Chapter 104: Shigure, You're Hurt
"Shigure… you're hurt?"
Takumi jolted in shock and flipped up from the tatami like a startled fish. Shigure flashed forward in an instant—her soft palm clamped over his mouth while her other hand pressed a finger to her lips in a sharp "shhh" gesture.
Takumi nodded quickly, eyes aching as he stared at the blood seeping through the bandages on her back.
"Shigure, let me heal you. Lie down."
She gave a small nod. She hadn't worn anything over her upper body when she came—just bandages wrapped tightly around her chest and another band circling her waist. The blood was leaking from the lower back area.
Once she was lying flat, Takumi focused inward, gathering ki at his dantian. A calm blue wave of energy rose, crackling with faint electric threads that merged with his ki until it pooled in his palm. Blue light pulsed softly.
The burning pain from the gash at Shigure's waist melted into cool relief.
Sweat beaded on Takumi's forehead. His mana carried a diluted version of Fuurinji Hayato's legendary "Instant Recovery" technique—but he didn't actually know the profound secret art. It was just an imitation his mana had picked up, like how iron near a magnet slowly gains a weak field of its own. Nowhere near the real thing.
Last time he'd used this on his own palm after a gunshot wound, even with Ryōzanpaku's miracle herbs it had taken days of repeated sessions to fully heal. Shigure's blade wound was serious enough that her own medicine and ki couldn't suppress it completely—so while Takumi could dull the pain, actual healing progress was pitifully slow.
"Damn it… damn it!"
He ground his teeth, fury boiling toward whoever had cut her, and frustration at how weak his own recovery effect was. With mind, body, and spirit locked in total concentration, the drain on his ki and mana was devastating. Sweat poured off him in rivers—but he refused to stop.
"Mana Burn! Burn!!"
Ever since he'd properly stepped into the martial path and awakened true ki, Akisame's old "Ki-Sealing Finger" block had been shattered. Mana was usable again, and he'd discovered ways to fuse it with ki… though he'd barely touched "Mana Burn" since.
The moment he forced it now, the gentle blue wave in his palm exploded into roaring blue flames. The faint healing instantly became ferocious. Even through the bandages, Takumi could clearly feel the torn flesh knitting, the damage reversing.
When the last drop of mana burned away, the wound was completely gone.
Shigure slowly sat up. Her fingers traced where the gash had been. For once, a flicker of genuine surprise crossed her usually blank face. She peeled back the bandage—revealing skin as smooth and flawless as polished jade.
"Kid… that recovery power… it's already close to the Elder's level."
Takumi didn't answer.
Shigure glanced over—and saw his eyes closed, body slumped. He'd passed out cold.
Burning all his mana was like having massive amounts of blood forcibly drained; combined with the ki expenditure, total physical and mental collapse was inevitable.
A rare softness bloomed across Shigure's beautiful features. She gently gathered Takumi into her arms, cradling his head against the astonishing swell of her chest. Her fingers stroked through his hair.
"Koichi… thank you."
It was the first time she'd ever called him by name. Her voice was quiet water, carrying deep, unspoken emotion.
Morning light filtered in. Takumi's mana had auto-recovered and his stamina was mostly back. He yawned, stretched—and froze.
He was buck naked. Not even boxers.
What the—? He didn't sleep naked!
"…mm…"
A soft sleeping breath came from beside him.
He turned.
There she was—Shigure, also completely bare. Skin like fresh snow, blindingly white and impossibly smooth. His eyes didn't know where to land.
"Shigure…? It was Shigure? What happened? Did we… last night? I don't remember anything! Damn it, this is bad—if I blacked out on something this important I'll regret it forever!"
His gaze snagged on blood-stained bandages nearby. For a split-second his heart slammed—virgin blood?—but then memory rushed back.
Right. She'd come injured. He'd burned every drop of mana healing her. Double exhaustion knocked him out.
"Oh… that's all it was. Phew. If I'd missed Shigure's first time and had zero memory, that'd be lifelong trauma. Wait—the wound!"
He forgot everything else and ducked down to inspect her waist. Not a trace left. Relief flooded him.
Suddenly her hand lashed out like lightning. Fingernails sharpened to razor edges aimed straight for his throat—pure master-level instinctive defense even in sleep. The kind of killing intent that could murder in dreams, just like—
But it never connected.
The instant her fingertips brushed skin, the lethal sword-will softened into tender coils. Murderous hands turned gentle, pulling his head back down and pressing it firmly between her breasts.
Takumi drowned in softness and warmth again. Couldn't help himself—buried his face deeper like a wild boar rooting in heaven, shamelessly nuzzling paradise.
Then her arms tightened on his shoulders and firmly pushed him back.
Their eyes met.
A faint blush crept across her normally expressionless face.
"Tickles… stop squirming, kid."
Takumi's heart thumped hard.
He slowly leaned in again, gaze locked on those glossy, inviting lips. Closer… closer…
Everything felt natural, inevitable—like lovers who'd done this a thousand times.
Breathing grew heavier between them.
Shigure watched the handsome face draw near. Even the mighty weapons master closed her eyes like any ordinary girl, lips parting slightly, offering her soft, cherry-red mouth full of temptation.
The kiss started gentle… then turned fierce.
Takumi's hands roamed greedily over her perfect curves. Minutes stretched—long, deep, breathless.
They only parted when oxygen finally ran out, lips swollen, eyes dazed.
Right at the peak of the mood—
The door slid open.
Keni stepped in.
"Good morning…"
She froze.
Takumi on top, Shigure beneath—both naked.
Her eyes drifted to the bloody bandages… then filled with tears.
"Koichi-kun… you idiot! So you really do prefer the biggest chest after all!"
She spun and bolted.
Takumi's inner voice screamed:
Wait—wait—wait!! That's NOT virgin blood!!!!!
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