KATANAGATARI 2
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Two shadows sped up the path, though no path stretched before them.
Too fast for any eye to catch, not only for their velocity, but for the special way they moved. Out of nowhere─they were past you, maneuvering with traceless stealth.
Wearing sleeveless ninja garb, chains wrapped around their bodies.
One of the shadows was “The Divine Phoenix,” Hohoh Maniwa.
And the other shadow was “The Nosey Otter,” Kawauso Maniwa.
Two of the Twelve Bosses of the Maniwa Clan, and traveling together─cruising at a constant speed.
Perceptible to none.
Disturbing not a leaf.
“About that,” began Kawauso.
Even running at this speed, his breathing was untaxed─and speaking on the run seemed not to slow him down. As if his vocal cords were divorced from the workings of his body.
“This puts us in a tough position. I think the Bosses all agree we work better alone, but Kyoken takes that to an extreme. Join forces? Gimme a break, Hohoh. I think that you can say goodbye to your alliance.”
“What’s done is done.”
Hohoh was no more out of breath than Kawauso. They were able to converse while running at exactly the same pace.
“I underestimated the extraordinary lengths Kyoken would go to for a fallen comrade─I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I got you mixed up in it.”
“Don’t be silly, Hohoh. As Captain of the Beast Unit, I’m responsible for her behavior… That being said, if we catch up with her, I’m not expecting to win her over. Not to sound like Umigame, but if anyone can persuade Kyoken, it’s either you, Hohoh…or Pengin, in terms of ninjutsu. Oh, right─” Kawauso remembered something. “I meant to ask you… Along the lines of what Umigame said, do you think the Kyotoryu can vanquish Kyoken? In your opinion, Hohoh.”
“No battle is over until it’s over. But in this case, it matters little who would win─I intend to put a stop to this before things get that far. It’s far too soon─for us to jeopardize1 our alliance with Togame, the little Schemer.”
“Sure…but all the same. Even if you could win Kyoken over, do you really think that we can catch her, in her current state, before she gets to Ezo? You’re no faster than me. According to Pengin, Soto the Twin is on Mt. Odori, a Level One Disaster Area. Course, for a couple of ninjas like us, a Disaster Area is basically a playground, but chasing someone up a snow-covered mountain is slow going.”
“Certainly, our primary objective is to waylay Kyoken, but we need a backup plan, in case that doesn’t work out. If Kyoken confronts the Schemer and the Kyotoryu, rips them to bits, and leaves them dead─we’re good, although this wouldn’t be my first choice. But if she doesn’t, we’re in trouble. If Kyoken fights and loses, and she’s the one left dead…the Twelve Bosses lose yet another of our ranks, and the alliance falls apart. Worst-case scenario.”
“Absolutely.”
“You must not let that happen, Kawauso.” Hohoh was extremely nonchalant. “Even if it means that you must die.”
“Understood”─Kawauso matched Hohoh in terms of nonchalance. “In my career as ninja, I’ve basically seen it all, but dying would be a first…in fact, I’m almost looking forward to it. That dope Komori must be lonely on the other side.”
“I wonder about the Itezoras…” Hohoh said with a sigh. “Owners of Soto the Twin, the Itezoras have inhabited2 the Level One Disaster Area of Mt. Odori for generations.”
“Based on what Pengin said, they’re insane…but then again, so is Soto the Twin. I guess a weirdo sword will choose a weirdo owner.”
“It would be unwise to see this as the Schemer and the Kyotoryu versus Kyoken, with us doing our best to stop her, too. The role played by the Itezoras, owners of Soto the Twin, remains to be seen.”
“I mean, these guys are hunkered down in a Level One Disaster Area. That’s pretty weird, even by ninja standards.”
“Step on it.”
As if this talk was making him impatient, Hohoh bumped up their cruise-controlled velocity by several notches. Kawauso, who must have felt the same, was not a step behind him─
And yet neither of them spotted Kyoken.
Of course not─Kyoken was leagues ahead of them.
At present, she was the fastest of the Maniwa.
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They were led into a cave.
“Led” may be the wrong word, since Shichika could not move on his own, and Togame was not even remotely strong enough to drag him. Even if it weren’t for the vicious cold, such a feat would have been impossible.
The snow fairy had carried Shichika on her back the whole way to the cave.
She introduced herself as Konayuki Itezora.3
Turns out─she was no snow fairy, but certifiably human. In snow so thick Togame could not see a foot in front of her, the visibility left much to be desired. Her eyes had simply played a trick on her.