Chapter 176: This One Blade, Famous Across the Five Provinces and Seven Circuits

Uesugi Toru swept his gaze around the surroundings at extreme speed, yet found nothing.

As if it had merely been an illusion just now.

Strange, how did it suddenly disappear?

Fujikichiro, who had just drawn back behind Shibata Katsuie a moment ago, raised his hand and patted his chest with lingering fear.

"I was only staying in the crowd to take a look... yet I almost got discovered."

Looking at Shibata Katsuie, who seemed unaware of anything, Fujikichiro did not say anything more because of this, but continued thinking along the previous topic:

Is Toru over fifty years old?

That is naturally impossible.

He felt that from the vigorous vitality on Toru's body, the other party was at most around twenty years old.

According to what Shibata-sama said, Toru's attainments in the Breathing Path were about on par with his own, and he could only cut around a thousand kan.

But... if Toru could only cut this much, then he had absolutely no reason to cause such a big commotion in Sunpu Castle.

So Fujikichiro clenched his fist and said in a low voice,

"Shibata-sama, I still insist on my own view."

"Hah."

Shibata Katsuie couldn't help but coldly snort once; he patted the short Fujikichiro's shoulder, making the latter's body tremble twice: "That monkey, why don't we make a bet."

"If this Onmyoji Toru is not much different from what I said, then for the next month you will warm my straw sandals for me."

Hearing this, Fujikichiro was stunned; he knew Shibata Katsuie's "intent lay not in the wine cup," but rather in Nobunaga-kou.

Because his own job was to carry straw sandals for Nobunaga-kou, and now that the weather had turned cold, naturally he was also responsible for warming the straw sandals.

He thought Shibata-sama proposing this bet was actually just looking for an excuse to spend a little more time with Nobunaga-kou.

As for why Fujikichiro thought this...

That was naturally because as a koshō (personal attendant/guard) who stayed by Nobunaga-kou's side all day, he was the most able to feel this person's charm.

Whether it was strategy, martial arts, looks... or anything else, apart from occasionally being a bit irritable, he was simply the most perfect existence in this Tenka, this world.

The outside world giving Nobunaga-kou the nickname "Great Fool" was completely ignorant.

Shibata Katsuie saw the monkey did not refute, a smile appeared on his face, and then he said: "If he can cut out one or two ten thousand kan, then..."

The sturdy warrior scratched his head hair, shrugged: "Whatever you ask, monkey, anyway this is an impossible thing."

Fujikichiro recalled the moment just now when he almost got discovered, and slowly nodded,

"Then Shibata-sama, let us look forward to it."

Before half an hour had passed, the originally winding long line of people had completely disappeared.

Because of Uesugi Toru, this existence of great fame, many samurai in front had given up queuing, wanting to satisfy their curiosity early.

Of course, it was also to avoid cutting out a force lower than "Onmyoji Toru" now and thus becoming infamous in reverse.

Plucking the heartstring to pull back Shiraishi, whose belly was round and full from eating, Uesugi Toru calmly walked into the Trial Cutting Area.

Then he nodded to the Recorder, who was already so nervous his hands were starting to tremble.

He turned his head, looking toward the center of the Test Cutting Ground, covered all over with faint blade marks, but whose Jing Shen had become somewhat different—the Samurai Zanmetsumaru—and widened his eyes in surprise.

Because, a narrow Progress Bar had suddenly appeared above its head!

【Samurai Zanmetsumaru (Promotion Progress 0.1%)】

It turned out that the Samurai Zanmetsumaru, which was equivalent to Four-Star Ghost God Level from the factory, could actually continue to upgrade.

Only, unlike the Shinto Path and other paths ordinary Shikigami took, the condition to trigger Samurai Zanmetsumaru's promotion was "being cut."

And according to previous experience, it also needed to be cut by a large number of different people with a certain level of strength.

Otherwise, with Shizuku, who had swung her blade at it hundreds of times in a single day before, the promotion condition should have popped up long ago.

"This is somewhat novel..."

Uesugi Toru's mouth corner hooked slightly, thinking that by mistake he had truly stumbled upon great luck.

A four-star Samurai Zanmetsumaru, if promoted further, would be five-star.

