Without a doubt, Muramasa had done it on purpose. Anyone could have seen him swing his arm, but seeing didn't mean they could convict him.
"Senji Muramasa! You are obstructing law enforcement—" Kujou Takayuki finally struggled to his feet, his voice hoarse from straining his throat.
"Oh, you actually remember my name? I'm deeply grateful." He casually teased his own importance in the other man's mind, then explained, "I was just adjusting this piece of cloth. Let's not throw around accusations of 'obstructing law enforcement'~"
"..." Before Kujou Takayuki could refute his sophistry, Kujou Sara seized the opportunity to respond first. "Indeed. I saw it with my own eyes. I urge you, Lord Commissioner, not to be blinded by anger."
To have the 'blade' he had raised himself side with the enemy, his anger momentarily shifted to Sara—I adopted you all those years ago, not for you to defy me! His anger was difficult to quell, but he couldn't reprimand her due to her status.
At that moment, Muramasa appeared in the center of the square again.
"What are you doing?" Like a frightened bird, the Tenryou Commissioner was exceptionally annoyed by this continuous stream of 'unexpected' events.
"Just retrieving the sword I lent out." He didn't look up at the buffoon, just examined the 'Yaegaki Muramasa' on the ground.
Hearing his words, Kujou Takayuki belatedly realized that the sword had remained intact after the Musou no Hitotachi. Recalling the previous rumors, this man who only looked one step ahead, his mind filled with nothing but arrogance and no foresight, once again wanted to seize both the man and the sword on the grounds of 'aiding a rebel'. He had completely forgotten his initial evaluation of the deceased, who he had called a 'brave warrior', not a common bandit.
"In that case, you may retrieve it." Not giving the Commissioner time to think, Kujou Sara was determined to undermine her adoptive father.
"Tch." Kujou Takayuki clicked his tongue and said no more. Both he and Sara represented the face of the Kujou clan when they were out. Such open conflict was not beneficial to the clan's stability. And though he was reluctant to admit it, to manage the Tenryou Commission well, Sara's strength and charisma were necessary.
"All units, immediately issue a wanted notice throughout Inazuma!" Kujou Takayuki chose not to dwell on it. The top priority was to retrieve the masterless Vision. All soldiers who could still move began to act, leaving only the two great figures of the Kujou clan behind.
"..." Muramasa didn't respond to Kujou Sara's goodwill, not even lifting his head. His attention was completely captivated by his own sword. This is the first time I feel like I don't know my own sword.
With that thought, he reached out and gripped the bottom of the blade.
…
Kazuha didn't dare to stop. He ran all the way down from the Tenshukaku, leaped over the town streets, and through Hanamizaka, bumping around like a headless fly, avoiding any place he might encounter the Tenryou Commission. He didn't know how far he had run before he came to his senses, dazed, unsure if what had just happened was real or a dream. It was only when he felt his trembling fingers uncontrollably clenching, felt the Vision within, its decoration destroyed, leaving only the round jewel, that he recovered. "Hah…"
He forced his palm open, looking at the triple tomoe shining with purple light... An un-dimmed, still-shining triple tomoe?
"Lord Kazuha, please come this way." As the hairs on his body stood on end, several figures emerged from the shadows. "By Sir Muramasa's request, we will guide you out of Inazuma."
…
"So gods... and dreams... reside in swords?" The moment Muramasa gripped the end of the blade, his karmic-piercing eyes activated on their own.
'There will always be those on the ground who dare to face the might of the heavens.'
'My goal was not to be punished after defeat. It's just that for me, that is not a punishment, but a reward.'
'There was no one more suited to stand up than me, so I came.'
The stars spread out before Muramasa's eyes flickered one after another. No longer his first time experiencing this, he processed the cause and effect much more quickly than before.
'I was just one step away from witnessing the scene under the Raiden Shogun's divine radiance…'
'And, the regret of not being able to tell the Shogun of the people's dreams.'
Muramasa chewed on the scene his eyes had witnessed, interpreting its meaning, and couldn't help but complain, "Is it finally the dead's turn to give me work?"
