Kaze no Stigma

Volume 6, Chapter 1 - Disaster together with the wind

Part 1

Completely burning and exorcising the evil spirit in a single stroke, Kannagi Ayano turned around. - And then her eyebrows frowned at an acute angle.

What was reflected in her field of vision was the silhouette of a man looking at the sky with a somewhat distant look.

In short, despite accompanying her here under the pretext of being her bodyguard, he seemed not to have noticed that the battle ended.

"--------Hey."

"Huh? Aah, is it over?"

Glaring at him with half opened eyes, the man - Yagami Kazuma briefly looked over the surroundings and nodded once. And then, he declared without hesitation,

"Let's go back then."

".......You're so..." groaned Ayano in a gloomy tone.

But, of course, Kazuma ignored that and started walking by himself.

"Aa, hey, wait!"

Chasing after him in a fluster, Ayano drew near Kazuma with a pout.

"I already forgot how many times I told you this but - since it's been arranged, you're kind of my escort. Even if you won't help at least look!"

"Ha ha ha, you're so baka."

Expressing a refreshing smile, the kind a good young man would have, Kazuma looked over his shoulder at Ayano.

"It's because I really trust your abilities that I can leave it to you without worries."

"I can't believe you at all!" replied Ayano as if slapping something.

How to say this, it was an entirely normal back and forth argument.

Yes, since then - since Pandemonium was destroyed and Bernhardt and Lapis disappeared, Kazuma didn't display any sort of change.

With the same frivolous, slack smiling face like always, teasing Ayano as always, wondering about like always, with an attitude that couldn't be grasped just like the wind, he spent his days like that.

There was no indication he was forcing himself. There was no change from before ---- Even though, that was impossible.

He must be hurt. He must be sad.

And yet, Kazuma never showed that.

Ayano was very uneasy about it.

She thought it was dangerous for Kazuma not to show others his weakness.

But, what she feared even more was the possibility that she didn't understand anything about Kazuma.

In spite of the fact that he was hurt, he did not seem to be so.

If that's the case, assuming Kazuma would get hurt even more in the future, would she not even be able to see that?

No, everything she saw of Kazuma until now was maybe nothing but a mask that concealed his wounded heart.

She was supposed to have come to understand Kazuma, even just a little.

She was supposed to get to the core, even just a little, to the inner part of his heart that was pretending to be superficial.

But, if all of it was nothing more but a delusion...

"Kazuma-------"

Walking absent-mindedly, Ayano stared at Kazuma's back as he walked soundlessly.

If she were to call him, he would turn around with the same smiling face. But -

"Are you here? Are you really looking at me?"

He is so close and yet, for some reason, Kazuma's back looked so distant.

Was it because she was thinking such things? Not typical of her, her reaction was late.

Suddenly, something like a huge pole appeared before her eyes and without time to avoid it, Ayano crashed into it.

"Kyaa!?"

It had a somewhat soft touch for a pole. Looking at it more clearly, it was Kazuma's arm pushed out in front of her eyes.

"Wha, Kazuma------"

Her words of complaint were interrupted in the middle.

Kazuma's face didn't have a particle of jest to it and was sharply looking forward like a totally different person from before.

"Kazuma, what is----"

"Prepare."

Without giving her the time to finish her question, he directly ordered.

Almost by reflex, Ayano hunched her back.

Immediately following - from the front, a spiritual power detonated.

The wind barrier Kazuma put on creaked fighting with the same kind of power.

"Same nature--------huh, eeeeeeeeeh!?"

Ayano's face became stiff with shock.

But no matter how much she doubted her eyes, the reality didn't change.

What was attacking them right now was beyond doubt, the power of wind.

"Why on earth...." murmured Kazuma, as if spitting out while enduring the enemy attack.

The disturbance felt in that voice was definitely not Ayano's delusion.

For Kazuma, the one who contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind - the >, it means that all of the wind spirits are extensions of himself.

To have them turn on him, was theoretically impossible.

"............."

Ayano unsheathed Enraiha, and searched for presence in the surroundings. As for the perception within range, she did not feel any hostile being. But -

"Kazuma, where is the enemy?"

At that question asked in a controlled voice, Kazuma pointed straight ahead. Without waiting, from there regular footsteps resounded - and then, stopped.

"------Eeh?"

Looking at the figure that boldly appeared from the front without hiding himself, Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

She looked at Kazuma as if asking if that was the right person.

But, without turning his eyes to Ayano, Kazuma was only staring directly at the boy in the front.

