The Path Of The Heart (Patreon)

"And just who are you? What are you doing here?" The first thing I see upon entering my home is an old man, who is seemingly meditating.

He slowly opens his eyes, they're blue. "Ah... Sorry, I messed and appeared here." His voice is very clear for someone old. "I thought about resting for a while, but I'll get out of your hair soon." I see.

He's probably some homeless man, huh? "Take your time. I won't kick you out." I wish to wield my blades against ronin and thieves, I won't do that with some poor fellow close to the end of his life.

He smiles. "What a kind young man... It's good to see such a man carrying swords." He looks at my weapons. "Do you follow any lord, young man?" And there is that question...

I hold back a sigh. "No, I am... a ronin. I do follow the law however." I sit in front of him. "So, what's your name...?" Since he's here I might as well make conversation.

And besides, while I normally wouldn't kick out an old man for no reason, there is something extra that made me let this one stay. I don't know what it is either, but I'll follow my instincts right now.

He scratches his beard. "Yato Shibata. And yours?" I never heard of his, but I suppose that's to be expected.

"Iori Miyamoto." There's no surprising from him. Does he not know who my foster father was, or does he just not care? I suppose in the end it doesn't matter, I don't exactly live up to the name anyways.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Iori Miyamoto." I nod. "That said, your blade is quite a thirsty one huh? It reminds me of when I was a young man."

I raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean...?" I certainly haven't done anything, nor have I threatened him in anyway. Furthermore, even if my blade did thirst for flesh, I would certainly not feed with his.

He chuckles. "Your hand is holding your blade, Iori." As soon as he says it, I realize it's true, and I flinch. Have I really been subconsciously thinking about killing an old man? That's as far from the path of peace as one can get.

I slowly take off my hand away from the sword, it takes an enormous amoubt of effort for some reason. "My deepest apologies." I bow. Even if this man entered my house with no permission, that is no excuse to kill him.

He waves me off. "It's fine. It actually goes to show you're a talented young man. There are four types of swordsmen in this world after all, and I dare say you're the rarest." Could this old man be a retired samurai?

"If you would forgive my rudeness, what are those types?" I have no idea if he is or not, but I'm hanging on his every word. Maybe it's because he has the same presence my foster father had.

"There's nothing to forgive Iori. I am bothering you on your own house." True enough... "The first type is the clueless one, they haven't gotten strong enough to realize what I am, so their reactions vary. Those of this type should train their instinct." What he is...?

"The second type are those who realize what I am, and proceed to become filled with terror. These are the boring types, there's nothing to train and they should give up on their swords, for they have reached their low peak." Heavy words...

"The third type are those who have engraved their names on history, and become legends. They tend to be weaker than me, much weaker, but they won't hesitate when face to face with me, even if they will lose. Your father was this type." So he does know!

"The fourth type is you... Much like the second, your mind instinctively realizes who I am, and yet even without skill or power you wish to face me. There have been very few like you." I see...

I smile. "Thank you for the compliment." I look down. "Would you say my type can become like the third?" In the end my goal is to hone my blade, while not breaking away from the path of peace.

He shakes his head. "Not on this era..." As expected. "Though... You shouldn't be aiming for the third type anyways. Aim for the secret fifth one." A secret...? "That is to say, you have potential to become a Campione like me."

His eyes seem to be expecting something, but I don't recognize that term. "So... what is a Campione?"

He sighs. "Do you know of magecraft, Iori?" My eyes widen, and that's seemingly enough of an answer to him. "I'm surprised you don't know it then, our species is definitely walking around in this era..." You're not human...?

This is certainly a strange conversation. "My teacher of magecraft is a bit of an... eccentric individual. He doesn't teach me much about the culture that surrounds magecraft, only the art in itself." If this is something truly important, then I'll scold gramps later.

Yato nods. "Hmm... Well a Campione is a human being who slew a god, and ascended beyond humanity." My heart speeds up, this is some... crazy information. "I believe you have the potential to become one, if trained appropriately." I...

