At the one-eyed uncle's signal, Teppei unsheathed the katana, which looked extraordinary at first glance.
On the battlefield, Teppei had noticed this sword in the one-eyed uncle's hand.
Unlike the standard spears or katanas wielded by others, this blade, though seemingly well-worn, possessed a sharpness evident to all.
Combined with the one-eyed uncle's formidable martial prowess, he had been practically invincible on the battlefield.
However, for some unknown reason, his swordsmanship bore a slight resemblance to that of the Shogunate soldiers.
"This sword... belonged to my father."
Looking at the weapon in Teppei's hands, a struggle was visible in the one-eyed uncle's remaining eye.
Most notably, his complexion seemed slightly ruddier than before.
But Teppei knew this was merely terminal lucidity before death.
"My family comes from a very famous school of swordsmanship in Inazuma. My father even possessed a Vision. But due to the Vision Hunt Decree, he voluntarily surrendered it."
At this point, the one-eyed uncle sighed.
"Neither my senior brothers nor I could understand Father's actions. After an argument with him, my senior brothers left in anger. I quietly stole this famed blade, an heirloom of my family, and joined the Resistance—the complete opposite of the Shogunate my father served."
As the one-eyed uncle spoke, Teppei began to realize something.
"Uncle, do you want me to help you find your father?"
"No... After surrendering his Vision, Father became muddled, even... never mind."
Perhaps he felt the family matters were too shameful to voice, so he ultimately didn't explain further.
Mustering his last ounce of strength, the one-eyed uncle lifted the katana and offered it to Teppei.
"This sword is named [Amenoma Kageuchi]. It is a famed blade rumored to be sharp enough to sever even human fate. You are a disciple of Battousai; surely you will not let this blade gather dust. Giving it to you... fulfills my final wish."
Looking at the swaying katana, which the one-eyed uncle could no longer hold steady, Teppei hesitated to take it.
Because he knew that the moment he accepted it, the one-eyed uncle would surely die.
The only reason he had held on until now was this lingering attachment.
"What are you waiting for! This is a famed blade capable of cutting down even a Tengu!"
Seeing Teppei's reluctance to take the weapon, the one-eyed uncle glared at him, using his last bit of strength to scold him.
"..."
Teppei raised his blood-stained hands and accepted the Amenoma Kageuchi.
"At least... tell me your name."
Looking at the one-eyed uncle, whose breath was now as thin as gossamer, Teppei cradled the sword and asked, suppressing his grief.
Since arriving at the front lines, this one-eyed uncle had been the kindest person to him.
Aside from Mister Battousai, this was the man he respected the most.
But due to his solitary nature and his martial arts style, which closely resembled the enemy's, many in the Resistance had alienated him. They didn't even know his real name.
If Teppei hadn't taken care of him, the arrow wound to his eye alone would likely have killed him.
"My name is Iwakura Kouin. I am but an unworthy disciple of the Iwakura Art."
Seeing Teppei accept his sword, Iwakura Kouin revealed an expression of relief.
Even though Teppei always insisted that Lord Battousai never acknowledged him as a disciple...
Why, among so many in the Resistance, did that Lord Battousai favor him specifically?
After interacting with him, Iwakura Kouin had a rough idea why.
Regardless, handing the Amenoma Kageuchi to Teppei put his mind at ease.
Beneath the tree, Iwakura Kouin gradually closed his eyes.
Unlike his usual stern demeanor in the camp, this time, he left with a smile.
It was only when Teppei was tidying up his remains that he noticed something.
This existence he had always called "Uncle" was actually not much older than himself.
Clutching the Amenoma Kageuchi, Teppei looked at the grave where he had buried Iwakura Kouin and planted his own katana in front of it.
"The Vision Hunt Decree..."
His grip on the katana tightened. Teppei took one last look at Iwakura Kouin's grave, then turned and walked away.
Looking up at the ceaseless rain, Teppei seemed to see that familiar back once again.
"Mister Himura, I want to end the Vision Hunt Decree."
...
Amidst the ceaseless rain, three figures walked along the sandy beach of Yashiori Island.
The one on the right was the tallest, visually estimated to be over two meters. The rain falling from the sky slid away to the sides before it could even touch her.
It was as if the rain recognized people.
The one on the far left was the shortest. Dressed as a ninja, she wore a hood shaped like a mujina head, which helped shield her from the wind and rain.
Only the leaf on the hood made her look like the legendary tanuki.
Walking side by side on the beach, the three of them looked as neatly arranged as signal bars on a phone.
"When will this rain stop? It's been falling for so long."
Shaking the rainwater off her head, Sayu looked up at the gloomy sky and spoke listlessly.
Possessing a Vision, she was more resistant to the Tatarigami's influence than ordinary people, but her mood was inevitably affected.
However, she didn't know that the rain on Yashiori Island was unlikely to stop anytime soon.
Bai Luo glanced at her but didn't answer. Instead, he reached out, grabbed the scruff of her neck again, and pulled her under the shelter of his oil-paper umbrella.
Sayu simply sighed at this and said nothing.
She was used to being carried like this anyway. She had even figured out how to make it less uncomfortable, and if carried long enough, she could even fall asleep.
Passing by Fort Fujitou, Bai Luo merely looked up but didn't return.
Before going back, he had one more thing to do.
Crossing past Fort Fujitou, he stood by the sea, listening to the waves crashing against the shore, and looked at the ruins before him.
"Mm..."
Sayu, who had been listless all along, seemed to sense something.
She wriggled free from Bai Luo's merciless iron grip, formed a hand seal, and took out her weapon.
A spiked club.
Bai Luo: "...What is that?"
"Of course, it's the Debate Club."
Sayu said matter-of-factly, shouldering a scaled-down Debate Club. The tiny spiked club looked cute, yet filled with lethal intent.
Actually, the Debate Club wasn't originally this small, but the power of a Vision is magical. Not only did it allow her to lift a club much larger than herself, but it also adapted the weapon to fit her physique better for combat.
"Who gave you the Debate Club?"
Such a cute little tanuki carrying this thing... no matter how you look at it... hiss, actually, looking closely, it fits quite well.
"Lady Guuji did. She said I was too young and fighting and killing didn't suit me. She said this thing is better; sometimes you don't even need to fight, just pulling it out can persuade people."
"..."
Indeed, just like the Reverse-Blade Sword in Bai Luo's hand, this thing certainly couldn't kill people (easily).
But getting hit by this thing might make one wish they were dead.
[A/N: Yup, the debate club is the most important weapon in the arsenal of any Debater]
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