78 As a Human, I'm Truly Sorry

There was no need to rush into learning the Flying Felyne Sword Style, and the inn wasn't exactly a suitable place for sword training anyway. So, Sherwin simply continued chatting idly with Seijuro Meow.

It was a rare occasion to meet a Felyne who had actually participated in real hunts with Hunters. His experiences intrigued not only Sherwin but also kept Klee Meow and Sanji Meow listening with rapt attention...

"Huh? Sanji, you're back to life?"

Sherwin scooped up the little yellow cat who had somehow snuggled up to him without him noticing. While holding him, he gave him a full-service pampering, as a way to soothe the kitten deeply wounded heart.

Whether it was because Sherwin massage was just too comfortable, or because Sanji Meow still hadn't quite recovered from the blow to his spirit, he only rolled his eyes and then collapsed into Sherwin arms,

letting out soft whimpers as he enjoyed the touch of the Kato-style massage. Meanwhile, his ears perked up to keep listening to Seijuro Meow tale of adventure.

Within Seijuro Meow story, Sherwin heard many familiar names, but also quite a few monsters and locations that were unfamiliar—even absent from the Hunter memory inheritance Sherwin possessed...

He wondered if they were content introduced only after his transmigration.

"...I perfected the Flying Felyne Sword Style after single-handedly defeating the Pink Rathian, meow.

The moment the style was completed, I inexplicably felt a summoning—like something was calling out to me, asking whether I wished to see a broader world.

And by the time I came to my senses, I was already knocking on Master Sherwin door, meow."

As he told his tale, Seijuro Meow maintained a "seiza" posture just like a true samurai.

Of course, due to the feline body structure, his seiza was more like a typical cat squat, but even so, he exuded a serious, disciplined air. This made the cute little "meow" he tacked on at the end of each sentence feel oddly out of place—but also somehow amusing.

However, Sherwin attention had long since drifted away from Seijuro Meow contradictory charm.

"Challenged the Pink Rathian alone… and won…"

Sherwin lips twitched. As expected of the combat powerhouse from Rurouni Kenshin, not a support Felyne, but an actual Felyne Hunter?

In the Monster Hunter lore, the first Felyne to hunt solo came before the introduction of Palicoes.

But since most Felynes weren't as strong, they eventually became partners to Hunters as companions. Yet, some extraordinarily gifted Felynes still managed to rise up as full-fledged solo Hunters.

It was clear—Seijuro Meow was one of those genius Felynes.

But when Sherwin glanced over at Klee Meow, who was shouting "Big Brother Seijuro is amazing, meow!" he suddenly felt that Seijuro Meow combat power wasn't all that shocking after all...

Come to think of it, in Sherwin inherited memories, whether it was Palicoes or Felyne Hunters, their "breeds" were never as colorful and diverse as Klee Meow and the others. At most, they just differed a bit in body size.

So, was it that the golden finger had enhanced Klee Meow and the others? Or was the world in Sherwin inherited memories not the same one Klee Meow came from?

Either way, it was good news for Sherwin.

"Master Sherwin, may I boldly ask—what is the state of swordsmanship in this world, meow?"

After finishing his own story, Seijuro Meow took the initiative to ask.

"I don't actually know much about the sword styles of this world either. I only learned one technique that mainly focuses on thrusts."

Sherwin shrugged, then roughly explained to Seijuro Meow the key points of Brook fencing style.

"Hmm, a very interesting style of rapier technique. But it doesn't quite suit my style, meow." Seijuro Meow picked up his tsuba-less tachi and casually performed a few thrusting moves.

"..."

Just from a simple explanation, he already grasped the essence of the technique… As expected of the genius slashing cat who created the Flying Felyne Sword Style on his own.

Seeing how sharp those few thrusts were, Sherwin was moved to tears.

Good thing they had already left the West Blue. If Uncle Buck saw this, he might be so crushed he'd retire on the spot...

Thinking that, Sherwin nervously yet expectantly opened his mouth: "Aside from swordsmanship, there another special power in this world that every strong person must master. It called Haki..."

After explaining the concept of Haki to Seijuro Meow, Sherwin stared anxiously at the samurai cat before him—hoping he'd show off his talent again, but also afraid he'd get dealt another emotional blow.