I want to ask him if he's a Campione, but the answer is obvious. So instead what I ask is... "Is that an offer?" I feel like my stagnant blade may once again become sharp.

He smiles. "It certainly is... I'm a perverted old man now days, so training young men might as well be my calling." You haven't really shown many perverted traits however... Still, I'll keep Kaya away from you.

I bow. "I'm honoured. Please train me." Like he said, I can tell that he is strong, even if I don't know why. "But may I ask why you're taking me as an apprentice?" Did he really just see that I was talented, and decided he might as well...?

A strange look appears on his face. "Because I'm you." Hah? "Don't believe for a second that I was from the same era as your father, my era was not one for warriors. Much like yours." Then... from what era is he?

"But I had a fortunate encounter... one that made me a Campione. I wish to give you the same opportunity." That's certainly different from the motivation my foster father had. "And more than that..."

"Your eyes are lacking Iori, even my young self had something which you presently lack. That something made me strong in a time of peace. So there's no way I could let that continue as it is... That which I shall teach you, is something that even my youngself understood. Something which you need." He has my full attention.

I brace myself. "Please tell me what it is..." What am I lacking? Could I really have become stronger without an opponent if I addressed this flaw?

"Your eyes lack the desire for a woman Iori. I started learning swordsmanship to pick up chicks you know?" Ah. He really was a perverted old man. "So allow me to teach you... the path of the heart." I don't think I should be learning that.

But I'll listen to what my teacher has to say. Perhaps I can learn something or other...



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"I sentence you two to oblivion." The famous Takao Dayu points at us with her fan. "Berserker, kill them." At her command the green haired heroic spirit roars and prepares to attack us.

Saber draws her blade. Her. Because Saber is definitely a girl. A woman. She has a vagina. "Iori, stay behind and let me deal with this warrior!" A blush appears on her face. "And don't act like a weirdo, as you usually do!" I never act as a weirdo.

I act as a swordsman. "Wait...!" And as a swordsman who pursues the path of peace, the blade, and the heart, I won't let this battle be meaningless.

To my surprise Berserker actually stops, receiving a command from Takao Dayu. "Ara? Do you wish to plead for mercy? Give me your servant's head and I'll let you go..." I cannot give Saber away so easily.

Saber grumbles to herself. "Oh, how I wish this pervert was simply a coward..." Do not call me pervert. Everything I do is with the objective of reaching that man and becoming a Campione after all.

I take a deep breath. "I have no intention of surrendering. Instead I would ask you this, become my woman. Please." One must always be polite when recruiting a concubine. Unless they're much stronger of course.

She laughs, a blush on her face. "Flattery will get you nowhere, samurai! Though having a man instantly proposing does put me in a better mood... Your death shall be swift."

Saber sighs. "Great going, Iori."

I smile. "I know, I made progress." For some reason my answer just makes her angry. I ignore her and focus on Takao Dayu because of this. "I believe there is a misunderstanding here. I did not wish to make you my wife. I won't ever marry." It ruins the equality of the Soviet Harem.

Not that I know what a Soviet is.

"You do not...? Then what did you mean just know? Actually what even is your name in the first place?" I already made enough progress that she's asking for my name... This ritual has been fruitful so far.

I smirk. "My name is Iori Miyamoto." She gasps, my fame proceeds me. "And I wish to make you my concubine. The exchang is as thus, I shall fill your heart with love, and you shall fill my sword with love in return." Making me stronger.

She sputters. "W-what? What's with such a sudden question." She shakes her head. "I... I had heard rumours that Lord Iori had become a shameless pervert recently, but I assumed them to be fake!" They are!

"But to ask for an enemy to... to... become your concubine!? What sort of foolishness is that!?" It's not foolishness, it's wisdom. "Don't tell me those rumors about what you're doing with your sister are real as well..."

I sigh. "If any rumors slander my sister, they are wrong." She sighs in relief. "However, I have made her my concubine." And now she seems freaked out again. I suppose that's the expected reaction from someone who doesn't understand a sword.

