Chapter 21 of 87

Volume 6 Chapter 3

14 min read3,376 words

Motomatsu Base / The three subordinates / Hostile attacks have begun

The day before the predicted day of the Third Attack. Hayato was relaxing, lying on the bed in the room prepared at the base.

– I can finally feel a little of peace.

Amidst the chaos in the world, without thinking he murmured like that, but it was definitely the fault of Touka.

From the sword from his Shishō, Kenzaki Ryūsei, there was nothing to be relaxed about after having been told that Warslan would not take care of Kenzaki Touka, the only child of his deceased elder brother, Kenzaki Hokuto.

[What on earth are you thinking!?]

For starters, Hayato decided to inform Claire about Touka on the spot because there was a consultation as to whether she would take them back to Little Garden or not. An angry voice was coming back.

[For what purpose did you go to Yamato? You should know that!]

– Eh, Umm…. of course….

The development was as expected. To that extent, Hayato makes a bitter smile.

[Then, why would you contact me like this? I feel anxious to say the least, rather than giving her hints on how to fight well, you want to return and to take the girl who yearns for you as a master to Little Garden]

– He is not Shishō. Shishō is Ryūsei and so Hayato is Shinshishō*!

*TN: Literally new master.

[That is not what I am talking about! Besides Shinshishō, what in the world does that mean!?]

Claire puts a tsukkomi in full power the moment Touka b.u.t.ted into the conversation.

Laughs can be heard from behind. Those are from Charlotte Dimandius, <technical>Main Technologist of Little Garden.</technical>

<technical>[Now now Claire, calm down yourself. Although even if it is Hayato-kun, he won't necessarily put his hands on a young girl other than his little sister, isn't it?]</technical>

<technical>[What reason do you have to say that kind of thing―]</technical>

<technical>[Hahaha, it's a joke. For the time being, how about deciding to treat her after we successfully overcome the Third Attack? First give your head some time to cool down]</technical>

<technical>Coincidentally, Hayato thinks that he was saved because she was near Claire. If it wasn't for that, the conversation would have been further complicated.</technical>

<technical>[I agree]</technical>

<technical>And so, after a short pause, Claire continued.</technical>

<technical>[Kisaragi Hayato, the things that are in front of your eyes at the moment, do them right. To overcome the Third Attack safely. Because, that is the mission imposed on us now. Understood?]</technical>

<technical>– Oh! Such a very beautiful lady.</technical>

<technical>– Wa, Shishō!</technical>

<technical>Ryūsei, was getting closer from the back and when he noticed, he s.n.a.t.c.hed easily the PDA from Hayato.</technical>

<technical>[What, what kind of thing are you―]</technical>

<technical>Suddenly seeing Ryūsei appearing on the terminal screen, who wouldn't get perplexed, right?</technical>

<technical>The surprised voice of Claire is heard through the speaker.</technical>

<technical>– Nice to meet you, Miss Claire. I am currently Hayato's Shishō, Kenzaki Ryūse―</technical>

<technical>– I'm sorry President, until then!</technical>

<technical>Hayato quickly disconnected the line, picking up the PDA from Ryūsei who tried to introduce himself with a posed look.</technical>

<technical>– Shishō, please stop saying strange things so suddenly!</technical>

<technical>– Hahaha, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. By the way, that the deal with Touka will be decided after the Third Attack, then that it's dejected…</technical>

<technical>– 'Dejected'… what thing is dejected?</technical>

<technical>– Actually yesterday, you may have heard it from Ryōko-san, I got in touch with a certain woman.</technical>

<technical>– 'A certain woman'…</technical>

<technical>– That's the woman that I'm aiming for now.</technical>

<technical>– In other words, that's the woman that wants to be my lover. She will come to my mansion tomorrow. She is afraid of the Third Attack and so we will stay together until it pa.s.ses. There is a person in here who is a girl. Even if I explain it to my elder brother's daughter, there is a possibility that it might be suspiciously strange. The explanation is a bothersome, and it is difficult to do this and that.</technical>

