Uchiha Retsu stood on the stone-paved plaza before the shrine, clad in layered crimson armor modeled after Uchiha Madara's battle gear. The overlapping plates accentuated his tall, straight figure, giving him an imposing presence.
In his hand, he held a uchigatana. Compared to the longer, more curved tachi, this blade was better suited for close-quarters ground combat.
At that moment, a crisp sound of armor plates brushing together came from within the shrine.
Retsu lifted his head—and instantly froze.
Kikyo was walking toward him at a steady pace.
She wore a plain white crossed-collar undergarment, covered by a dark, short chestplate that fit her figure perfectly. It neither restricted her movements nor felt bulky, instead outlining the elegant lines of her shoulders and back with clean precision.
Her rounded pauldrons were exquisitely crafted, smooth yet cold and firm in texture.
Below, she wore vermilion hakama-style battle trousers. Without heavy skirt armor, her figure appeared even lighter and more agile.
Today, she hadn't brought her usual longbow. Instead, she held a matching uchigatana at her side.
Her temperament had completely changed.
The gentle, sacred shrine maiden was gone—replaced by a cool, sharp, valiant warrior goddess.
Grace and steel merged into one.
This armor had been specially commissioned by Retsu when he once wandered through a nearby castle town and found an armorer's shop. It was modeled after Kikyo's replica outfit in the Crimson Lotus Island movie version—minus the headpiece.
Noticing that Retsu had been staring at her without blinking since she appeared, Kikyo grew a little nervous. She lowered her head and checked her armor carefully.
"Um… I've never worn armor before. Did I put something on wrong?"
As she spoke, she slowly turned around, showing him her entire outfit.
Retsu finally snapped out of it. A sincere smile appeared on his face.
"No. It's perfect. You're wearing it exactly right."
He paused, then added honestly,
"You're usually in shrine maiden robes. Seeing you in armor like this… it caught me off guard."
Hearing his praise, a faint blush rose to Kikyo's cheeks. Still, she asked softly,
"Is it… really that good-looking?"
"More than good-looking."
Retsu stepped closer, his tone full of admiration.
"You look like a living valkyrie. One of a kind."
"You're exaggerating…"
Kikyo gently brushed her fingers over the chestplate. Despite her words, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, her eyes sparkling with quiet happiness.
Then she noticed Retsu's own crimson armor. Her eyes brightened.
"You look great too. Your aura is completely different from usual—very imposing. Now I understand. You weren't exaggerating earlier."
"Of course," Retsu nodded confidently. "I look good in anything."
After all, Uchiha looks were as top-tier as their strength.
Kikyo was momentarily stunned by his shameless confidence. But looking at his handsome face paired with that dignified armor, she had to admit it was hard to look away.
"Come on, let's begin."
Retsu drew his blade and walked over.
"This armor suits you too well. If you don't learn swordsmanship, it'd be a waste."
"Alright."
Kikyo answered softly and followed his example, drawing her own sword. Her gaze became focused and serious.
She had never been particularly interested in swordplay before.
But now, clad in armor and holding a blade, she suddenly felt that learning it wasn't a bad idea at all.
At first, Retsu only wanted to see Kikyo in her warrior outfit. But seeing how earnestly she practiced, he put aside his playful thoughts and began teaching seriously.
"What I'll teach you is my clan's sword style—Uchiha-ryu Kenjutsu. Some parts require the Sharingan, so you won't be able to use those. But don't worry, those are advanced techniques. You won't need them for now."
He slowed his movements, demonstrating the basics while explaining every detail patiently.
"Sharingan? Is that when your eyes turn red?" Kikyo asked curiously.
She had noticed it before but never asked.
"Yeah. It's our clan's bloodline ability."
Seeing her confusion, he added,
"A bloodline limit is an ability inherited through blood. Anyone with Uchiha blood can awaken it under certain conditions."
"This is your family's sword style… Is it really okay to teach me?" she asked worriedly. "Won't that cause problems?"
"It's fine. I'm the only Uchiha here."
Retsu grinned and suddenly leaned closer.
"Besides, once you take the Uchiha name, won't you be family anyway?"
"W-Who would take the name Uchiha?!"
Kikyo froze. Her face instantly turned crimson, her ears burning pink.
Retsu didn't reply—he only smiled and looked at her.
Her blush deepened, yet she didn't run away. Instead, she protested shyly,
"Teach properly, or I'm going to go exorcise demons in the nearby village."
Afraid she might really throw down her sword and flee, Retsu immediately restrained his teasing and focused on teaching.
From then on, one taught seriously, and the other learned earnestly.
Yet whether it was the meaning behind Uchiha swordsmanship, or the lingering effect of his earlier words, an indescribable atmosphere lingered between them.
Occasional contact during practice—when Retsu corrected her grip or adjusted her stance, brushing her hand or shoulder—made Kikyo's delicate ears turn red instantly. Her grip on the sword would tighten unconsciously.
"Alright, let's stop here for today."
Retsu looked at Kikyo, whose bangs were soaked with sweat, and halted.
"I'll prepare food. Go wash up first."
"Okay. I'll take a bath and change."
Kikyo nodded without hesitation, sheathing her sword.
As a shrine maiden, she rarely exercised this much. She was truly exhausted.
Watching her walk back inside, Retsu removed his own armor. With chakra and Hashirama cells strengthening his body, this level of training was nothing to him.
By the time he finished cooking, Kikyo had returned in her red-and-white shrine robes, her long hair still damp and loose.
She sat down beside him with her back facing him and said softly,
"Help me dry my hair."
Retsu looked at her flowing black hair, still wet, giving off a faint, pleasant fragrance—the scent of shampoo.
Yes, Kikyo now had shampoo, body wash, and soap.
They were gifts from Kagome after learning archery from her.
Girls' fondness for such things was universal. Kikyo had loved them ever since and used them every time she bathed.
Retsu skillfully guided his chakra, gently wrapping it around her hair and evaporating the moisture.
Thin steam slowly dispersed.
Her hair dried quickly, becoming soft, smooth, and glossy, cascading over her red shrine robes like flowing ink.
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