Chapter 30

After obtaining the reverse-blade sword, Shin and Kenshin bid farewell to the old man and others after getting the address of Hiko Seijuro. Before leaving, Shin specially exchanged three bottles of sake as a gift for their reunion.

"Master Tendou, I didn't expect Master Hiko to have changed his profession to pottery," said Shin as the sky grew dark. The two were using the God Speed technique to travel along the mountain path, and it must be said that this technique was very time-saving for daily travel.

"Perhaps it's more accurate to say he had to choose the identity of a potter. After all, the reason of an artist living in seclusion is the best, and other forms of art inevitably require going out to buy raw materials. Only pottery can obtain raw materials directly on the mountain," said the two, who were running at a speed of no less than sixty kilometers per hour. As the sun was about to set, they finally saw Hiko's figure, who was firing pottery in front of the kiln with his back to them. Shin gave Kenshin a look, signaling him to greet Hiko. So... Kenshin walked behind Hiko and attacked him with a sword-drawing technique from behind. The reverse-blade sword slashed, but Hiko's figure had already disappeared from the log he was sitting on, reappearing in the air. After landing, Hiko saw Shin.

"You are, Shin? Then..." Hiko turned to look at Kenshin, "And you, come inside and talk."

In fact, the place where Hiko now lived was very familiar to Shin. It was right next to Shin's former cottage. After Shin left for Tokyo, Hiko moved in and drank all the sake Shin had left behind, even digging up the sake Shin had buried underground. Did the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu practice their sense of smell? But Hiko almost didn't touch the other things in Shin's storage, which included minerals, special fabrics (the material for Shin's special coat), and various finished swords. Hiko had no use for these things, so they were left to gather dust. The three entered the house, with Hiko and Shin sitting cross-legged on the floor drinking sake, while Kenshin knelt on the floor.

"Then I'll be straightforward. I hope Master Hiko can teach me the secrets of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu."

To his surprise, "No." Hiko's one word stunned Kenshin. "You ran away without learning before, and now you want me to teach you?" Hiko stood up as if to leave, but Shin pressed him back down.

"Master Hiko, don't tease Kenshin. Listen to what he has to say first." As the second master, Shin still had some authority. Hearing Shin's words, Hiko straightened up and looked at Kenshin.

"Cough, I think you must have encountered some difficulties. Tell me about it."

Kenshin explained in detail to Hiko that he often reverted to the state of Battousai and that his strength was not enough to defeat Shishio and his gang. After listening, Hiko took a sip of sake and said calmly, "This is called trying to serve two masters and ending up as a drowned dog. I remember I already told you that a sword is a weapon of death, and swordsmanship is a killing technique. No matter what reason you use to cover it up, this is the truth. Shin, didn't you tell him these things during this time?"

"No, I can teach swordsmanship, but I'm not good at teaching these principles. You are the master, so the capable should do more... I'll just listen from the side," Shin said, drinking sake and making a face as if he was just watching, which made Hiko frown.

After that, Hiko lectured Kenshin. Just as he was getting into it, the front door was kicked open, and Shou and Yahiko rushed in, followed by Kamiya Kaoru. Except for Shin, who already knew the plot, neither Kenshin nor Hiko expected this to happen. However, Hiko reacted quickly and found a reason to have Kenshin leave for a while. While Kenshin was away, Hiko asked Shin and the three newcomers about Kenshin's experiences over the years in detail.

When Kenshin returned, Hiko asked him one last question, "I heard you've been wandering the country as a wanderer and helping others. Can you tell me why?"

"Although my hands are stained with blood, my original intention has not changed. I cannot stand by and watch people suffer," Kenshin's eyes were filled with the same concern and desire to save people as when he left. Seeing this, Hiko stood up.

"I didn't expect you, my foolish disciple, to have such a serious and powerful presence. Come with me, I will teach you the secrets of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu."

Not far from Hiko's house was a waterfall. When Kenshin was learning, he practiced swordsmanship and ki control under the waterfall. This time, the moon was full, and the faint moonlight was enough for experts like Hiko and Kenshin. Hiko first tested Kenshin's level, and due to the high-intensity training from Shin, Kenshin's strength was not bad. Although Hiko still knocked him down with a few moves, the effort was not great. They practiced all night, and finally, Kenshin managed to hit Hiko once, earning Hiko's approval, and the teaching of the secret techniques began.

"Stand there and don't even blink, or I can't guarantee your life." Hearing Hiko's words, Kenshin stood still, focusing intently on every movement of Hiko's body.

