"Hey, is that guy really as tough as you say?" a dark-skinned high schooler, a wooden sword slung over his shoulder, asked the small figure beside him.
"What, scared already, Mr. Kendo Master?"
Conan, hands in his pockets, flashed a cryptic smile, tilting his head at the high school detective from Osaka.
Kudo of Kanto, Hattori of Kansai.
Yup, this tanned guy was none other than Hattori Heiji.
"Do I look like a coward?" Hattori said, hefting his wooden sword with a confident grin.
His kendo skills were top-tier in Kansai.
Don't underestimate me!
The two chatted as they walked, soon arriving at Dr. Agasa's house.
Tsune and Dr. Agasa, each lounging in a rocking chair, were swaying lazily in the yard, soaking up the sun.
"Doc, got any fun new inventions lately?" Tsune asked, arms behind his head, eyes closed.
"Zzz~"
A snore came from Dr. Agasa's side.
Tsune: …
Seriously? You fall asleep after a few minutes?
A big and a small figure, one dark, one pale, stepped into the yard.
"Hey!"
"I brought the guy!" Conan said, giving Hattori a hard shove.
Tsune sat up, eyeing the wooden sword on the Osaka kid's shoulder, and grinned. "Welcome to Beika Town."
"Uh…"
Hattori shook Tsune's hand, a bit dazed.
If I'm not mistaken, this is our first meeting, right?
No introduction or anything?
He'd just come to catch up with Kudo, not expecting a mission like this.
"No real sword?" Tsune asked, tossing the wooden sword in his hand.
This thing's got no bite!
"A r-real sword???" Hattori looked down at Conan, blinking rapidly.
Does this Tsune guy know what he's saying?
Is this a fight to the death?
"Just the wooden one!" Conan shot Tsune a look.
Geez, I ask you to help with a statement, and you make all these demands.
Should I fetch you a couple of pistols next time?
Maybe I'll use Dr. Agasa's voice instead.
"Mmm, smack smack…" Dr. Agasa mumbled in his sleep, dreaming of some tasty treat.
"You're not using a weapon?" Hattori asked, noticing Tsune already striking a stance.
At least wear some padding—wooden swords aren't like bamboo ones; they hurt.
"To show respect for a strong opponent, I usually go in empty-handed," Tsune said, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Here I come!"
As Tsune spoke those three words, Hattori could feel the air around him shift.
The kendo master's expression turned deadly serious.
Even though his opponent was unarmed and unprotected, he didn't dare let his guard down.
Conan scurried to the window, glancing at the sisters watching from inside.
Seeing Hattori ready, Tsune lunged forward with a burst of speed.
"So fast!" Hattori gripped his sword tightly, eyes locked on his opponent.
What's with that grin?
For some reason, a chill ran down his spine.
Tsune closed in, dodging a tricky sword thrust with a quick sidestep, and swung an elbow at Hattori's shoulder.
Hattori shifted instantly, pivoting to block the elbow with his body and sword.
"Not bad quality," Tsune said, praising the wooden sword.
Hattori staggered back a few steps from the blow, shocked. "Bajiquan?"
"Heh, told you, you should've brought a real blade—one with a sharp edge," Tsune chuckled, pressing forward for more close-quarters combat.
Yeah, a wooden sword wasn't just unfair to Hattori.
It was no fun for him either.
With a real blade, he wouldn't have dared throw that elbow so casually.
The guy's kendo was solid—really solid—and his drive to win was fierce.
But it wasn't enough!
"Hey, hey, stay over there!" Conan waved his hands as the fight edged closer.
Don't accidentally hit a kid like me!
Inside, Akemi pulled Haibara away from the window, stepping back.
That looked dangerous.
But Mr. Tsune seemed to be having a blast…
Hattori wielded his wooden sword, struggling to fend off Tsune's relentless, storm-like assault.
But gradually, he noticed a shift in the fight.
Tsune was dodging his blade as if it were a razor-sharp masterpiece.
"That's more like it!" Hattori's pressure eased, his fighting spirit surging as he swung without holding back.
"Bring it!"
Conan watched the battle heat up, then glanced down at his shoes.
It's fine, I'm not that weak…
…
Ten minutes later.
Tsune looked at Hattori, panting against a tree, and grinned, stopping his attack.
"Solid kendo, but your stamina's lacking."
"What a freak…" Hattori muttered under his breath.
Just like Kudo said, this guy's strength was terrifying. Several times, Hattori could tell he was holding back.
If those hits had landed for real, it wouldn't have been pretty.
But what's with this guy looking like he just finished a warm-up?!
"You rest up. We'll go again tonight," Tsune said, grabbing the discarded wooden sword and turning to torment Dr. Agasa's tree.
That sword held up well, causing him some trouble in the second half.
But the guy's spirit and resolve?
Way short of those desperate, life-or-death thugs.
First time jitters, maybe?
No worries, a few more rounds will fix that!
"He's…" Hattori sat beside Conan, staring at the figure shaking the tree like a storm, dumbfounded.
Thanks for not smashing me like that…
"He's got his eye on you," Conan said, giving his friend a pitying look.
You think Tsune's weird, don't you?
There's an even crazier guy in Izu…
"Got his eye on me…" Hattori gripped his wooden sword, his face set with determination.
Fine, let's fight! Call it special training!
Just then, Dr. Agasa stirred awake, rubbing his eyes and glaring at Tsune.
"Didn't I tell you?"
"Stop smashing my tree!"
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
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