That was why Tetsu no Sosuke had given her blade the power of the Wind Attribute: to scatter poison and make her attacks even harder to predict.
Shinobu Kocho drew the blade and gazed at its cold edge. "How many has it been?" she asked quietly.
"Huh?" Tetsu no Sosuke blinked. "How many what?"
"How many Nichirin Blades have you forged for me?"
Tetsu no Sosuke scratched his head. "I've lost count."
Shinobu Kocho smiled. She looked away from the Nichirin Blade and studied Tetsu no Sosuke's face in silence. After nearly a minute, he began to feel embarrassed. Only then did she look away and close her eyes. "Go on. You still have a lot to do."
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded and started to leave, but turned back with a frown. "Something's off with you."
"I'm fine."
"Hmm... It's the way you're talking to me. That's what's off." Tetsu no Sosuke looked at her sternly. "I'm your brother-in-law, practically your older brother. You should show me more respect. Come on, bow your head to me."
Shinobu Kocho was silent for two seconds. Then she drew her sword...
Tetsu no Sosuke fled in a panic and ran into Tamayo and Yushiro at the end of the corridor.
He had to stop. Looking back, he saw that Shinobu Kocho had given up the chase. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Long time no see."
Tamayo glanced at him with amusement, then at Shinobu Kocho on the other side of the door. She leaned toward Tetsu no Sosuke and said, "When you have time, there's something I'd like to tell you."
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "Of course I have time."
She had come all this way. Surely he could spare a moment to talk?
Tamayo sent Yushiro away despite his