That's right - the enemy blocking their way was even younger than Ayano, a boy of thirteen or fourteen.

His body, dressed in a stand-up collar shirt and thin pants, looked more delicate that his years and he was shorter than Ayano.

He had soft hair, cut short, that made one want to touch.

He was a very androgynous but adorable bishonen.

But, the impression until now was overturned by only two things.

The first were those eyes. The color was dark brown, very common for Asian people. But the light that dwelt in them, like the difference between a cat and a tiger cub, made it clear that the boy was a warrior.

And the second.

Ayano's gaze slightly pointed upwards. The boy's stature was lower than hers. But that top she was looking at was even higher than Kazuma's head.

Approximately two meters.

Held in the hand of the small boy, it was an object of unsuitable size. But even so the boy held it tightly in his small hand.

The jet black handle that was so exceeding the boy's height by that much and the silver blade stretching further was a simple and clear shape forged only for killing people and to destroy one's enemies.

Massive, sharp, piercing and smashing everything.

It was something everyone would understand only after a glance, a very long and boorish spear.

"..........."

In silence, the boy thrusts the long spear forward.

Until now, it was positioned next to his waist. He stretched his left foot back on grand scale.

Without saying anything, he only did that. But only by doing that the spear that until now seemed disproportionate turned one with the boy as if it were so from the beginning.

"Kuuh-------!"

At the master posture, Ayano reorganized her confused mind. It has nothing to do with she sees.

That is, beyond doubt, an enemy.

Unsheathing Enraiha, she faced the boy. And then----- she waited.

She won't make the first move against the spear that has the longer reach. First, she'll let herself be hit and move after.

That was the proper practice. Besides---

Ayano fleetingly looked at Kazuma. If the enemy is a Fujutsushi, this man won't fall behind. If he would fire the same wind blades like before, Kazuma's barrier will definitely endure it.

Using that gap should be good.

"It's coming!"

The boy moved as Ayano expected. He rushed in a big way and pushed out that spear using that force.

Of course, it wasn't a distance the spear would reach but the condensed wind blade fired from the edge of the blade approached the two at the speed of sound.

Ayano concentrated her power on Enraiha.

If she becomes completely defenseless against the wind blade, the fact that it cannot tear down Kazuma barrier, was for her something absolute, a common knowledge.

Therefore, with all her power she trended towards the returning blade, sharpening her consciousness to the utmost limit weighing the timing.

But, that plan was wiped out quick enough.

And in addition to that, by the hand of the partner she put the utmost confidence in- no, by his leg.

"Huh?"

'Don!'

The impact that attacked her from her right side sent Ayano flying from that place.

Because it came from a perfectly unexpected direction, she couldn't resist it.

"------Ha?"

At the unbearable scene, her consciousness froze for a moment. But as she could still land even unconscious, Ayano replayed over and over the moment Kazuma's cheek was torn.

"Eeh-------Why?"

Her reason refused to recognize it.

That was something impossible, that could never happen and such.

However that was - the meaning of that scene was -

"Wa-------Kazuma-----"

"You're noisy, shut up! The next one is coming!"

In an unusually violent tone, Kazuma interrupted Ayano's words. Without wiping the blood spilling from his cheek and while a cold sweat was spreading on his brow.

"----No way"

She was still denying it deep in her heart. She had faith in her ideal, her aspiration.

But she had no choice but to recognize the result right now.

In front of the enemy's wind blade, Kazuma's wind barrier was pierced through without resisting for a second.

Ayano's face flipped up in astonishment looking hard at the boy standing before her eyes.

The boy was clearly not boasting of his power but set up the spear indifferently.

In a manner as if to say this is only natural.

"This guy, no way - "

Trying to focuse her mind, Ayano could do nothing but admit that she was not yet taking the situation seriously.

Thinking about it, it was an appropriate situation if you exclude all previous assumptions.

As Kazuma is a Contractor, theoretically all Wind Spirits are under his control. Then, another Fujutsushi won't be able to even begin an attack let alone oppose him.

What can overturn that principle, was someone like Kazamaki Ryuya who manipulated spirits that went mad and used Jutsu differently from it's root or, a Jutsushi who was by far more capable than Kazuma.

"No way - someone stronger than Kazuma--------?"

A chill ran along the muscles on her spine.

Without minding Ayano's disturbance, the boy pointed the spear to the target.

Without any confusion, it accurately aimed at Ayano.

"This way!?"

Simultaneously with that turned inside out scream, the spear grew hazy.

A certain kill blow that could simply pass through Kazuma's barrier.

