Void Genius

Edo Japan Arata Hiroyuki is referred to as Hiroyuki. Reincarnated Arata Hiroyuki is referred to as Arata.

...

The Chronicles of Arata Hiroyuki. Date of issue: May 13th, 1921.

Diary Log 1, Day 2, Year 1859.

'The moment Okita Souji came at me with a sword. It was obvious to their father, Katsujiro Okita, and obvious to me, their teacher. They were a prodigy. No doubt in my mind, they would become one of the best swordsmen ever.'

...

Arata was in a dream, walking along a path that seemed to go on forever. It was a white empty plane with nothing but the trail. He figured he was here for a reason and sought after the end, so he followed it down.

When Arata thought he passed the halfway mark, he saw something. It was a brilliant blue light, but he couldn't see anything in it or past it. He looked before waking up and staring at the ceiling of his new residence.

'Today is her birthday... never thought I would meet a historical figure such as Okita Souji.'

He had to admit he was feeling nervous at the thought of meeting Okita Souji. Okita Souji was one of his favorite samurais, along with Musashi Miyamoto. Even if it's a different version of the person, he feels nervous meeting Okita.

Hiroyuki had a relationship with the Okitas and a close one at that. Arata figured that he would still have to continue that relationship. It would give him more insight into what kind of person Hiroyuki was. As much as the diary wrote the life of Hiroyuki, it didn't say anything concerning his personality.

Arata could guess what his personality was due to what he read. Even though it wasn't mentioned as much to make an exact guess of what it was. An educated guess is what he is going on right now.

He reached the table where he had laid the sword on. The present that Hiroyuki had left in the blacksmith room was meant for Okita. It was light when he picked it up and was very fast when swung. It was like a rapier but not quite like one.

He sheathed and held it in his hand as he left the house. It was early, and barely anyone was out as he walked along the path. Arata made his way to the Okita manor. Katsujiro held some status and was rich enough to have a manor.

As he made his way to the manor, he looked around. He was seeing the Edo period style buildings that he saw paintings of back on Earth. People soon started to come out and go on with their business. He had got some weird stares, some being fear and others wariness.

Arata then realized why he had gotten those kinds of stares. He had two swords, one hoisted on the left side of his outfit. The other in his hand, his outfit similar to the clothes of a samurai. People would either think he was one or, worse, a Ronin. History portrayed Ronins as something you wouldn't want to be, either wanting to sell their skills for money or being disgraced due to their actions.

He paced quicker than before as he didn't want to deal with anyone. His injury on his side persisted, and he didn't like to irritate it. As he approached the manor, more people appeared in the streets.

Soon enough, he reached the manor without anyone interrupting him. He checked in with the guards around the manor to avoid being seen as an intruder wondering about. However, it wouldn't matter, as Souji would've dispatched them quickly.

Arata knew her talent was on another level compared to his. She just needed time and the experience to finally surpass him. That's what Arata believed and what Hiroyuki believed. Hiroyuki was a fantastic swordsman. That's what the diary showed Arata. He chose to accept it due to it having his life depicted in it.

This acceptance was also influenced by the history of Okita Souji in his original world. He read many stories related to swordsmen and samurais. Okita Souji, along with others, appeared during his readings. Due to the history loosely being the same here, he wasn't wrong for assuming.

What proved this was when he reached the Okitas, both daughter and father having a spar. From the diary, Hiroyuki sometimes saw them sparring, Katsujiro winning at first. Then, Souji's talent proved extraordinary despite Katsujiro being a well-respected swordsman. She never lost against her father again.

Souji made a faster-than-sound slash toward Katsujiro, which decided the spar. Katsujiro couldn't block it properly and was pushed to the ground by the force of her swing. Souji sheathed her katana and went to help her father from the ground.

'She didn't mean to do that. It's clear on her face. Her talent is unreal, and...'

That swing was familiar to him, and it was the first of three thrusts she would later develop. These were growing signs of her Noble Phantasm, Mumyou Sandanzuki. A Noble Phantasm that isn't, but was treated as such—a true example of her extraordinary talent for the sword.

'This is years behind when she would fully develop her technique. It is in its earliest form currently,' thought Arata. The swing was a bit rough, choppy even. He could tell it took a bit of her to do it, even if it wasn't her intention to have done it to her father. Katsujiro looked sheepish as he fell to the ground when he tried blocking the swing.

'The poor man,' Arata thought as he knew it was hard to deal with someone of her skill. He stood up with the help of Souji and then spotted Hiroyuki. Katsujiro called out to Hiroyuki in a somewhat dejected tone.

"Arata! Nice seeing you here, old friend. However, it would've been better to show up a bit earlier. Souji wanted to spar, and I was the only one here. You saw us, and you know what transpired."

