Book 2: Chapter 72: Catching a Blade with Bare Hands

How dare you humiliate me!

Sanemitsu boiled with rage when he felt his dignity being publicly trampled. The Spirit Power in his entire body erupted. He drew his sword with a sharp noise, then swung it at Lily.

Instead of dodging Sanemitsus blade, Lily tossed the foxtail gra.s.s at him. The gra.s.s spun past the blade and flew in front of Sanemitsus eyes.

It was at that moment, Sanemitsus Uchigatana came down forcefully!

Clap!

The blade stopped about three centimeters away from Lilys forehead. Lilys silky hair fluttered in the wind that was conjured by the blades motion.

What?! Sanemitsu was shocked!

Even Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+, the villagers and ronin who were watching from the side gaped.

Lilys fair arms were exposed from the sleeves of her red kimono. She had stopped Sanemitsus blade between her palms.

She caught the blade with bare hands!1 Lilys gaze turned sharp as she made a twist.

SNAP ! An unimaginably powerful force snapped Sanemitsus blade.2

The impact caused Sanemitsu to stumble a few steps to the side before he fell and landed on his hands.

Lily swung her long sleeve, then the broken blade flew toward Sanemitsu like a bolt of white light and struck the ground right in front of him!

Sanemitsu s.h.i.+vered at the sight of the sharp blade.

It was only then the foxtail gra.s.s that had been fluttering in the draft landed softly before his eyes.

Sanemitsu Jirous eyes widened at this moment, looking as though he had just suddenly realized something

He turned around and kneeled on the ground, looking at Lily in shock as his heart palpitated. An expert! This woman is a true expert! She could have killed me effortlessly just now if she wanted to! he thought to himself.

Lady, if I may ask, just which dojo were you trained in? Sunemitsu asked in all seriousness. Master is ranked third in Genji Dojo of the East, s.h.i.+u replied. s.h.i.+u, dont shoot your mouth off, Lily whispered. WHAT?!

The samurai and ronin in Edo Village turned pale with fright.

Genji Dojo of the East? Sunemitsus eyes widened at Lily.

To Sunemitsu, the Genji Dojo itself was already an incredibly superior existence that was out of his reach. This lady actually ranked third among those elite samurai?

Lets go Sunemitsus voice suddenly turned calm. Lord Sunemitsu The other ronin looked at Sunemitsu, unsure of how to react.

Sunemitsu got up and bowed deeply to Lily. Lady Kagami, I didnt know that Lady s.h.i.+u is serving you. Had I known that she is the servant of an elite female samurai from Genji Dojo, a barbaric ronin like me wouldnt dare to get carried away by my own wishful thinking! Please forgive my ignorance, Lady Kagami!3

Lord Sunemitsu, I apologize. I didnt intend to make a fool out of you. I just Lily felt rather bad for disrespecting Sunemitsu. After all, he seemed like a ronin that was worthy of respect.4

No, it is a great honor that an expert like Lady Kagami is willing to give me a pointer or two and show me that theres always someone stronger than me out there. You have made me realize the huge disparity between the strength of a ronin from Musas.h.i.+ and a real powerhouse from the heart of the East! I want to thank you, Lady Kagami! Sunemitsu cupped his fist respectfully.

I am to blame for this, Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ stepped forward and also apologized to Lily. Lady Kagami had no choice but to take action because I had spoken rudely yesterday and expressed my contempt toward womens swordsmans.h.i.+p. I have learned a great deal from witnessing Lady Kagamis impressive demonstration of catching a blade with bare hands. It is Yagyuu clans honor that s.h.i.+u is allowed to serve an outstanding woman like Lady Kagami!5

Lily accepted Yagyuus kind words. Thank you, Lord Yagyuu. Please allow me to bring s.h.i.+u back.

Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ nodded in approval. s.h.i.+u, follow Lady Kagami and work hard in learning swordsmans.h.i.+p. Although you cant inherit the dojo, your every word and action still represents the Yagyuu clan at the end of the day.

Yes, Father! s.h.i.+us face flushed as she shouted in excitement.

After saying that, she shyly went over to Lily.

