"As expected of Big Brother..."
Kyojuro panted, filled with both admiration and a little reluctance to accept defeat.
Even though he had given it everything he had, even though the man opposite him had not so much as picked up a weapon...
He still could not do a thing to him.
It was as though the person standing before him was not a Swordsman exchanging blows with him.
Instead, he was a vast, magnificent sea of stars that let him slash at it however he pleased.
No matter how scorching his Breathing Style was, no matter how sharp and swift his strikes...
They were simply swallowed without stirring a ripple.
Fist and blade collided again.
Bang!
A shock wave exploded outward.
All the fallen leaves in the courtyard were swept into the air.
Xia Xi did not budge, but Kyojuro retreated five steps in a row.
Even the web of his hand went numb.
"Your swordsmanship is getting less and less varied and fluid, kid."
Xia Xi said calmly, "If someone else fought this way, they might suffer badly against a demon."
"But with you..."
Xia Xi changed tack.
"It actually suits you better."
"Direct yet restrained, firm and decisive enough, without being overly rough or reckless."
"Kyojuro, is there anything else you want to show me?"
After hearing Xia Xi's pointed assessment, the boy's eyes shone even brighter.
He immediately answered loudly, "Big Brother, there's still one unfinished form. But please, you have to see it!"
With that, he raised his bokken into a high guard.
He turned sideways and drew it beside his shoulder, its tip pointing toward Xia Xi.
His Breathing Style rapidly began drawing inward.
His blazing intensity from a moment ago receded like the tide.
Xia Xi and Gyomei beside him focused almost simultaneously.
*This