Without thinking of blocking it from the beginning, Ayano tumbled in order to avoid it.

She barely escaped.

But, in compensation, her posture was fatally disordered. In the two seconds she needed to reorganize herself - she can die ten times over.

"Kuu."

In those wide opened eyes that forgot even to blink, the boy taking a pursuit stance was reflected.

Facing the unable to move Ayano, the boy unleashed the spear without hesitation.

"You think I'll let you!"

In that space, together with an angry roar, a gale forced its way through.

As if getting angry at being neglected on account of being worthless, Kazuma fired wind blades to the rapidly penetrating wind spear.

But, between the slashing attack and the spear thrust, there was an exceptional difference in their densities.

Not only unable to offset each other, unable to compete for even a moment, the wind blades were quickly crushed.

"Wha.......so much bullshit?"

At the overwhelming power difference demonstrated, Ayano was soundlessly petrified.

But, without any sigh of confusion, as if expecting it, Kazuma fired the second and third attack.

When that number reached five, finally the wind spear was negated.

"........This is outrageous," breathed out Kazuma smacking his lips.

Ayano had entirely the same opinion.

By a simple calculation, five times Kazuma's wind strength - to put it bluntly, it was a difference that couldn't even be spoken of.

"............"

The boy turned a colorless gaze to Kazuma but he immediately looked away.

As if literally declaring You don't exist in my opinion.

"How cold, mind me a little bit more. If not, I'll sulk."

But, clearly not hesitant about the power difference, with the impudent talk as usual, Kazuma started walking towards the boy.

As if brushing away the enemy approaching in a straight line, the boy wielded the spear as if sweeping sideways.

Kazuma avoided the attack by dunking so low his head touched the ground, and then from that position, a complete forward somersault.

The heel of his right leg vertically described a circle aimed at the boy's head.

"-----!!"

The rotating kick that was both offense and defense, as expected, surprised the boy.

Although he blocked it by pushing out the spear above his head, the jet black handle bent because of the clashing impact.

"Kuuh........."

But even so, the boy narrowly survived the blow.

And then in a bold move trying to aim at the gap immediately following, supporting his upside down falling body in one hand, this time with his left foot, Kazuma kicked the boy's leg.

The boy went to his knees.

In the meantime, Kazuma promptly stood up, and just like a whirlwind he applied a roundhouse kick from behind.

"----------!!"

Swaying back with all his strength, the boy avoided the kick attacking his temple.

Greatly bending backwards his upper body, he let himself fall just like that, curled his body to disperse the shock and rotated backwards.

Taking a defensive attitude, he escaped Kazuma's offensive range.

"Kuuh....."

"-----Humph."

Responding to the boy's glare full of hate, switching over to the standing in one knee posture after rolling three times, Kazuma returned one full of scorn.

Just then, the boy's gaze became even more severe.

Literally rolled in mud by the opponent he was looking down on, he was despised even more. That disgrace was more than he could imagine.

The boy quickly stood up and pointed his spear to Kazuma. He spoke in a squeezed to death voice.

"You bastard.....don't get in my way..........."

"Oo, the random attacker brat finally uses his mouth."

As if being surprised, Kazuma unnaturally raised one eyebrow.

".......Who's a random attacker?"

"Look closely in the mirror at least once and see what you're doing. It would be best to repent and surrender afterwards."

"........."

The boy already didn't answer to Kazuma's persiflage continuing fluently.

Did he used it all up or had he no intention of replying, in any case, the point of the spear thrust without disturbance was more eloquent than a thousand words, announcing the boy's intent.

But even so, Kazuma didn't lose his composure and confronted him with a daring smile.

Expecting from that attitude that Kazuma found the method of capturing the boy, Ayano's alertness relaxed so she spoke.

"All things considered, this is rare. For you to engage in close combat by yourself without being challenged."

Kazuma's tactic was basically a long distance attack using wind blades.

But despite that his martial arts form was stronger than Ayano's, which the girl found exceedingly annoying----

Anyhow, since Kazuma was especially engaging in close combat, she started thinking that, may be the key to capturing him in those circumstances but --- the answer was unexpected in various ways.

With a tendency to pout, as if sulking, Kazuma said.

"But, I can't win with a thing like Fujutsu."

".......You......." murmured Ayano greatly perplexed at that excessively miserable manner of speaking.

"Don't speak 'so shameful so lightly' you baka! Besides, what the heck does thing mean, huh!? Do you think you're at an age where speaking like that is tolerated!?"

"But, you see......"

"Don't > me!! Stop talking immediately like a spoiled mama's boy, it disgusts me!"