That was an existence of the same rank as Factory Manager Z, who had instantly killed him with one glance.

Although Zanmetsumaru itself had no attack ability, after promotion it would definitely gain several mysterious auxiliary functions.

More importantly, he didn't need to pay anything.

As long as Zanmetsumaru was placed here, every day there would be a continuous stream of samurai filling its Progress Bar.

After feeling that the gazes inside and outside the Test Cutting Ground all fell on him, Uesugi Toru raised his hand and pressed down on the constantly trembling Kaga Kiyomitsu.

"Xiao Jia, don't rush."

He chuckled lightly.

Then, under the astonished gazes of the busybodies, the curious, the disdainful, and the ever-increasing crowd, he slowly removed his Chief Priest Robe, then untied the sash of his upper garment.

He bared his naked upper body to everyone very generously, letting his sturdy body bathe in the sparse sunlight that streamed through the seams of the straw roof.

There were no scars symbolizing glory, nor muscles full enough to be astonishing; instead, his skin was still the fair white that samurai looked down on the most.

But anyone who saw this body with their own eyes could absolutely understand what kind of explosive yet incomparably unified power was contained within.

"Because I need to wield a blade, wearing a long robe always feels somewhat restrictive."

The Onmyoji smiled warmly at everyone,

"Everyone, please forgive me."

In the suddenly silent Test Cutting Ground, Fujikichiro asked somewhat dryly,

"Sama, how is it now?"

Shibata Katsuie was speechless.

Because the flesh laid bare before his eyes was simply perfect beyond reproach.

And this sense of power unconsciously revealed in his every gesture could almost rival his own.

Not to mention twenty thousand kan, but a single slash producing six to eight thousand kan was already a given baseline.

Yet a youth famed for Yin-Yang Technique could touch the threshold of ten thousand kan?

What a joke... there are hardly any in the entire Oda Clan who can do such a thing.

Beneath the conical hat, Shibata Katsuie's pupils were indifferent.

This news absolutely must be taken back to the lord!

The surroundings were a mix of dragons and fish, so spies harboring such thoughts were not few — this was exactly the effect Uesugi Toru wanted.

Through these people's mouths, spread the scene now unfolding in Sunpu Castle outward, then have the various places mutually verify it, turning rumor into fact.

Conversely, even under such circumstances there were still those stubbornly insisting it was merely a silver-plated wax spearhead.

That ronin who had cultivated since childhood for over a decade, then spent over a decade on the battlefield killing enemies, was one of them.

He absolutely could not accept this fact.

If he accepted it, his worldview up to now would be shattered.

So the ronin stared with bloodshot eyes wide, muttering incessantly: "Fail, fail, fail for me fail fail fail..."

"Oh, finally here."

Uesugi Toru looked back, beckoning to Shiraishi who was being forcibly dragged to the edge of the test site by a two-shaku-tall Adult: "Shiraishi, you go first."

Following his words, countless gazes converged on Shiraishi, who still held a half-eaten pastry in his hand with his mouth open.

He spoke as if no one else existed,

"Just the chance to test the results of these past few days' cultivation, isn't it?"

"Hah?"

Shiraishi, who just wanted to shrink back into the crowd and keep slacking off, got goosebumps all over from so many gazes; his hand subconsciously shook, dropping the pastry on the ground.

But he hurriedly squatted down, picked up the pastry, and threw it into his mouth.

No matter what, the food itself wasn't at fault, it couldn't be wasted!

And only after munching down the pastry did Shiraishi suddenly react to what Uesugi Toru had just said to him.

Immediately, pinned fast by those ill-intentioned gazes coming from all four directions and eight sides, he was nailed in place, unable to move.

"Let... let me trial cut? Now?!"

He stammered, racking his brain for an excuse on the spot: "But Boss, I don't have a blade."

"No blade doesn't matter either, just throw a punch." Uesugi Toru asked the Samurai Zanmetsumaru, "Is that right?"

The Samurai Zanmetsumaru swayed, replying in a deep voice,

"Indeed it is so."

Shiraishi stood rooted to the spot, sweating profusely, really wanting to go back and slap his past self from a few hours ago to death.

You, what dogshit opinion did you have to raise when everything was fine!

Now look, it's all good, right!