<technical>– In any case this and that, in other words, what you are saying is that you don't want to keep Touka in this place.</technical>

<technical>– You sure know it well, isn't it? You became an adult, Hayato.</technical>

<technical>Laughing with a *HAHAHA*, he strongly hit his shoulder.</technical>

<technical>– By saying that, we will ask properly to Ryōko-san.</technical>

<technical>– In short, until the Third Attack is over, what Shishō does really want to say is that either way Touka will be under the care of the inst.i.tution?</technical>

<technical>– That's right.</technical>

<technical>Smiling with a grin, Ryūsei said.</technical>

<technical>– All things said, thanks for your consideration, Hayato.</technical>

<technical>– Yup, thanks for your help, Shishō!</technical>

<technical>– A few moments ago you said something, it was Shinshishō, what does it mean, that…</technical>

<technical>– It was Ryūsei who gave me the sword of Chichi-ue and who taught me sword techniques. That's why Ryūsei is Shishō. From now on and after this in Warslan, Hayato must teach me how to combat against the Savage. That's why Hayato is Shinshishō!</technical>

<technical>– I disagree, it's ridiculous, that…</technical>

<technical>– That's no good, Shinshishō.</technical>

<technical>– Look, even Ryūsei is saying it!</technical>

<technical>– Shishō, please do not incite strange things…</technical>

<technical>However, Touka never bends once she had decided on something.</technical>

<technical>– Well then Shinshishō. Let's go to where Shinshishō lived!</technical>

<technical>Eventually the way of how is he called will not change, and so Hayato left the dōjō with Touka, and headed to the inst.i.tution where he lived for many years.</technical>

<technical>– Shinshishō, Shinshishō!</technical>

<technical>It's around the morning of the third day in Yamato that they were invited to the inst.i.tution. Hayato felt over the futon together with the voice of an energetic girl, the weight was the same that he felt yesterday. And then, a sweet fragrance from somewhere—.</technical>

<technical>When he moved his eyes once opened, it is the appearance of Touka who's on top of his lower body, although it is over the comforter.</technical>

<technical>– You, what are you doing!?</technical>

<technical>In a panic, Hayato shouted, raising his upper body.</technical>

<technical>Then Touka leaned forward her body while expressing a delightful smile on her face. Because of that, the distance between their two faces has approached to the point where their breaths seems to touch each other.</technical>

<technical>– Shinshishō has finally woke up! Let's do practice!</technical>

<technical>– Prac, practice?</technical>

<technical>– Yes, morning practice. Because if it's from Shinshishō, it must be done every morning, right!?</technical>

<technical>– I disagree, that's wrong…</technical>

<technical>Anyhow, it is about time to go to the inst.i.tute. I have not been there since I went to Little Garden.</technical>

<technical>Sometimes at night, I do that with Emilia*.</technical>

<technical>– Is that so? If that's the case, then today put a special training, Shinshishō!</technical>

<technical>– Err, first move away a little.</technical>

<technical>To separate their distance he tries to push the shoulder of Touka who's getting way too close to his face.</technical>

<technical>But that hand hit the chest of Touka. *FUNYU*, the feeling of softness and warmth of the skin are transmitted to his palm.</technical>

<technical>– Shi, Shinshishō… what on earth are…?</technical>

<technical>Her face turning bright red, Touka is taken aback.</technical>

<technical>– Do, don't tell me, that you are going to rape me just like you did to the other women!?</technical>

<technical>Hastily shaking off the hand that hit her chest, Touka crossed her arms to hide her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and turned her back to Hayato.</technical>

<technical>– You are wrong! Or perhaps I should say, who are those 'other women'!?</technical>

<technical>– Ryūsei told me that Shinshishō have been raping a lot of women…</technical>

<technical>Touka said while turning her head.</technical>

<technical>That face has tearful eyes.</technical>

<technical>– No no… because what Shishō was saying is a joke.</technical>

<technical>– Since I'm not going to be raped, then are we turning on to practice?</technical>

