"Only an eighty percent charge?" Muramasa couldn't help but ask. Logically, he should just agree, but her proposal was somewhat unusual. If Watatsumi Island and the Yashiro Commission were on good terms, why go through such a roundabout way?
"It is merely to show our attitude and intentions. Watatsumi Island and the rest of Inazuma have never been on good terms, and you have likely heard some rumors. Furthermore, contact between the mainland of Inazuma and Watatsumi Island is sparse. A sudden change in attitude would certainly arouse suspicion…"
Ayaka's attitude was the Yashiro Commission's attitude. By "we will fight for your interests," they were sending a signal of friendship and an intention to build good relations.
So many twists and turns… Muramasa grumbled internally. His straightforward nature was already a handful when dealing with clients. It was best to leave matters outside the chessboard to those who were suited for it. He didn't have that many "cat's paws" to use.
"I understand. Since you're so in need of this old man's 'cat's paw,' feel free to use it."
"Cat's paw?" Ayaka was unfamiliar with the term and asked with a hint of confusion.
"It means a helper. It's just a saying," he replied humorously, with an air that said, 'My backstory isn't just for show.'
"Hehe…" The listener returned his comment with a gentle smile, doing her best to suppress her laughter. A true sheltered young lady. Every move, every glance, every smile seems to be calculated.
Muramasa thought to himself, then added, "By the way, could I have a look at your palm?"
The sudden question caught Ayaka off guard. She couldn't figure out his intention. "My palm…?"
"For the custom sword you mentioned." Seeing her confused look, Muramasa first opened his own palm. "Because everyone's hands are unique, the size of the hilt must be customized for the user. But for me, there's something even more important."
Hearing his explanation, Ayaka finally understood and placed her hand flat on the table.
Muramasa glanced at it, making a quick assessment. Her fingers are long and slender, and her palm is on the smaller side. The techniques she's learned are likely focused on fast attacks, so the sword needs to be light and quick. As for the rest… hmm?
The calluses on her palm were evenly distributed, showing that her grip was a simple five-fingered grasp.
"It may be rude of me to ask, but... do you not have the technique known as 'tenouchi'?"
Tenouchi? Ayaka, completely ignorant of the term, honestly shook her head. "I have not heard of it. I would be grateful if you could elaborate."
As I thought… Muramasa was silent for a moment, organizing his words before speaking. "Tenouchi, simply put, is the way you grip the sword."
As he spoke, Muramasa changed his flat palm into a loose grip. He relaxed his index and middle fingers, while his ring and little fingers tightened around the non-existent hilt. The side of his thumb also rested against the hilt, its tip not curled in, but pointing in the same direction as his index and middle fingers. "It's all a game of leverage, not some profound technique."
After speaking, he pressed his palm down, mimicking a swing, and his fingers changed accordingly. Ayaka was no fool. After seeing his grip and swing, she understood the mastery behind the well-honed technique.
"You should have a clear idea of my twisting grip now. With proper training, it should allow you to put more force into your swings."
She had only known of his god-like forging skills, but she had never imagined he was so knowledgeable in swordsmanship as well. "Where… did you come from?"
Muramasa feigned thoughtfulness. "Hmm? You mean my techniques?" Before he could finish, she stopped him. "Please wait."
Before coming here, the Yashiro Commission had done their homework. They had proposed a partnership knowing he had secrets. His formidable combat ability, his chivalrous heart, and his superb skills made him a desirable asset for all factions. But the mysteries surrounding him kept piling up, and even though she had been warned not to pry, Ayaka couldn't help but ask.
"What I want to know is…" Just as she was about to cross the line, she stopped herself. She pursed her lips and her gentle smile returned. "To what extent does your mastery of swordsmanship reach?"
There was still a long time ahead. Though he was still hiding things, it was clear they weren't buried so deep as to require an excavation. What was important was mutual trust.
"…"
Muramasa knew what his words would reveal, but he figured she knew as well, so he threw out a few hints. When she changed her question, he followed her lead. "In terms of technique alone, I should have no problem passing myself off as someone of the highest rank here." He had wanted to say "unrivaled under heaven," but he restrained himself a little. Of course, the claim of being unrivaled was not baseless; after all, he had met that "Miyamoto Musashi." Though it was the female version, not the male one… Plus, with this body's unique projection technique, imitating her skills was also feasible.
"In that case, then... if you have time in the future, may I ask you to be my sword instructor and visit the Yashiro Commission to give some guidance?"
A troubled look crossed Muramasa's face. "You're really not holding back, are you? One troublesome thing after another. Am I some kind of all-powerful wish-granting machine?" Why do things keep getting more complicated…
But, these techniques are indeed something only I can teach. It would be much faster than them figuring it out on their own.
"My deepest apologies. That was just a spontaneous thought of mine and does not represent the intentions of the Yashiro Commission," Ayaka said, placing a hand on her chest apologetically. "If it is inconvenient, please feel free to refuse. It will not affect our partnership."
"Hah…" Muramasa let out a heavy sigh. Though he believed they should handle their own affairs, this didn't fall into that category. "You've already put it that way. I have no choice. We'll talk about the payment for this later. After all this talk, I'm tired."
Ayaka knew when to stop. She drained her cup of tea, then stood up. "Then I shall not disturb you further. I will have the accompanying gifts placed in your courtyard. Farewell, and I wish you a pleasant evening."
Muramasa didn't see her off far, just to the doorway, watching as she re-boarded her carriage and departed. After the convoy was gone and the air was quiet again, he finally had a moment to return inside. "So many factions are on the move. It seems something troublesome is indeed about to happen…"
"In my current state, I don't think I can handle it." He sat back down and looked at the tea on the table. One cup was full, one was empty. He felt he had made the right choice. Then he closed his eyes. He knew he couldn't maintain this half-baked manifestation state any longer. "A way to recover…"
"That strange pendant, and what Yoimiya and the others called a 'Vision'."
"Finding an external magical energy organ like that is a pain. Isn't there another way…"
Suddenly, his body reacted before his mind could. A fragment of memory, along with a single word, appeared in his mind.
"Mana transfer?"
-------
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