"First, review the basic swordsmanship stances: Tang Bamboo (overhead strike), Kesa (diagonal cut from right to left), Reverse Kesa (diagonal cut from left to right), Left Pheasant (left horizontal cut), Right Pheasant (right horizontal cut), Left Cut Up (diagonal cut from left to right up), Right Cut Up (diagonal cut from right to left up), Reverse Wind (upward cut), and Thrust (throat thrust). All swordsmanship techniques are based on these nine basic stances, and the defensive methods are also derived from these nine stances. However..."

Nine sword lights flashed past Kenshin, leaving eight slashes on his clothes and a strand of hair cut off, which disappeared in the wind. "If you use the God Speed of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu to perform these nine techniques almost simultaneously, the opponent will be unable to dodge or defend. This is the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu's Ryu Tsui Sen, my proudest technique. Now it's your turn. The best way to learn swordsmanship is through pain." Hearing this, Kenshin recalled his past training, such as being knocked down by Ryu Tsui Sen, being thrown by Ryu So Sen, and being knocked unconscious by Ki Rin Sen.

"Thinking about the past, it's a miracle I'm still alive..." But complaining was useless, and Kenshin also assumed the starting stance of Ryu Tsui Sen. Although Kenshin was amazed by the power of Ryu Tsui Sen, he had already memorized the method when Hiko first used it, befitting the legendary invincible swordsman of the Bakumatsu era. Nine sword lights shot out from Kenshin's sword, and on the other side, Hiko also used Ryu Tsui Sen. Eighteen sword lights collided in the air, and after nine collisions, Kenshin fell heavily to the ground, while Hiko stood unharmed.

"Why, is there something wrong with my Ryu Tsui Sen?" Kenshin asked, puzzled, as he stood up with the reverse-blade sword.

"Your Ryu Tsui Sen is not wrong, but your strength is not enough. Ryu Tsui Sen is a combination of a charge and a flurry of strikes, and its power depends on your weight and wrist strength. You are inferior to me in both, so how can you win against my Ryu Tsui Sen? Even if you can use the same technique with ki control to perform eighteen attacks to enhance the power of Ryu Tsui Sen, it will still be defeated by mine. Of course, Ryu Tsui Sen is not without flaws. By performing nine attacks simultaneously to completely block the opponent's defense and evasion, each attack cannot reach the user's maximum speed. To break Ryu Tsui Sen, you need to learn the secret technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu—Tsubame Gaeshi. Imagine the form of Ryu Tsui Sen, and you will see the雏形 of Tsubame Gaeshi."

Kenshin quickly realized that since Ryu Tsui Sen could perform a comprehensive attack, defense, and block, the way to break it was to use a technique that surpassed Ryu Tsui Sen and strike before it was fully formed. The fastest technique was, of course, the sword-drawing technique. Kenshin immediately assumed the stance of the sword-drawing technique.

"Good, the true form of Tsubame Gaeshi is a sword-drawing technique that surpasses God Speed and reaches the realm of Super God Speed. Of course, my full-speed attack might already reach your Super God Speed level, so don't hold back. Come, Kenshin."

"Yes, even if it costs my life, I will learn the secret technique." Hearing this, Shin and Hiko sighed in unison. Hiko sheathed his sword and walked into the house without looking back.

"You still don't understand what you lack. Think about it overnight and come back tomorrow morning."

Shin stepped forward and looked at Kenshin, "I don't want to say more. It's better for you to understand it on your own. Here's a hint: life is not something to be easily discarded." With that, Shin left, leaving Kenshin to ponder.

That night, after Kamiya Kaoru and the others left, none of the three could sleep. Hiko and Shin drank sake, while Kenshin thought about what he lacked in another room.

"Although I don't know if Kenshin will understand the true meaning of Tsubame Gaeshi, no matter what, after tomorrow, our master-disciple relationship will end..."

"That's not necessarily true. The clothes I gave you can withstand sword cuts without damage, and since Kenshin is using a reverse-blade sword, the possibility of him cutting you to death in a life-or-death situation is almost zero. You'll just be lying down for a couple of days."

"Maybe, but in Kenshin's current state, I'm really worried he won't understand the secret technique and will die under Ryu Tsui Sen."

"I gave Kenshin a hint before I left. Hopefully, it will help him understand..."

The two remained silent for the rest of the night, and finally, Shin returned to his former room. The next morning, when Kenshin went out, he saw Hiko and Shin with dark circles under their eyes, just like himself.