She finished her sentence in one breath.

That was by no means something insincere, a really bad feeling was spreading on her skin.

"Well, leaving that aside."

In front of Ayano breathing heavily because of too much stimulation, as if nothing happened, Kazuma quickly regained his usual sarcastic manner.

With a light gesture, lacking any feeling of tension, Kazuma pointed forward.

"Our honorable guest is waiting."

"Eeh? Aah---------"

Hearing that blunder she completely forgot but right now they were in the middle of the battle.

A formidable enemy like never before holding a spear hiding a tremendous power, he was only aiming at them.

But, very strangely, in spite of Ayano showing a lethal gap, the boy didn't began the attack.

As if he was waiting for them to prepare, he stood still spear ready.

"What is going on---------?"

Why did the boy overlooked such a definite gap?

She thought so too when Kazuma kept him in check, there was something strange.

"Just what is this boy trying to do?"

Although seeming to agree with that opinion and he was composedly smiling, his gaze was shooting through the boy without a trace of slackness, trying to feel around his true intention.

But, the boy was thoroughly cold towards Kazuma.

"I have no business with you," he coldly declared with a really apathetic expression.

At that indifferent sentence, Kazuma let out a murmur, all his > coming out.

"Hee----"

"-------Tch!"

At that time, with the fastest movement, Ayano grabbed the cuff of his jacket.

Kazuma turned around suspicious.

"What?"

"Right now you, you just thought of abandoning me and running by yourself, right!? That's not going to happen!"

".........Not really, I didn't think something like that."

"Humph, I wonder! But for your information I'll never let you escape! We go to the grave together!"

Looking at Ayano grasping tightly the cuff of his jacket so he'll never run, Kazuma murmured more amazed than ever.

"Why are you expressly taking such a pessimistic decision?"

"But......."

"To begin with, he's not such an opponent that you have to risk your life against."

".......Eeh?"

Involuntarily not believing her ears, Ayano stared at Kazuma.

"Right now........what was that?"

The opponent is someone who might have surpassed even Kazuma, a Fujutsushi outside human common sense grade.

And yet, from the way he spoke just now, she didn't feel any sort of threat -

"......I said I have no business with you."

Gazing at the slightly smiling Kazuma, the boy announced for a second time.

And then, with eyes burning with the will to fight, he glared at Ayano.

"The successor of Enraiha! If you say you're the rightful owner of the flame's sacred treasure - then show that power to me!"

With that vigorous shout, the boy took an offensive posture.

The swelling power was kneaded more and more, stronger, sharper.

But, Ayano hadn't yet found the way to oppose the spear facing her.

"W- wait a seco-"

Ayano was flustered but the boy was about to unleash the spear without hesitation. ---------But, as expected Kazuma couldn't tolerate that in silence.

"I told you I won't let you."

Together with that verdict combined with a smile, the unleashed wind blade drew an arc, attacking the boy from the flank.

To intercept that, the boy unwillingly interrupted his attack.

"Kuu! Don't -"

"Of course I'll get in the way, brat!"

Replying with scorn at the gaze full of hatred, Kazuma calmly blocked the boy's way.

"Because I'm sort of this woman's guard and I receive money for it."

"Guard.......?"

The boy's pupils were turned to Ayano full of surprise and anger.

From that gaze it looked like more than the fact that Kazuma was getting in the way so he couldn't defeat her, he condemned Ayano's weakness who had to employ something like a guard.

"And with that, this time I'll be the one to start."

But without caring about such things, Kazuma declared so and then he put it into effect.

From right overhead perpendicularly blowing down, a huge down-burst descended.

The strong wind striking down without a definite aim, shredded the earth cutting everything in touched.

The soaring dust cloud blocked their vision.

While cursing the boy pushed up the spear and lightly twisted his wrists.

The small circle drawn by the spearhead created a strong tornado.

The tornado scattered the down-burst in a moment and coincidentally forced the dust cloud in the atmosphere.

The air was purified. But -

The moment his field of vision cleared, those two figures were nowhere to be seen.

"Did you run away.........?," murmured the boy staring in wonder while feeling surprised.

But immediately pulling himself together, he searched for > in the surroundings.

After several seconds ------ the boy turned northeast with confident eyes.

However, he didn't chased after them immediately but looked up at the sky with a somewhat dark expression, staring at a distant place.

".......The power of Enraiha's user is only this much? With this......"

That figure murmuring feebly, appropriate for his age, was forlorn like a child on the verge of bursting into tears.

Part 2

Hiding himself in a building in the middle of construction, Kazuma looked annoyed.

