Chapter 98: A Friend’s Transformation

“Ryu, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while, Ryoma.”

It had been a full month since they had last stood face to face.

Now, beneath the vast sky before Edo Castle, the two old friends reunited at last.

Ryu noticed it immediately—the subtle change in his companion.

(He’s not wearing the eyepatch… nor the gauntlet. Which means…)

“…So you succeeded in evolving. Congratulations.”

“Hahaha. It was thanks to you, Ryu.”

Ryoma scratched his cheek with a shy grin, an uncharacteristically boyish gesture for the man hailed as the strongest swordsman in Hinomaru.

“It feels odd standing around chatting in front of Edo Castle. Let’s head back to the inn where we’re staying.”

“Indeed. I must report to Esther at once.”

The two dragons—though clad in human form—set off side by side toward the inn district, their footsteps steady, their presence quietly overwhelming.

“How was it? The evolution.”

“To be honest… it was quite dangerous… hahaha…”

“Same here. I was barely holding on myself.”

They exchanged wry smiles.

After all, they had defied the laws of the world itself—something no being in recorded history had accomplished.

Setting aside Bahamut, the Primordial Dragon, even the legendary Sanjō Kokaji Munechika had been swallowed by the awakening of the dragon soul known as draconification.

And yet Ryu and Ryoma had endured it.

With help from Munechika and Esther, perhaps—but endure it they had. That alone was worthy of pride.

“…………”

“…………”

Why, then, had Ryu not remained to assist Ryoma directly?

The answer was simple: to protect his friend’s pride.

Before being a dragon, Ryoma was a samurai—moreover, a swordsman called the strongest in all Hinomaru.

Such a man despised being carried or coddled.

Ryu understood that better than anyone. So he had quietly left Tosa without fanfare.

…Trusting his friend completely.

“I am grateful, you know. For your consideration.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Rena had once pointed it out—Ryu had the same tendency.

He too had always been the type to shoulder everything alone, refusing to rely on others.

Dragons truly were troublesome creatures.

“So you really became a green dragon?”

“Indeed. A jade-hued dragon so magnificent that I found myself entranced by my own reflection…”

“Is that so? Well, my silver-white dragon form is cooler.”

“Not at all. Mine is unquestionably more beautiful.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Mine’s sleeker—and bigger. You saw that plowed island, didn’t you?”

“The monsters were weeping, you know. Poor things…”

As it happened, the island on which they had evolved was the same one.

Ryoma spoke as though he had behaved modestly, but it was a secret that he too had taken a rather enthusiastic stroll in his newly evolved form, reveling in the sensation of overwhelming power.

“Changing the subject—has the Tosa army not arrived yet?”

“They are scheduled to reach Edo in three days. I was permitted to come ahead of them.”

“A bit later than planned. Did the enemy interfere?”

“Yes. It seems enemy scouts tampered with the roads along the way. We were delayed several times.”

“I suppose they wouldn’t let us join forces without resistance. Though we’re doing the same to them.”

“You’ve laid traps along their route as well?”

“Of course. I’m currently setting plenty along the Hizen army’s path.”

“Hahaha! As devious as ever!”

“Don’t say ‘as ever,’ you lecherous samurai.”

They soon arrived at the inn.

After greeting Axel in the stables, Ryoma made his way to Esther’s room.

“Oh! Is that you, Ryoma?!”

“Gyau!”

(Lord Ryoma! It’s been so long!)

“It has indeed. Good to see you both.”

“The fact that you’re not wearing the eyepatch means you succeeded as well!”

“Yes. I cannot thank you enough, Esther. I scarcely know how to repay you…”

“No repayment needed! Creating that medicine allowed me to ascend to the next stage myself! Kakkakka!”

Her laughter rang bright and unabashed.

At that moment, Ryu interjected casually,

“Shouldn’t you collect some of Ryoma’s materials too? From what I hear, he’s covered in the most beautiful jade-colored scales.”

“Excellent. Ryoma, at the proper time, I shall be taking some of your materials!”

“Eh… well… if it is for you, I suppose I would not object…”

Seeing his troubled expression, Ryu smiled with clear satisfaction.

“Ku ku ku… then Ryoma will handle the reverse scale.”

“T-That is far too cruel!”

To forcibly tear off a dragon’s reverse scale—

The mere thought of that searing agony made his face twist involuntarily.

“Relax. I’m joking.”

“Guh… This man truly is peerless in black-heartedness…”

“Now then. Another month begins. Let’s each give it our best.”

“I shall do my best visiting sweet shops.”

“I have little else to do. I will guard Esther while enjoying Edo’s fine cuisine.”

“Gyau!”

(I shall accompany you!)

For the next month, Esther, Homura, Axel, and Ryoma once again toured Edo together, while Ryu prepared to attend the shogunate council alongside Itagaki Taisuke, who would arrive in three days.

According to Ryoma, meetings with high-ranking officials did not suit his temperament in the slightest, and he intended to leave everything to Itagaki—with Tosa’s permission, of course.

“Oh, Ryoma. You’re free in the mornings, right?”

“Indeed. In fact, I am free all day.”

“Then teach me that technique. The sword you showed during our duel—the one that attacks using only the basic forms.”

“Ah… the style that eliminates one’s own openings, leaving the opponent no chance to counter?”

“Yeah, that one. The ‘it’s always my turn’ kind of sword.”

“I would gladly teach it… but would you not prefer to learn a higher sword?”

“Higher? You mean that ultimate-arts assortment set?”

“Precisely.”

“…There’s no way I could replicate that, idiot.”

The greatest sword in the world.

Even Ryu—who feared little—had resigned himself to that boundary.

A realm beyond genius, attained only by a genius beyond geniuses, who had piled unthinkable effort upon unthinkable effort to forge a blade of absolute perfection.

That sword… belonged to Ryoma alone.

And thus, their busy days began anew.

A few days later. In Hizen.

“Ōkuma-san! The vanguard collapsed while crossing the bridge!”

“Tch… That makes twice now. They’re clearly trying to stall us. Increase the pace—we must rendezvous with Chōshū on time.”

“Understood!”

In Chōshū.

“Hijikata-kun, you’re going too far ahead.”

“But Tosa’s turned enemy, right? I might get to fight Sakamoto Ryoma. We’ve got to hurry, Shōin!”

“Yes, yes. But this is war. Let us at least keep formation.”

“Haa… fine.”

“My apologies, Hero-dono. He is always like this.”

“I don’t mind. Samurai should be combative. …Though I must say, we’re advancing remarkably smoothly. I expected more interference.”

“The current Tokugawa house is only capable of so much.”

“I see. No wonder rebellion arises so easily.”

And in the Satsuma domain.

“Have you resolved yourself at last, Heihachirō?”

“Saigō-san… who are you calling that? I’m already the Admiral of the Navy, you know?”

“Hahaha. To me, you’re still a little brat.”

“Honestly… Well then, shall we depart for that place?”

Three great armies began their march toward Edo.