<technical>– No, your sword skill is more than enough. In that respect, I say that there's nothing else that I can teach you.</technical>

<technical>– Then, show me Shinshishō's Hundred. I'm devoting myself to the sword of Chichi-ue, what I want is to receive the Hundred of Shinshishō.</technical>

<technical>– That's a shame, because that can't be.</technical>

<technical>– For the time being, I'm forbidden to use my Hundred. That's in order to preserve sense energy to face the Third Attack. That' the reason why yesterday I didn't attack you, because I didn't deploy my armament.</technical>

<technical>– I don't care if it is with a bamboo sword or a wooden sword, anything is good. What I need is a real fight! If the morning is no good, then the noon is fine too! I entrust to Shinshishō that decision.</technical>

<technical>– But, it is absolutely necessary for me to leave in approximately two hours from now.</technical>

<technical>Touka is dumbfounded.</technical>

<technical>Looking at such reaction, Hayato soon noticed that he did not convey the schedule for today. And then that Hayato's vacation is until today. Currently he is on a standby state towards the imminent Third Attack. For that reason he will be picked up to Motomatsu Base after ten o' clock today.</technical>

<technical>– There are preparations, so I'm out of time to stick to practice.</technical>

<technical>– If so, then please take me to Motomatsu Base as well. With the sword of Chichi-ue, and using the Kenzaki Secret Style Zaneizan, I expect that my strength will grow now.</technical>

<technical>– That's impossible. Zaneizan it's not perfect yet, even the President just said that it is once the Third Attack ends. Moreover, I don't have such authority.</technical>

<technical>Touka inflated her face in dissatisfaction.</technical>

<technical>– It seems that there is only a way to convince to the ones who have the authority of my power. Then for once, I'll be having a somewhat special training!</technical>

<technical>That said, Touka left the room with a dash.</technical>

<technical>– 'Special lesson'… what on earth is she planning?</technical>

<technical>He didn't know well, but Hayato was relieved to be released. He went down from the bed, and head towards the dining room. The table was surrounded by children who were eating bread. But in it, he can't see the figure of Touka.</technical>

<technical>– Good morning, Hayato-kun.</technical>

<technical>– Good morning.</technical>

<technical>Hayato returned the greetings to Ryōko and continued.</technical>

<technical>– Don't you know where Touka is?</technical>

<technical>– She told me that went outside to do special training. I wonder if it is just practice-swinging.</technical>

<technical>– When I look at that girl, it reminds me a little to Hayato-kun in the old days.</technical>

<technical>– I, did I do such a thing?</technical>

<technical>– It was around the time when you began to attend the place of Kenzaki-san. Karen-chan always cried because of that. 'Nii-san took a sword' she said.</technical>

<technical>– Ahaha…</technical>

<technical>– But, thanks to that, Hayato-kun became a Slayer, and this inst.i.tution could be rebuilt. It may be possible that Touka-chan most certainly will do the same thing. Great efforts bear fruits.</technical>

<technical>– Is it something like that?</technical>

<technical>– It is something like that.</technical>

<technical>As there aren't any particular sounds, Hayato decided to have breakfast. Then he went back to the room, and as he finished changing his clothes, the dorm's chime echoed. It seems to be Warslan that came to pick him up. Hayato leaves the room and heads to the entrance. Thereupon, Touka was bowing her head down while pressing three fingers of each hand on the floor.</technical>

<technical>– Are you Shinonome-dono? If you don't mind, I'd like you to take me with Shinshishō to fight against the Savage. I can fight against the Savage. I'll be more than helpful.</technical>

<technical>It is justified that Mika is perplexed by the sudden pet.i.tion of Touka,</technical>

<technical>– I am sorry, Shinonome-san. Touka abruptly saying something like that…</technical>

<technical>In a hurry, as Hayato said that he gets in between those two people.</technical>

<technical>– Ooh, Shinshishō. Your preparations are in good order to head to the battlefield. I was pleading to Shinonome-dono to go to Motomatsu Base together with Shinshishō―.</technical>

