He had to admit that even though he had already estimated Kokushibo's strength as highly as he possibly could, he had still underestimated him.
If Gyomei Himejima hadn't suddenly appeared at the end, Gyokko's unexpected arrival alone would have been enough to turn the tide of battle.
As for why Gyomei Himejima had come?
Who knew... Ubuyashiki Kagaya hadn't told him that these few Pillars were all they had, or that no one else would come to reinforce them.
In the end, they were the only ones who had assumed there would be no one else.
And Kokushibo...
Tetsu no Sosuke remembered the look in his eyes just before he died.
You really couldn't accept it, could you? Tetsu no Sosuke smiled silently. I'm sorry I couldn't let you die as a Swordsman in single combat. But as I am now, I really don't have the strength to kill you alone.
And that would have to be that...
What else was he supposed to do?
Break down in tears over it?
There was no need.
The scenario he had orchestrated had played out successfully. That was enough.
He heard the door slide open, and sunlight spilled into the room. Tetsu no Sosuke saw a girl barely a meter and a half tall appear in the doorway.
She held a tray with bandages and medicine on it.
Tetsu no Sosuke grinned silently. My little sister-in-law...
"You're awake?" Shinobu Kocho's voice held delighted surprise.
"How long was I unconscious?" Tetsu no Sosuke asked.
"A day and a night," Shinobu Kocho answered.
Tetsu no Sosuke smiled. "Not as long as last time."
"Mm." Shinobu Kocho nodded and came over to his side. She lifted the covers and removed his bandages to change his dressing. "This is the place you'll be guarding from now