"That means... perhaps we're getting close to his core," 'Tetsu no Sosuke' said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "At first, cutting through a world was easy, and we could move between worlds in an instant. But now... the barriers between worlds are growing thicker, and the terrain is becoming more complicated. That means he's trying to stop us. In other words, we're on the right track."
Inosuke perked up at once. "That's right! It has to be! You really are worthy of being the Hammer Pillar!"
Shinobu Kocho nodded silently. Her gaze remained on Tetsu no Sosuke, something unreadable in her eyes.
'Tetsu no Sosuke' occasionally caught her looking at him. Whenever he did, he gave her a faint smile.
Neither of them had any doubts left about the other's identity.
'Tetsu no Sosuke' drew the Nichirin Blade from his back. Its flash tore through the air, flames blazed, and a rift opened in the void.
"Let's go."
He went first, with 'Zenitsu Agatsuma' close behind. Shinobu Kocho followed silently, while Inosuke, bringing up the rear, suddenly scratched his cheek. "Why does it feel... less hot than before?"
He shook his head. He figured he had simply grown used to the heat and paid it no mind.
The moment 'Tetsu no Sosuke' landed, he was about to step forward and make room for the others when a cold blade swept through the air. He hurriedly knocked it aside with his weapon.
He expected an enemy, but a closer look revealed none.
The weapon that had attacked him had fallen from a tree.
That tree was thick with swords.
Even the weeds on the ground were blades. One careless step could pierce the sole of a foot.
"A world of swords..." 'Tetsu no Sosuke' looked grim. "The more worlds we