"Clack..."
The old man also heard the footsteps and slowly set down his teacup. Looking up, he saw Yuki Suou and an unfamiliar young man walk in.
"Master Hasegawa, this is the Mr. Fumiya I mentioned before," Yuki Suou introduced.
Then, she turned to Fumiya Jin and said, "This is my former kendo instructor, Mr. Hasegawa."
Kazumitsu Hasegawa had been immersed in the way of the sword for the better part of his life, and as an instructor who had taught many students, he naturally possessed an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.
At this moment, however, upon seeing that Yuki Suou had brought a young man of similar age, Kazumitsu Hasegawa immediately retracted this imposing aura, afraid he might intimidate the lad.
As an elder, he even showed him the courtesy of standing up to greet Fumiya Jin.
"You must be Fumiya-kun." Kazumitsu Hasegawa looked at him with a kindly expression and said, "This child, Yuki, called me over in such a rush, saying you wanted to see me. Is there something important you need me for?"
"Not particularly. I just admire you greatly and wanted to meet you in person," Fumiya Jin said politely as he approached him. "And also... I'd like to shake your hand."
"Oh?"
Kazumitsu Hasegawa was slightly taken aback. Shaking hands wasn't a big deal. But to specifically request a handshake was quite unusual.
"May I?" Fumiya Jin asked with a smile.
Kazumitsu Hasegawa was a little amused. Though he didn't quite understand, he still nodded:
"Of course, it's nothing major."
He extended his hand.
His hand was covered in calluses, and due to his age, the skin was somewhat dry and wrinkled.
Fumiya Jin immediately reached out and took it.
One second...
Two seconds...
Kazumitsu Hasegawa felt that was long enough and prepared to withdraw his hand.
But when he tried to pull back...
He couldn't.
Fumiya Jin grasped his hand with both of his, pulled it back, and continued to hold on.
Kazumitsu Hasegawa froze.
"Young man, what are you...?"
"I've heard of your great name for a long time, sir, and I admire you so much. That's why I want to hold on for a little longer. Please forgive me,"
Fumiya Jin's tone was still very polite, but his grip didn't loosen in the slightest.
Kazumitsu Hasegawa's brow furrowed, a hint of displeasure showing.
It wasn't just because Fumiya Jin wouldn't let go, but also because he detected a familiar insincerity in his words.
Although Kazumitsu Hasegawa had studied kendo for decades, possessed exceptional skill, and had a great reputation in the kendo world, having trained many skilled disciples, he had little contact with outsiders and rarely gave media interviews. If one had to say, only a few of his combat recordings had circulated, and even then, laymen couldn't really understand the intricacies, so their circulation was very low.
Therefore, aside from his former disciples and peers in the kendo world with whom he had crossed swords, the general public had at most only heard his title as a kendo master. Most probably didn't even know what sword techniques he favored, what his fighting style was like, or the true extent of his mastery in the way of the sword.
For a young man like this, who should be full of vigor and passion, to act so insincere and worldly made him even more displeased.
"What is it you admire about me?"
"Your superb kendo, of course."
"Superb in what way? Tell me."
"Emmm... just superb."
Hearing this, Kazumitsu Hasegawa was completely certain—this kid was just spouting pleasantries. In reality, he knew nothing about him, so how could there be any admiration?
His expression turned a little cold, and he tugged his hand back more forcefully...
Still couldn't get it back!
This kid's grip was even tighter!
Kazumitsu Hasegawa's face darkened. He looked at Fumiya Jin. "Young man, you didn't come here specifically to make fun of me, did you?"
[Trait activated, Natural Sharpness +1]
[+1]
[+1]
[+1]
[Sharpness level increased to Orange.]
["Rubick's Ring of Knowledge" successfully activated. Stolen—Katori Shinto-ryu Tachi Arts (Master Level).]
Fumiya Jin suddenly felt a flood of complex memories surge into his mind.
There were tachi techniques, move by move.
There were the feelings and experiences from countless swings of the sword, the combat experience accumulated through numerous real battles.
And the understanding of the way of the sword, achieved through epiphanies after innumerable fights and moments of contemplation.
...
Fumiya Jin could feel that the ring hadn't just stolen a set of sword techniques or a secret manual, but had "borrowed" everything a master experienced throughout his development.
Although he could feel a sense of unfamiliarity, as these things weren't honed through his own practice, the knowledge and experience were now crystal clear in his mind.
If he were to pick up a tachi now, he would never again just swing it wildly as he did before, with the Draw Slash being his only real move—to his current self, that way of fighting was riddled with openings.
"Hah!"—
As Fumiya Jin marveled at this, his grip naturally loosened.
Besides, Kazumitsu Hasegawa had initially held back out of courtesy. Now, with a forceful tug, he naturally pulled his hand free.
"Yuki, you dragged me here in such a hurry for this lame reason?" Kazumitsu Hasegawa didn't even want to look at Fumiya Jin anymore. He turned to Yuki Suou, his voice tinged with annoyance.
Yuki Suou was a bit dazed herself at this point; she had no idea what Fumiya Jin was doing.
"No, no... I'm sure Fumiya must have something he wants to discuss with you about kendo, Master." Yuki Suou tried to smooth things over for Fumiya Jin.
"Kendo?" Kazumitsu Hasegawa scoffed. "When we shook hands just now, I could feel that this boy's hands are soft and delicate, not the hands of a swordsman. What could he possibly discuss with me? How to shake hands?"
"Uh... well..." Yuki Suou was at a loss, turning to shoot a resentful glance at Fumiya Jin, her eyes asking what on earth he was playing at.
Just then, Fumiya Jin snapped back from the knowledge flooding his mind.
He smiled faintly and said to Kazumitsu Hasegawa, "Master Hasegawa, I was indeed a bit too excited just now, my apologies for being so forward... But I really do want to talk about kendo with you. And if possible, I'd like to ask for your guidance."
"Hm?"
Kazumitsu Hasegawa was startled, looking at Fumiya Jin in astonishment. "Are you serious?"
"Of course," Fumiya Jin nodded.
"Are you... looking down on kendo?" Kazumitsu Hasegawa's gaze grew cold, his displeasure evident.
A person who had obviously never practiced kendo wanted to spar with him?
Either he was treating kendo as a game, just playing around.
Or, he didn't respect the practical combat value of the art at all, thinking he could fight him without any training.
"Not at all. I am sincerely asking for guidance, and I do know a thing or two," Fumiya Jin said, looking at Hasegawa with earnestness.
Kazumitsu Hasegawa fell silent.
A few seconds passed.
"Fine. Since you're already here, I can humor you," Hasegawa said, his gaze turning sharp as he looked at Fumiya Jin. "You said you know how to fight. You'd better mean it."
______
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