Chapter 102: Modernity's Strongest Swordsman vs. Antiquity's Strongest Swordsman
To be honest, fighting an invisible enemy was something Assassin had truly never tried before.
Aside from his Master being slightly disagreeable, and the fact that he was restricted to the vicinity of the Ryudou Temple mountain gate due to his irregular summoning, Assassin felt that answering the Grail's call had been the right choice!
Whether it was the mountain-covering swarms of insects or Emiya Shirou's unknown methods... it was all truly delightful.
"A challenge?
Indeed, this refusal to endure boredom is exactly your character, Assassin.
Otherwise, you wouldn't have out of sheer boredom created a sword technique similar to Sasaki Kojiro's, leading the Grail to bestow the name [Sasaki Kojiro] upon you and summon you to this era."
Emiya Shirou nodded. "If you had been summoned through a regular process, Assassin, you might not have occupied this Pseudo-Assassin class, but manifested in the Saber class instead."
With a casual remark, he saw through Assassin's True Name and his actual identity.
The Assassin who is not an assassin. The Sasaki Kojiro who is not Sasaki Kojiro.
"No, no, no. While I do have confidence in my swordsmanship, the Servant beside you is a Saber, is she not, young man?
Even though I have yet to cross blades with her, that chilling fighting spirit ensures I dare not be careless."
Without a shred of annoyance at having his identity exposed, Assassin looked toward Saber with a gaze of genuine appreciation. As he had said before, he loved challenging things.
Therefore, even though the knowledge granted by the Holy Grail War told him that revealing his name was a disadvantage, he would not hide his identity.
If Emiya Shirou hadn't spoken it first, he likely would have announced it himself.
"This makes things a bit difficult, young man," Assassin said with a troubled expression. "I had intended to repay the favor I owe you by revealing my name, but I didn't expect you to not only be proficient in the breathing methods of the Immortal Path, but also possess a pair of discerning eyes that see through the truth of all things...
Thinking carefully, I may truly have very little left to repay you with."
Furthermore, Assassin's desire to fight Emiya Shirou was only growing.
After all, even Saber—a Servant from Western legends—could judge that Souichirou Kuzuki was no ordinary man just by his breathing. How could Assassin, born in Japan and steeped in the cultural sphere of the great Eastern continent, fail to sense the extraordinary nature of the Ripple Breathing Shirou was maintaining?
"Repayment? It's not necessary," Shirou said, shaking his head. "In fact, I've already received the reward I wanted from you."
[Bizen Osafune Nagamitsu], also known as [The Laundry Pole].
It was the nodachi held in Assassin's hands. While it wasn't a Noble Phantasm and possessed no miraculous effects, the mere fact that its master was Assassin was enough for Shirou to project this blade into his Reality Marble.
Of course, even so, Shirou would not project the "Laundry Pole" right now to trade Tsubame Gaeshi for Tsubame Gaeshi.
Items projected via Projection Magecraft drop by one rank. This includes the techniques of the original owner that come with the item. Using a projected martial art against the original master of that art...
In the original timeline, had Berserker's true identity not been the legendary Heracles of Greek mythology—who, even when corrupted by the black mud, retained a sliver of consciousness and subconsciously held back upon seeing Illya—then the moment Shirou projected [Nine Lives], Berserker (who had forgotten the technique due to Mad Enhancement) would have surely shown Shirou what a real [Nine Lives] looked like.
But...
"Oh? Is that so... is this your choice, young man! This truly is... it seems I have judged a gentleman by the standards of a commoner."
Before Assassin, a Japanese sword appeared in Shirou's hand. It wasn't the "Laundry Pole," but the vessel for [Pseudo-Anubis], held to mirror the man standing before him with his own blade.
No one understood what this gesture meant better than Assassin.
With a faint smile, Assassin offered his greatest respect. "If this is your choice, how could I possibly shrink away!?"
"Assassin, Nameless. Style: Sasaki Kojiro!"
"Emiya Shirou. Style: [Anubis]!" Mimicking Assassin's introduction, Shirou continued: "Fair and square—"
Clang!
"—TO THE DEATH!!"
"—TO THE DEATH!!"
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Indeed, this was the greatest respect Assassin could give in return.
A swordsman uses the blade in his hand to listen to the opponent's thoughts, to express his own respect, and to seize victory or defeat with his own strength! This was why Assassin couldn't help himself once he realized what Shirou intended.
For a hollow wraith who manifested using the name "Sasaki Kojiro," if he truly had a wish, this was it.
'Fast, faster!'
Having grown accustomed to Matou Zouken's swarm tactics, the speed at which Assassin swung his blade had become even faster. "Airtight" was no longer just an adjective; it was a physical reality, as a wall composed of blade-light slashed down toward Shirou.
Yet, this miraculous sword speed wasn't the most shocking part.
The most shocking part was that even though Assassin swung his blade with such divine speed, Emiya Shirou—clutching [Pseudo-Anubis]—parried every single attack!
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