Kaigaku was in despair. It was as if a climber, just one step away from conquering a towering mountain, suddenly saw all his efforts—no, all his acting—go to waste.
He stood up, staggering past the old man and Shouta. Beneath his selfishness, his heart was now wrapped in a thick cocoon—one called resentment.
But all of this was the consequence of his own actions. Yet, a selfish man would never blame himself.
As night fell, Kaigaku left Peach Mountain Town in utter dejection, hating the place with every fiber of his being.
Tendo strolled leisurely back home. The old man sat at the doorway, head bowed, hands propping up his chin, his mood complicated. He began to doubt his own judgment of character.
For a fleeting moment, the old man considered never taking on another disciple again.
"Tendo!" The old man suddenly called out his disciple's name—something he rarely did—startling Tendo.
"Did you call Shouta and the others here?"
"Ahahaha, old man, what are you talking about? I don't know anything!" Tendo scratched the back of his head, but under the old man's sharp gaze, his guilt was obvious.
Yet the old man's next words left Tendo stunned.
"You laugh when you lie. That smile isn't the same as usual."
"Tch!" Tendo sighed in defeat. Since when did the old man learn to read micro-expressions? Why not become a psychologist?
"Yeah, Kaigaku was no good. I was just looking out for you!" He sat beside the old man, comforting him on his own. "But you should trust your judgment."
"Kaigaku was just too good at acting. It's not your fault!"
Then, pointing at himself, he shamelessly boasted, "Look at me! Even if we ignore talent, my character is top-notch!"
"That just proves it wasn't your problem at all!"
"If you're really worried, we can practice more in the future!"
The logic was sound, and the old man knew his disciple was just trying to comfort him. But something still felt off.
Soon, he realized—this brat was lecturing him now. He delivered a swift chop to Tendo's head, grumbling,
"Damn brat, now you're schooling me?"
"Who's the master here, huh? You little punk!"
The more he thought about it, the weirder it felt. Had this kid just tried to pat his head earlier?
Not bothering to dwell on it, he grabbed a wooden sword and swung at Tendo, determined to remind him who was really in charge.
Tendo dodged easily, staring at the old man in utter confusion."You want me to practice more? I've seen more people than you've eaten meals."
"And another thing, if you have something to say, say it directly. Why drag those youngsters into it?"
"Did you practice your swordsmanship today?"
"Ah—" Tendo Kazama elongated his shout as he ran, grumbling, "Old man, I eat three bowls of rice a day; I've probably seen more than anyone you've ever met."
"Rebellious disciple, dare you talk back? Stand still!"
The old man reverted to his usual fierce and commanding demeanor, the spark in his eyes returning.
Mount Peach remained unchanged, with the young running ahead and the old chasing behind.
Kaigaku's appearance was merely a minor episode in Tendo's life; after all, he couldn't affect the old man anymore. As for how that guy would survive on his own, it was none of his concern.
If that guy were to turn into a demon again, he could just be cut down; Tendo didn't think much of Kaigaku at all.
In October, the autumn air thickened, and the leaves gradually turned yellow. With the autumn breeze blowing, they danced like butterflies, slowly drifting down from the branches, gently covering the ground and forming a thick golden carpet.
Mount Peach was bathed in a layer of golden hue, resembling a vast ocean of gold.
On the mountain path paved with fallen leaves, a tall and robust figure was ascending slowly. He wore a red fireman's mask and cradled a Nichirin Blade in his arms.
"Dingling!"
The wind chimes hanging from the man's hat emitted a crisp sound, harmonizing beautifully with the rustling of leaves underfoot.
The way he held the sword was peculiar, as if he were cradling a child, radiating tenderness.
Kanamori Hyou, from the Swordsmith Village, was an eccentric and obsessive knife maker who would relentlessly hunt down anyone who damaged a Nichirin Blade.
He arrived at a small wooden cabin halfway up the mountain and knocked on the door, then stood quietly, holding the sword.
"Who is it?"
"Hello… you… what the!" The moment the door opened, Tendo stumbled over his words, startled, and quickly shut the door.
Kanamori Hyou frowned, thinking that this guy was really rude.
Soon, the door opened again, and Tendo warmly invited Kanamori Hyou inside.
He served pastries and tea, fearing he might offend this ancestor, and even more afraid that he might suddenly pull out a kitchen knife.
Kanamori Hyou still tightly held the sword, his gaze piercing out from beneath the fireman's mask, unabashedly scrutinizing Tendo.
That look was like that of a father about to marry off his daughter, but facing a yellow-haired boy, the father's heart was shattered.
"Hahaha!" Tendo laughed to mask his embarrassment, "Can you give me the sword now?"
"Name?" Kanamori Hyou replied with a question that seemed like an interrogation.
"Tendo Kazama!"
"Address?"
"Mount Peach?" Tendo felt like he was sitting on pins and needles; come on, you're already at Mount Peach, why ask?
"Are you sure you can protect this sword?"
Tendo: "???"
Shouldn't the sword be protecting me?
"Absolutely!" Tendo nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with undeniable determination.
"Hmm!" Kanamori Hyou nodded, his attitude improving; he seemed like a trustworthy guy.
"Here you go!" Reluctantly, he handed the sword to Tendo, who cautiously reached for it.
Thus, a tug-of-war began.
"Wait, big brother, can you loosen your grip?"
"I'm letting go!" Kanamori Hyou firmly held onto the sword sheath, speaking with utmost seriousness, "If you can't even take this, you might as well stay here to retire."
He muttered under his breath that his sword must be entrusted to a powerful swordsman; otherwise, it would gather dust.
"Then I'm sorry!" Tendo, who had been holding back out of fear of being cut by a kitchen knife, could only exert all his strength now that the other party had spoken.
Before long, Kanamori Hyou experienced a rollercoaster ride; by the time he realized it, the sword was already in Tendo's hands.
"Damn it!"
"Can't you be gentler? Do you want to break the sword?"
Saying this, he reached into his robe.
Tendo hurriedly pressed down on him, thinking, wasn't it you who told me to use my strength?
"Stop, stop, stop!"
"Now that the Nichirin Blade is in my hands, I won't let it gather dust."
"A sword with the title of color-changing blade, don't you want to see what it will become in my hands?"
Upon hearing this, Kanamori Hyou calmed down, his gaze fixated on Tendo.
Tendo tightened his grip on the sword hilt and skillfully drew it out.
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