Ding--pop!
A coin was picked up by a thumb, thrown into the air, and was caught steadily when it fell rapidly, and this was repeated over and over again.
Shanu walked leisurely in the streets in the twilight, and the rhythm of the coin in his hand rising and falling gradually became consistent with his steps.
"Huh?"
He suddenly raised his head.
Not far away, a huge light pink banner was hung above the city gate, with the words "Asakura Island 25th Dojo Tournament" written on it.
There was a public notice board on the left, and the surrounding area was crowded with people.
"Excuse me, thank you."
With his strong and powerful body, Shanu easily pushed through the crowd and came to the public notice board.
"You fucking--"
After being pushed away, several young men who looked like gangsters were furious and turned around to go up and find trouble, but after seeing the muscular and majestic back, they finally stood back in place silently.
"Kendo tournament? Anyone from a kendo gym can participate. The registration fee is 10,000 berries, and the deadline is tomorrow."
"Advance to the semifinals and you'll receive 1 million berries, and the champion 5 million berries?"
Not bad, Shanu was tempted.
Unfortunately, his swordsmanship was appalling, so it was best not to embarrass himself.
More importantly, he had to find a boat to the Kingdom of Goa early tomorrow morning. Who knew how long the tournament would last? What if it took a week or even two weeks? He wouldn't have the time.
Shanu shook his head and was about to cross the suspension bridge into the city to find an inn.
Suddenly, by the city wall, he saw the frail young man in the tattered kendo uniform. He stared up at the banner, his bamboo sword tightly gripped, his eyes dull.
Now he could return the money to its rightful owner.
"Here, your money. Keep it."
A sudden, cold, hard object was thrust into his hand, startling the frail young man. He looked up at the burly man, whose age was unclear.
"You are..."
The thin boy spread out his palms, seemingly still in a daze. When he saw the familiar coins clearly, he realized what was going on and muttered, "Another liar..."
"You don't seem surprised at all?" Shanu raised his eyebrows, "Then it's my turn to be surprised."
"Ah, I can probably guess what's going on."
The thin boy still lowered his head and stared at his palms, "After all, this is my mother's hometown. I lived here for a few years when I was a child. I've heard about the morals of those professional beggars."
"Then why are you still giving money?"
"...After all, there are real poor people. What if I can help them?"
"Your spirit is commendable, but there's something wrong with that old guy. It seems your ability to distinguish needs to be improved."
"...Yes, I have had little contact with the outside world since I was a child, and my experience is a mess. My teacher also said that to me."
"Teacher?"
Shanu's eyes moved to the other party's bamboo sword. The handle was wrapped with a tattered cloth strip, and it was obvious that it had been used for a long time. "Kendo teacher?"
"Yeah, maybe you haven't heard of his name." When he mentioned this, the thin boy finally raised his head, his tone full of respect:
"But, Mr. Koshiro is absolutely an incredible swordsman! To have the honor of being his disciple is the proudest thing in my life!"
Koshiro?
Shanu was stunned. He had only come to return a few coins, and he had received an unexpected reward? Was this what good deeds do?
His interest was immediately piqued. "So, you came here from Isshin Dojo?"
"Huh! How did you know?" The other man's eyes widened. "Have you also been to Shimotsuki Village?"
"Not yet."
Doesn't this mean I'm relying on you to take me there?
Shimotsuki Village has only been established for a few decades and has a somewhat secluded atmosphere, much more remote than Cocoyashi Village.
Few merchant ships pass by year-round, and it's difficult to get there without your own boat.
Since the skinny boy before him is Koshiro's disciple, if he can get here, he must have a way to get back. All he has to do is follow him.
Isn't this one-month sea voyage just about getting some free points?
"I've heard of Mr. Koshiro's name before, so I know him," Shanu said. "So, you're representing Isshin Dojo at this kendo tournament?"
"No, no, no, I don't have the guts to represent Mr. Koshiro."
The thin young man waved his hands hurriedly and fearfully, as if afraid of tarnishing Isshin Dojo's reputation. "Besides, the kendo tournament on Asakura Island doesn't accept applications from outsiders. Only officially registered dojos on the island are eligible."
"As for my other identity..."
He suddenly woke up and bowed sharply. "Ah! I haven't told you my name yet. How rude! My name is Junichi Sakuraba, and I'm the current headmaster of the Sakuraba Dojo on the island."
Gym master?
Shanu only then noticed that this young man named Junichi had a faded family crest embroidered on the cuffs and left chest of his kendo uniform.
Though washed to a pale, blurry white, one could still vaguely make out a blooming cherry blossom.
"Shanu." He extended his hand and gently shook it, a greeting. "Want to talk somewhere else?"
In a common tavern in the southwest of the city.
"Two glasses of Binks' fine wine, thank you."
"Four thousand berries."
Snap! Shanu pulled two large bills from his pocket, slapped them generously on the bar, and took the wine to a corner.
He still had the fifty thousand berries Bellemere had given him, and he had already spent a good portion of that on food and lodging aboard the Gatt. But with the incident with the Lord of the Coast, he hadn't spent a cent.
So he still had a fair amount of money.
"No, that's not right. I'm only fifteen," said Junichi, a little reserved. He had never been in a tavern before. "Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be underage..."
"It's okay. It's not strong," Shanu said casually, his attention focused on the goblet in his hand. This was the first time he had seen this famous wine.
Binx's fine wine isn't just a song; the drink itself is renowned across the East Sea.
A blend of rum, white wine, and orange juice in a precise ratio creates a refreshing, accessible flavor, making it incredibly popular.
The alcohol content, at around 10% alcohol, is hardly intoxicating.
Sakuraba Junichi clumsily lifted the goblet with both hands, watching the liquid sway up and down. Suddenly, his mouth felt dry, and he couldn't resist, tilting his head back and taking a large swig.
Just then, Shanu's drawling voice rang out:
"By the way, I'm thirteen, a little younger than you."
Puff— the wine, still untasted, erupted. Junichi, not caring for his distress, simply looked up at Shanu across the table, his eyes wide.
Thirteen?
"Why are you so surprised?"
Shanu sipped his drink, his eyes narrowing in satisfaction as the icy, sweet wine slid down his throat.
What a sin! It was all the fault of those sailors who got drunk that night and led him astray. Otherwise, he would still be a good boy who never drinks.
"Let me tell you about your story."
He put down his wine glass and looked at Junichi who was still in shock. "Let me guess... the dojo in your family should have fallen into decline?"
There was no need to even guess.
He couldn't be a rich young man out playing cosplay with this tattered kendo uniform.
"Yes, it's embarrassing to say."
Jun'\ichi lowered his head and stammered, "My father was the strongest swordsman on Asakura Island, and the Sakuraba Dojo he founded was also the most prestigious dojo on the island."
"But... since my father passed away five years ago, the dojo has been suppressed by other dojos on the island. The brothers left one after another, and finally even the land of the dojo was taken away by the creditors. If it weren't for Mr. Koshiro taking me in, I might have starved to death at sea."