"Sword Saint? For real?"
Nakamura Takeshi could hardly believe the praise coming from Uesugi Saichiro.
In Japan, earning the title of Sword Saint is no small feat.
It requires not just dominating an era with unmatched swordsmanship and a track record that commands respect, but also forging a new path in the art of the sword—one that inspires future generations and reaches the pinnacle of theory.
That's why even famous swordsmen like Yagyu Muneyoshi, Miyamoto Musashi, and Sasaki Kojiro were only called Sword Masters, never Sword Saints.
During the Warring States period, with all its renowned warriors, only Uesugi Nobutsume and Tsukahara Bokuden ever claimed the title of Sword Saint.
And now Uesugi Saichiro was calling Luke a Sword Saint?
"But even if Luke's swordsmanship is that good, could he really teach the three masters? He's trained in swordsmanship, after all," Nakamura Takeshi said.
"At the highest levels, martial arts are interconnected," Uesugi Saichiro replied. "If Luke-san demonstrates his sword techniques and offers even a bit of guidance, we'd gain immense insight. We might even catch a glimpse of the peak of swordsmanship."
"I can't believe a foreigner is being called a Sword Saint and could mentor Japan's top swordmasters," Nakamura said.
"What was that?" Tsukahara Nobutomo cut in.
"I said, the three masters have great insight!" Nakamura quickly corrected himself.
"Luke-san, please, we humbly ask for your guidance."
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The three Japanese swordmasters rose from their seats and bowed deeply in unison.
They held their bows, as if saying, We won't straighten up until you agree.
"Luke, what do you think?" Mr. Eisen turned to him.
He wasn't sure if Luke should agree to their request, so he checked in.
If Luke felt uneasy, Eisen was ready to step in and shut it down.
Luke gave Eisen a reassuring wave, signaling not to worry.
He stood up and said with a smile, "Since you're asking so sincerely, I'll… uh, show you a thing or two."
A little guidance wouldn't cost him much, and it could open doors for him in the Japanese market. No way he was turning that down.
Seeing Luke agree, Uesugi Saichiro lit up. "Thank you for your generosity! Sword!"
The sliding door of the private room opened, and a sword attendant stepped forward, respectfully presenting a prepared longsword to Uesugi.
But in the next moment, to Uesugi's astonishment, Luke gently pushed the sword away.
"Luke-san, is this sword not to your liking?" Uesugi asked.
"No, it's not that. Since I'm teaching you, I won't use sword techniques. Give me a Japanese katana, and I'll show you true Japanese kendo. It'll be more helpful that way," Luke replied.
"What?!"
The three swordmasters could barely believe their ears.
This guy, not even 20 years old, had already mastered swordsmanship to a transcendent level—that alone was mind-boggling.
And now he was saying he was proficient in Japanese kendo too?
"Yeah, just hand me a katana," Luke confirmed with a nod.
Technically, Japanese "kendo" is more about swordsmanship with a katana, but it often incorporates thrusting techniques from traditional swordplay.
For Luke, none of that was a problem.
With master-level swordsmanship and master-level blade skills, his expertise wasn't limited to weapons.
Whether it was Japanese, European, or any other style of sword, blade, or spear, Luke's mastery was absolute across the board.
The system's skills weren't confined to traditional martial arts—how could they be called master-level if they were?
So, Luke was more than familiar with Japanese kendo. He just hadn't used it before because he didn't think it was impressive enough.
"Here's the famous blade, Dojigiri Yasutsuna. Please, use it."
Luke took the katana from a skeptical Uesugi.
Clang!
He examined the blade. It was a fine weapon, its dark blue patterns shimmering under the light, radiating a deadly edge.
Dojigiri Yasutsuna, one of the legendary Five Swords of Japan, was said to have been used by Minamoto no Yorimitsu to slay the demon Shuten Doji on Mount Oe, earning its fame.
This sword had passed through the hands of Japan's great shoguns—Ashikaga Yoshiteru, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu.
It was practically a national treasure, a blade worthy of Japan's rulers.
Of course, the Dojigiri Yasutsuna in Luke's hands wasn't the original, which was housed in the Tokyo National Museum and centuries old. This was a flawless modern replica, likely in better condition than the real thing.
A man wielding Japan's legendary blade to demonstrate kendo and teach Japan's swordmasters?
If this got out online back home, it'd blow up. People would probably talk about it for years.
"Watch closely. My kendo philosophy draws from The Art of War—'Swift as the wind, steady as a forest, fierce as fire, unmoving as a mountain,'" Luke said, gripping the katana with both hands.
He closed his eyes, standing perfectly still, exuding an unshakable presence, like a calm before the storm.
"This is 'unmoving as a mountain,' yet ready to shift into 'fierce as fire'! A dual-layered sword intent—I can feel it!" Tsukahara Nobutomo exclaimed.
"Many have tried to infuse military strategy into swordsmanship, but to reach this level? Unprecedented. Incredible!" Yagyu Yoshimitsu said, his eyes gleaming.
"I don't fully get it, but it feels insanely powerful!" Nakamura Takeshi, the outsider, couldn't grasp the technicalities but was floored by Luke's aura—like a volcano on the verge of erupting, chilling yet awe-inspiring.
The Japanese are well-versed in The Art of War. Its principles—swift as the wind, steady as a forest, fierce as fire, unmoving as a mountain, elusive as shadow, striking like thunder—are widely known.
During Japan's Warring States period, Takeda Shingen, the "Tiger of Kai," based his military strategy on these four words: Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain.
Suddenly, Luke opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning.
The shift from stillness to motion was instantaneous.
Like a blazing inferno, he stepped forward with explosive speed, his katana carving sharp arcs through the air.
The blade's tip caught the light, each glint carrying his indomitable will—a will that said, No matter who you are, you'll fall to this blade.
Facing this devastating strike, Uesugi Saichiro couldn't help but sigh. "If I were standing opposite that blade, I wouldn't last one strike. But to die by such a blade? I'd have no regrets."