Lily turned around and spoke to Sunemitsu. Im sorry for breaking your sword. If you will travel to Suruga Province in the future, look for Master Blacksmith Ehiro. Tell her my name and have her forge you a grade 4 sword or lower for free.6

Master Ehiro! Sunemitsu had also heard of the famous blacksmith in the Land of East. He hurriedly kneeled on the ground and prostrated himself before Lily. Thank you very much!

The sword that Lily broke was only an inferior grade 3 sword. If it was from a master, even a grade 3 weapon would be cream of the crop. Instead of a loss, he received a great gift from Lily. Sunemitsu was naturally moved to tears.7

Sunemitsu and his men left after bidding their farewell to Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+. Lily stayed another night in the residence at the request of Yagyuu instead, and would return to Kamakura City with s.h.i.+u early next morning.

It was now midnight in Yagyuu residences courtyard.

Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ sat cross-legged in the cold autumn garden in silence.

Father s.h.i.+u had changed into a s.e.xy8 and cool-looking ninja attire, carrying a straight sword on her back. She was ready to leave.

s.h.i.+u As a father, I heartlessly sent you to the Fuma clan back then. Do you resent me?9 Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ didnt even turn his head around. He was simply staring at the peaceful pond.

Why do you ask, Father? If Father wasnt strict, s.h.i.+u wouldnt be who she is today. If I didnt join the Fuma clan, I would never get to know Master. s.h.i.+u is very blessed, and all of this is thanks to you, Father.10

It seems like you really admire your master. Master is my everything.

Hohoho. Fortunately, your master is a woman. Otherwise, I would really be a little jealous as your father Go now. Since you have chosen to be loyal to your master, forget about your father. One cannot be loyal and filial at the same time. Go with your master and carve your path of light amidst this dark era!11

Father

Your master is by no means an ordinary woman. Following someone like that means that you will encounter danger that ordinary people wont. Father wont comment further on this since you must have already been aware of that. Dont come back again after you leave this time.

Father ! s.h.i.+u knelt down on the stone path. Tears rolled in her eyes as she watched her fathers lonely, old but tough back.

s.h.i.+u, since you have become Lady Kagamis ninja, you wont be able to carry on the Yagyuu clans swordsmans.h.i.+p. No matter. You may create a new road to ninja for my Yagyuu clan! Father thinks that you can do it if you follow this woman! Now, go !

Father, s.h.i.+u shall leave now. s.h.i.+u lowered her head as tears streamed down from her closed eyes.

Take care. I will!

s.h.i.+u bowed down to her father for the one last time, then lifted her head to gaze at the silver moon in the autumn sky. Her figure transformed into a shadow as she jumped onto the eaves of her house. Using the path that a ninja would use, she rushed out of the Yagyuu residence and never looked back.

It was only then Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ turned his head to look at his daughters silhouette that was about to swiftly and vigorously vanish into the night. There was a look of mixed emotions on his tough-looking face. Yagyuu Munetos.h.i.+ perhaps only felt the profoundness in the bond between a father and a daughter at this parting moment.

Lily was already standing under the old pine tree in front of the residence as she waited for her female ninja in her red kimono. She smiled warmly when she saw s.h.i.+u jumped off from the eaves and ran toward her.12

s.h.i.+u Master!13

Robinxen: This is SOOOOO anime.

Robinxen: JESUS CHRIST! I do not want Lilys hands anywhere near my precious sword

Robinxen: Hes not a bad guyhuh?

Robinxen: Id be awkward too. Too used to those sc.u.m.

Robinxen: He changed his tune fast. I dont like him either way.

Robinxen: Shes just handing out treasure now. Gold ingots and now IOUs.

Robinxen: Dude made a profit from pure luck and a bit of a fright.

Robinxen:

Robinxen: d.a.m.n RIGHT I DO!

Robinxen: YOU ARE WAY TOO OPTIMISTIC AND NAIVE BUT I LOVE YOU!

Robinxen: Minimal level of self awareness. Not enough.

Robinxen: I DEMAND ART!

Silva: And so, they lived happily ever after, Fin~