Uesugi Toru examined the motionless Shiraishi, "puzzled" asked: "Shiraishi, just this many people watching on the side, and you're scared?"

"Scared, scared of what!"

Even with his fingers frozen completely unable to move, Shiraishi still stubbornly shouted,

"Boss, don't you look down on me! I won't be scared!"

"I see your whole body, only your mouth is hardest."

Uesugi Toru laughed, shook his head, walked over, grabbed Shiraishi's slender wrist with one hand, and led him before the Samurai Zanmetsumaru.

Just as Shiraishi was about to turn and flee from so many gazes, a gentle voice drilled into his ears,

"Come, deep breath."

Shiraishi subconsciously followed along.

Uesugi Toru said calmly: "If you can't even bear this bit of pressure, how will you become a Great Ninja in the future?"

"A so-called Great Ninja must be an existence who remains unchanged in countenance even as the mountain collapses before him; whether it is the external world's contempt, praise, or reproach and disdain, all will only be like a clear breeze brushing past, utterly unable to cause him the slightest influence.

In a Great Ninja's heart, there is only the target."

Warm gang qi flowed along the words into Shiraishi's hand, relieving part of his cold stiffness.

Uesugi Toru continued asking softly: "Then Shiraishi, what is your target right now?"

Shiraishi did not reply.

But Uesugi Toru felt the small hand in his palm had already slipped out.

Immediately after, Shiraishi's gradually relaxing voice transmitted,

"Boss, I find you really speak in a whole set of routines; people who've read books and know characters are indeed different from us roadside wild kids."

Saying this, he moved his steps and came before the Samurai Zanmetsumaru.

Shiraishi raised his head, looking up at the Samurai Zanmetsumaru who was taller than two of him combined, momentarily speechless.

But the Samurai Zanmetsumaru greeted him first, voice calm,

"Lord Shiraishi, hello."

"Uh..."

Shiraishi, who hadn't reacted, blanked for a moment, then hurriedly cupped fists and lowered his head: "Lord Zanmetsumaru! Please grant instruction!"

"Lord Shiraishi, please feel free to use full force, come use me to verify yourself, establish a waymark."

The Samurai Zanmetsumaru gave a somewhat stiff hehe smile,

"After all, my existence is for this very purpose."

"O... okay."

For some reason, an inexplicable sense of security surged into Shiraishi's heart.

He looked back once more at Uesugi Toru standing behind him, took another deep breath, and circulated the Kiai Technique to bring his violently pounding heart under control.

Shiraishi clenched his fists tight and, following the diagrams in the secret manual, assumed a most bizarre posture.

"Hah!"

A resonant shout rang out, and Shiraishi's small fist struck the underside of the Samurai Zanmetsumaru at a tricky angle.

The Samurai Zanmetsumaru trembled imperceptibly, then faithfully reported the figure:

"Slash Power, two hundred and six kan——desu!"

Uesugi Toru behind him blinked in surprise, thinking to himself, Not bad.

It's only been a few days of cultivation, and his fist power has gone from a mere few kan of an ordinary child to nearly half of what an adult of two shaku could manage at the start.

Yet the samurai all around, who could casually slash their way to hundreds or thousands of koku, did not think so at all.

And so, wave after wave of mocking laughter rose up.

The ronin who had nearly popped his bloodshot eyes out earlier laughed along too; after all, he could slash nearly a thousand kan with his eyes closed.

Shiraishi, just having come out of his all-out punch state, froze for a moment, hearing the deafening laughter.

He blinked, lowered his head to look at his scrawny fists, and doubted in his heart——

Am I...... really nothing at all?

"Hmph, a bunch of trash."

Shibata Katsuie let out a cold snort, his hand already gripping the sword hilt at his waist.

Were it not for that Onmyoji Toru before him, he would absolutely have already roared in anger at those trash samurai who only dared mock a child.

This kid looks sallow and emaciated; he probably couldn't even eat his fill of rice not long ago...... yet now he can achieve two hundred kan with a single punch.

Shibata Katsuie still couldn't help muttering to himself, drawing the gaze of the samurai laughing uproariously up front: "Could you lot achieve this level in ten days or half a month?"

