Amidst the white fog, screams echoed incessantly.
The Karasu Tengu flitted about like a ghost, the long blade in its hand moving so fast that it left behind only an afterimage. Every strike landed with precision, severing the limbs of the criminals.
“Ah—!”
Flesh and blood flew through the air as another criminal was cleaved in two.
The rest were petrified with fear.
“Don’t kill me, I have a lot of money…”
A man, convicted of a massive fraud case, trembled on his knees, performing a traditional Japanese bow. He was a hardened criminal, but this monstrous figure instilled terror in his very soul.
But before he could finish his plea.
The Tengu, bathed in the silvery moonlight, swung its blade, adding another circle of light to the ground.
“Puchi—!”
A geyser of blood erupted from the severed neck, staining the surrounding fog a crimson red.
This night was destined to be a night of slaughter.
Dong!
Dong-dong!
As time ticked by, one criminal after another fell, leaving only Tsukahara Yosuke.
He trembled, his pale face etched with despair as he looked at the demonic figure before him.
“I sense an unpleasant presence.”
Rough hands grabbed Tsukahara, the Tengu’s blood-red face, contorted with disgust, was inches away from his own.
“The scent of the cursed blade, Kagemitsu… You are a descendant of Tsukahara Bokuden?”
“….Yes.”
Tsukahara Yosuke gasped for breath, his body in agony. He still managed to straighten his back, a flicker of defiance in his eyes.
Tsukahara Bokuden, the founder of the Shindō Munen-ryū, the Japanese sword master of the Warring States period, bestowed with the title of “Sword Saint”.
This was the last shred of honor left to the fallen Tsukahara clan.
He could not shame his ancestor.
“Good! Excellent!!”
The Karasu Tengu erupted into laughter, its laughter laced with murderous intent. But noticing the prison uniform on Tsukahara, its killing intent vanished.
It stared into Tsukahara’s eyes, causing a dizziness to spread through his head. He felt like his memories were being scoured through.
“Hahaha— It’s like this, huh.”
The Karasu Tengu suddenly released its grip. Tsukahara collapsed onto the ground, his body weak.
“Kneel and beg me.”
“As long as you’re sincere enough, I can bestow upon you the power to avenge…”.
The Tengu’s voice was laced with temptation. It lowered its head, looking down at the descendant of Tsukahara Bokuden with amusement in its eyes, waiting for him to make his choice.
“Revenge?!”
Hearing this word, Tsukahara Yosuke’s heart skipped a beat. He slowly raised his head, meeting the Karasu Tengu’s blood-red eyes.
He saw mockery, ridicule…
But.
If he could take revenge.
Tsukahara Yosuke gasped for air, his hands gripping the ground, the veins in his hands bulging.
“Karasu Tengu-sama!!”
Tsukahara Yosuke ultimately made his choice.
He knelt with his legs together, his body bent forward, his forehead and hands touching the ground. His voice was low and deep.
“I implore you, grant me your power. I will pay any price.”
“Hahaha… As you wish.”
The Karasu Tengu laughed as it waved its hand.
The surrounding fog churned wildly, pouring into Tsukahara Yosuke’s body.
Tsukahara trembled, a strange force coursing through his body. This power flowed through his veins, enhancing his strength and reflexes.
And there was more.
He made a fist, mimicking a sword grip, various intricate sword techniques flashing through his mind.
This is it! Suwa Yuji, I will find you…
He excitedly shouted in his heart, lifting his head with anticipation, only to find that the Karasu Tengu had vanished.
Dozens of black crows disappeared into the shadowy night.
…
【Konohagakure Swordsmanship Being Granted】
【Granting Successful】
Behind the prison, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Gu Jue, having received the memories sent back by the Karasu Tengu’s avatar, stood up from the large rock by the waterfall, stretching.
“Done.”
The skills and bloodlines he obtained could be granted to others, it was essentially a copy, not affecting his own use.
And the recipient.
Their experience gained through using this skill would feed back to him.
Furthermore, during the use of this skill, any emotional fluctuations in normal people would also generate Willpower Points.
Essentially, he was recruiting a tool-man.
And a free one at that.
“Now, I’ll wait for the harvest.”
Gu Jue glanced at his system panel, where the number of available grant slots was now zero. If he wanted to find another tool-man.
He would need to spend a thousand Willpower Points to unlock another slot, or he could revoke the skill from Tsukahara Yosuke.
Gu Jue, however, wouldn’t do that just after granting it.
He decided to wait a bit.