"Well, if we could shake him off with this, it would be so easy."

"..........."

Ayano was staring at Kazuma with a pure white gaze.

"What?"

"I'm amazed. You said it would be an easy victory but suddenly we're running like some animal with the tail between its legs, huh? "

At that answer loaded with despair, Kazuma looked at the sky as if thinking back on his memory, cocking his head in puzzlement.

"------Did I say something like that?"

"Sure you did. That he's not such opponent you have to risk your life against. "

"Aah, that."

Quickly agreeing on this, Kazuma continued.

"What about you, why couldn't you turn against him, do you have a pretext for that?"

"Eeh? No, not really-----"

"Then rather that not fighting and thinking about dying, isn't it better to run?"

"Is that what you meant?" Replied Ayano with all her strength.

But, of course Kazuma didn't show a sigh of shyness.

Stuff like running away is shameful or a warrior's pride that's something that would never come out of this man.

"Good grief......leaving that aside, did you shake him off?"

"Isn't that impossible?" Immediately replied Kazuma, extremely carelessly.

"It's different from when I'm alone, it's because there's an Enjutsushi with me."

The amount of Spirits that accompanied Ayano, the direct descendant of the Kannagi Clan, the highest authority of Enjutsushi was absurdly enormous even in peace times.

Naturally, even the Kehai she emitted was luxurious and gorgeous, giving one the impression it was a billboard and perfectly concealing all that brilliance was next to impossible even with Kazuma's proficiency.

Although it may be possible for an ordinary opponent, escaping that boy's eye was beyond optimistic.

"Then, what are we going to do?"

"......Why do I have to think about it?"

Kazuma replied to Ayano's question like he was the embodiment of laziness.

"You're the one he's aiming at, right?"

"But, aren't you my partner?" Declared Ayano, in a tone of declaring the reasonable truth.

Kazuma grimaced magnificently.

At the first glance, Kazuma seems irresponsible and practically he is fairly irresponsible but his business ethics are unexpectedly high.

Dishonoring a contract was something that never happened.

Of course, that was not because of his virtuous mind, but because he had a thorough knowledge just how bad it could hurt his business credence --- meaning that the reason for that honesty was profit and loss arithmetic and yet Ayano's words unexpectedly poked at that.

"What do you think we should do?"

"Running is best."

Although turning his back to that second question he answered honestly.

"That brat doesn't seem stupid enough to attack the Kannagi Residence, don't you agree? Even if by some chance he does that, Oyaji or the Suzerain will settle the problem but most important is if I take you back home my contract is over."

"..................."

Ayano looked at Kazuma, persistently prioritizing his own comfort, with a white gaze.

But, thinking about the way the battle progressed so far, that was understandable.

To Ayano that boy seemed clearly ahead of Kazuma as a Fujutsushi.

Rather than using a different Jutsu, using the same and being defeated by a Jutsushi who has more excellent and had more talent was something she hadn't thought possible.

That is to say, thinking about it rationally, that's how it is. Kazuma cannot win against that boy.

But, even though she saw this man overwhelmed in reality Ayano couldn't imagine this man losing.

The girl's belief in his strength equals to common sense.

"It's impossible for Kazuma to lose."

"----Say, Kazuma."

After hesitating Ayano asked directly.

"Is that child, stronger that you?"

"That brat is nothing impressive by himself."

Unexpectedly, Kazuma declared so without hesitation.

Hearing that answer Ayano felt relief for a moment but it literally didn't go beyond a moment.

"The problem is that spear he has."

"-------Aah?"

She saw it during battle - it was shown to her - remembering the spear's tremendous power, Ayano sighed heavily.

"That was an amazing strength. That's the first time I saw a weapon pregnant with so much power."

"..........."

With half-opened eyes, Kazuma stared at Ayano murmuring absentmindedly.

He made a blatantly shocked face but Ayano, lost in her own thought, didn't noticed.

"So, what's up with that spear?"

"................."

"--------What?"

Finally noticing Kazuma's subdued eyes, Ayano innocently asked. Kazuma quietly turned his gaze away and looked at the blue sky.

"What!?"

"No, it's nothing. But that spear--"

"Do you know of it?"

"That's the first time I saw it so I can't say for sure ---- it's probably Kokusen."

"What's that?"

"..................."

From the reaction until now, Kazuma expected that answer.

He expected it but could do nothing about losing all the strength in his body.

His upper body leaned on the wall slanting. He seemed intolerably attracted to roll over just like that and going to sleep.

