Female Swordsman Training Dojo

The meaning is quite clear. You want magic power? Then go get it yourself!

But looking at his slender arms, Tsuchimikado Haru could only smile bitterly: "I probably can't beat that guy."

After all, if it were an evil spirit, then someone with that level of strength would be at least an elite-level monster, if not a king-level one. How could she, a useless stone with no strength, possibly fight against it? And if it wasn't an evil spirit, but rather her other half, then with her knowledge of magic, the opponent could easily humiliate her by simply using their magic power.

Tsuchimikado asked expectantly, "Could we ask someone else for help?"

"Unfortunately, unless you want to die with her, you'll have to do it yourself." The priestess smiled slightly and pointed at Taira no Harunobu. "But if you want to become stronger, isn't there a good option here?"

Harunobu, with the daifuku in his mouth, blinked.

Then he swallowed the large avocado in one gulp: "I'm fine, but this child seems to prefer magic, doesn't he?"

"Or, Lan, why don't you do it?"

Shiranui Ran looked at Harunobu strangely: "You, didn't you say Koharu had great swordsmanship talent before? Why has your attitude changed now?"

“I always respect other people’s choices. This child doesn’t like swordsmanship, so no matter how talented he is, it’s useless.” Qingxin said, then shook his head. “But it doesn’t matter. If he wants to learn, he can just pay the tuition. The outer gate will be completed in two or three days. You can just come and report then.”

"However, newcomers should start with Shinryu (Ashina style) or Hiten Mitsurugi."

After speaking lightly, Qingxin tapped the table: "So, is that all? Where's my sword?"

Chapter 254: Three Demon Blades

As Harunobu summarized and changed the subject, the somewhat strange atmosphere in the hut melted away. Shiranui Ran, who had thought the shrine maiden would finally give in to her pranks and act as a pimp for Harunobu, and Tsuchimikado Haru, who had expected Harunobu to make some special request, both breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Harunobu was indeed serious about most of what he just said—for example, he truly no longer held high hopes for Tsuchimikado Haru—it's clear that learning swordsmanship doesn't require magic power, and Tsuchimikado Haru was still obsessed with her magic, indicating that she still wanted to be a spellcaster.

That makes sense, considering it's Tsuchimikado.

So Haruno deliberately spoke in a distant and cold tone to avoid any strange situations. He didn't need to, nor did he want to, satisfy his sexual needs in this way.

Moreover, Tsuchimikado Haru's energetic girl persona collapsed really quickly; she doesn't seem as cute as a kitten anymore, even though her chest seems a bit bigger.

The kitten rolled its eyes and gently nibbled at Qingxin's finger that was touching her lips. The clever cat could always sense subtle malice.

The paper doll group, which had just run off in high spirits, came running back carrying three long knives, their short legs making it look like they were struggling to wield them.

The shrine maiden, having lost interest in the spectacle, yawned lazily and said to Tsuchimikado Haru, "The separation spell I mentioned earlier costs three thousand yen per use, so please be prepared."

Tsuchimikado Haru nodded. The price was still within her budget; it would just mean doing more quests in Shiranui. If all else failed, she could sell some rare materials and jewelry she had accumulated, which should be enough for two or three uses.

Judging from the average progress rate of the disciples of Qingkong Pavilion, as long as Shiranui equips them with excellent weapons and armor, regaining their magic power shouldn't be too difficult. And once they regain even just enough magic power for her to use once, the rest will be much easier.

Imagining a bright future, Haru Tsuchimikado's large eyes curved slightly.

Of course, before that, she still needs to study swordsmanship properly.

—In the end, we still ended up going back to the original plan.

Thinking about it, I really feel a bit guilty towards Taira no Shin; I have a feeling I took advantage of him. But he doesn't seem to care. As long as you pay the tuition, you can go and learn. Although modern dojos aren't as rigid and inflexible as the old styles, this is still too lax.

Or was it just something said in anger?