He clicked his tongue, reached out, and clamped down hard on that samurai's shoulder, making his bones emit a creaking crack.

Shibata Katsuie said coldly,

"——Before mocking others, first ask yourselves if you're even worthy!"

"Laughing, are they? I'd quite like to know if they'll still be able to laugh in a little while."

Uesugi Toru patted Shiraishi's slightly trembling little head and said gently to him: "Two hundred kan, truly a quite excellent result, even more impressive than Nita."

"But don't get arrogant because of it...... now, step back two paces."

Once Shiraishi had retreated in small steps, without turning around, to the edge of the test site, Uesugi Toru calmly drew Kaga Kiyomitsu from the Red Lacquer Sword Sheath at his waist where it had been sealed for a long time,

"Xiao Jia, kept you waiting."

Kaga Kiyomitsu, its surface wrapped in a viscous pale hue, trembled joyfully, emitting a clear, crisp blade cry.

The blade cry rippled out like water, smoothing the restless atmosphere.

Tss!

Then, dazzling lightning was born from Uesugi Toru's hand, surging forth, spreading to the blade edge amid rumbling sounds, illuminating every pair of pupils turned this way.

In an instant, no one spoke, and no one laughed anymore.

Only the fine crackling of thunder exploding remained in the air.

Thunder, this terrifying mighty power that since ancient times belonged only to nature.

At this moment, was being controlled in a human's palm!

There was not a single face that did not wear a look of shock.

Because hearsay and seeing with one's own eyes are completely two different matters!

Clack.

A pale, stern Hannya mask fell out of thin air onto Uesugi Toru's waist, making the samurai staring at him feel as if their chests were being clenched tight in that instant.

Silent majesty spread.

"Onmyoji Toru... truly lives up to his reputation."

Uesugi Toru's expression remained immovable, like a boulder.

Uesugi Toru, sensing his physical strength had once again been raised a large degree, used three breaths' time to adapt.

Then, he once again assumed the classic Three-Stage Thrust Stance toward the Samurai Zanmetsumaru right before him.

Gang Qi circulated and erupted outward with a boom, no longer lurking attached to the skin surface.

Scorching, dense Gang Qi swirled around Uesugi Toru, whistling.

Crackle!

Accompanying the rapid consumption of Spirit Power, the lightning surging on Kaga Kiyomitsu's blade grew ever thicker, ever more dazzling.

Shibata Katsuie gazed at this scene; his own back, also shrouded in Gang Qi circulation, had unknowingly seeped threads of cold sweat.

"Monkey."

His voice was hoarse,

"Right now, I somewhat believe what you said——that he can do it."

Toukichirou merely stared dazedly, not replying.

He had already been shocked by the sight before him into being unable to move freely.

"Inhale——Exhale——"

The massive breathing sounds, like dragon and tiger, grew ever more intense.

Uesugi Toru lowered his eyes, recalling everything he had learned up to now.

Kiai Technique, Tennen Rishin-ryu, Corona Breathing Technique, Five Thunder Method: Kiai, Spirit Control Technique...

Countless fragments and memories surged into his heart.

Uesugi Toru guided them bit by bit, smoothly following the Gang Qi, letting them gently fall upon Kaga Kiyomitsu's Sword Blade.

Only after personally walking up to the Samurai Zanmetsumaru did Uesugi Toru understand that this also seemed to be no simple Trial Cutting.

And just as the Samurai Zanmetsumaru said — using it to verify oneself, to mark the waymark!

Pour everything into this one slash!

Uesugi Toru suddenly opened his eyes, stepping forward one step.

In that instant, the violent Gang Qi and Thunder all contracted onto that seventy-two centimeter long Pale Blade!

Slash!

Blinding light that made it impossible to look directly transformed into a thin line of white flashing past, landing on the massive Samurai Zanmetsumaru.

Then, it exploded with a boom!

The madly surging lightning and Gang Qi filled every gaze dead tight, not leaving even a single Seam.

The Samurai Zanmetsumaru toppled backward in an Instant, unable to bear the Xi Kan, roaring loudly amidst the rumbling,

"Slash Power, Three Thousand and Eleven Kan — desu!"

