Chapter 155: Atomic Slash
"What's wrong, Kamikaze? Such a big reaction, do you know him?"
Nichirin turned his ear toward him.
The other members also looked at Atomic Samurai with strange expressions.
"You all don't know... I suppose it makes sense. If I hadn't thought about joining the Hero Association, I probably wouldn't know about that man either."
Atomic Samurai knew how immersed he and the other members used to be in the Way of the Sword.
They almost never paid attention to news from the outside world.
It was understandable that they didn't know Aokiji's name.
"Aokiji... a powerhouse whose strength absolutely cannot be judged by his age," Atomic Samurai said solemnly.
"He joined when the Hero Association was first founded and has held the top spot ever since. He has a body so strong it has never been injured, a variety of unique Psychic Powers developed at an incredible speed, and countless achievements in defeating Monsters..."
As Atomic Samurai continued to recount the information his Disciples had gathered and reported back to him.
The expressions of the Sword Saint Association members grew increasingly grave.
"Kamikaze, we know you've made up your mind to become a hero..." Nichirin hesitated.
"But there's no need to tell such obvious lies to elevate the Hero Association's status. We're not actually going to stop you."
Was what Kamikaze described even human?
It was like a hero image made up by children in a spat, frantically adding traits to prove their imaginary hero was stronger than their friend's.
"To be honest, my reaction was about the same when I first heard of him." Atomic Samurai held his sword in his arms, resting it against his shoulder.
"But it's been verified. Or rather, the outside world is flooded with news about him. Whether it's a lie is very easy to verify."
A few drops of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
There was a hint of pressure in his expression, but also Battle Intent.
"I didn't expect the S-Class Rank 1 hero to be interested in the Way of the Sword. Since it's a rare opportunity, I'll be the one to accept his challenge."
The others fell silent for a while.
Could it be... Kamikaze was serious?
"If he truly is such a powerhouse, there's no reason to turn him away." Nichirin slowly rose from his cushion.
"Call the Disciples back first. Don't let them disturb our distinguished guest."
He had specifically arranged for his Disciple to be at the mountain gate ahead of time.
He thought it would provide his Disciple with a good opponent to train against.
Now it seemed he had instead made him Face immense pressure too early.
Fortunately, it was still early.
It would likely take some time for Suicho and the others to arrive from Z City.
"Master!"
A voice came from outside the pavilion.
Sounding a bit muffled, Spring Mustachio and the others stood outside.
"The guest has arrived."
So fast?!
The Sword Masters pushed open the doors and stepped out.
"Iaian, what's happened to you all?" Atomic Samurai raised an eyebrow in surprise.
His eldest Disciple, Iaian, had a very shallow puncture mark right in the center of his full-body armor!
Countless orderly cracks radiated from the mark, covering the entire suit of armor.
A section of his second Disciple's usually neat hair had been sliced off, the cut smooth and even.
The third Disciple, who used a special drill sword, had his thick beard completely removed, leaving not even a shadow of stubble, making him look over ten years younger.
And it wasn't just his three Disciples.
Nichirin's Disciple, who used a Spring Rapier, had his bouncy handlebar mustache trimmed down to just a square patch under his nose.
The son of Zanbai, a young man named Shidou, held his broken glasses, snapped in two, in his clenched fist.
Tenkei's daughter, Yuta, a white-haired, brown-skinned girl with twin blades at her waist, had a faint red mark on her abdomen in the shape of the character for 'upright', as if... it had been reddened by frost?
"We followed Great Master Nichirin's Disciple to welcome the guest and... spar with Mr. Aokiji."
Iaian spoke with some difficulty.
It wasn't that he was injured, but rather that saying he was'sparring' with Aokiji felt absurd.
Guidance... that might not even be the right word.
After all, they couldn't even see the other's movements, let alone learn from them.
"Ho~?"
In such a short time.
Not only had he arrived, but he had already defeated several of their Disciples?
And by the looks of it, he had shown them mercy.
The toothpick in Atomic Samurai's mouth tilted upward.
As expected of the man whose hero rank is even higher than Bang's.
That's what makes the challenge fun!!
"Where is he? Didn't he come up with you?"
"Mr. Aokiji said he doesn't understand why these places are always built on mountains. He was too lazy to climb, so he's flying up with Great Master Suicho and Dojo Master Suiko."
Just as Iaian finished speaking.
A voice immediately came from the sky.
"Kokko da yo."
Atomic Samurai and the others looked up.
A cloud that looked like it was burning drifted leisurely toward them.
The flame cloud drifted down, and the three landed.
Suicho had his hands behind his back.
Suiko looked around.
Standing in the middle, Aokiji waved and said:
"You even arranged for Disciples to welcome us. The Sword Saint Association is quite hospitable."
After Aokiji finished his brief spar with the six Disciples, the progress bar's unlock condition still hadn't been met.
Whether it was because they weren't strong enough or because the desire to surpass him hadn't arisen in their hearts, Aokiji guessed it was likely the latter.
Even though he had used the smallest ice blades.
And even said the famous line, 'I don't have a smaller blade than this.'
It seemed he still couldn't quite spark their competitive spirit.
As expected, it had to be his original target.
Aokiji looked at Atomic Samurai.
Yes, this was more like it—Battle Intent, excitement, and eagerness to try.
Even if he didn't go easy, his mindset probably wouldn't collapse.
"I've had some insights into the Way of the Sword recently and would like to exchange views with the members of the Sword Saint Association."
Ice condensed, and a cross-shaped long sword appeared in Aokiji's hand.
Amidst his casual and easygoing aura, an incredibly sharp Sword Intent emerged!
"Who will be the first to exchange views?"
Aokiji followed his old habit.
He discarded social protocols and formalities, skipped the time-consuming pleasantries of a first meeting, and went straight to the point.
"The Way of the Sword? This is the first I've heard that you're skilled in it too." Atomic Samurai drew his long sword.
"Actually, one can tell just from the marks left on the Disciples. That Sword Intent is too conspicuous."
Everyone's gaze fell between the two of them.
To meet is to fight.
Is this the tacit understanding of the strong?
The younger generation was a bit unaccustomed to such a fast pace.
But the veterans were used to it.
The era they grew up in was much more direct than now.
With eye contact and confirmation of each other's Battle Intent, the fight could begin.
Perhaps they wouldn't even know each other's names after the fight was over.
But Bang was an outlier back then; he didn't care if the other person wanted to fight—he'd just attack first!
Come to think of it.
When meeting such a powerhouse, if one cannot raise their sword in excitement, they are destined never to reach the ultimate Realm.
Aokiji exuded the momentum that only a Great Swordmaster possesses.
It caused the other members of the Sword Saint Association to subconsciously place their hands on their sword hilts.
And Atomic Samurai, facing this sharp sword momentum head-on, was already brimming with Battle Intent!
"As expected, a man of great reputation is no fraud!"
Atomic Samurai stood sideways, holding his sword.
His sharp eyes were locked onto Aokiji's figure.
His body trembled involuntarily from the pressure.
Yet he unconsciously curled his lips into an excited smile.
"It seems I can't afford to hold back. I'll just use my full power..."
The next moment, Atomic Samurai moved.
He stepped forward.
Steady and swift.
The raised sword vanished in an instant!
It turned into countless straight lines, occupying the entire space!!
Atomic Slash—!!!