It didn't seem like it at all. He showed no sign of being stubborn; he was either joking and laughing with his wives or speaking seriously the whole time. It's completely different from how enthusiastically he invited me to be his disciple before… Did he rationally give up?

Tsuchimikado Haru's smile faded as she pondered. She watched as Hiraharu Nobu picked up the three long swords carried by the paper figures and spoke to the shrine maiden, without concealing her gaze.

But Hiraharu didn't look at her.

Harunobu was drooling as he looked at the three demon swords in his hand.

These were the scraps left over from Vortigern's corpse after the body was created for the Tachibana Saint Child. The priestess, having nothing better to do, casually crafted them into three demon swords.

Each sword was exquisitely shaped, and each scabbard was enveloped in a powerful magical glow.

My hands are so itchy, I want to chop someone up.

Before even drawing the sword, merely gripping the hilt, Harunobu felt an urge to test it. However, he easily suppressed this urge and remained calm. After all, these three swords were merely scraps from Vortigern's collection, containing no trace of Vortigern's soul, and therefore posed little threat to his spirit.

"Let me give you a brief introduction, Your Highness?" Harunobu released the hilt of his sword and looked at the shrine maiden who was drinking tea. "I don't expect an introduction fee, do I?"

The shrine maiden tilted her head and thought for a moment, then held out her hand: "I'll give you thirty yen."

"Hey--"

The shrine maiden looked at Harunobu with a calm expression, but in the end Harunobu was defeated and paid a heavy price for his loose tongue.

The priestess, delighted with her unexpected windfall, stretched out her right hand and gently tapped the first knife with her index finger: "This knife is the least sharp, but it can provide the wielder with four magical effects: fire protection, calming the mind, wind speed, and power. As long as you have the strength to hold it, it will remain effective."

Its name is Haruyuki-maru.

Hirako's pupils dilated slightly, then she quickly regained her composure and picked up Haruyuki under Harunobu's smug gaze.

There was a click.

The moment the gleaming blade was drawn, it even extinguished the sunlight that filled the room, making even the fox lady's golden fur appear somewhat dull. Fiery red, aquamarine, wind-blue, and earthy yellow lights flickered one by one, then returned to normal, leaving only a chilling silver-white light standing in the boundless space.

Hirako sheathed her sword again, a warmth welling up inside her giving her an urge to pounce on Harunobu and serve him fiercely. But there was no rush; the occasion wasn't right.

So all she could do was cast a tender, sweet glance, as honey-like as honey water, while expressing her feelings to Harunobu in the simplest and most direct way: "Thank you, my husband—mua~"

Surprisingly, Harunobu seemed to regain a bit of his sense of shame. While touching Hirako's plump thigh, he scratched his slightly reddened face and asked, "What are we talking about... next round?"

Hojo Amu and Koneko chuckled softly, and the shrine maiden's calm expression was tinged with amusement: "This one is the sharpest, and also the most fragile—of course, it's still much better than ordinary weapons, about average for a demon sword, since it's made from a dragon's tooth."

"It doesn't provide any buffs to the wielder, but objects struck by it will be cursed with vulnerability, becoming more susceptible to damage. Additionally, when it wounds an enemy, the resulting wounds will..."

Chapter 277

It becomes difficult to heal unless dispelled with magic.

"Its name is..." The shrine maiden suddenly drew out her words, her gaze shifting between Amu Hojo and the kitten, making the two, who were not nervous before, start to feel anxious.

There are only three knives in total, and the teacher will definitely get one. So, who gets the last one? Does that mean the teacher likes who the teacher likes the most? After all, the first knife was given to the teacher's favorite, Sachiko.

No matter what, such thoughts are bound to surface.

Harunobu rolled his eyes; this shrine maiden with such a twisted sense of humor was hopeless. He simply picked up the second knife and placed it in the kitten's hand: "I named it Cat Paw. If you don't like it, think of one yourself."

“Then, this one is called Dream Transmission.” Harunobu picked up the third one and placed it in Hojo Amu’s hand. “As for the specific effects, ask this guy who just wants to watch the show.”