"Haki, huh? Sounds like a very unusual power, meow." Seijuro Meow was clearly intrigued. "Please, allow me to experience it firsthand, meow!"

"Klee can do it too~ Klee can do it, meow!"

Still excited from the story, the little ragdoll bounced around waving her arms, volunteering with enthusiasm.

"Uh…" Seijuro Meow was momentarily stunned, but quickly returned to his serious demeanor and nodded respectfully to Klee Meow. "Then I shall trouble Princess Klee, meow."

"...Princess Klee…" The corners of Sherwin mouth twitched wildly. He had no idea how to even begin roasting that.

"Just call me Klee, meow~" Klee Meow clearly found the title awkward too and quickly waved her paws. Then she bit her paw and muttered in distress,

"Also, Klee only knows Observation Haki… I don't know how to show it to Big Brother Seijuro, meow…"

It was only then that Sherwin noticed—Klee Meow had been calling Seijuro Meow "big brother" all along.

Since it wasn't easy to tell a cat age after they reached adulthood, Sherwin had assumed Seijuro Meow was like in the manga—a full-on uncle.

But if Klee Meow was calling him "big brother," then maybe Seijuro Meow really was the same Seijuro from the manga, just a younger version.

Considering Sanji Meow and Klee Meow were both younger than their original counterparts, it wasn't entirely impossible.

It would also explain why Seijuro Meow personality was so different from the world-weary Seijuro of the manga.

After all, Kenshin himself used to be the infamous Battosai when he was younger, a man-killing sword-drawing demon.

Of course, whether Seijuro Meow was based on the manga character or not didn't really matter. Sherwin shook his head and lightly patted the still-frowning Klee Meow, gently reminding her, "Silly kitten, just cover your eyes and dodge Seijuro attacks."

"Oh, right!" Klee Meow suddenly lit up, then used her two tiny paws to cover her eyes. "Klee ready, meow! Go ahead, Big Brother Seijuro!"

Seijuro Meow glanced at Sherwin, who gave him a small nod of approval. Then he picked up his sheathed Kikyo Xian Dongyue and lightly but swiftly jabbed it toward Klee Meow.

His strike was exquisitely controlled. Seijuro Meow was confident that even a seasoned Felyne warrior wouldn't be able to sense that attack by sound alone.

Yet, the little kitten in front of him, eyes covered, casually twisted her body and dodged it with ease.

Just as Master Sherwin said, meow!

Seijuro Meow eyes lit up. He tested a few more quick strikes against Klee Meow—every single one dodged just as effortlessly.

Of course, that was with Seijuro Meow suppressing his power and speed. If he hadn't held back, even if Klee Meow sensed the attacks coming, she wouldn't have had time to dodge... she would've just gone straight into elemental mode.

"It definitely a curious power—somewhat like 'mind eye,' but still different, meow." Seijuro Meow stopped attacking and gave Klee Meow a respectful nod. "Thank you for the demonstration, meow."

"And now, Armament Haki... Sanji?" Sherwin lifted the limp yellow kitten still sprawled in his arms.

"Don't bother me. It just Armament Haki—you don't need me to move for that, meow…" Sanji Meow lazily waved his paw, making no effort to get up.

Sherwin gave his tail a light pinch in annoyance, then extended his hand toward Seijuro Meow, wrapping it in Haki.

"This is Armament Haki. You can scratch it with your claws or try cutting it with a blade."

"Then please forgive me, meow."

The old-fashioned Seijuro Meow didn't draw his sword. Instead, he extended his claws and scratched the back of Sherwin hand a few times, each scratch harder than the last.

Then he held Sherwin palm in both paws, squeezing and feeling it for quite a while before finally nodding and saying, "Many thanks, Lord Sherwin. I have finished examining it, meow!"

After speaking, Seijuro Meow returned to a formal seated position, placing his sword horizontally in front of him and slowly closing his eyes… Most likely beginning a much more traditional sword meditation than Sherwin.

Sherwin didn't disturb him. Instead, he picked up Klee Meow and began petting both cats—one in each arm.

After a long while, there was finally movement from Seijuro Meow side. He suddenly opened his eyes, then drew the sword placed in front of him. Moments later, the blade of Kikyo Fuyutsuki gradually became shrouded in a layer of black...

Seijuro Meow: "This seems pretty easy, meow."

Sherwin: "..."

Why does that line sound so familiar?