Chapter 19

"Let them come."

Michael nodded "It seems you have confidence." Kojiro shook his head "It's not confidence If you are sure you can do it. It's simply a matter of fact."

"For example, no matter which side history takes, the fact is that Sasaki Kojiro lost to Miyamoto Musashi. It matters not if Musashi went for a sneak attack or a dishonourable battle. Sasaki Kojiro lost, it's a simple matter of fact."

Oh an Anastasia was it? You can have one of the rooms in the temple, take your pick. I need to get to today's training.

Anastasia nodded as she took the little she had and disappeared into the temple.

Kojiro stared at the cherry blossom trees before striking. Each time he struck, he did not strike to cut, no he struck so he could feel the blade cut the air. It was training in a sense, training to clear one's head of thoughts that were not needed.

To clear it without the help of [Fade Out]. The blossom petals on the ground picked up as they followed his little sword dance. More and more picked up as each time they followed the same pattern swirling around in three slashes.

One going horizontally to force the opponent to surround them and another slash vertically to to block off escape from above. The final slash another vertical slash to prevent from escaping to the side. A technique that challenges even the gods themselves with mere mortal skill. A technique that creates an inescapable future that not even the gods can escape from.

Yet he did not practise the technique. No he practised the parts that made up the technique. The three slashes must be done to perfection none less hence the petal training. If even one petal was to escape the flow then he must have made a small error. Kojiro's attention was to be able to assemble all three strikes without even needing to think about it. He needed to execute it without thinking by instinct.

He kept slashing until a single pink petal fell out of the flow. Kojiro stopped as the Monohoshizao was sheathed with a clack once again. He turned around to see the beautiful fox woman. "Oh Anastasia did you need anything?" She shook her head furiously as her white hair whacked her face. Her face heated up in embarrassment as she observed Kojiro.

He did not laugh, his face was peaceful yet he couldn't take it anymore.

"Hm, Hm, Hu, hehehe."

His calm facade broke as he chuckled for a bit before replying "Sorry just the sight of a beautiful lady like you being shy is quite cute."

"Beautiful"

Kojiro turned around "Hm? What did you say?"

"Beautiful, your swordsmanship is beautiful."

Kojiro bowed "Thank you my lady." Anastasia retreated as he sat at the temple gate guarding it for any dangers that might come.

~~~~

Vulgar Chastity was a succubus and naturally she liked pretty things. Especially that beautiful fox maiden. She wanted to destroy that image into depravity, just the image of it granted her joy. Anastasia's long white hair covered in fluids, her noble looking face depraved of her status and her will giving up as those sparkling blue eyes became hollow and the tails droopy. However those damn fallen bastards had helped her escape her clutches. Luckily she knew exactly where they went. There were only two earthlings the Federation could trust.

Seol Jihu, a pest that had her queen on the toes, and the annoying temple guardian that had angered her queen with his cheek. Sending a note to order the queen to cease attacks on his temple. The gal.

A voice rang throughout her head as she had these thoughts.

"Go, bring your army against that man. I'll not tolerate him any longer!"

Vulgar Chastity smiled as she gave a signal before marching towards the temple.

The Federation was confused as the army pulled back as they decided to start heading towards the direction of the Arden Valley.

~~~~

Kojiro awoke as his eyes snapped wide open, his Mind's Eye was telling him something was coming. No, he knew what was coming, Vulgar Chastity. The lengths she'll go to get Anastasia and possibly try get rid of me.

The Federation had long sent a message to Haramark. However they knew it would be too late. They could only hope that Kojiro survives.

The parasite queen sat on her corrupted throne as she glared at the two shining stars, she did not know who she hated more. Seol Jihu, who reminded her of the Martial God? Or Sasaki Kojiro, the man that had challenged her and forced her to cease attacks lest she lose more forces.