"Worry not however, Kaya volunteered to become my first concubine." At first I was weirded out, but then I accepted it. "So yes, now she is my woman." And ever since I have grown much stronger. My teacher was right.

Takao Dayu takes a step back. "A legendary deviant. Musashi Miyamoto's legacy grew up to become a legendary deviant!" It hurts to hear that from you, considering your profession.

Saber rolls her eyes. "If you think that's bad... Then just wait until you hear what he has been trying to do with me!" Just as she says that, I slap her butt. "See...!? He has no shame!" Your butt has no shame.

And besides... "It can't be helped... I do not know if Saber is a woman or a man... But if I never confirm it, then surely she will be forever a woman." Yes, that logic makes sense. "Which is why I will keep aiming at her back, where I can't see what definitely doesn't exist." Yes.

Her eye twitches. "You... How about you just stopping from touching me like that at all!?" Then why don't you cut me down? Like you said, it would be convenient if your master died. You must be what Teacher used to call a tsundere...

But I can't say this to Saber of course. "If it bothers you, then just tell me your gender already. Should you be a man, I'll leave you alone." Iori Musashi loves swords. Of metal. I do not love the other kind.

Saber looks away, not revealing her gender... Not that it matters, since she's definitely a woman.

Takao Dayo takes a step back, she seems horrified. "What kind of beast are you...?" The green haired Heroic Spirit stands protectively over her, as if a dragon was roaring at his Master.

Saber then shakes her head. "Whatever. Just don't embarass us like you did when we fought Rider and Lancer." She trembles. "I'll never forget the humiliation...!" I'll never forget the bliss.

So many cute girls in one night. "Why would that be embarrassing? All our enemies retreated... It was an astounding success." And I think I made a decent amount of success in charming them as well.

Her eye twitches. "They ran away because you acted like such a... such a loser! The gloomy Lancer seemed freaked out, and even Rider's Master was at a loss for words... And I'll never get how you figured out Rider's true gender." It's simply.

I smirk. "A woman's charms always come trough. As a man, I could feel her secret desire to bear children, now that I made her blush, she will be dreaming about me." And once she joins my harem, my skills will sharpen.

"That's some disgusting shit you just said, Iori." Is it? "And she was wearing a mask... how would you even kn-, right, womanly charms." You're finally learning. There may be hope for you yet, concubine.

I chuckle. "Yes, and is this ability of mine that tells me you are a woman." She doesn't respond.

Takao Dayu extends her hand. "Enough of this! I didn't join this ritual so I could watch two deviants bicker! Kill them, Berserker!" The giant roars once again, there will be no avoiding this battle.

Saber blushes. "How am I the deviant here!? And..." She points her sword at Berserker. "No, it does not matter. Run away Iori, remember that you're no match for a Heroic Spirit!" This again...

I draw my sword, nowadays I only use one. "I plan on Slayer a god one day, so there is no way I would run from a Heroic Spirit!" Besides, I did manage to hold Rider back for a while. I'm growing stronger with the power of love. And having sex with Kaya. And molesting Saber.

And soon with the power of having sex with Takao Dayu!

Saber dashes forward. "Suit yourself! Just make sure to not die like a fool!" As soon as she clashes against Berserker, she blushes. "Not that I care! Idiot!" She really is a cute tsundere...!

And tsunderes can't be guys, so Saber is a woman, my woman specifically. Right now though, I should get my head on the battle, and aid her before Berserker crushes her body with his insane strength.

As we dance around him, I notice that any blow that he could land would mean my death, however Saber can block him. That's why I let her mostly work on the defense while I try to slip by attacks whenever possible.

My blade has difficulty sinking into his flesh however, he possesses some insane endurance... Which is probably what allows him to fight barehanded in the first place.

Saber is panting. "Step back Iori! I'll blow this giant out of the way...!" She probably plans on releasing her sword from it's water sheath. Such a move would probably doom this city, and as such I cannot allow it.

Instead I will be using my secret move! "No, just buy me some time instead!" After a moment she nods and begins holding down Berserker.