"Hey, what's up with that reaction? Just because you're somewhat of a walking dictionary, don't put on airs!"

She thought Kazuma's attitude was an insult so Ayano sulked pouting her lips.

But, even that very lovely gesture couldn't impress him.

"Should I explain for the sake of the baka girl who doesn't know anything......"

After those provocative words used as an introduction, Kazuma briefly explained.

"Kokusen is the sacred treasure of the Wind. The same as your Enraiha."

"-----Eeh?"

Forgetting her anger at those impolite words, Ayano stared at him in puzzlement.

That was something very surprising.

She required thirty seconds until she could understand Kazuma's explanation.

"Sacred treasure - of the wind? Then, what about water and earth?"

"I don't know about those but Enraiha of the Fire and Kokusen of the Wind are both famous. Did you really not know?"

"Yeah."

As Ayano nodded quickly, Kazuma looked at the sky.

"Study a bit more, you. If I'm not mistaken, the Fuan family from Hong Kong was supposed to have it but......."

"But, what?"

"But if that brat became the successor, it's impossible that I didn't hear of it. Did he just take over?"

"It's not something that concerns you."

"Well, that's true."

Kazuma responded to the third voice suddenly cutting in the conversation calmly, without becoming confused.

"Wha---"

But, Ayano jumped to her feet. And then, as expected, that silhouette was in her field of vision.

"Did you think you could escape, Enjutsushi?" Informed the boy coldly, holding the spear.

The self-confidence dwelling in his voice ---- when the searching ability is concerned, the Fujutsushi will always win.

Meaning that an Enjutsushi can't win.

Ignoring Kazuma who was the same, that declaration was bragging about how he was the overwhelmingly superior Jutsushi.

"Play time is over. If you don't want to die demonstrate your power, Enraiha's user"

"Kuu----- "

As if overpowered by that determined gaze, Ayano let out a small moan. She looked at Kazuma requesting a counter plan but -

"Why are you still sitting down? Get up already!"

"Huh? Aah, am I getting in the way? Well then, I'll step back a bit more so do your best......"

"Don't fall back! You should fight too!"

He truly didn't display any willingness.

"Besides, you're the one aimed at, no? He went as far as nominating you so, do it by yourself without nominating others."

"Wha---But, you're my escort, aren't you?"

"That's right. That's why, well - how about this? I'll help you if you're about to die so until then -"

It was at the time Kazuma said that in a voice without motivation.

During the time those two ere exchanging such idiotic words, the boy's shoulders trembled as he remained a spectator, without attacking.

He turned to Kazuma with a cold gaze, cold but with a something that was on the verge of boiling dwelling inside.

"Help you if you're about to die, huh? Do you think a third rate Fujutsushi like you can stop me?"

A frank disdain thrown at Kazuma together with an ostentatiously derisive laughter.

There's no need to say it, even for a normal human the anger would be insuppressible.

But, Kazuma -

"------Pfff"

Averting his eyes after looking at the boy's face, he made a small snicker.

"Wha- what's so funny?"

".........No, it's because I understand you're doing your best."

With a sidelong glance at the exasperated boy flicking off the derisive mask, Kazuma's laugh made his shoulders tremble.

"Even though you take the I completely ignore the likes of you attitude the best you can, since you cannot help but react to every single one of my words, well, it must be because you're young, I think."

"-------!"

Suddenly remembering what happened, with a red face the boy was silent.

Seeing that, Kazuma made an even lower laughter.

"You, you bastard.........!"

Grinding his teeth at the humiliation of a > making fun of him, the boy glared at Kazuma.

And then, he thrust the tip of Kokusen at the man who made fun of him so much.

"Isn't this fine? Then, I'll teach you your place first!"

"------Aah?"

Kazuma looked at the boy amazed. This development was obviously unexpected.

Even though he feigned calmness and his inexperience could be seen through because he was not yet able to control his emotions, to go as far as forgetting his main purpose drained away by immediate fury, what a child...

"Hey, why are you doing this?"

"Isn't it fine?"

Ayano's happy voice covered that natural protest.

"If you want to fight with me please knock down this man first, or something like that?"

".......Ayano."

With half opened eyes Kazuma looked at Ayano who declared so for fun.

But he seemed the only one dissatisfied by the situation -

"Fine. You'll be my opponent after."

Unrelated to Kazuma's volition, the stage was rapidly prepared.

"........Why does it become like this?"

The unwilling development made Kazuma astonished.

And then, as if sinking the boot into him even further, Ayano winked at him.