"Both, I hate them both equally but that man is more of a pain now."

~~~~

Anastasia looked outside with worry as she gazed at the resting Kojiro. She was the source of his current troubles. Her nine tails swayed and flicked around as she gazed at the man who had agreed to take her in despite the dangers involved.

Kojiro fiddled around with the spell ball. A ball he had purchased with the strongest barrier magic in it. He would need it soon.

He dozed off a little bit longer as he hung his head low. He needed more rest.

...

...

...

Anastasia watched over the man as his purple hair swayed about in the gentle breeze. The trees rustled as they soon stopped dancing as well. His purple hair stayed silently still as the breeze picked up and began to gale and howl. Kojiro opened his eyes as the sound of marching was heard. Many footsteps were heard.

He stood up as Anastasia saw a sniper in the distance.

"Kojiro!"

In an instant the bullet was fired and the very next moment the bullet was cut before it could even reach the temple gate. At the very back of the army was Vulgar Chastity, a succubus.

Kojiro glanced around at the army as he sighed "I knew it wouldn't be easy, but you didn't have to make it that easy." His voice carried itself in the wind as he amplified his voice with mana.

"I have told this beautiful lady that she may be safe here. Will you make a fool out of me?"

No reply.

"Very well then. You'll have to force your way to the gates."

A large flair of mana pushed Anastasia back into the temple as he threw the ball behind him. In an instant a barrier was erected as Kojiro prepared himself.

[!] [Fade Out]

[All mental ailments will be removed, Enemies hit will be weakened]

[Critical hits increased damage]

[Enemies more vulnerable to strikes]

[!] [Mind's Eye]

[Future Prediction activated]

[Evasion chance increased]

[Critical damage increased by two fold]

[!] [Sense of Subtle Elegance]

[All strikes guaranteed within range. Evasion becomes useless within range]

[Critical hits become easier to see]

[Accuracy of every attack will never decrease]

[Critical chance increased]

[!] [Anti-Evil]

[All damage against "Evil" enemies increases]

[Anti-Evil property targets are suppressed]

Kojiro sighed as the mana flare stopped while a pair of eyes peeked from the temple doors.

"Hiken- Tsubame Mure!"

Vulgar Chastity smiled at the swordsman initiating an attack that wouldn't even reach.

That was until the heads of thousands of succubi rolled onto the ground with a unified thud. Blood splattered everywhere as Vulgar Chastity's face contorted. "Get him!" Kojiro rummaged through his pockets for a bit as he pulled out the last one.

"Ah I knew I could count on you."

The last grape flavoured pocky.

He savoured the taste as it slid down his throat. Monohoshizao gleamed under the sunlight as it could feel the bloody battlefield soon.

The succubi army charged as Kojiro walked down step by step slowly closing the distance. His pace got faster as he started running down the steps.

The parasite army charged even faster as Vulgar Chastity led from behind.

"Well this will be a pain to wash later."

Kojiro muttered as he met the first wave. Head's went soaring as he ducked, weaved, deflected and redirected the opponent's attack to its allies. Heads and body parts went soaring as he retreated for a bit.

[!] [Disengage]

[Stamina Recovered, Minor Wound's healed]

A group soon surrounded him as he took a stance.

"Hiken- Tsubame Mai!"

Six flashing strikes as multiple heads rolled onto the floor. Despite the alluring bodies of the succubi Kojiro paid no heed.

[!] [Fade Out]

[Charm has been removed]

Kojiro continued the cycle as more heads rolled and limbs flew everywhere. His eyes fluttered everywhere taking in every single movement. He ducked as he made sure to keep an escape route at all times as he avoided getting fatally wounded with [Mind's Eye].

He continued as his mental fatigue slowly built up but that was taken care of with a quick [Fade Out]. His mind cleared as he focused 100% once again.

Another swarm of succubi charged at him as he sighed, he didn't want to continue the same loop over and over again.

He would finish off three quarters of their army right here right now.

[!] [Disengage]

[Stamina Recovered, Minor Wounds Healed]

[!] [Fade Out]

[Mental State has been refreshed]

"Formless Cut"

Kojiro walked forward as he slowly tilted forward. His footsteps became quicker as be burst into a run as he passed every single succubi he saw.

[Mana Burst]

A flare of mana as he quickened his pace and steps. Everyone was confused as he stopped only for their limbs and heads to fall apart and their lives became no more in front of the Monohoshizao.

Anastasia watched in awe as the man that had taken care of her had single handedly taken care of at least three quarters of the army.

Vulgar Chastity grit her teeth has Kojiro stared at her with a blank face. "I'd advise you to face me yourself. This play is getting boring. Why don't you face me yourself? I thought a beautiful woman like you would at least have some ability."

Vulgar Chastity grew irritated as she stepped in front.

Her violet hair matching Kojiro's except for her red eyes and revealing outfit.

Kojiro stepped forward as he swung his Monohoshizao behind him cutting a bullet as the sniper had its head separated from its shoulder.

"Very good sneak attack. Pity it didn't work."

Vulgar Chastity disappeared as Kojiro tilted sideways as a foot went past him.

His mana flared as his three most important skills activated.

[!] [Anti-Evil]

[All "Evil" enemies will be suppressed and damage will be increased.]

[!] [Light of Possibility]

[All attacks will ignore invincibility]

[Critical Damage increased]

[All skills become more effective]

Kojiro sighed as he took a stance facing Vulgar Chastity as a shiver struck her spine.

[God's Execution]

[Increased damage against Divine Enemies]

[Increased damage against Demonic Enemies]

[All skills and stats enable by divinity are sealed.]

[All skills of target are sealed]

Vulgar Chastity felt fear.

A/N: First of all longest chapter so far. Felt good. It would be great if you could just vote for my NFT's. Want to see what stupid person would buy them. And yes they are fgo cards.

https://opensea.io/collection/fgocards