Chapter 530

But what about this Natsume Chikage?

Not even once!

Not even once!

The difference in treatment is simply like heaven and earth; it's too biased, too unfair!

However... after the flames of anger burned for a moment, a sense of "understanding" tinged with sarcasm welled up in his heart.

That's right, he could be angry all he wanted, but he could also "understand" why the Master and his senior brothers didn't dare to truly strike or scold him harshly.

Because this Natsume Chikage was, after all, a person sent personally by that behemoth, the Yutang family.

If this "Young Master" were to reveal even a hint of dissatisfaction upon returning, their dojo would likely be in real trouble.

Therefore, this was just the most ordinary "worldly wisdom," the bowing of adults to power.

It had absolutely nothing to do with talent.

In terms of true ability and kendo talent, this Natsume Chikage wasn't worth a single finger of his!

What Natsume Chikage could do right now, he, Horie Kenichi, could have done just the same back then!

Perhaps even better!

Afterwards.

They also provided quite a bit of guidance.

But Natsume Chikage learned everything successfully very quickly.

"Alright, stop!"

Kojima Yoshinobu finally spoke, his voice carrying a rare, almost gentle approval.

He nodded appreciatively.

"Practiced well; you've grasped the essentials of rhythm and breathing. Take a break and replenish your fluids."

He turned to the sour-faced Horie Kenichi and instructed:

"Kenichi, go get a bottle of water for A-kun."

Horie Kenichi felt a sudden blockage in his chest, as if he had swallowed a fly.

He cursed inwardly: Damn it! You want me, a senior, to fetch water for this back-door connection hire?

A strong sense of humiliation surged in his heart.

But he dared not defy the Master's order, and even less did he dare to lose his composure under the gaze that Konoe Hitomi might cast.

He could only suppress all his displeasure, turn around expressionlessly, take a bottle of water from a box nearby, and hand it to Natsume Chikage with slightly stiff movements.

Natsume Chikage stopped his movements, took the water bottle, and said in a calm tone:

"Thank you."

Horie Kenichi let out an almost imperceptible snort of cold air through his nose as a response.

He couldn't be bothered to say another word, turned and walked to the side, crossed his arms, and looked elsewhere with a gloomy face, feeling annoyed by every extra second he had to stay.

Just as Natsume Chikage tilted his head to drink water, in the brief interval of rest.

Arai Kotaro looked at his Master with burning eyes, stepped forward, and suggested in a lowered but barely concealed excited voice:

"Master, A-kun's progress... is faster than imaginable. His body memory and learning ability are likely the best we have ever seen in our lives."

He glanced at Natsume Chikage.

"The conventional, step-by-step training plan is probably no longer suitable for him. I suggest... why not systematically explain and demonstrate the core training processes and key points for the next few days, or even two weeks, to him first?"

"Let him have a complete blueprint in his mind so he understands the goal of every step he takes. This might further stimulate his autonomy, and his daily exercises will have more direction, potentially increasing efficiency."

Meanwhile, Horie Kenichi, who had pricked up his ears, felt a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

He felt that the opportunity for this A-kun to make a fool of himself in front of everyone, especially in front of Konoe Hitomi, and reveal his true colors, was finally coming!

He was incredibly excited inside, but on the surface, he quickly restrained his gloom, also stepped forward, and chimed in as if deep in thought:

"Master, Senior Brother makes a lot of sense."

His tone even carried a hint of "sincerity" for the sake of the bigger picture.

"After all, he has to step onto the Tamaryu Flag competition stage in two weeks. If we follow the conventional progress completely, I'm afraid that in two weeks, he will still be repeatedly polishing basic movements and know nothing about actual combat."

He glanced at Natsume Chikage and continued.

"If he goes to the competition like that, facing opponents as fierce as wolves and tigers, he will likely collapse instantly due to a lack of experience; stage fright and mistakes will be inevitable."

"Why not... from today on, we add a certain amount of actual combat confrontation to our daily training."

He specifically emphasized the four words "actual combat confrontation."

"Even if the time is short, it can allow him to accumulate the most valuable combat experience as early as possible and adapt to the pressure of being attacked and the rhythm of the competition."

"Lest he really becomes an 'experience baby' waiting to be slaughtered when he gets on stage; that would not only be embarrassing for him, but we would also... lose face."

Kojima Yoshinobu listened to his two disciples, his brows locked in a deep frown, lost in thought.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of his bamboo sword.

Time was indeed the greatest enemy.

Two weeks would pass in the blink of an eye.

Arai Kotaro was right; following the conventional plan, it would definitely be too late.

Horie Kenichi was more direct, but also more realistic—without the tempering of actual combat, even the best foundation is a castle in the air, shattering at a touch.

He looked up, glanced at Natsume Chikage, who was quietly wiping his sweat, and then glanced at Konoe Hitomi, who was sitting still like a sculpture in the distance.

Finally, he made a decision.

"Hmm... what you two said, both make sense."

He nodded slowly, his voice returning to its usual steady and powerful tone.

"In extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary methods. We really can't require A-kun to follow the rhythm of guiding ordinary apprentices anymore."

His gaze swept over his two disciples.

"The infusion of actual combat experience must start from the first day and cannot be interrupted every day."

He looked at Horie Kenichi and gave a direct order.

"Then, after A-kun finishes resting, Kenichi, you will put on your protective gear and conduct the first instructional actual combat with A-kun."

"Kotaro and I will also be on the sidelines to guide throughout the process, pointing out every mistake and area for improvement for A-kun in real-time."

"Yes! Master!" Horie Kenichi responded almost immediately, his voice suppressing a hint of imperceptible trembling—that was the trembling of excitement.

He suppressed the urge to go put on his protective gear immediately, turned around, and went to prepare, appearing calm.

Opportunity! It finally came!

He secretly and quickly glanced at the beautiful girl in the distance.

His heart was pounding.

Later, he would certainly not hold back in an "instructional" way.

He would use the most crisp, decisive, and overwhelming way to completely crush this highly-watched "genius" A-kun in one go!

Not just today.

In the next two weeks, he would do the same!

He must let Konoe Hitomi see clearly who the real powerhouse in this dojo is and who the genius worth watching is!

He would let Konoe Hitomi see with her own eyes how pathetic, weak, and helpless this Natsume Chikage is in front of him.

Day after day, by comparison, Konoe Hitomi would surely gradually feel disappointed in Natsume Chikage.

And she would be deeply impressed by his, Horie Kenichi's, strength, reliability, and "instructor" demeanor.

In this way... wouldn't his opportunity come?

A smile of near-certainty flashed deep within his lowered eyes.