Chapter 203: Stamp
This was the attack with the greatest area of effect.
But the moment Kanao began spinning in midair, the momentum of her sword suddenly changed.
It went from sharp and forceful to graceful.
The trajectory of the blade suddenly became incredibly complex. Even Ren had to spend some effort figuring out the Nichirin sword's final path.
Whoosh!
Ren suddenly drew his Nichirin sword and shouted toward Kanao in the air, "Kanao, attack me!"
Hearing this, Kanao agreed without hesitation.
She immediately redirected all of her attacks toward Ren.
At the same time, she called out the name of the technique.
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The Nichirin sword instantly traced nine peony blossoms through the air, its momentum becoming incredibly intricate.
After Kanao combined the characteristics of the peony with the established movement pattern of Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility, the trajectory of her sword became as beautiful as a blooming peony.
A new sword technique had been born!
A look of joy appeared on Kanao's face.
She could feel it almost immediately after using the technique.
Her strength had undergone a qualitative leap.
She even began worrying about Ren standing below her.
Will this attack hurt Ren?
But clearly, Kanao was worrying unnecessarily.
Ren gently exhaled.
Then his eyes changed, and the same aura began radiating from his body.
It was exactly like when Kanao had first encountered Ren.
His stance was actually identical to hers!
"This is...!"
Kanao's pupils involuntarily contracted when she saw Ren's movements.
How could she possibly not recognize it?
When she had sparred with Ren for the first time, Ren had made this exact movement before using swordsmanship identical to hers.
However, the Flower Breathing he had used back then had not been created by Kanao herself. So Kanao had assumed that Ren must have seen Flower Breathing many times before and comprehended it on his own.
But that assumption had now been completely overturned.
The technique she was currently using was something Kanao herself had created.
Ren had never comprehended a similar sword technique before.
And yet, Kanao could now see the exact same preparatory stance for her own sword technique on Ren.
Could Ren have learned my swordsmanship the instant I performed Peonies of Futility, and then used the same swordsmanship to counterattack me?
The next moment, Kanao knew that she had guessed correctly.
Because Ren really did use exactly the same technique as her.
"Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility."
The corners of Ren's lips curved upward.
"That's an excellent technique. It seems your talent really is extraordinary."
But now, this technique belonged to Ren as well.
That was simply the truth.
The instant Kanao used the technique, Ren had copied it directly.
After deducing how it worked in his mind, Ren immediately thought of a way to counter it.
Boom!
The two sword techniques collided violently, producing a deafening roar.
Because Ren deliberately restrained his strength, and because the two of them were using the exact same sword technique, the final result was a draw.
Ren praised her.
"Excellent. This technique perfectly inherits the principles of Flower Breathing while also making full use of your own strength."
"As things stand, I think this is the strongest technique Kanao possesses."
"Kanao is amazing!"
"Ah... I... No, actually, it's not..."
Kanao's face turned bright red again.
At first, she had been listening to Ren very seriously.
But the sudden—
Kanao is amazing!
—instantly shattered her composure.
It was simply too embarrassing.
Hearing those words made Kanao feel as though her entire face were burning.
She could barely speak properly.
This is all thanks to Ren... It's because Ren taught me so well.
Kanao pursed her lips and smiled before quietly placing both hands behind her back.
Her eyes were filled with a smile, and she was clearly in a wonderful mood.
"Try it again. This time, use your maximum power."
Ren spoke calmly.
Kanao blinked without saying anything.
Following Ren's instructions, she swung her Nichirin sword and charged forward.
This time, Ren directly used a countering technique, actually dispersing her force through the gaps in her attack.
After the exchange, Kanao could clearly feel that she had lost.
"Did you discover anything new?"
Ren's voice reached Kanao's ears.
Kanao answered honestly.
"I feel like all my strength disappeared. It's like I hit water. Once the force entered it, I couldn't feel anything anymore."
Ren nodded.
"That's right. Now, Kanao, try to figure out why."
"Oh."
There was a trace of disappointment in Kanao's voice.
Ren couldn't help asking, "What's wrong? Is the problem too difficult? Or do you not know how to further develop your swordsmanship?"
"Kanao only needs to observe different kinds of flowers, find the flower that suits her, and then she can continue refining her swordsmanship."
Kanao remained silent.
Just as Ren was beginning to feel confused, Kanao finally spoke.
"I know... It's just that after Ren finishes teaching me, I don't know when you'll talk to me again."
By the time she reached the latter half of the sentence, Kanao had lowered her head so far that her chin was almost buried against her chest.
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
Ren suddenly understood what Kanao meant.
It turned out that Kanao hadn't encountered any problem with her training.
Or, more accurately, this girl had never really encountered any problem with training at all.
It was because of him that Kanao felt troubled.
What she cared about more was his attention and guidance, and the time she could spend with him.
Not the training itself.
Ren couldn't help feeling moved.
Kanao's purity made him feel somewhat ashamed.
Without realizing it, he had grown accustomed to looking at people with suspicion and malice.
Yet Kanao's innocence seemed to remind Ren of the original purity he had possessed as a child.
And perhaps... there was even a faint feeling of first love.
Yes.
To say he hadn't been moved would have been a lie.
Kanao stood before him with bright eyes, her legs together and her posture graceful.
Then she looked at him with deep affection and spoke words that touched his very soul.
Who could possibly remain unmoved by that?
"Ahem!"
Ren quickly pulled his thoughts back, though his gaze had softened considerably.
"Kanao, keep training. I'll stay with you."
"Really?"
Kanao was overjoyed when she heard Ren's words.
"Really."
Ren confirmed it once again.
At the same time, he extended his hand.
"If you don't believe me, we can make a pinky promise."
Looking at the familiar finger Ren held out, Kanao couldn't help remembering the time Ren had sparred with Sanemi and mentioned a "stamp."
Kanao immediately extended her fair hand.
"Stamp!"
"A pinky promise for a hundred years. Never change!"
Their little fingers intertwined, and their thumbs pressed together in a solemn seal.
Their promise was firmly held between their palms.
The next moment—
Their hands slowly separated once more.