojiro, Sasuke explained to Illya:

"His swordsmanship has reached a divine level, and combined with the terrain advantage he holds, it makes it impossible for Berserker to unleash his full power."

As Sasaki Kojiro repelled Berserker once again, Illya temporarily ordered Berserker to cease his assault.

Continuing to attack blindly like this would only lead to them being stalled here indefinitely.

"You flatter me, sir. It seems you also possess quite an understanding of swordsmanship."

Sasaki Kojiro did not comment on Berserker, his opponent, but instead responded to the analysis Sasuke had just provided.

"Berserker's overall capabilities are indeed far superior to mine."

"But it is a pity; this is my home turf, and every advantage is tilted in my favor."

This was because Berserker was not just fighting Assassin alone, but also contending with Caster.

Sasaki Kojiro possessed more than just the advantages of the barrier and the terrain; Caster's long-range support was also exceptionally crucial.

Although Sasaki Kojiro felt a sense of revulsion toward that vixen Caster, suppressing Berserker was, in no small part, thanks to her contributions.

Otherwise, if Sasaki Kojiro had been forced to fight Berserker alone, the outcome would surely not have been like this.

Illya furrowed her brows tightly; she simply refused to believe such a thing could happen!

Clearly, her Berserker was the strongest!!!

"Berserker!!!"

Hearing Illya's shout from behind, Berserker's aura became even three times more intense than before! The moment he crouched down, the surrounding stone steps were crushed to pieces!

Berserker was about to unleash his full power for his strongest strike!

Sasaki Kojiro naturally sensed this, and his previously composed expression turned serious.

Indeed, there was no longer any need to engage in meaningless combat.

"There is truly no need to waste any more time with you here."

"Otherwise, if that vixen in the temple blames me, I won't be able to bear the consequences."

"Let us decide the outcome with this one strike."

As he spoke, Sasaki Kojiro's expression became exceptionally calm. For a moment, he even abandoned the advantage of the steps and walked to a flat area.

Sasaki Kojiro slowly took a step forward, gripped the hilt with both hands, and raised his blade, pointing the tip straight ahead as he closed his eyes.

And at that very moment!

Having finished charging, Berserker lunged toward Sasaki Kojiro at a speed that seemed to tear through space, his giant axe descending in a vertical cleave toward Sasaki Kojiro's head!

Illya's expression was filled with absolute confidence; Sasaki Kojiro would definitely be unable to block Berserker's attack this time!

At almost the same instant, a thunderous boom erupted around Sasaki Kojiro, and the surrounding air seemed to be shredded apart!

Having opened his sharp eyes, Sasaki Kojiro stared fixedly at Berserker, who had already reached him.

His counterattack was also ready.

"Secret Sword—"

"Tsubame Gaeshi."