Part 1
Mikazukigumi Practice Area
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Mikazukigumi Members
Good. Your movements look much sharper!
Mikazukigumi Members
But your katana looked light...
It didn't seem to weigh anything, you know?
It didn't seem to weigh anything, you know?
Rui
(I see... As Kurama Tengu, I thought I was supposed to be as light as possible on my feet as I moved around, but...)
Rui
Fleet footwork isn't all he has.
He also possesses monstrous strength, which allows him to swing around a heavy sword with ease.
He also possesses monstrous strength, which allows him to swing around a heavy sword with ease.
Rui
I'd forgotten that he isn't actually human. I failed to capture that part of him just now.
Mikazukigumi Members
...!
Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to say!
Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to say!
Rui
(However, a bamboo sword weighs but a fraction of a real one. I can act all I want, but I'm not sure I'll be able to make it look heavy...)
Mikazukigumi Members
Is something wrong, Kamishiro...?
Mikazukigumi Members
Right...
I guess the best solution is to hold a real one.
I guess the best solution is to hold a real one.
Mikazukigumi Members
I happen to know someone at a shop that sells swords. Want me to ask them? They might be willing to help you out.
Mikazukigumi Members
Alright, I'll try asking them.
Should I tell them that all four of you are going?
Should I tell them that all four of you are going?
Rui
Yes, that would be incredibly helpful.
And thank you for going out of your way to do this.
And thank you for going out of your way to do this.
A few days later
Rui's Room
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Rui
(Seeing all those real katanas with Tsukasa and the others was such a wonderful learning experience.)
Rui
(We got to try holding all types, large and small. They even let us equip some in order to see how heavy they felt at our waist.)
Rui
(And I really wasn't expecting them to show us the tang underneath where the handle would go.)
Rui
(I got to see quite a lot today.
And making my own sword should help deepen my understanding of the subject.)
And making my own sword should help deepen my understanding of the subject.)
Rui
(It's unfortunate that I can't make a real one here since that would be the best solution...)
Rui
Not to mention this is my very first time crafting one from scratch. This is all very exciting.
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Rui
(Still, it feels much thicker than the ones we saw today. I think I'll make it thinner and...)
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Rui
Okay, it feels about as thin as a real one. But it appears it would be weak to strikes from the side...
Rui
(Which means I won't want to parry attacks the same way I did during practice the other day.)
Rui
(Also, where I place this katana's center of gravity will likely change how I'm able to wield it.)
Rui
(The closer it is to my hand, the easier it will be to swing around, but at the cost of power. On the other hand, the closer it is to the tip, the heavier it'll seem.)
A few days later
Rui
(Turn around. You'll see one of the Taira henchmen trying to take a chop at you and...)
Rui
(Parry while also trying to dodge!
Taking that attack head-on would mean damaging your katana.)
Taking that attack head-on would mean damaging your katana.)
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Rui
(This katana's center of gravity sits at the tip, so it wobbling this much is normal when parrying an attack...)
Rui
(But I'm Kurama Tengu.
I should be able to swing a blade like this as easily as breathing.)
I should be able to swing a blade like this as easily as breathing.)
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Sound Effect: Play
Mikazukigumi Members
That was awesome, Kamishiro...!
The way you moved just now was so realistic.
The way you moved just now was so realistic.
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Mikazukigumi Members
Yeah! I guess you've gotten a better understanding of how Kurama Tengu's supposed to fight.
Mikazukigumi Members
Still, I can't believe it.
You've improved so much in such a short amount of time.
You've improved so much in such a short amount of time.
Mikazukigumi Members
Did you guys actually go check out some real katanas at that shop we talked about the other day?
Rui
Yes, we did. That ended up being an invaluable experience for us. Thank you for introducing us to them.
Mikazukigumi Members
No, don't worry about that.
All I did was make one phone call.
All I did was make one phone call.
Mikazukigumi Members
In any case, this scene's gonna feel so different now. Is this all really because of that one visit?
Rui
No, not quite... Actually holding real katanas did help, but I also ended up making a wooden one for practice afterwards.
Mikazukigumi Members
A wooden one?
Rui
Yes. I thought actually making one myself would help me achieve a better understanding of swords as opposed to just seeing and feeling some.
Rui
And it helped quite a lot. Now I know that the broadside of a katana is very brittle, as well as how they were designed to cut while being unsheathed.
Mikazukigumi Members
Wow, that's how you learned?
It's a unique approach, but I kinda like it.
It's a unique approach, but I kinda like it.
Mikazukigumi Members
It's great that you have your own methodology! I think we're all looking forward to how the final product turns out.
Rui
(The thought of making my own katana just sort of popped into my head, but I'm glad that I was able to apply everything that I've learned until now.)