<technical>– Stop it, don't you see that Shinonome-san is troubled?</technical>

<technical>– No, it is okay. Moreover Hayato-kun, can you explain something for me? Who is this child?</technical>

<technical>– Umm, to be honest…</technical>

<technical>It is troublesome, but it can't be helped since it has become like this. Then Hayato explain to Mika about Touka.</technical>

<technical>– In other words, what you are saying is that she is not a Slayer, right?</technical>

<technical>Hayato nods.</technical>

<technical>It seems that the situation has turned out for the worse.</technical>

<technical>– But, as I said earlier, I can fight the Savage, please look!</technical>

<technical>Touka who stood up as she says so, with a small running goes towards the place of the rock that is on a side of the dormitory.</technical>

<technical>– Please watch. Even without Hundred, I will show you the evidence that I can fight the Savage!</technical>

<technical>Touka who raised the sword overhead by saying so, releases slashes using the natural vibration taught by Ryūsei, crushing the rock. The execution is more perfect than yesterday.</technical>

<technical>The inst.i.tution is, where she finally displayed a perfect Zaneizan as of now, it seems.</technical>

<technical>Incredible, right? It's what is saying the facial expression that is showing Touka. But, Mika was showing a troubled appearance.</technical>

<technical>That reaction would be natural as well.</technical>

<technical>– I can't take a child who is not a Slayer to fight. Also, in the story of Hayato-kun, if you wait until we can overcome the Third Attack successfully, you might be able to go to Little Garden, right?</technical>

<technical>– But I, just like Chichi-ue, I want to fight to protect this world. The Third Attack is an unparalleled opportunity…</technical>

<technical>– Touka-chan, that's no good, you'll just be a hindrance to the work of Hayato-kun.</technical>

<technical>– Ryōko, Oba-san…?</technical>

<technical>Ryōko was holding a hand on the shoulder of Touka from behind.</technical>

<technical>– I was talking about selfishness, but you may not be able to go to Little Garden, don't you agree? And if such a thing happens, then won't Touka-chan be further away from her goal?</technical>

<technical>– That could be as you say…</technical>

<technical>– If so, you'd better withdrawn obediently here. That person, will protect it for you.</technical>

<technical>As expected from the head of the inst.i.tution. She is used to deal with children.</technical>

<technical>– Ryōko-san, please take care of Touka.</technical>

<technical>– Of course.</technical>

<technical>– Are you going, Hayato?</technical>

<technical>– Will the Earth be okay?</technical>

<technical>Hayato said while stroking the head of a child stuck on his feet that had an anxious expression.</technical>

<technical>– No matter what happens, I'll do it somehow.</technical>

<technical>– Really?</technical>

<technical>– Yeah. Even the Savage, there's nothing to worry about. So, listen to what Ryōko-san says, and if something happens, evacuate properly.</technical>

<technical>As Hayato says that, he smiled to the children.</technical>

<technical>Upon that, the boys' facial expressions became brighter.</technical>

<technical>– Ok, I understand!</technical>

<technical>– Hayato, do your best!</technical>

<technical>And so Hayato was sent off by the children, Ryōko and Touka who seemed to be worried but still with discontent, and so he together with Mika headed to Motomatsu Base.</technical>

<technical>– Hayato-kun, do you have a minute?</technical>

<technical>Suddenly *TON* *TON*, a sound could be heard on the door of Hayato's room after a voice was calling for him, and that is a staff member of Warslan Company, it was Shinonome Mika, the one who serve as the Commandant of this base.</technical>

<technical>– No problem. What's the matter?</technical>

<technical>When Hayato answers, the door of the room opens and Mika comes in.</technical>

<technical>– The sortie standby condition is over.</technical>

<technical>The meeting and training with team members are going on after returning to Motomatsu Base yesterday, and it should have been a day off today.</technical>

<technical>– Yes, I'm afraid.</technical>

<technical>Mika answers with a subtle expression.</technical>

<technical>– The first wave seems to be approaching sooner than expected. It looks like that there is a high possibility that one of this ma.s.ses will fall into the range of this base. So, can you be prepared immediately?</technical>

