"Shin Chan! Over here!"
The moment he stepped off the train, Nohara Shin Chan heard someone calling out to him.
Musashino Kenta, who had been waiting not far from the platform, immediately strode over.
"Long time no see. You've grown so tall! I never thought the old Potato Brat would turn into such a handsome man!"
Although Shin Chan had changed a great deal, Musashino Kenta recognized his disciple at a glance.
He walked up and patted Shin Chan firmly on the shoulder.
"Master, long time no see."
Standing before him, Musashino Kenta looked noticeably more weathered than before, clearly having entered his full-on uncle phase.
With long hair and a thick beard, he carried far more of the aura of a traditional kendo master than he used to.
His clothes were also no longer as shabby as before.
It seemed that choosing to inherit his father's dojo had given him far more financial breathing room.
Back then, Musashino Kenta was one of the very few people who genuinely admired Shin Chan from the bottom of his heart.
He was devoted to kendo, upright, and kind by nature—someone almost impossible to dislike.
"It really has been a long time," Musashino Kenta said with a sigh.
"Since we parted, I've been searching for the true essence of kendo. When the time comes, I'm sure I'll surprise you."
"Calling me over so urgently… something unexpected must've happened, right?"
Shin Chan saw right through him.
Musashino Kenta's philosophy of kendo had always clashed sharply with his father's. That was why he'd left home early to pursue his own path.
Now that he had suddenly returned, it likely meant his father's health had deteriorated.
Inheriting the dojo would certainly invite resistance, which was why Musashino Kenta had sought him out—his only disciple.
But even so… what could Shin Chan really do to help?
"You brat, still as sharp as ever," Musashino Kenta laughed bitterly. "Let's talk while we walk."
Seeing how the once-cunning and willful Potato Brat had grown up, Musashino Kenta felt genuinely emotional.
"I don't think I've told you this before, but the sword style passed down in my family's dojo belongs to Kyōshin Meichi-ryū.
I never agreed with its philosophy, so I left to find my own kendo… and eventually created my own style."
"…"
Shin Chan glanced at Musashino Kenta—now looking like a slovenly, world-weary uncle—and couldn't help firing back.
"It wasn't because your room was too messy and you fought with your father, was it?"
Musashino Kenta froze.
This kid—still brutally precise.
Kyōshin Meichi-ryū had only one strict requirement: 'position.'
Every movement in a sword fight had to be aesthetically pleasing, emphasizing beauty and elegance even in combat.
Musashino Kenta, however, had never had anything to do with the words beauty or elegance, so it was only natural that he rejected that philosophy.
"Those old matters aren't important," he coughed.
"What matters is that my father can no longer manage the dojo because of his health."
"This time, I came back because my father and I made a bet."
As he spoke, Musashino Kenta turned to Shin Chan.
"Competition between dojos is fierce. Back in the shogunate era, Kyōshin Meichi-ryū truly balanced artistry and real combat.
But today, it's become obsessed with art and neglected practicality."
"Because of that, even though it has many disciples and is popular among wealthy patrons, it hasn't placed well in kendo competitions for years."
"If my father retires, the dojo's influence will drop sharply."
"And the bet is this—my disciple will win the championship at the Gyokuryūki a few months from now and restore the dojo's reputation!"
At that moment, Musashino Kenta suddenly realized that Shin Chan, who had been beside him just a second ago, was gone.
Turning his head, he saw Shin Chan walking away without even looking back.
"Wait! Shin Chan!"
"I didn't have a choice—that's why I agreed to the bet! You're my only disciple!"
By the time he caught up, Musashino Kenta was already on the verge of tears.
"Shin Chan, you don't want me to end up homeless again, do you? I've suffered so much all these years trying to master cool ultimate moves!"
"Besides, I want to prove the true meaning of kendo to my father!"
Shin Chan stopped, utterly helpless. He knew Musashino Kenta wasn't acting out of malice or emotional blackmail.
"I haven't practiced kendo in a long time," Shin Chan said flatly.
"How am I supposed to win the Gyokuryūki? And there aren't even a few months left."
"Ah—about that," Musashino Kenta scratched his head.
"My father's all bark and no bite. He calls it a bet, but he really just wants to see my disciple. You don't actually need to worry about the Gyokuryūki."
"So, neither father nor son is straightforward," Shin Chan muttered.
A stubborn father raised a stubborn son.
Their personalities and philosophies were completely different, yet both pursued kendo obsessively.
Was this some kind of cliché plot?
Shin Chan's blunt remark made Musashino Kenta's expression even more awkward.
"Let's go," Shin Chan sighed. "Just so you know, I finally get to live alone, and I'm busy wasting my youth. I don't have much time to practice."
"Shin Chan, your talent is unlike anything I've ever seen," Musashino Kenta said earnestly.
"If it's you, you can definitely become a contemporary Sword Master!"
Glancing at the words [Innate Sword Master] in the passive skills section of his system, Shin Chan felt mildly puzzled.
A Sword Master?
I already am one.
Following behind Musashino Kenta, Shin Chan listened as he talked about everything that had happened since they parted ways.
After leaving, Musashino Kenta continued searching for the kendo of his heart—wandering, training, and chasing inspiration while developing his own ultimate techniques.
This world placed enormous value on kendo. There were countless kendo masters in Japan, but their skill levels varied wildly.
How strong was a so-called Sword Master, really?
Shin Chan wasn't sure.
He wasn't even completely sure of his own level.
When he trained with Musashino Kenta as a child, he'd already been able to slice falling leaves midair using nothing but chopsticks.
Since the system awakened and time resumed its flow, Shin Chan had long noticed that his physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people.
"We're here. Get ready," Musashino Kenta said with a grin. "If I don't end up having kids, this dojo will be yours one day!"
"Huh?"
Shin Chan looked utterly disgusted.
"Spare me."
"What do you know!" Musashino Kenta shot back.
"Our dojo has serious influence! It's the most prominent dojo of the current Kyōshin Meichi-ryū!"
"Many powerful families and capital foundations are affiliated with it and donate generously.
The annual income is ridiculous! And kendo masters hold real social status!"
Musashino Kenta tried earnestly to convince Shin Chan to inherit the dojo someday.
"Master," Shin Chan said calmly.
"You've probably never been in a relationship, have you? Are you completely clueless about flirting with women, so you assume you'll die alone and want me to inherit the dojo?"
Musashino Kenta froze, his secret exposed once again.
"I'm a kendo master! How could I not know how to flirt?" he snapped. "Besides, for me, kendo is everything. What good are women?"
...
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