"How rude of you, Harunobu," the shrine maiden said with displeasure, but still dutifully fulfilled her duty of explanation. "This sword is the second sharpest and the most resilient, capable of withstanding far greater force than the other two swords. And the only special effect it has been given is the amplification of willpower."

Harunobu gently pinched the tip of Hosho Amu's nose: "So, this isn't something I'm giving you at the last minute; it was made for you from the start. As for me, the Asauchi sword is enough. And would you refuse to let me use your sword if I wanted to?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, did you see that? How a womanizer deceives women." Shiranui Ran said to Tsuchimikado Haru with a sour tone, "Haru, you have to be careful. Don't get fooled when you go to learn swordsmanship."

Haru Tsuchimikado pursed her lips and nodded: "I know, Ran-nee!"

The warm and touching atmosphere that had just begun to build was instantly shattered by the fox. Hojo Amu smiled and hugged Harunobu, biting his lips directly. The little cat, who was a step too slow—mainly because Harunobu was holding him and he needed to turn around—could only watch anxiously.

Finally, he simply started gnawing on Harunobu's neck.

After a while of fussing, Qingxin, whose lips were a little swollen and who had several hickeys on her neck, sat up straight with a serious expression: "Well, now that we've finished what we needed to do, we'll take our leave."

The priestess raised her teacup, took a sip, and indicated that she understood.

Harunobu and his group stood up to return, but Shiranui Ran called out to him, "Harunobu, would you like to test your sword on someone?"

The author says:

Author's Note: I recently started playing Pinocchio's Lies, but I just can't seem to get into it, which is strange. Current draft status: 1. And please vote!

Chapter 255: Testing the Knife (1/3)

Although Shiranui Ran's words were ambiguous, easily conjuring up images of illegal acts like murder, Harunobu certainly wouldn't fall for it so easily. This was the leader of the royal ninja; she wouldn't be asked to break the law.

"So, what kind of request do you have this time?" Harunobu turned his head. "I remember we agreed that I would just be a figurehead and enjoy the power, right?"

“This isn’t a new commission. You said yourself that you want to crack down on the black market for smuggled firearms.” Shiranui Ran crossed her arms, showcasing her ample bosom. “Anyway, you’re free right now, aren’t you? Besides, you just got these new weapons, don’t you want to test them in real combat?”

To be honest, Harunobu really wanted to give it a try.

The same goes for Hirako and the others; it's a shared instinct, an inherent trait, among swordsmen.

"Okay, you've convinced me. Where to go?"

“Not far, it’s nearby.” Shiranui Ran put down her hand in a light tone, walked past Hirayukiko and the other two, and stood in front of Harunobu. “Come with me.”

"Where is the child?" Harunobu didn't seem to care, but he glanced at Tsuchimikado Haru.

Shiranui Ran paused for a moment, then looked at the shrine maiden: "Shrine Maiden..."

"It costs money, protection money," the shrine maiden said casually, chewing on her yokan (sweet bean jelly). "100 yen an hour."

Ran Shiranui shook her head speechlessly: "Then Koharu, come with us."

"Yes, Ran-nee." Tsuchimikado Haru walked to Ran Shiranui's side, which was Harunobu's side.

Hirako, Amu Hosho, and Koneko exchanged glances, smiled, and moved closer, naturally squeezing out the two who had just taken the advantageous position.

There was nothing they could do; why didn't they just hug her up directly? Leaving such a large gap was practically giving her away for free.

She was given a chance, but she didn't do it.

Hirayuki smiled and nodded to Shiranui Ran: "Please lead the way, Miss Shiranui."

She doesn't mind that Harunobu, her beloved husband, is with another woman, but only if that woman truly loves Harunobu and accepts everything about him. Women like Shiranui Ran, who are still clueless and lack self-awareness, shouldn't waste everyone's time.