<technical>– Understood. I will change immediately into a Variable Suit.</technical>

<technical>– Good. As soon as you finish changing your clothes, please come to the front of the hangar. I will report the strategy there.</technical>

<technical>Saying that, Mika left the room at once.</technical>

<technical>I wonder if she went and told the same story to the other members.</technical>

<technical>(Now, to change my clothes)</technical>

<technical>Although I used sense energy in yesterday's training, it was a small amount. I slept well overnight and I'm already recovered, I think. My physical condition is perfect. There is nothing wrong.</technical>

<technical>– …All right, now.</technical>

<technical>Hayato who changed into his Variable Suit went out of the room, and decided to move to the front of the hangar as he was told by Mika.</technical>

<technical>Touka was practicing in front of the inst.i.tution. The crisis of the earth is closing in. And yet, there's nothing that she can do.</technical>

<technical>With the sword of her father that can defeat the long-awaited Savage, even though she is holding in her hands the secret that can be used to fight the Savage, the only that she can do now is to swing her sword―.</technical>

<technical>Touka stopped swinging, looked up at the sky and muttered.</technical>

<technical>– I want to fight, just like my father…</technical>

<technical>But then what should I do, thinks Touka.</technical>

<technical>(Shinshishō said that he headed to Motomatsu Base…)</technical>

<technical>I know its location.</technical>

<technical>It should be around twenty kilometers to the south of this inst.i.tution.</technical>

<technical>(20 kilometers, huh…)</technical>

<technical>If it's such a distance, if I run then I'll be able to arrive in less than two hours.</technical>

<technical>(From there, following secretly the moment I'm with the sortie, and then if I defeat one Savage, Shinshishō and the others will surely acknowledge me as a fighting force)</technical>

<technical>If I do so, then I should be accepted to fight together with them, and then I'll be accepted to be taken to that place called Little Garden.</technical>

<technical>(Yeah, I have no doubt about that!)</technical>

<technical>With that decided, she can't stay still. Immediately Touka ran towards the base of Motomatsu.</technical>

<technical>When Hayato finished changing clothes to Variable Suit, he went to the front of the hangar were Shinonome Mika was standing up.</technical>

<technical>– I think those kids will come very soon.</technical>

<technical>Those kids are, the ones who got together and trained yesterday, those three people are girls that Hayato will command to fight together.</technical>

<technical>As Mika said, those three people came in less than three minutes.</technical>

<technical>– Kisaragi-taichō, thanks for waiting.</technical>

<technical>In response to that voice, Hayato looked back, and he saw the girls dressed in their Variable Suits, coming closer while running.</technical>

<technical>The girl with the short cut is Kirigakure Yumina. She is a Slayer of the Warslan Company and is a descendant of the ninjas of Iga. Her armament is an a.r.s.enal type, the weapon is sickle and chain*. Its name seems to be <male>> Orochimaru.</male></technical>

<technical><male>*TN: Kusarigama (鎖鎌) the weapon.</male></technical>

<technical><male>He saw the appearance of two girls behind her. The exposure of her shoulders are the same as of Mirai's, and it is obviously different from the other Warslan-Yamato branch soldiers. They wear their Variable Suits, white and red are mixed in, reminiscing the clothes of a shrine maiden in some respects. Tsuzura Mirai and Kurumi Sango―.</male></technical>

<technical><male>They are Slayers belonging to the Slayers training school of the Warslan Company Yamato branch that was formed this year. Both are still in the years of middle school of Little Garden, but their ability is outstanding, and so he heard that they were selected for this interception unit. As much as that, it seems that there are only a few Slayers in Yamato.</male></technical>

<technical><male>– I apologize for taking too long―</male></technical>

<technical><male>Who greeted him with a long paused voice is Tsuzura Mirai. The girl who had short hair is trimmed like reminiscing about someone from the capital of the west, and also her tone is unique. Her home is a Shinto shrine, and the form of her Hundred is a shooter type. The weapon is a bow, and he heard that its name is