【Your Skill, Spirit Control Technique Proficiency +100!】

【Your Skill, Tennen Rishin-ryu Proficiency +300!】

【Your Skill, Five Thunder Method: Kiai Proficiency +300!】

【Your Skill, Corona Breathing Technique future Cultivation Speed slightly increased!】

Uesugi Toru slowly exhaled a breath, sheathing the comfortably numb Kaga Kiyomitsu, and gave a slight nod to the Samurai Zanmetsumaru.

Then, with Complexion still flat, he Turned Around, took back his Clothing from the Samurai Cutting Test Recorder, and left the Test Cutting Ground without a word, the two little ones equally Stupor in tow.

Leaving only a group of wooden-faced Spectators, Samurai and Merchants.

Silence.

Shock.

Suffocate.

At this moment, the packed Test Cutting Ground had not a single person speaking, quiet enough to clearly hear the shouts of peddlers on another Street.

Three... thirty thousand Kan?

Thirty thousand Kan, what Concept is that?

Almost no Samurai had a clear Impression of this in their Brain; in their eyes, Ten Thousand Kan was already unattainable, something only a resonant Warrior could achieve.

Thirty thousand...

Perhaps it is already the Realm of legendary Kami and Demons?

And this was actually a slash delivered by a Great Onmyoji.

No mistake, such a thing, such a feat like a Legend, just happened Just Now, vividly before their eyes!

Everyone present came from five lakes and four seas, different Families and forces, but without exception the same thought rose in their hearts...

This one slash,

Will shake the Tokaido with its name, and even the entire Gokishichido!

"Go back, we must go back now! Elder Shibata! Report this news to the Lord at the fastest speed!"

Long Time after, Fujikichiro finally broke free from the lingering aura of that slash, gripping Shibata Katsuie's Clothes Corner with trembling Hand Palms,

"— The Imagawa Clan's threat level has risen a whole tier!"

Shibata Katsuie blinked, yet still could not erase that remnant cold white Blade Light lingering in his eyes.

"Toru... Onmyoji Toru."

He murmured softly, but on his rough face surged a Xi Kan utterly different from the others, unbearable to suppress.

— If I could fight a life-and-death battle with such a strong one, it would surely be the most exhilarating thing of this life.

Shibata Katsuie thought thus.

【Your Muromachi Period Sengoku Period Reputation +500!】

【Your Muromachi Period Sengoku Period Reputation is continuously increasing...】

After leaving for a good while, Uesugi Toru recalled the Test Cutting Ground where no one had moved just now, and Snap Fingers in satisfaction in his heart.

This slash, not bad.

Really not bad!

Not only perfectly Completing his preset Target, but also verifying all his learning so far — the Proficiency Improvement of many Skills is a very good answer.

And thirty thousand Kan.

This number, even Uesugi Toru had completely not thought of before the slash.

He thought he could at most reach Two Thousand Six Thousand Kan and that would be the limit.

Uesugi Toru rubbed Kaga Kiyomitsu's joyfully trembling Sword Hilt with his fingertip.

— Next, just need to quietly wait for things to develop Slowly with time.

And then, wait until Imagawa Yoshimoto leads the great army on campaign —

Then, those occupying high positions in the Imagawa Clan, the Incompetence Elders...

Pull them all out!

Just as Uesugi Toru was about to return to the Imagawa Residence, a huge Prompt suddenly popped up before his eyes.

【Two-Star Card Pool: Edo Castle has undergone an unusual anomaly...】

Gacha Pool change?

What the heck?

Haven't I not drawn a single card during this period?

Uesugi Toru walked along the road while opening the Card Pool Page; he reckoned the "revived" Hundred-Eyed Demon had stirred up some trouble again.

Slap slap.

Uesugi Toru's footsteps suddenly stopped.

Because, after opening the Gacha Pool, a deep purple prompt suddenly popped up!

【Due to absorbing a large amount of material "Hundred-Eyed Demon's Eyeballs", the Hundred-Eyed Demon's quality has been promoted!】

【Yokai Avatar·Hundred-Eyed Demon's quality has promoted from "Rare+" to "Epic"!】

Uesugi Toru stared blankly and lifted his gaze, meeting eyes with the black-haired loli sitting lazily on the Crimson Throne, yawning.

End of Chapter