Chapter 10

"For the past few years, I have been practicing swordplay at the Isshin Dojo. Teacher Koshiro has been very good to me, but I am still unwilling to give up, and I still dream of reviving the dojo one day."

"Especially a few months ago, a guest from Asakura Island visited the teacher. I asked about the Sakuraba Dojo, and the guest was stunned for a long time; he hadn't heard of it at all!"

"This kind of thing, this kind of thing..."

Junichi clenched his fists tightly, and his teeth gnashed together.

"It's all my fault! It's because I'm too incompetent! I couldn't take over my father's mantle and responsibilities, and I didn't become a swordsman who could stand on his own, which caused the dojo to decline to this point!"

"Stop, stop, stop."

Siano had goosebumps, and hurriedly reached out to interrupt.

"That's enough, I really can't stand it; you're only this big, and you keep talking about responsibility, keep talking about reviving the dojo. Let me ask you, how old were you when your father died?"

Why bring this up?

But Junichi answered honestly: "Ten."

"That settles it." Siano spread his hands, "Didn't you say all your senior brothers ran away? What can a ten-year-old child do about a situation that adults are powerless to change?"

"Why, what's wrong with you, crying and howling, taking all the blame on yourself, who are you trying to move? Isn't this a masochist?"

"Remember, instead of consuming yourself, it's better to consume others; otherwise, you will sooner or later fall into endless anxiety, and maybe you'll hang yourself one day."

He spoke in the tone of someone who had been there, "Your top priority is to honestly practice swordplay with Koshiro; when you're tired, scold those guys who ruined the dojo to vent, and then continue practicing. It's not your fault; it's clearly their fault!"

"..." Junichi was stunned.

This guy, clearly younger than himself, why do his words sound so philosophical?

"However, my swordplay is already very strong..."

He said eagerly, "Returning to Asakura Island this time, I am aiming for the Kendo Tournament; I want to win the championship and let those people in the Seven Great Dojos know that the Sakuraba family hasn't fallen yet! It's just, it's just..."

"No money to register?" Siano glanced at him sideways.

"Yes."

Junichi was dejected, and the next moment he became annoyed, "You saw what was posted on the bulletin board, the registration fee is 10,000 Berries, and the kendo uniform and bamboo sword must be bought in their unified style, and they are sold very expensively; adding them up is almost 20,000 Berries."

"Not to mention, only disciples under the Seven Great Dojos can register; outside swordsmen have to find ways to spend money to join a dojo... It's simply crazy! So greedy for money, yet they have the nerve to call it the most authoritative kendo event in the East Blue..."

"Kendo, and the dojo that teaches swordplay, shouldn't be like this at all!"

Thump! The more he talked, the more excited he became, and he couldn't help but hammer the table, shouting, "Why must the Seven Great Dojos be like this! When the Sakuraba family founded the Kendo Tournament, they wouldn't charge money at all, and would even subsidize the travel expenses of those swordsmen who were short of money. At that time, the atmosphere... how could it become this ugly appearance! Do they have no honor and consciousness as swordsmen at all!"

"Too noisy! Really... making it so I can't hear the beauty talking, shut up, you brat!"

The table next to them was also slammed, and a gold-rimmed glasses man who was flirting with a hostess stood up, ready to beat someone up.

Siano turned his face coldly.

"Sorry, please continue."

The gold-rimmed glasses man sat back down at light speed.

Junichi realized his gaffe, hurriedly stood up, and bowed to all the other drinkers around him.

After sitting back in his seat, he lowered his head and didn't speak again, but his clenched fists trembled slightly.

"..." Siano looked at the thin boy in front of him and suddenly spoke, "I want to confirm two things with you."

"Wh, what?" Junichi looked up blankly.

"The Kendo Tournament, registration closes tomorrow, right? When does it start, and how many days is the schedule?"

"It starts the day after tomorrow. As for the schedule..." Junichi shook his head, "There is no schedule; everything is decided on the same day: morning for the preliminaries, afternoon for the semi-finals, and the finals in the evening."

"So, it only takes one day." Siano nodded, "Understood. Second thing, is the Sakuraba Dojo still on the list of officially registered dojos, and can it register directly?"

"Yes." Junichi hesitated, "Actually, I don't understand why the Seven Great Dojos haven't removed Sakuraba from the list; maybe they are afraid of bad influence. After all, the Kendo Tournament was founded by my father..."

He suddenly reacted, looking up with surprise: "You, you mean, you are willing to lend me money to help me register and participate?"

"No."

Siano shook his head, thought for a while, and said, "Lending to you is fine, but my main meaning is, perhaps you can give me a disciple status in the Sakuraba Dojo, such as vice-master or something, so that I can also participate in this Kendo Tournament."

"Eh? You?!!"

"Why such a suspicious look? Be careful, if I get unhappy and don't lend you money, I'll regret it."

Siano put the empty wine glass on the table, stood up with a lemon slice in his mouth, stretched, and said with a smile, "There is one thing I forgot to tell you."

"Actually, I am also a swordsman who knows a little bit about swordplay."

……

Half an hour later, at the registration office.

With a standard kendo uniform and a brand-new bamboo sword tucked under his elbow, Siano put away his wallet with a painful face, and gave one of each to Junichi who was full of confusion.

"It's really dark."

On the way back to the inn, Siano scolded the Seven Great Dojos again, "Just this fabric, this broken sword, the bamboo burrs haven't even been shaved clean, yet they dare to sell it for 15,000 Berries each; isn't this purely cheating people? The threshold is set so high, why are there still so many people rushing to be slaughtered?"

The 50,000 Berries Bell-mère gave him was instantly exhausted.

If it weren't for the pocket money he had saved up before, I'm afraid he wouldn't even be able to afford the inn tonight and would have to lie on the street with the two of them.

"After all, the prize money is quite generous, and besides, being able to become a champion... no, even just entering the semi-finals, is a great honor for swordsmen in the East Blue."

Junichi followed closely by his side, "At that time, several local newspapers in the East Blue will also come, and the champion will immediately have fame. Who doesn't have a dream of becoming famous? However..."

"However what?" Siano stopped and looked at him.

"However, I am still very suspicious of whether you are a real swordsman."

Junichi’s tone was very sincere, "Mr. Siano... let's call you that for now. Although I am very grateful to you for opening up and comforting me, and lending me such a large sum of money, you really don't look like a swordsman at all? Which swordsman travels abroad without carrying a sword?"

The sword is in the backpack column, you can't see it.

Siano muttered in his heart.

After getting the "Masamune" sword, he threw away that small wooden sword; after all, that thing wasn't even as long as his arm, and carrying it around would only look as ridiculous as a clown.

"The reason for the doubt is valid."

Siano looked down at the thin boy in front of him, "But now there is a sword, right?" He weighed the standard bamboo sword in his hand and grinned, "How about finding an open space and let's practice?"

(End of this chapter)