Chapter 133: Starting My Life as a Big Shot
Ubuyashiki Kagaya slowly walked out onto the engawa porch, supported by his
wife, Amane.
Although his face was more haggard than during their last meeting, that same
serene and warm smile immediately brought a hush over the courtyard. Natsuya's
gaze, however, lingered on the Master and Lady Amane for a fraction of a second
longer than usual.
The Boss's complexion was significantly paler than before.
But then—
The System's medical skill silently displayed their status icons in his HUD.
The Master, besides that mysterious [Hereditary Curse] effect, now had a new
tag: [Stamina Depletion]. Meanwhile, Lady Amane's complexion was glowing with
health. Her status bar featured a very specific icon: [Pregnant].
Ubuyashiki-san... Natsuya thought, You really need to learn the meaning of
'restraint.' If an over-generous Boss like you logs out permanently, the
benefits package for this organization is going to take a massive hit.
Kagaya seemed to sense the worry and complex calculations in Natsuya's eyes.
He spoke softly, "Natsuya-kun, with your medical expertise, I assume you've
already noticed Amane's condition."
No, I'm worried about your lower back and my future health insurance—
The four Hashira in the yard were momentarily stunned before they bowed in
unison. "Congratulations, Oyakata-sama, Lady Amane, on the addition to your
bloodline."
Amane Ubuyashiki gave a slight, graceful nod in return. Her gaze, curious and
scrutinizing, fell upon the teenager who was a few years younger than herself.
This was the prodigy her husband had praised non-stop—the legendary "Miracle
Doctor." He certainly carried a unique air of authority.
Natsuya, meanwhile, was staring at Kagaya's status panel, his mind wandering
again.
[Ubuyashiki Kagaya (Power Level: 6)] Tags: [Short-lived], [Charismatic Magnet],
[Kamikaze Truck].
Short-lived? Makes sense. Magnet? Definitely. But 'Kamikaze Truck'? Is the Boss
a fan of C&C: Generals, or is he just planning on ending the game with a bang?
As his thoughts drifted, Kagaya's gaze swept over the group, lingering on
Natsuya for a heartbeat. That gentle look, which felt like it could melt a
frozen soul, made Natsuya realize why the tag said "Magnet." It made people want
to follow him into the abyss without question.
Kagaya cleared his throat and addressed the assembly.
"I thank you all for gathering on such short notice."
"Today is not a scheduled bi-annual meeting. We are here to witness and ratify a
decision of great importance to the future of the Corps."
"Though I suspect you all know why."
He looked at Natsuya and gave a respectful nod.
"In Nagoya, Kokonoe Natsuya solo-subjugated Lower Moon Two, Enmu. His merit is
outstanding and beyond dispute. The strength he displayed has been verified and
evaluated by multiple high-ranking members."
"He has far exceeded the standards of a Kinoe."
"In his previous missions, he has eliminated dozens of demons and saved the
lives of countless Slayers and civilians. Both the Kakushi and the Butterfly
Mansion hold him in the highest regard."
"Currently, several seats of the Nine Hashira are vacant. Therefore, in my
capacity as Master, I propose the following..."
Kagaya's voice rang out, steady and firm, through the quiet garden.
"Kokonoe Natsuya is hereby appointed to the rank of Hashira."
He paused, looking at the four veteran swordsmen. "Do any of you have an
objection?"
Despite being mentally prepared, hearing the proposal delivered so solemnly by
the Master made the air in the courtyard feel heavy with gravity.
The four Hashira turned their eyes toward the boy in the custom haori. It was no
longer a look of curiosity or simple appreciation; it was a formal, lethal-tier
evaluation.
The Storm Hashira didn't hesitate.
Igarashi Uzen spoke first. "Kokonoe Natsuya possessed the strength and capacity
of a Pillar months ago. I, Igarashi, have no objection."
Shinjuro Rengoku let out a boisterous laugh and nodded at Natsuya. "The kid is a
monster. He's more than qualified to sit at the table. Shinjuro Rengoku has no
objection!"
The Wing Hashira, Takizuki Himorogi, gave Natsuya a playful wink. "I'm looking
forward to having a new colleague to help share the workload. Takizuki has no
objection~"
Finally, the mountain-like Gyomei Himejima wept openly.
