"In the following years, I have been practicing swordsmanship in Isshin Dojo. Sensei Koshiro was very good to me, but I was still unwilling to give up. I still dreamed of reviving the dojo one day."
"Especially a few months ago, a guest from Asakura Island came to visit the teacher. I asked about the Sakuraba Dojo. The guest was stunned for a long time. He had never heard of it!"
"This kind of thing, this kind of thing..."
Junichi clenched his fists, and his teeth clattered hard. "I can't accept it! If my father was still alive, how could it happen! Sakuraba was obviously known to everyone in Asakura Island back then!"
"It's all my fault! 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 my own, so the dojo fell into decline to this point!"
"Stop, stop, stop."
Shanu almost got goosebumps and quickly stretched out his hand to interrupt.
"That's enough. I can't stand it anymore. You're just a kid, but you keep talking about responsibilities and reviving the dojo. Let me ask you, how old were you when your father died?"
Why did you bring this up?
But Junichi answered honestly, "Ten years old."
"That's it." Shanu spread his hands. "Didn't you say that all your senior brothers ran away? What can a ten-year-old do in a situation that even adults are powerless to change?"
"What's wrong with you? What's wrong with you? You're crying and blaming yourself for all the mistakes. Who are you trying to impress? Isn't this a masochist?"
"Remember, it's better to waste time on others than on yourself. Otherwise, sooner or later you'll fall into endless anxiety and might even hang yourself one day."
He spoke with the tone of someone who had experienced it. "Your top priority is to practice swordsmanship with Koshiro honestly. When you're tired, just vent your anger by scolding those guys who ruined the dojo, and then continue practicing. It's clearly their fault!"
"..." Junichi was stunned.
This guy is obviously younger than me, so why does what he says sound so philosophical?
"But my swordsmanship is already very strong..."
He said anxiously, "I came back to Asakura Island this time just for the kendo tournament. I want to win the championship and let those people in the seven major dojo know that the Sakuraba family is not overthrown! It's just, it's just..."
"No money to register?" Shanu glanced at him.
"Yes."
Junichi looked dejected, and the next moment he became angry, "You saw what was posted on the bulletin board. The registration fee is 10,000 berries, and you have to buy the same style of kendo uniforms and bamboo swords, and they are very expensive. It's almost 20,000 berries in total."
"Not to mention, only disciples of the seven major dojo can register, and outside swordsmen have to find a way to pay to join the dojo... It's crazy! They are so greedy, and they even have the nerve to call it the most authoritative kendo event in the East Blue..."
"Kendo, and dojos that teach swordsmanship, clearly shouldn't be like this!"
Boom! He grew increasingly agitated, unable to resist pounding his fist on the table, yelling, "Why do the Seven Dojos have to do this?! When the Sakuraba family first established the kendo tournament, they didn't charge any money and even subsidized the travel expenses of those cash-strapped swordsmen. How could the atmosphere back then have become so ugly?! Don't they have any sense of honor or self-awareness for a swordsman?"
"You're so noisy! Seriously... You're making it hard to hear what the beautiful woman is saying. Shut up, little brat!"
The table next to him was slammed. A man with gold-rimmed glasses, who had been flirting with a hostess, stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and was about to come over to beat him up.
Shanu turned away coldly.
"Excuse me, please continue."
The man with gold-rimmed glasses quickly sat back down.
Junichi, however, realized his own incompetence and quickly stood up, bowing to each of the other patrons who had come to watch.
After returning to his seat, he lowered his head and said nothing more, his fists clenched tightly, trembling slightly.
"..." Shanu looked quietly at the thin boy in front of him, and suddenly said, "I want to confirm two things with you."
"W-what?" Junichi looked up in confusion.
"The registration for the Kendo Tournament ends tomorrow, right? When does it start and how many days does it last?"
"The competition starts the day after tomorrow. As for the schedule..." Junichi shook his head. "There's no such thing as a schedule. The results will be announced on the same day. Auditions in the morning, semi-finals in the afternoon, and finals in the evening."
"So it will only take one day." Shanu nodded. "I see. The second thing is, Sakuraba Dojo is still on the official registered list, right? Can I sign up directly?"
"Yes." Junichi hesitated. "Actually, I don't understand why the Seven Dojos haven't removed Sakuraba from the list. Maybe they're afraid of bad influence. After all, the Kendo Tournament was founded by my father..." He suddenly realized and looked up with surprise. "You, you mean, are you willing to lend me money to help me sign up?"
"No."
Shanu shook his head, thought for a moment and said, "I can lend it to you, but my main point is that maybe you can give me a disciple status at Sakuraba Dojo, such as deputy director or something, so that I can also participate in this Kendo Tournament."
"Huh? You?!!"
"Why are you looking at me with such suspicion? Be careful, I might get upset and change my mind about not lending you the money."
Shanu placed the empty goblet on the table, stood up, a lemon slice in his mouth, stretched, and said with a smile, "There's something I forgot to tell you."
"You know, I'm something of a swordsman myself."
Half an hour later, at the registration office.
With his newly purchased standard kendo uniform and brand new bamboo sword tucked between his elbows, Shanu put away his wallet with a pained look on his face and gave one of each to Junichi Sakuraba.
"That's really shabby."
On the way back to the hotel, Shanu berated the Seven Dojo again. "With this kind of fabric, this shabby sword, the bamboo isn't even shaved clean, and yet they dare to charge 15,000 berries for it? Isn't that pure rip-off? With such a high barrier to entry, why are so many people still rushing to get ripped off?"
The 50,000 berries Bellemere had been spent in an instant.
If he hadn't had some spare change, he probably wouldn't even be able to afford a hotel tonight, and the two of them would have been forced to sleep on the street together.
"After all, the prize money is quite generous. Besides, becoming champion... no, even just reaching the semifinals is a great honor for the swordsmen of East Blue."
Junichi followed closely beside him. "Several local newspapers from East Blue will be there, and the champion will instantly become famous. Who doesn't dream of fame? But..."
"But what?" Shanu paused and turned to look at him.
"But I still doubt you're a true swordsman," Junichi said sincerely. "Mr. Shanu... let's call you that for now. While I'm grateful for your guidance and comfort, and for lending me such a large sum of money, you really don't look like a swordsman, do you? What kind of swordsman goes out without a sword?"
The sword is in the backpack, but you can't see it.
Shanu muttered to himself.
After obtaining the "authentic" sword, he threw away the small wooden sword. After all, it was no longer than his arm. Carrying it around would only make him look ridiculous and clown-like.
"Your reason for doubt is valid."
Shanu looked down at the skinny boy in front of him. "But don't I have a sword now?" He weighed the standard bamboo sword in his hand and grinned. "How about we find an open space and practice?"