No Mercy in the Wind Clashed

The fight stretched on.

She adjusted, adapted, endured.

Every blow he threw, she met with calculated precision. Every taunt, she ignored, she held back just enough not to lose—but not to stand up more than necessary.

Shinazugawa wasn't stupid. He noticed.

Not the holding back, no. That he dismissed as her being careful after her injuries. But the fact that she wasn't breaking? that she wasn't cowering under his relentless attack like most did.

that caught his attention.

His strikes didn't slow, but the way he watched her shift. His sharp eyes weren't just assessing anymore. They were measuring her endurance, her grit, her will.

And grudgingly—though he'd rather bite his tongue than admit it—he respected it.

But of course, Sanemi Shinazugawa was Sanemi Shinazugawa. So, instead of saying anything remotely close to a praise, he scoffed and yanked his sword back, resting it on his shoulder as he looked at her with mild irritation.

"Thought you'd be weaker."

It was the closest thing to a compliment she was going to get.

She doesn't react, just straightened to her posture.

Holding her wooden blade aside, the ache in her abdomen burned, but she didn't let it show.

He clicked his tongue, rolling his shoulders as if brushing off the moment.

"Don't slack off! Or next time I will knock you flat."

With that, he turned and walked off—gruff, snarky, and unwilling to acknowledge that she had, in fact, earned his respect.

She exhaled slowly, letting the tension ease just slightly.

Wind clashed with wind today, and though neither storm bowed—At least now, it wasn't just a battle. It was a recognition.

...~•~...

She straightened slowly, forcing her breath to steady as she bowed one last time towards the Wind Hashira's retreating figure.

He didn't look back.

Typical.

Just as she prepared to leave—She felt it—a gaze.

her instincts sharpened immediately, her eyes flickering toward the source.

There.

Half-hidden but not hidden enough.

A boy.

Dark messy mohawk styled buzz cut. Dark violet eyes and a face red as fire.

He stiffened.

She could practically feel the panic radiating from him as he realized he'd been caught.

His entire body frozen in place—like a child caught stealing sweets. And unlike Sanemi, his expression wasn't filled with scrutiny or challenge.

No, Genya Shinazugawa was looking at her with something else entirely.

Shock. Awe. Maybe even a little… admiration?

It wasn't just the fact that she was there.

It was the fact that she had fought Sanemi—and held her ground.

Something very few people could do.

The redness on his face deepened, and before she could even think of speaking—

He yanked himself away and bolted, disappearing.

...~•~...

•••

Did he just run away?

I wasn't sure whether to be amused or confused.

But one thing was clear. That boy—whoever he might be—was not expecting me.

...~•~...

I've been here for two days now, training with Sanemi Shinazugawa.

The first day, when I saw that boy—the one who peeped—he ran away faster than I could blink. It wasn't the first time I'd seen someone embarrassed, but his face? Bright red, like a tomato. I didn't understand why he ran, but I wasn't about to chase him down. People barely interest me much. They're too... unpredictable. The only thing that's predictable in this world is pain. And I've learned to deal with that.

Anyway, after that weird incident, I threw myself into training with Sanemi. And let me tell you, training with him is an experience I won't forget and honestly... I've expected it.

There's no room for hesitation. Sanemi doesn't care about your feelings or your limits—he wants you to break, until there's nothing left to hold onto but your instinct to survive. Pain? That's nothing. He's as brutal as they come. His actions, his words... Everything.

Some will say he's brutally honest.

But for most—He's just brutal.

Not so sure which side am I on...

Honestly, I don't care. It doesn't matter much.

...~•~...

With my wound kicked open yesterday—Of course I'm not in any better shape this morning.

And top that up with the fact he's being even more ruthless today.

He's enjoying himself—That's for sure.

Every time, I got up. Every time, he pushed me harder. And that's what it is with the Wind Hashira—that if you can't keep going, you won't make it.

I'm quite aware of how my skills downgraded without Shadow Breathing.

It enchaces my skills—Yes. But to a certain degree... It also decreases my body's life span.

Anyways, I felt the strain...everywhere. But I kept at it. Because deep down, I knew this was nothing compared to what's out there in the world. Demons, death, betrayal—this was just a warm-up.

...~•~...

And then came today. Today was supposed to be the last day. I had my mind set on finishing this whole training with a snarky, arrogant, 'Barking Pillar'.

Getting out of here—was the goal. But when I got to the training ground, I felt it—the air was heavy, and I didn't like it.

There they were. Sanemi and that boy—the one who had peeked at me. I didn't know his name then. I just knew him as the kid who ran away like his life depended on it. But now, seeing them standing together, I could feel the tension. It wasn't just brotherly rivalry. It was something else. I could see it in their faces.

So, yeah... that kid? The one who turned bright red and bolted when I caught him staring at me? He's Sanemi's younger brother. Genya Shinazugawa.

I didn't ask questions. It wasn't my place. Not today. There was something deeper between those two brothers—something that I could sense, but not fully understand.

Now, let me tell you something. I wasn't surprised by Sanemi's attitude. Not even a little. Sanemi's the kind of person who's used to pain. It doesn't matter if he's training someone or going into battle—there's no mercy, not even for himself. And I'm starting to get why.

And that's the way it works with Sanemi Shinazugawa. You either get stronger or you get left behind. No in-between.

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