Early Morning
At Muramasa's thatched hut.
"Here is everything, as promised."
Amenoma Tougo, who had set out yesterday, arrived at Muramasa's forge this morning. He had honored the wager, placing all the promised ore in Muramasa's courtyard. Then, he carefully took out a long, rectangular object and solemnly handed it to Muramasa.
"And, this is the Yaegaki Muramasa you lent me. I am now returning it to its rightful owner."
It was clear he had taken great care of it. He had brought not only the sword but also the stand. He must have thought that even for Muramasa, this was a blade that deserved special treatment.
He kept it in such perfect condition… Originally, Muramasa had planned to store the demon blade with his other swords, but seeing this, he felt a little embarrassed to do so.
"Oh, thanks."
As he took the blade, he suddenly felt a trace of extra magical energy enter his body. It was Electro, and it even felt somewhat familiar.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Muramasa's dazed expression, Tougo became nervous. Did I not store it properly? Or does he suspect I swapped his sword?
However, Tougo's question snapped Muramasa out of his reverie. He looked at the anxious young man. "Nothing. It's been kept very well."
He took the sword and stand, found a random spot in the hut, and hung it up, removing the cloth covering. "I was just thinking, since you're here, could you give me a ride?"
As he spoke, he looked at the clearly high-quality sword cloth and casually wrapped it around another blade.
"?"
Tougo was stunned, not by the question, but by his action. Though the cloth was meant to be a gift, why had he wrapped it around something else?
"I can, but... where to?"
"The Kamisato Estate." Muramasa casually stated his destination. "The young lady of that house commissioned this sword from me. I need to deliver it."
His explanation made Tougo understand. A custom order from the Kamisato Clan naturally needed to be well-protected. As for why the Kamisato Clan would commission a sword, Tougo felt that the Yaegaki Muramasa on the wall was the answer.
"Alright." With no other questions, the honest smith readily agreed.
"By the way, wait for me for a moment." Muramasa remembered something, went to the back of the house, and looked at Hailing, who was reading. "Hailing, I might not be back tonight, so…" He took out a spare key. "There's food in the warehouse, make whatever you like. If you go back to your own place, just lock up for me."
"Hm? Oh, okay." Hailing didn't think much of it and took the key. "I'll give it back when you return."
"No need." Muramasa said, as if talking about tonight's dinner, "This kind of situation will probably happen more often. It'll be more convenient if you have this."
After speaking, Muramasa didn't see Hailing's expression. He turned and got onto the Amenoma family's carriage. Tougo cracked the whip, and, taking a slight detour, drove him towards the Kamisato Estate.
…
The Kamisato Estate
Ayaka, dressed in a white dojo uniform, swung a bamboo sword. She consciously controlled her grip, practicing the basics as Muramasa had instructed. Of course, even if he hadn't asked, she would have done the same training every day. Her older brother was also there, quietly observing his sister's movements.
"Hah!" she shouted to add power to her strike, consciously maintaining her grip. The new grip didn't give her much of an advantage yet, much like learning to twirl a pen. At first, it would fly everywhere, and she would fail for various reasons, until finally, her muscles memorized the movement.
"Oh, have you already started?" From not far away, Muramasa, having been announced, walked into the estate, his gaze shifting between the two siblings.
"Ah, Mr. Muramasa." Ayaka corrected her stance, placed her left hand on her chest, and bowed to him. "Please forgive me for not being able to welcome you properly."
Muramasa was unconcerned. He glanced at the elegant, blue-haired young man. "It's fine, it's fine. That must be the head of the Yashiro Commission, right?"
"This is our first time meeting face-to-face, Sir Muramasa. I am Kamisato Ayato. It is a pleasure to meet you." Ayato bowed with both hands. "Please do not be offended that I did not show my face during your visit a few days ago, and only had my sister meet you."
So he knew I saw him. Muramasa wasn't surprised. An official in such a high position would have been kicked out long ago without such perception. But these social animals were, in a way, the natural enemies of craftsmen.
"So you specifically waited until now to meet me?" It wasn't late, but a normal morning practice should have ended by now.
"Haha, you've seen through me." He had no intention of hiding it. "After all, you are my sister's teacher. I felt I had to meet you at least once. Since that is the case, I will not engage in further pleasantries. I leave my sister's training in your hands."
According to the original plan, they should have chatted a bit more, perhaps even had a light spar. But since he had been found out, and seeing that Muramasa was not one for tedious formalities, he decided to leave directly, which would leave a better impression.
"My brother is usually very busy. I'm sure he would have liked to chat with you more," Ayaka said, covering for her brother, then looked at Muramasa. Unlike the last time they met, his upper body was clad only in his red gauntlet today.
"In any case, let's put the instruction aside for now. How about we inspect my main work first?" With that, Muramasa unwrapped the cloth and presented the custom-made sword.
She naturally put down her bamboo sword and received it solemnly with both palms facing up. The scabbard was not made of high-grade wood, at least not comparable to what the Kamisato Clan usually used. However…
Ayaka gripped the hilt and drew the blade slightly. A cold gleam flashed from within the scabbard, making her instinctively avert her eyes. What a brilliant light… Ayaka sighed inwardly again. A treasured sword that most smiths would spend a lifetime hoping to create by chance was like a wholesale product in his hands.
"By the way…" As she was marveling, Muramasa's words made her look up again.
"To ensure its practicality, I didn't sharpen it too excessively this time. After all, a blade that is too sharp can break if the angle is wrong. Also, this sword was made according to your habits. You usually…"
Muramasa naturally explained the thoughts embedded in the sword, a pride in his expression that had been absent in their last conversation. He introduced the sword like a child showing off a castle he had built.
Looking at the unconscious expression on his face, Ayaka quietly lowered her head to admire the blade again. Inazuma had always had the belief that souls resided in swords—deeds of merit, dreams, and vows—to the point of believing that gods dwelt within them. But if swords truly had gods, they could only be the smiths who created them.
Therefore, the god of Inazuma was also the god of forging. Swords carried the wishes of the smiths. Only with the smith's treasure-like cherish and dedication could a sword take form.
An understanding solidified in Ayaka's heart and slipped out as words: "A sword bears karma, a master craftsman holds a treasure…"
"I will cherish this sword."
-------
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