"As expected of my guard. Volunteering your body in that manner to protect me ♥"

".......Well, I don't really mind. This amount is still within the reward. But -"

Unexpectedly, Kazuma obediently accepted the situation. But, as if it was natural, he didn't forget to cynically stab her once.

"If you only fight cheap opponents, no matter how much time passes you won't improve, you know."

"Uuu....I understand that but I think this one is a little bit tricky for me."

"That's not true."

"-------Eeh?"

At that declaration without hesitation Ayano unintentionally opened her eyes wide.

But, without saying anything else, with a decisive gait, he stood in front of the boy.

Faced with that attitude full of composure, the boy grimaced with unconcealed discomfort.

"Are you bastards sane? - This late in the game, do you yet not see the the difference in power?"

Kazuma replied with a derisive laugh at those words the boy spat out.

And then, at leisure, he took out his cigarette and lit it.

"Aren't you talkative, brat? You'd be cooler if you shut up."

"------! Then, you should regret ridiculing me in the realm of the dead!"

Together with the angry roar, an unleashed gale blow.

Kazuma jumped sideways in a big way, and at the same time he avoided the attack, he jumped outside the window.

"Hyaaa!"

"You won't run away!"

Although she was outside the fire line, Ayano screamed as broken pieces of concrete that were flaked by the wind blade dashed over her.

But already not minding her, the boy chased straight after Kazuma.

"......Well, for the time being I'm saved, huh?"

While coughing so in confusion, from the window - it was the fourth floor by the way, Ayano overlooked the world.

There, the battle was already reopened.

But then, Kazuma was only escaping and the boy was only attacking so there was the problem that such an one-sided evolution without any change between offense and defense could be called a battle.

"Well, there seems to be a chance of success so I should leave it to him, no?"

But even so, alone, without panicking, Ayano descended at leisure the flight of stairs, aiming for the ground floor.

Part 3

Facing the man frivolously smiling, with a cigarette in his mouth, the boy unleashed Kokusen without holding back at all.

The high speed blow surging out approached Kazuma, leaving behind only the sound of cutting wind.

"-----Huh."

But Kazuma avoided it by jumping aside.

He felt the certain kill blade brushing against his cheek but his smile didn't fade.

"Hey, Speedy! Are you only going to run after having such a big mouth?"

"No, why, I have no problem with you praising my magnificent skills in running away."

"Don't fool around!"

The boy attacked, Kazuma avoided. Their battle repeated just like that.

Kazuma was neglecting the boy's attack, without even warding it off with wind, he was just avoiding it as much as possible.

Was that the best he could do, was his composed smile only a bluff -

"Don't get cocky, small fry!"

"It's not over yet!"

While dodging the certain kill strike, Kazuma bragged in a smiling voice.

After repeating that many times over, Ayano finally arrived to the battle ground.

Looking at the state of the battle, the first thing she said was:

"Aah, you're still alive."

"............Is that what you say after pushing your own battle to others?" Replied Kazuma, looking over his shoulder with half-opened eyes.

Pretending not to recognize it, Ayano turned away.

And then, at that time, the boy chuckled at the exquisite arrangement.

By chance the three were arranged in a line.

If Kazuma were to evade like always from that location, the wind blade will attack Ayano standing behind him.

Without being able to defend, it would be his overwhelming victory.

He cannot evade a blow at full power - the boy concluded so.

"It's my win!"

Convinced of certain victory, the boy dropped his back in a grand scale.

That firm posture that not even a bull could pull was a quiet, instantaneous movement.

"-----!"

Together with a soundless yell, the spear became blurry.

While breathing once he unleashed nine attacks. Of course, they were all to kill -

To offset one of the the boy's attack Kazuma needed to attack five times, so no matter whether he was a contractor or not, it wasn't possible to fire forty five attacks in the space of a moment.

"........."

In front of the imminent nine deaths Kazuma showed a cold, dry smile. And then, slowly, he pushed out his left hand in front.

As if squeezed out by the hand, nine wind blades were produced.

While dancing like playful fairies, they sweetly, tenderly, softly entwined the wind blade.

The wind influenced by the strong spear was torn off, scattered and run through straight by the coiling wind.

And then, without altering its aim it soundly seized Kazuma's body, blowing through his clothes and hair, making them rustle.

"Wha---?"

"You showed me too much, idiot," Kazuma coldly said over his shoulder to the shocked boy.

"No matter how strong your attack is, if you show it many times over, I will think of one or two countermeasures. What humans can manipulate is not all mighty or absolute. Without even realizing that, you thought yourself invincible just because a somewhat convenient tool happened to fall in your hands, so you lose."

