The Shadow Hashira - Tengen X Reader X Sanemi

49

-3RD POV-

After the second trial ended, Master summoned everyone to the arena for an unexpected announcement. Hashira and Corps members gathered in curious silence as he addressed the group, his voice calm yet commanding, each word sinking deep into the attention of his audience.

"Your performance in these trials has been commendable," he began, his gaze sweeping over each of them. "But strength alone will not keep you alive. Cooperation and understanding are as essential as skill. The next trial is designed to test just that. In three weeks, you will face a task that will require perfect synchronization between you and your partner."

Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd, and Y/N felt a pang of unease as Master's gaze settled on her and then on Sanemi, who wore his usual scowl.

"To prepare you," Master continued, "we have organized a series of training activities, each designed to test your adaptability, trust, and coordination. Over these three weeks, each pair will work closely, learning to balance their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses." His words were firm, final. "This is not merely a suggestion. It is a requirement."

Y/N's stomach tightened as she glanced at Sanemi, who met her gaze with an unimpressed glare. Her thoughts flicked to Tengen, a pang of disappointment settling in her chest. But she brushed it aside; there was no escaping this assignment, and she knew the only option was to confront it head-on.

The first exercise, Master explained, was designed to build synchronization between partners. A simple sparring session but one where each pair had to mirror their partner's movements without speaking, relying solely on observation and intuition.

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WEEK 1

The first activity was simple on paper—move in sync without speaking, matching each other's movements as if we were one. But I quickly found out that Sanemi wasn't much for cooperation. He pushed forward, aggressive and impatient, making no effort to match my rhythm.

"Are you even trying to work with me?" I muttered as he launched another heavy-handed strike, barely making an effort to fall into step with me.

"Maybe if you'd stop hiding behind your tricks, I wouldn't have to guess where you're coming from," he shot back, his expression hard as steel.

My frustration simmered, but I took a deep breath, finding a way to balance his relentless pace with my more fluid, shadow-based movements. Slowly, I could feel our movements starting to line up, the rhythm between us sharpening into something... efficient. Despite myself, I was starting to sense his intent, to predict his moves before he made them.

By the end of the exercise, we paused, panting and sizing each other up. For a brief moment, something almost like respect flickered in his eyes. "Not bad," he muttered, his voice begrudging.

"Thanks," I replied, barely hiding my smirk.

But just as quickly as it appeared, he brushed off the moment, stepping back with a scowl. I bit back a sigh. Three weeks. Three very long weeks.

Fuckingggg asshole as usual.

Later that week, Sanemi insisted we continue training after hours, claiming that "our timing needed work." I rolled my eyes but agreed, determined not to back down.

The training grounds were empty, the night air cool around us as we began to spar, his attacks faster and more intense under the cover of darkness. Each of his strikes forced me to dodge at the last second, testing my limits. But a misplaced step had me slipping, and before I knew it, he'd cornered me, his blade inches from my neck.