The demon blade in his hand was incredibly calm, a gentle stream of elemental energy flowing from it. He's even prepared the advance payment for me… Stubborn clients, one-sided commissions, Muramasa felt he was getting used to it. This time, there was even an added sense of ease. At least, it wasn't an unpleasant commission.
He was about to leave when he heard an unpleasant voice from the distance. "Hmph, just a sword rack."
It was obvious that the lofty man, after learning of the strange properties of the 'brave warrior's' weapon, had dismissed him as a mere hanger for the blade, his tone filled with contempt and envy.
To this, Muramasa didn't even feel the desire to argue. As the forger, he knew better than anyone that the strength of a demon blade came not only from the user's physical power, but also from the power of their will. To forcibly control a demon blade required suppressing it with force. To unleash its instincts required infusing it with spirit. Moreover—this fellow's conviction transcended even life and death. What need was there for words to explain it?
…
"It seems the duel has completely ended." Ayato continued to speak to Hiiragi Shinsuke, who remained very conservative. So, Ayato threw out another line. "What did you see in this duel?"
The latter did not answer, partly because he didn't know.
"What I saw was an ambitious Commissioner, whose methods are truly admirable." Ayato's words were flawless, his true meaning hidden in praise. "This duel before the throne was probably also to pave the way for a better implementation of the Shogun's decree. With war imminent, a show of force to boost morale is also necessary."
Hiiragi Shinsuke stroked his chin, noncommittal. The word 'war' was also a major event for him. This matter would be on the agenda of the Tri-Commission meeting soon. And a large-scale war meant a massive consumption of funds and resources. But for him, massive consumption also meant a lucrative project. Weapons… oh, on either side, smiths were very important, and the vast majority of Inazuma's smiths were associated with the Yashiro Commission.
Hiiragi Shinsuke thought from his own perspective and felt he had grasped the other's true meaning. He tested the waters. "Yes, a protracted war is not good for either side. I'm sure you, Lord Yashiro Commissioner, also do not wish to see bloodshed."
Ayato's expression didn't change, just a slight nod. "For me, it is indeed a dilemma…"
At this, the Kanjou Commissioner finally burst out laughing. "Hahahaha, I never thought there would be something to trouble you." He projected his own thoughts onto the man before him, as if he had found the reason for their previous opposition, and also 'understood' why he was suddenly trying to befriend him now.
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (114 Chapter (Simulpub-Full) )
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (330 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (254 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (130 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (140 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (330 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (140 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (160 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(80 Chapter)
Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (200 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (170 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (120 Chapter)
Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (90 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (130 Chapter)
My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (140 Chapter)
Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (140 Chapter)
Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (Ending)
The Wild History of Type-Moon world (70 Chapter)
Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (80 Chapter)
Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (140 Chapter)
Just a Slacker at Tracen Academy (148 Chapter)
Survival in Blue Archive (70 Chapter)
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Doma Wasn't Hated Today, Either (100 Chapter)
The Vibe of This Chat Group is a Little Off (100 Chapter)
Heartbreak Simulator: I Broke Them and Made Them Cry (80 Chapter)
The Talentless Trainer Doesn't Want to Restart (80 Chapter)
A Journey Starting as a Quincy (80 Chapter)
Uma Musume: The Master of Romance Obstruction (80 Chapter)
Uma Musume: You Can't Be a Hero Without a Little Chemical Enhancement (40 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd Your Boyfriend is Really Amazing (40 Chapter)
Warhammer 40K: My Fiancée, Fulgrim (150 Chapter)
Classroom of the Elite: Trying to Capture Me! (120 Chapter)
Genshin Impact My Named Senji Muramas (150 Chapter)
A Chef, the Vice-Captain of the Rocks Pirates? (130 Chapter)
Naruto : My Uchiha Girlfriend is Too Tsundere (100 Chapter)
Type-Moon: Reincarnated in a Lostbelt, I Became the Alien God (50 Chapter)
The Way These Horse Girls Look at Me Is Terrifying! (94 Chapter)
Naruto: Tsunade's Deskmate (90 Chapter)
I Just Want to Live a Normal Life in the Nasuverse (75 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.