"Namu Amida Butsu. How wonderful. For such a compassionate and powerful
swordsman to join our ranks is a blessing for us all. Himejima has no
objection."
Unanimous.
There, in that serene courtyard, under the witness of the Master and the
strongest swordsmen of the age, Natsuya officially reached the endgame tier.
"Natsuya-kun," Kagaya asked warmly, leaving the administrative details for
later.
"I am told you have developed a unique Breathing Style that is entirely your
own."
"Would you honor us by revealing its name?"
Natsuya didn't skip the dialogue. He answered clearly.
"Luminary Breathing (Yō no Kokyū)."
Luminary...
Kagaya pondered the character for a moment, his smile widening as he understood
the nuance. "The Seven Luminaries? The radiance of the celestial bodies? For
someone who has mastered so many different elements, it is a perfect title."
Natsuya: ? Actually, I just didn't want the 'Sun' and 'Moon' guys to have cooler
names than me. But sure, Boss, whatever fits the lore.
"Then, Natsuya-kun," Kagaya's eyes shone with expectation. "Would you show us a
glimpse of this 'Luminary Breathing'?"
"It is not a challenge, of course. It's just that all of us are quite curious
about your new path. In the thousand-year history of the Corps, those who master
multiple styles are rare. But to weave them together into a new origin entirely?
You are the first in history to achieve such a feat."
The Slayers and the Boss really know how to flatter a guy, Natsuya thought. He
looked around the garden. "You want me to pop my Ult here?"
Kagaya nodded. "If you need more space, we can relocate."
"Nah, don't bother."
Natsuya stepped into the center of the yard and took a breath. "I'll just
trigger the aura."
The next instant.
[Luminary Breathing: True Total Concentration]
There was no thunderous boom or eruption of fire. But the moment his lungs
shifted, the air in the courtyard seemed to reach a standstill. Light bent
toward him. The atmosphere felt like it was being compressed.
It wasn't the searing heat of Flame, the jagged violence of Thunder, or the
fluid weight of Water.
Starlight and the Void.
A celestial presence radiated from Natsuya, making him the center of gravity for
the entire estate.
Kagaya, being non-combative, couldn't sense the technical "Intent," but he could
feel the shift in the weight of the air. But for the four battle-hardened
Hashira?
The experience was entirely different.
"Eh? I've never felt anything like this," Takizuki whispered, her hand moving
toward her whip. For the first time, her instincts registered a [Threat Warning]
that wasn't being suppressed. Is this kid actually stronger than me?
Igarashi Uzen was equally stunned. He knew Natsuya was a monster, but in his
mind, the boy was just crossing the finish line of the Hashira-tier. He should
have needed years of seasoning. But this aura?
He's been gone for a couple of months! How did he power-level this fast?! Is he
on a different server?!
"Namu Amida Butsu... what pure and vast energy," Gyomei rumbled, his prayer
beads trembling in his hands. "It moves me to tears... truly magnificent!"
But the most shocked of all was Shinjuro Rengoku.
Unlike the others, the Rengoku family was a lineage of samurai dating back to
the Warring States era. Their archives contained records of Breathing Styles
that most Slayers thought were myths. He recognized the underlying rhythm
Natsuya was using.
That cadence... those nodes...
Is this... the legendary Sun Breathing that was lost to time?!
The rhythm was a 70-80% match for the descriptions in his family's ancient
scrolls. But the "Flavor" was wrong. It wasn't the "Searing Sun that incinerates
all" or the "Nurturing Spring Sun." It was something colder, deeper, and more
comprehensive.
Are the records wrong? Or am I misreading the logic?
As Shinjuro struggled to process the data, Kagaya spoke up, his voice full of
pride.
"It seems Luminary Breathing has left quite an impression on everyone."
"Natsuya-kun, regarding your formal title as a Pillar... do you have any
preference?"
The Master offered a suggestion. "If you do not mind, shall we name your seat
after your unique style?"
"The Luminary Hashira (Yōbashira), Kokonoe Natsuya?"
Natsuya dropped his breathing, the shimmering starlight around him vanishing.
Honestly, I wanted something like 'God-Emperor of Light' or 'The Azure Star,' he
thought, glancing at his colleagues' single-character titles. But I guess I'll
stick to the server naming convention.
He gave the Boss a respectful nod and a grin.
"Sure. Whatever you say, Boss."
☆☆☆
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