Half a month later, Red Armor City, southeastern border of the Land of Iron.
Red Armor City was a famous major city in the southeast of the Land of Iron, guarding a key transport route to the interior. Its commerce was prosperous, and its forging industry was particularly developed.
Even more striking was that this city was jointly guarded by a "swordmaster" and a "major general."
The so-called swordmaster was a rank, but it belonged to the civilian realm. It was usually awarded to top swordsmen whose swordsmanship had reached a transcendent level, who had founded or mastered a certain style, and who had won widespread respect in pure martial arts.
The so-called major general was also a rank, but it focused more on military strategy, leadership, and merits achieved for the country. Those who could receive this honor must have led large armies on the battlefield and achieved illustrious military exploits, or made outstanding contributions at the national defense and strategic levels.
Although the two had different focuses, there was no absolute hierarchy between them. A major general might simultaneously possess the martial arts of a "swordmaster," and a swordmaster in the wild might also serve as a "major general" in the future.
This involved the unique culture and power structure of the Land of Iron.
This nation had no ninja, not even a daimyo in the traditional sense. They advocated the most classical spirit of bushido, and the citizens practiced various martial skills centered on kendo.
Those who practiced martial arts but did not hold public office were called "swordsmen"; those who served the country and entered the power system were called "samurai."
The entire national bureaucracy was constructed by these samurai.
The pinnacle of the samurai was the leader of the country—the "general," the supreme leader of the samurai.
The general was not a hereditary position but was held by a samurai whose strength was extraordinary and whose character and prestige were sufficient to command the public.
The current general of the Land of Iron was Mifune, a legendary figure who bravely led the samurai to resist the invasion of the Demigod Hanzō during the Second Shinobi World War.
Shortly after the end of the Second Shinobi World War, he was elected as the general due to his outstanding merits and noble prestige.
If no accidents occurred, the Land of Iron would move forward under his leadership for the next twenty years.
---
On this day, inside the city lord's mansion of Red Armor City, the city lord Takeda Nobutsuna, who held the rank of major general, delivered a briefing to Yagyū Sōichirō, the president of the Red Armor City Swordsmanship Association and a swordmaster of the Jaishin Style.
"Where did this ignorant brat come from, not knowing the rules?" Yagyū Sōichirō put down the briefing, his brows furrowing immediately.
The content of the briefing was simple, summarized as: a young swordsman calling himself "Isshin" had recently been challenging places everywhere as if he never tired. Starting from Ironforge Town, he went north all the way, through many towns... more than twenty dojos in eight towns had been visited by him for sparring.
Now, his tracks were pointing toward Red Armor City.
"What's the background of this brat named Isshin? Which school did he study under? Who taught such a reckless junior?" Yagyū Sōichirō asked in a heavy voice, his tone carrying obvious displeasure.
Such high-profile and continuous dojo-challenging was extremely rare and rude in the kendo world of the Land of Iron, where etiquette and heritage were highly valued.
City lord Takeda Nobutsuna shook his head: "Background unknown. All we know is that he claims to use the Ashina Style."
"Ashina Style?" Yagyū Sōichirō searched his memory and confirmed he had never heard of such a heritage in the Land of Iron. His frown deepened: "Unknown origin?"
"Indeed, no roots can be found," Takeda Nobutsuna analyzed relatively calmly. "However, the swordsmanship path he uses is indeed the kendo techniques of us orthodox samurai, with a solid foundation, definitely not a wild style. Perhaps... he is a disciple taken by some samurai while traveling, or the legacy of some old guy who has been in seclusion for many years. There have been precedents for such things before."
Hearing this, Yagyū Sōichirō's expression softened slightly, but the suspicion in his eyes did not completely dissipate.
Even if the mentorship might have some origin, such behavior was too flamboyant.
He looked at the name Isshin on the briefing and the list of defeated dojos following it, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.
"It seems he wants to step on others' reputations to make a name for himself." Yagyū Sōichirō's voice turned a few degrees colder: "Since this brat is almost at Red Armor City, then, according to the rules, someone should teach him what kendo is and what awe is."
Takeda Nobutsuna smiled instead: "It is indeed time to teach him the rules. However, Sōichirō..."
He changed the subject: "According to reports from the dojos along the way, although this kid acts recklessly, he is indeed young, and both his talent and strength are top-notch. It would be a pity if such a fine talent were just left to wander after a lesson or if a grudge was formed."
He tapped the briefing lightly and continued: "My meaning is, after he has been taught a lesson and understands the height of the samurai, perhaps we can try to recruit him. If he is willing to follow the rules, with his skills, he can represent our Red Armor City in the next national swordsmanship tournament."
"Hmph, he has to pass my test first." Yagyū Sōichirō's voice was beyond doubt, carrying the unique pride of a swordmaster: "Rules are rules. Since he chose this most arrogant path, he must be prepared to endure the heaviest lesson. As for whether he can be used later and how to use him, that's a matter for later."
He raised his hand slightly, as if gripping something invisible, and his aura suddenly became heavy and condensed: "My iron staff will surely let this brat experience what 'still heart' and what 'clear wisdom' mean."
Although this Yagyū Sōichirō enjoyed the reputation of a swordmaster, his main weapon was not a sword, but a heavy, specially-made iron staff.
The so-called "Jaishin Style" referred to him striking once and giving the opponent an "enlightenment."
Whether they could realize the essence of his way was hard to say, but the effect of making one see stars and instantly becoming "still of heart and clear of wisdom" was universally recognized as immediate. This was the origin of the Jaishin Style.
"Very well." Takeda Nobutsuna shook his head with a smile: "Then let's first see if this young swordsman of the Ashina Style can attain enlightenment by taking a strike from you."
---
A few days later, Red Armor City.
The noon sun shone on the towering city gates and the bluestone-paved streets, plating this important town famous for forging with a warm color.
A figure moved against the flow of people and stopped at the city gate.
It was an exceptionally tall and magnificently built youth, his back straight. It was Isshin, who had come all the way north from the southern border.
As per his usual practice, he intended to find a tavern or marketplace first to ask who was the strongest fighter here.
However, just as his feet stepped into the shadow of the city gate passage, before he could take a closer look at the city's sights, a group of people swarmed from the main street ahead.
The newcomers were all dressed in neat, dark dojo robes, walking swiftly with unfriendly eyes, clearly having waited for a long time.
They quickly spread out in a semi-circle, blocking Isshin's path. A lean and capable disciple at the head even stepped forward, his chin slightly raised, his tone carrying unconcealed arrogance:
"You're that Isshin, right? My master wants to see you!"
Isshin's gaze swept over this group of dojo members who were clearly not coming with good intentions. His expression remained calm as he simply asked back: "Who is your master?"
The disciple puffed out his chest, his voice like a ringing bell:
"The number one staff master in the southeast of the Land of Iron! President of the Red Armor City Swordsmanship Association! The founding master of the Jaishin Style! He who once repelled a flood with a single staff and stood alone at Severing Gorge! Awarded the title of 'Iron Gall' by the general himself! The swordmaster whose name shakes the southeast..."
"Stop, stop!"
Isshin made a gesture to stop him and pointed to the street inside the city gate, which wasn't particularly wide.
"There isn't enough room for so many people here."