"Kuu......" Murmured the boy in regret.

But Kazuma's points were the truth and had no place for objection.

Since he couldn't make a satisfactory counter attack, he thoughtlessly despised his opponent.

Without thinking of tactics or anything else, he planned on continuing attacking with nothing but brute force but -

Everything was seen through.

He knew what happened.

Kazuma coiled wind like a screw around the spear's wind fired in a straight line and slowly but steadily reduced its power and finally changed it into a gust of wind without any offensive ability.

It seemed easy in theory but putting it into practice was beyond miracle.

To seize them in the space of a moment - he had no other way but to intercept them.

For that purpose not only that transcendent technique that had the touch of divine work was required but the flawless reading of the orbit of his own attack and it's timing, meaning that as a Jutsushi he was completely ahead of him.

There's already nothing he can do against him - he understood that was the definite truth.

Like he was convinced of victory, he cannot pursue Kazuma who was casually stepping up to him so the boy took a step back.

While he was without reservation shortening the distance, Kazuma thought.

"Good grief, how troublesome......."

He didn't have the same amount of strong feelings regarding the boy.

To begin with, he wasn't the kind of opponent he had to fight hard against since the beginning. Not even when taking Kokusen into account.

Even the technique the boy was admiring, for Kazuma it wasn't something he was particularly proud of.

For a Jutsushi it was natural to prepare ten or twenty Jutsu when facing someone who had a stronger hand than you.

The idiots who were under the impression of I am the strongest, cannot live long enough in this world.

Without any feeling, Kazuma was simply looking at the boy's bloodless face.

He was thirteen or fourteen. Just a spoiled child.

Even if he's the direct descendant of the Fuan Family, his body is immature, his training ten years at most, even the power he can use doesn't amount to much.

Nevertheless, the reason the brat looked down on all other Fujutsushi and was so conceited to pick a fight with the Kannagi's direct descendant, what's more, the successor of Enraiha, could be only one.

"Certainly, this is a >," thought Kazuma, looking at the spear the boy held in his hand.

By all rights, it was impossible for him to take so much time against a Fujutsu opponent.

Kazuma was the > that contracted the Spirit Lord of the Wind which means that all Wind Spirits obey him unconditionally.

But, that spear, Kokusen, as expected of a sacred treasure, seemed to give the proprietor this much ability as if he was a semi-contractor.

That's why, besides removing the seal and completely displaying his contractor power, with Kazuma's power right now, he couldn't steal the boy's control over wind spirits.

"Getting stuck fighting that kind of Fujutsushi, huh? It splendidly wounded my pride -"

While grumbling inside his heart, Kazuma stepped forward in silence.

But, the boy started attacking a second time.

It seems that somehow or another he didn't want to admit defeat but no matter how strong the attack, if it can be seen through, it won't become a threat.

This time it was a counter from the side. He slightly altered the trajectory of the straight going wind spear.

But, that was enough.

All the attacks he continued firing, were avoided as if it were natural, missing their target by a paper thin difference.

Without even making evasive moves, Kazuma walked straight on.

The face of the boy setting up the spear in the front, white and stiff was clear.

In comparison to that, his attack became monotonous and he couldn't handle it anymore.

The last step. He rushed into the space with the physical spear but the pushed out Kokusen was dodged. Simultaneously that handle was casually grasped.

"-------Tch!"

"--------"

The power of the boy and Kazuma, one trying to draw back the other to snatch away, competed for a moment.

But because Kazuma quickly surpassed him the boy staggered and lost his balance.

"Kuh, let- let-go!"

As he immediately tried to reorganize, with the spear he seized, Kazuma manipulated the boy's center of gravity, not giving him the time to do so.

But even so, the boy doesn't let go of Kokusen - in the end, that was the conclusive cause of defeat.

If he would have let go of the spear he may have reorganized his crumbling balance but because he couldn't do that, he quickly crossed over the limit and fell down.

Of course, Kazuma couldn't overlook that.

"Gaah!"

He beat him to the ground with the boy's own weapon after he plundered the right of control from him, screaming like all air was evacuating his lungs.

"Humph."

And then, even more mercilessly, he trampled on the fallen boy's chest.

That force, enough to smash his heart, made his ribs jar with a thick sound.

"------Aah?"

Suddenly Kazuma closed his eyes partly, and revealed a suspicious voice.

But a moment after he regained his serenity and stepped on the boy, struggling feebly, ruthlessly.

While grinning, he asked perfectly serious.

"Well, how about this - die at once, huh?"

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