"Shin-chan! Over here!"
Just after getting off the train, Shin-chan heard a voice calling out, and Musashino Kenta, who had been waiting not far from the platform, quickly walked over.
"Long time no see, you've actually grown so tall! I didn't expect the former potato brat to actually become a handsome guy!"
Although Shin-chan had changed a lot, Musashino Kenta still recognized his disciple at a glance. He came to Shin-chan's side and patted his shoulder.
"Master, long time no see."
The Musashino Kenta before him looked more weathered than before and had turned into an uncle.
With long hair and a scruffy beard, he now looked even more like a swordsman than before.
His clothes were also no longer as shabby as before. It seemed that after deciding to inherit his father's dojo, he had become much more financially comfortable.
Musashino Kenta was one of the few people back then who genuinely admired Shin-chan from the bottom of his heart. Wholeheartedly pursuing swordsmanship and being upright and kind in character, he was someone hard to dislike.
"It really has been a while. Ever since we parted ways, I've been seeking the essence of swordsmanship. When the time comes, I'll definitely surprise you!"
"You called me over in such a hurry, something unexpected must have happened, right?"
Shin-chan saw through everything. Musashino Kenta's ideals about swordsmanship were in great conflict with his father's. He had left home early to seek his own sword path.
Now, suddenly coming back, it was highly likely that his father's health had taken a turn, and Musashino Kenta returned wanting to inherit the dojo. But earning the support of others would be difficult, so he came to seek help from his only disciple, Shin-chan.
But what help could he offer?
"You brat, still as precocious as ever. Let's talk while we walk."
Looking at the formerly black-bellied and self-centered potato brat who had now grown into such a reliable man, Musashino Kenta felt emotional.
"I don't think I ever told you this before, but the sword style my family's dojo inherits belongs to the Kyoshin Meichi-ryu. But because I don't agree with the ideals of Kyoshin Meichi-ryu, I left to seek my own sword path and created my own sword style."
"..."
Shin-chan looked at the sloppy and depressed uncle-like Musashino Kenta in front of him and couldn't help but retort. "Don't tell me you got into a fight with your dad because your room was too messy?"
Musashino Kenta's face stiffened. 'This brat was still so sharp-tongued!'
Kyoshin Meichi-ryu had only one requirement for swordsmanship, "form." In the process of wielding the sword in battle, every move must be filled with artistry, pursuing beauty and elegance in the process.
And Musashino Kenta clearly had nothing to do with elegance and beauty, so it was natural for him not to agree with Kyoshin Meichi-ryu's ideals.
"All that past stuff doesn't matter. What matters is that my father, due to health reasons, can no longer manage the dojo."
"This time, I came back because my father and I made a bet."
At this point, Musashino Kenta looked at Shin-chan. "Competition among dojos is fierce. Back in the shogunate era, Kyoshin Meichi-ryu was indeed a school that combined artistry and combat. But passed down to today, it focuses too much on artistry and instead neglects combat."
"Because of this, even though Kyoshin Meichi-ryu has many disciples and is highly praised by rich people, in recent years' swordsmanship competitions, it's never placed well."
"If my father retires, the dojo's influence will greatly decline. And the bet between will take place at Jade Dragon Banner in a few months from now, my disciple will take first place and make the dojo's name resound!"
Just as he said this, Musashino Kenta suddenly realized that, at some point, Shin-chan beside him was already gone.
Turning his head, he saw Shin-chan walking away without looking back.
"Wait! Shin-chan! I had no choice, that's why I accepted the bet! You're my only disciple!"
Catching up to Shin-chan, Musashino Kenta was already crying. "Shin-chan, you don't want to see me on the streets again, right? These years I've always wanted to grasp a cool finishing move, and I've suffered too much!"
"Besides, I also want to prove to my father the true essence of swordsmanship!"
Helplessly stopping, Shin-chan knew that Musashino Kenta meant no harm, and it wasn't emotional blackmail either.
"I haven't practiced swordsmanship in a long time. How could I possibly win? And there are only a few months left, right?"
"Sigh, my father is the kind of person who's sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. He calls it a bet, but really he just wants to see my disciple."
"Looks like both father and son aren't very honest types."
A stubborn father raised a stubborn son. The two of them were too different, and their ideals were different too. The only thing they had in common might be the pursuit of swordsmanship. Is that the kind of story this is?
Shin-chan's accurate retort made Musashino Kenta even more embarrassed. "Let's go. I'll tell you in advance, it wasn't easy to finally live alone, and I'm busy enjoying my youth, I don't have that much time to practice."
"Shin-chan, your talent is the best I've seen in my life. If it's you, you can definitely become today's swordmaster!"
Looking at the words "Heavenly Swordmaster" in the passive skills section of his system, Shin-chan was a bit puzzled.
'Swordmaster? I already am one.'
Following behind Musashino Kenta, listening to him talk about what he had gone through after they parted ways.
After they separated, Musashino Kenta continued to seek the sword path in his heart, wandering around for inspiration, trying to develop his own finishing move.
This world still valued swordsmanship. There were many sword masters in Japan, but their skill levels varied greatly.
'So-called swordmasters, how strong could they really be?' Shin-chan didn't know. He wasn't too sure about his own sword skills either.
Back then, when training under Musashino Kenta, he was still young. But even then, he could cut falling leaves midair with chopsticks.
As the system awakened and time began to flow, Shin-chan had long noticed that his physical abilities far surpassed normal people.
"We're here. Get yourself ready. If I don't have a child in the future, you'll have to inherit this dojo."
"Huh?"
Shin-chan looked disgusted. "Spare me."
"What do you know! Our dojo has great influence! It's now the most influential Kyoshin Meichi-ryu dojo!"
"There are many big families and investment groups who donate in name to the dojo. The annual income is quite frightening! And the status of swordsmanship masters is pretty high!"
Musashino Kenta tried hard to persuade Shin-chan to inherit the dojo in the future.
"Master, have you never dated before? Could it be you don't know how to talk to girls at all, and think you'll be alone forever, so you want me to inherit the dojo?"
Musashino Kenta's expression stiffened. Once again, Shin-chan had hit the nail on the head.
"I'm a swordsman, how could I not know how to flirt? Besides, to me, swordsmanship is the most important thing. What use are women?"
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