Because if someone wants to possess the teachers' college but can't accept sharing it with everyone, it will definitely cause trouble in the end. Even if it can be resolved, such a situation will greatly affect the mood of the teachers' college and, more importantly, everyone's happy life with the teachers' college.

So, for the sake of the teacher's college and for her own good, let's not joke around until she makes up her mind.

Shiranui Ran bit her lower lip, and no one noticed the change in her expression because of the mask. She herself didn't realize why she was like this, and then naturally attributed it to the displeasure of being guarded against by Taira no Harunobu's wife.

Honestly, not everyone would be attracted to your husband. Aren't there tons of philandering and promiscuous men like that in Yoshiwara?

Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Miss Fox naturally moved a little further forward. Then she felt Ping Qingxin's gaze fall on her buttocks, and her mood subtly improved.

But this good mood only lasted until she left Ame-no-Tama-no-Mikoto Shrine. In order not to attract the attention of passers-by, Miss Fox tucked in her ears and tail, and disappeared from sight.

?

Miss Fox sharpened her sharp silver teeth and strode forward.

Without his big tail to look at, Qingxin looked around. The kitten that had climbed into his arms halfway through suddenly hugged his neck and whispered, "Does Teacher like tails a lot?"

"No..." Qingxin subconsciously denied it, but the kitten didn't believe him.

"Your eyes were practically glued to that vixen's tail just now, and you still say you don't like her."

Arrested on the spot, Harunobu simply stopped pretending: "Fine, I do like it. Don't you like it when it's fluffy?"

The kitten nodded seriously, then leaned closer and whispered, "Does the teacher like cat tails? I know some places sell them~"

Harunobu briefly imagined what a kitten with its black tail curled up would look like, then suddenly sniffed: "It's alright."

This time, the cat ignored Harunobu's stubbornness. His rapid heartbeat had already told the truth, so the cat just chuckled and watched as Hirako and Hosho Amu leaned in on either side of Harunobu's ear.

"What about the rabbit's tail and the dog's tail?"

Harunobu took a deep breath and used his strong willpower—enough to beat Vortigern's temptation to death again—to suppress the urge to go shopping immediately.

So, where do I buy it?

The kitten grinned.

Miss Fox was practically grinding her teeth to powder.

In this atmosphere, Shiranui Ran quickly led Harunobu and the others into Yoshiwara, which was not far away. Under the watchful eyes of a group of courtesans and tourists, they arrived at an ordinary-looking alley.

Standing at the alley entrance and looking inside, it was extremely dark and gloomy, unable to penetrate even the intense midday sun. In the slightly brighter areas, one could see piles of household garbage. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be many people in such a place during the day. Even if it were a black market, transactions would usually only take place at night; otherwise, it wouldn't be called a black market.

But whether it was because they were in Yoshiwara, or for some other reason, this...

Chapter 278

The alleyway was now packed with people, and even some small but loud shouts could be heard coming from it.

Well, of course, they're just hawking ordinary goods at very low prices, like a clearance sale—but judging from the environment, they're probably more likely stolen goods.

Shiranui Ran stopped and turned to the side, ignoring the two burly men who came to greet her, and said to Harunobu, "What do you think we should do?"

"Shouldn't this be your decision?" Harunobu said, his hands hanging at his sides, ignoring the two burly men who appeared to be thugs. "And shouldn't you at least give us a brief introduction to where this place is?"

“That’s true.” Shiranui Ran nodded. “This is the largest black market in the surrounding area, and probably one of the top three in Tokyo—although it’s small in size—but it has a wide variety of goods, including German and British products. Moreover, all the merchants here have complete permits and pay taxes on time, so theoretically they are all legal businesses.”

"In other words, we can't just ask them to cooperate with the investigation. After all, they must have someone behind them to be able to get such complete documentation, right?"

Harunobu summarized Shiranui Ran's meaning as follows: In short, this black market has someone protecting it. So, her previous question was about how Harunobu planned to deal with these dogs being kept by powerful figures.

After all, if you're not careful, you could easily attract the attention of those behind you.