"Over the next few years, I kept training in swordsmanship at the Isshin Dojo. Teacher Geng Shirou treated me very well, but I still felt unsatisfied. I've always dreamed of one day reviving the dojo," Pureichi said, his voice filled with determination.
"Especially a few months ago, a guest from Asakiyama Island came to visit Teacher. When I asked about the Sakura Dojo, the guest seemed stunned and didn't recognize the name at all!"
"This kind of thing... this kind of thing..."
Pureichi clenched his fists, his teeth grinding together, "I can't accept it! If Father were still around, this never would have happened! Back in the day, Sakura was well-known all across Asakiyama Island!"
"It's all my fault! I was too weak! I couldn't inherit Father's legacy or responsibilities! I couldn't become a strong enough swordsman, which led to the dojo's downfall!"
"Stop, stop, stop."
Shano shuddered at the dramatic speech and quickly interrupted.
"Enough already. Seriously, a kid like you talking about responsibility and reviving a dojo like that—how old were you when your father passed away?"
How could he bring that up?
But Pureichi answered truthfully, "Ten."
"Well, that settles it." Shano shrugged. "You said your senior brothers all left, right? Even adults couldn't change the situation, so what could a ten-year-old have done?"
"Why the melodrama? What's with this self-blame? Are you trying to make someone feel sorry for you? It's like you're asking to be a martyr or something."
Shano spoke in a tone of someone who had been there before. "Instead of beating yourself up, go take it out on those guys who ruined the dojo. Then get back to training. What's your fault? It's their fault!"
"..." Pureichi was stunned.
This guy, even though he was younger, sounded so wise.
"But my swordsmanship is already quite strong..." Pureichi said urgently. "This time, I came to Asakiyama Island for the sword competition. I want to win the championship and show the Seven Dojos that the Sakura family is not gone! But, the thing is..."
"No money for registration?" Shano glanced at him sideways.
"Exactly."
Pureichi drooped his head and then became angry again. "You saw the announcement, right? The registration fee is 10,000 Belli. The dojo uniforms and bamboo swords must be bought from them, and they're expensive. Together, it's almost 20,000 Belli!"
"Not to mention, only disciples from the Seven Dojos are allowed to sign up. Outsiders need to find a way to join a dojo first… It's ridiculous! It's supposed to be the most prestigious sword event in the East Sea, but all they care about is money..."
"Swordsmanship and the dojo that teaches it shouldn't be like this!"
BANG! He slammed his fist on the table, shouting, "Why does the Seven Dojos have to be like this?! When the Sakura family created the sword competition, they didn't charge a penny. They even funded the travel expenses for swordsmen who were struggling. The atmosphere back then... How did it turn into something so ugly now? Don't they have any honor as swordsmen?!"
"Shut up! Damn it..."
A loud voice interrupted from the nearby table. A man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, who had been flirting with a waitress, stood up angrily, ready to confront Pureichi.
Shano coldly turned to face him.
"Sorry, you go ahead," he said.
The man sat down again at lightning speed.
Pureichi realized his outburst and quickly stood up, bowing to the other customers who had turned to look at him.
He sat back down, keeping his head lowered, his fists trembling slightly.
"..." Shano watched the thin boy in front of him and suddenly spoke, "I need to confirm two things with you."
"W-What?" Pureichi looked up in confusion.
"The sword competition—registration closes tomorrow, right? When does it start, and how many days does it last?"
"It starts the day after tomorrow. As for the schedule…" Pureichi shook his head, "There's no real schedule. Everything is decided that day—morning for preliminary rounds, afternoon for the semifinals, and evening for the finals."
"So it'll only take a day," Shano nodded. "Got it. The second thing: The Sakura Dojo is still officially registered, right? You can sign up directly?"
"Yes," Pureichi hesitated. "I don't really understand why the Seven Dojos haven't removed the Sakura Dojo from the list yet. Maybe they're worried about the bad influence, since the sword competition was originally created by my father..."
He suddenly realized something and looked at Shano in surprise. "You... You mean you're willing to lend me the money to sign up?"
"No."
Shano shook his head, then added, "I can lend it to you, but what I mean is, maybe you can give me a disciple position in the Sakura Dojo—something like vice-dojo master. That way, I can enter the competition too."
"Eh?! You?!!"
"Why the suspicious look? Be careful, or I might change my mind and not lend you the money."
Shano placed his empty glass on the table, holding a lemon slice, then stretched and smiled. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something."