I enter my secret stance, not of Void, but of Love! "Here it goes...!" I begin concentrating, focusing all my power in this one move. I'll defeat Berserker with this technique, my first and so far only secret technique.

Takao Dayu whispers in wonder. "Just what is he doing...?" It's strange that she's still watching the fight in the first place, maybe because she just can't believe a human being can fight a heroic spirit?

But she shouldn't be surprised. This is the power of love after all! The power that will eventually strike down a god!

I swing my sword. "First Form: My Sister's Pussy is the Best!" I aim not at Berserker, but at the space where he is. Instead of cutting him, I cut the world itself. Yes, this is my secret ability...!

I came up with it just after ejaculating in Kaya. By the way, I'm slowly beginning to create a new form based on Saber... I shall called it... Second Form: Realm of Knowledge, She Has a Vagina.

My slice cuts clean through Berserker, who falls to his knees. Without a doubt this is a lethal wound, and he can be finished off without much effort. My attack completely ignores any form of durability after all.

Every defense becomes as easy to penetrate as my sister.

Saber's eyes widen. "Wow... that was amazing...!" And then she glares at me. "And such a technique needs a not ridiculous name! Change it right now, Iori!" No. It's done in honor of Kaya.

Takao Dayu falls to the ground. "N-no...! And to such a ridiculous technique too..." Why do people keep calling it that!? It's cool! I will tolerate zero slander towards my sister who is also my concubine!

I sheathe my swords. "What brought your Berserker down doesn't matter. What matters is that you're now my concubine." I wonder what kind of secret technique she will teach me with her body...

She shakes her head. "N-no...!" She's pretty scared... Well, I'm sure she will calm down once she sees Kaya. Everybody loves Kaya.

I nod. "I'm afraid this is how the chips fall. I proved myself stronger, so you can't reject me." This is the way a Campione amasses a harem, and while I'm not one yet, I'll follow their example.

She looks at Saber, as if expecting the heroine to do something. My second concubines simply shrugs however. "Hey, don't look at me. Even before my times it was normal for someone to plunder a woman after battle." Awesome.

As soon as I think that, Saber appears in front of me, defending me from a blow. "Coward!" She pushes the mysterious attacker back, saving my life. I'll thank her with more ass groping later.

Hope has returned to Takao Dayu. "B-Berserker! You're here!" Wait, is this another person named Berserker...? Or has my third concubine gone crazy.

The new Berserker smiles, I...! "I sure am! I see the big boy over here lost!" This woman should not be a woman. I'm not a fool so I recognize her immediately, what stands before me is Miyamoto Musashi. My father.

Hesitation is born within my heart.

Musashi's eyes widen once she gets a good look at me. "Wait... Iori!? You were fighting a Servant!?" She looks excited at that fact, and I know why. My father always wished to train me into a worthy rival after all.

Takao Dayu interjects. "Berserker, do not lower your guard! This man is a worthless deviant!" You shouldn't say that about the man who loves you. Instead give me subtle tips about how to improve my swordsmanship.

Musashi giggles. "All men who hold a sword are deviants! I'm just glad my baby boy is a deviant strong enough to fight against a Servant..." She points at me. "Yo, Iori, I know this may sound unbelievable, bu-."

I cut her off. "I am not blind. You're my master, are you not?" She nods. "Good. Then there is no need to wait any further, the duel you so desperately sought is here. I am ready." I draw my swords.

She seems surprised. "For real...?" I nod and a bloodthirsty grin appears on her face. "That's... awesome! Just by looking at you I can tell you became some super swordsman, so this should be fun." Indeed.

I take a deep breath, hesitation dies. This is the path of the heart. "Yes, but once I beat you, I will make you into my concubine. Please become the mother of my children, father." I dash forward, not awaiting for her response.

Her face immediately becomes completely red, so even father can feel shy, huh... "E-eh? What!?" Awesome, she's distracted! This will make beating her easier...! That's right, I will beat her without any hesitation!

I can almost feel Yato's proud smile at my resolve...



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AN: In which Yato grooms a worthy heir...