"That you got your ass handled with ease, just like all the previous times? By your daughter, no less, too."

"We both know why, you damn bastard."

"Well..."

While Arata and Katsujiro were arguing, they ignored Okita, and she was pouting. Despite this being a common occurrence for them, it didn't mean it wasn't annoying for other people. Since having Hiroyuki as a teacher, they would argue and try to get one over the other.

It was a minor rivalry, but Okita knew it was just friendly banter. From what her father told her, they were good friends, like brothers, from childhood—having grown up together due to Hiroyuki's unfortunate circumstances. She didn't know what they were due to her father not wanting to say and her not wanting to ask Hiroyuki.

After a bit, she decided their argument was enough and ended it. In a loud tone, she spoke out to them.

"Enough, you two. Teach had just returned from his trip of a few months, Father! And the first thing you do is argue like kids."

"Like father, like daughter..." Arata stated as Katsujiro was sending him glares. Souji, on the other hand, was thinking about what was similar to her father. Katsujiro was reminded by Souji what he wanted to ask Hiroyuki initially.

"Arata, how was your trip? Anything interesting happened?"

"Yeah, Teach, why didn't you come to see me immediately when you arrived? Or father?"

"Well, let me start from the beginning..."

Arata talked about his trip, from the start to the duel at the end. The injury persisted but didn't hurt. It was strange for it to continue. Sadly, he wasn't that well-versed in medicinal things. Both Okitas paid attention to his story, adding remarks occasionally.

"But the main reason I'm here is to wish you a good coming of age, Souji. You're eighteen now, and for that, I've made you a gift."

Arata presented the sword that was left for Souji by Hiroyuki. Souji grabbed it, and it felt light even for her, but she preferred light swords. She unsheathed it and walked off to the side to test it. A test of few swings, and it was swift. Katsujiro is barely able to see it.

"This is perfect, Teach. I'm so grateful for this. Thank you for this wonderful gift. It truly means a lot to me."

Souji expressed her gratitude, and Arata took it to heart. Despite this being their first meeting by technicality, he felt glad. He smiled along with Souji as she hoisted her new sword to her side. Katsujiro looked on and couldn't help but smile, too. Souji was his daughter, and he couldn't be happier for her.

Souji was ecstatic to test this new sword of hers. She suggested sparring with Hiroyuki, and this would be a good thing. Hiroyuki would know where she was, skill-wise, as they hadn't sparred for some time. He is still her teacher until one day when she surpasses him. At the same time, Souji gets to test out her new sword to get accustomed to it.

"Teach, we haven't sparred in some time, correct? This would be the perfect time to spar. I want to test this new katana you made for me."

"I was thinking the same, and I hope you haven't lost your edge due to sparring with that guy. I know he isn't the best sparring partner."

"You bastard, Arata... Well, whatever, you two have your spar, then Arata, come to my office. We have something to discuss."

Katsujiro said his farewells and went to his office. Arata had a suspicion about what he wanted to discuss. His attention was then focused on sparring with Souji as she radiated excitement. Spreading out a tiny amount, they drew their swords. Souji, in her famous pose, is not so renowned currently, which resembles Arata's. As a leaf dropped, they rushed at each other.

Their slashes meet in a clash, Souji struggling a bit from the force. Souji pulled back and then did a fast dash with her speed. She did a downward slash followed by two slashes to the side, which were blocked. The last slash was parried, and Souji was left wide open.

Arata slashed toward her open side, but Souji barely blocked in time. The force shook her as she trembled from the recoil. Arata went on the offensive and started to increase the speed of his attacks. Souji recovered fast from the recoil, matched his speed, and kept up with the attack.

They exchanged clashes, none letting the other land an attack. A spark of lightning each time they clashed. The lightning sparks became more prominent as Arata increased his speed. Souji matched his speed, and eventually, each of Arata's strikes was like lightning, Souji just keeping up enough not to be overwhelmed by the attack.

Arata saw they would continue to clash strikes until someone decided to do something else. In one of the many clashes, Arata pushed her as he backed for some distance. Souji, sensing something about to happen, prepared for any incoming attack.

Arata dashed speedily at Souji, doing two slashes that 'almost happened at the same time,' a tiny blue light shone simultaneously. Souji had been prepared for an attack of an incredible speed. She blocked the first one but wasn't ready for the second that immediately happened after. She was pushed down due to the tremendous force and unprepared for it.

Arata's sword was before her as she looked up from the ground. He had a slight smile, a look of proudness for her. Souji looked disappointed and pouted, but a smile grew on her face. Arata sheathed his sword as he helped Souji to the ground. Once up, she sheathed her new sword and was glad to be able to test it.