Chapter 154: Wait! Who Did You Say?!
"Someone from the swordsmanship side?"
Suicho finished brewing the tea.
He poured a cup for Aokiji.
"There is an old friend, but we haven't been in contact for a long time."
"Grandpa, how come you never mentioned this before?" Suiko teased.
She and her older brother had always thought their grandfather opened the Dojo deep in the mountains because he had no friends.
But after coming out of seclusion.
One old friend after another kept appearing.
"Back then, I was only focused on arduous training and self-improvement, neglecting contact with the outside world. I don't even know if that old fellow is still active."
Suicho rose from the tea table.
"Wait a moment. I'll go and contact him. If possible, I'll invite him to the Dojo opening ceremony as well."
Suicho said as he slowly left.
Before leaving, he subtly glanced at the slight movement of his granddaughter leaning closer to Aokiji.
As a Grandmaster in the martial arts world, he naturally had a profound understanding of human body movements. The Void Fist also fundamentally relies on controlling one's center of gravity.
This subtle inclination of her body's center of gravity...
Sigh, having been raised in the mountains all her life, the temptations of the outside world must seem overwhelming.
Moreover, Master Aokiji is such an outstanding individual that even this old man can't find any fault with him.
It's no wonder Suiko is momentarily captivated.
And Suiko probably hasn't developed those kinds of feelings yet; it's just an innocent curiosity.
This old man won't interfere.
Young people have their own way of living; let them develop on their own.
Suicho silently departed.
"I'll brew the tea." Suiko took the host's seat.
Ever since entering the Dojo, her demeanor had subtly changed, becoming more composed.
Perhaps she was starting to get used to the identity of a Dojo master in advance.
Perhaps her passion for martial arts subconsciously made her act a bit more seriously within the Dojo.
Her lively temperament settled down.
Allowing others to notice her appearance more clearly.
Her brown skin was a shade darker than a typical athletic tan, not a rough texture from prolonged sun exposure. The tight, silky-smooth feel could be discerned even visually.
Now, sitting in the host's seat, her eyes slightly lowered, expression focused, she skillfully brewed a new pot of tea.
Her boyish short hair did not obscure her charm.
Instead, it highlighted the wildness honed from growing up deep in the mountains.
And her handsome, valiant face.
The image of a standard tomboy, yet the soft beauty of a woman was perfectly blended within.
Even though the martial arts uniform was quite loose, the distinct, perky curves still defiantly asserted their presence.
"Master Aokiji, please have some tea."
"Thank you, Master Suiko."
Aokiji imitated her formal tone.
Suiko broke character in an instant.
Unable to hold back, she covered her face and burst out laughing.
"Haha, that's so weird! Being called 'Master' or anything like that, I'm totally not used to it."
"I feel the same way when I'm called 'Master'."
Aokiji took a sip of tea.
His increasingly sharp senses now allowed him to appreciate the subtle differences in tea brewed by different people.
"Being addressed like that makes me feel like a straw hat and goatee are about to sprout on their own."
"Really?" Suiko poured herself a cup of tea, gulped it down in one go, and laughed again.
"Then let's just call each other by our names from now on!"
——————
——————
In the mountains of City G.
A meeting of the world's few, top-tier Great Swordmasters to discuss important matters—this is the
Sword Saint Association.
Atomic Samurai—Kamikaze—finished explaining his future plans to the members of the Sword Saint Association.
Finally, Atomic Samurai asked everyone:
"What do you all think?"
The blind, white-haired elder—Nichirin—spoke slowly.
"Choosing to become a hero just to compete with Bang? Do we no longer meet your standards?"
The other three swordmasters nodded gently in agreement.
Bald, with three scars running from his forehead to his cheek—Zanbai.
A middle-aged man with a gloomy expression and black-and-white hair—Haragiri.
A dark-skinned man with dreadlocks and glasses—Tenkei.
"This isn't about your strength. I just want to witness the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist created by the Grandmaster of the martial arts world."
Atomic Samurai's voice was low and somewhat helpless.
Talking about not meeting standards... This Nichirin guy really knows how to stir things up.
"I suppose you don't need our opinions anyway." Tenkei spun his teacup on his fingertip.
"When have your ideas ever been spoken *before* you've already made a decision? This time is no exception."
"Tenkei is right." The blind Nichirin expressed agreement.
"Kamikaze, you're not so much consulting with us as you are informing us. Do our opinions even matter?"
The slender toothpick in Atomic Samurai's mouth shifted.
His expression held a hint of awkwardness at being seen through.
He had indeed already made his decision.
He would definitely go and join the Hero Association.
"However..." Nichirin's tone changed.
"If you want to spar with masters from the martial arts world, you don't necessarily have to wait until you become a hero."
"Just now, an old friend I haven't contacted in ages suddenly got in touch. He's opened a Dojo for his granddaughter in Z City and wants me to show my support."
"Incidentally, he also mentioned a young man who expressed interest in visiting us for observation and sparring."
Atomic Samurai sat up a little straighter, showing some interest.
"Oh? An old friend of Nichirin's. From what you're saying, is he also from the martial arts world?"
He subconsciously ignored the last part of Nichirin's sentence.
A young man wanting to visit the Sword Saint Association for observation and sparring?
That kind of thing should be left to their Disciples; it's not within his concern.
"Void Fist Grandmaster—Suicho." Nichirin introduced.
"He disappeared into the mountains over twenty years ago without a trace. Now, with his old bones, he wants to come out and pave the way for his grandchild."
His tone held a bit of teasing towards his old friend.
After all, the other's stubborn personality was famous in their circle back then.
Emerging from seclusion after so many years.
Opening a new Dojo for his granddaughter and even inviting him, an old friend he hasn't contacted in ages, to the opening ceremony.
From any angle, it looked like the old stubborn man had finally come to his senses, wanting to use his past connections to pave the way for his grandchild.
Nichirin: "They are on their way here. Kamikaze, you can start preparing. That old fellow takes duels and matches very seriously."
A smile of interest appeared on Atomic Samurai's face.
Void Fist... he vaguely recalled hearing about it.
It should be worthy of being cut.
At this moment, Atomic Samurai seemed to remember something trivial and casually asked:
"What about that young man? What's his name, and what martial arts style does he practice? I'll arrange for my Disciples to spar with him."
Nichirin chuckled and said:
"It's rare for such a sharp young man to come seeking instruction. How can we just have your Disciples spar with him? Our Disciples are also waiting outside."
Atomic Samurai's current focus
was completely devoted to the upcoming sparring match he would issue to the Void Fist Grandmaster.
He appeared very indifferent about this minor matter.
"I have three Disciples. Nichirin, you have a Disciple. Tenkei has a daughter. Zanbai has a son. Six juniors against one challenging young man. You all arrange it; just give that young man a lesson."
"This old man thinks the same."
Nichirin gripped his sword, its tip resting on the ground.
"That young man named Aokiji... according to my old friend, he also seems to be a hero. Kamikaze, you could..."
"Wait! Who did you say?!"