"Kenshin, have you figured it out?" Hiko asked.

"Still... no." Kenshin still couldn't find what he lacked.

"It seems you've reached your limit. The rest is up to me. Let my sword teach you the will you need to understand." With that, Hiko took off his white cloak, which had been passed down for thirteen generations in the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, and it fell to the ground, creating a deep pit, making Kenshin's eyes widen. At the same time, Hiko's aura surged, and the sword qi around him, even without ki control, tore the leaves into pieces and created cracks in the ground that looked like they had been cut by a sword. With a casual wave, the pressure from the sword cut a crack more than a foot deep into the ground.

"Then, let's begin." A figure moved at a speed beyond human vision, and the fear of death spread in Kenshin's heart. Memories from the past flashed through Kenshin's mind, and the last one was Kaoru's face.

"Life is not something to be easily discarded..." Kenshin finally understood. "I, I absolutely cannot die here. I have a reason not to die." The two figures intersected, and a sword light flashed.

"That's it. What you lacked was a strong will to live. Sacrificing yourself to save others will never make others happy. A true hero needs the will to live, to strive to live, Kenshin. With the will to live, you can fully master Tsubame Gaeshi, and defeating the Battousai within you and your opponent Shishio will be easy." At this moment, Hiko's body suddenly wavered. A deep wound on his body showed the terrifying power of Tsubame Gaeshi, and Kenshin was about to help him up, but Hiko stopped him.

"This wound is nothing. Thanks to the defensive effect of the clothes Shin gave me, I just need to rest for a while. Also, take this cloak." Hiko handed the cloak passed down through generations of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu to Kenshin, "You defeated my Ryu Tsui Sen with Tsubame Gaeshi and passed the test. You are now qualified to wear this cloak." However, the two then thought of how Kenshin would look in the cloak, with most of it dragging on the ground, as his build couldn't support the oversized cloak.

"So, Kenshin, wear this one I prepared." A light blue coat, identical in style to Shin's but tailored to Kenshin's size, was handed to Kenshin. "The secret technique of my Tenshin Kage-ryu is just adding ki control to Tsubame Gaeshi. Kenshin, you should inherit the Tenshin Kage-ryu." With that, Shin put the coat on Kenshin before Hiko could react.

Seeing this, Hiko sighed and prepared to go back. Kenshin then asked Hiko to help protect the Kyoto Aoi-ya. Although Hiko didn't say yes, Kenshin understood that Hiko had agreed to his request. After bidding farewell to Hiko, Kenshin left.

"Hiko, after this matter is over, I will probably leave this country. Before that, I will come back and challenge you one last time, so don't slack off."

Hearing this, Hiko smiled, "Say that when you can knock me down."

"Then, farewell, Hiko." With that, Shin sheathed his sword and left with his cane-sword...

Physical condition:

Heart Coins: 1075

Rurouni Kenshin World

Name: Shin (Liu Tianyin)

Gender: Male

Physical Attributes:

Physical strength is about nine times that of a normal person.

Detailed situation:

Strength 93 (10) affects burst strength, pure strength, and strength beyond limits

Agility 104 (10) affects speed, reaction, and intuition

Stamina 98 (10) affects endurance, recovery speed, and the ability to withstand certain techniques

Skills: Swordsmanship Tenshin Kage-ryu

No-sword style

Mastery of all cold weapons

Mastery of all firearms

Martial arts master

Obtained Heart Powers:

Killing Heart LV2: Does not waver when killing others in most situations, has resistance to certain illusions. Killing provides a small amount of recovery.

Compassion Heart LV2: Compassion is a necessary heart for a strong person, has resistance to certain illusions. Helping others provides a small amount of recovery.

Ordinary Heart LV1: Daily life can cultivate one's character, has resistance to certain illusions. Can gain the favor of ordinary people.

Equipment:

Kikyou Senmitsuki: A long sword condensed by the power of the Infinite Heart, it can be considered the pinnacle of long swords beyond the limits of human craftsmanship in the Rurouni Kenshin world. It comes with the principles of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, allowing the user to perform secret techniques without the need for a life-or-death decision.

Special Items:

Broken Reverse-Blade Sword: The sword Kenshin broke in the battle at the New Moon Village, a divine sword crafted by Arai Shakku. Can be repaired for 5 Heart Coins.

Powerful Explosive Package: Although small in size, its power is comparable to a 406mm battleship's main gun. Not a product of this era, costs 5 Heart Coins.

PS: Fourth update

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