Secret Technique part 1

 

Following Palm, Flack and Yamato entered the dojo as well.

「It’s not over yet. Looks like we made it in time.」

「Good.」

「Both of you. Over here.」

Palm beckoned them over to her.

The two men were still facing each other. They were not simply watching for openings. Each was already assuming what technique the other might launch, then running through the possible counters and counter-breaks again and again.

Hyoue and Kou were carefully feeling out the one-step striking distance between them. Kou remained in kuruma-no-kamae—a side guard, in kendo terms. From that stance, it was difficult to read the line of his blade.

Hyoue moved first.

Without a sound, a sharp thrust flashed toward Kou’s throat.

Kou leaned his body even farther back and read it cleanly, evading.

A stir ran through the room. There were not many who could avoid that thrust.

「What a guy. A move like that alone is enough to shut down most swordsmen.」

Kou kept