Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980

Hearing one of his men mutter, "There's so many of them," Bandō immediately spun around and barked, "Don't be scared! This is exactly when you show your backbone! Remember—when things get tense like this, never lose your momentum. Hold your ground, and you might walk away. Lose it, and you're done for! Deep breath—chest out—chin up!"

His subordinates hurried to comply, puffing out their chests and raising their heads, nostrils flaring skyward.

Bandō had to physically adjust one man's posture. "Too much, you idiot! You trying to do a comedy skit?!"

In Japan, manzai is a style of comedic double-act somewhat similar to Chinese xiangsheng, though it often relies more on exaggerated delivery.

Once he'd finished correcting his subordinate, Bandō put on his fiercest scowl again and glared at the group before them.

With the car headlights shining against them, Bandō couldn't make out their family crests, but he guessed the newcomers were likely from the Hakuhō-kai, the direct branch of the Tsuda-gumi.

Their subordinate groups had just been wiped out—of course Hakuhō-kai would send people to save face. The logic was simple enough.

Determined to seize the momentum, Bandō shouted, "Sakata! Take your men and scram! This is none of Hakuhō-kai's business!"

He wasn't sure which officer had actually come, but he knew the boss and young master wouldn't show up with so few men. By calling out the wakagashira by name, if Sakata himself wasn't present, Bandō's side could later mock them for it—"Hmph, even Sakata didn't bother to show. You guys are just small fry."

At that moment, a voice called back from across the way: "Hey, Bandō—fancy seeing you third-tier folks here on watch duty. The Kazama-gumi is really getting slow these days, huh?"

It was Sakata Shinsaku.

From the first sentence, he'd made it clear—"third-tier." A deliberate jab to remind Bandō of the pecking order.

Bandō had no choice but to swallow it. After all, there really was a gap between second-tier and third-tier groups.

The Nishiyama-gumi had only just secured a modest two-story office. Meanwhile, the Hakuhō-kai, on the verge of becoming a direct branch, had an enormous mansion as their headquarters.

After the pause, Sakata continued, "We'll handle guarding the entrance tonight. After all, it was Tsuda Masaaki who rammed into Kiryu-san's entryway—we'll take responsibility."

Bandō roared back, "And that's exactly why we're here—who knows what you're really up to! This has nothing to do with Hakuhō-kai!"

"That's not your call!" Sakata inhaled sharply, then shouted, "Bandō! Don't break Kanto Union rules! When I tell you to leave, you leave!"

"You saying what? You think you're so—"

"Will you all shut up already!" Kazuma's furious voice rang out from behind Bandō.

Everyone turned to look.

There stood Kiryu Kazuma, framed in the ruins of the entryway—only a single shoe rack remained—glaring at the scene with open irritation.

His sister, Chiyoko, clearly startled by the crowd of yakuza, instinctively shrank back at first, but seeing her brother's steady presence, straightened up and stood properly behind his right shoulder. It was traditionally the position for a wife, but with no mistress of the house, the younger sister had claimed the spot.

Bandō was about to speak when Sakata Shinsaku stepped forward first and bowed. "Kiryu-san, our apologies for disturbing you!"

The wakashu of Hakuhō-kai followed suit, bowing deeply toward Kazuma.

The car headlights behind them cast a dramatic silhouette, making the scene look like something straight out of a movie.

At the same time, the lighting made it impossible to tell exactly how many yakuza were present—only that it was a lot.

Kazuma pressed his palm to his face.

"What the hell..." Bandō heard him mutter under his breath.

From behind, Chiyoko peeked at her brother with an expression of disbelief.

Finally, Kazuma lowered his hand and said seriously, "Quit bowing to me already. I'm not interested in joining the yakuza! If you all keep bowing like this, people are going to get the wrong idea. Before I know it, I'll be—"

He paused, then finished, "—jumping into Tokyo Bay trying to clear my name!"

Kazuma had stumbled mid-sentence because he'd nearly said "jump into the Yellow River," but realized that wouldn't make sense in Japan.

Then again, he wasn't sure what Japanese people did say, so in a pinch, he'd gone with the nearby Tokyo Bay.

No sooner had he said it than Chiyoko muttered softly, "Onii-san... that sounded kinda weird."

Of course it did, Kazuma thought wryly. It's a Chinese idiom forced into Japanese—it was bound to sound off.

"And besides," Chiyoko added, "Tokyo Bay's really dirty."

This was 1980. The bay was far filthier than it would be by 2020—Tokyoites usually went to places like Kamakura for swimming.

Kazuma was about to retort when the man leading the bows straightened up. "I beg your pardon? You mean you don't intend to join the yakuza?"

"That's right. Is that so strange?" Kazuma shot back.

That drew a pause. The other side clearly hadn't expected this and were momentarily at a loss.

Understandable. It wasn't every day that someone who'd just become a legendary figure in the underworld declared no interest in joining.

Kazuma pressed on. "So, I won't be joining any yakuza group. You can stop worrying about someone else poaching me. And it's getting late—why don't you all head home, get some rest... drink some hot water or something..."

As soon as he said it, Kazuma winced inwardly. Hot water? Where had that come from...?

The yakuza straightened up, glancing at one another.

Then the lead man said loudly, "I'm afraid I must decline. I was ordered to stand watch here until the chairman arrives tomorrow."

Kazuma gaped. Wait—what?! The chairman himself is coming?! And these guys plan to camp out at my house until then?

Sure, the Kiryu household did need guarding now that the entryway was gone—but several carloads of yakuza? That was overkill.

What about the neighborhood kids going to school tomorrow? They'll be terrified!

Just as Kazuma was about to protest further, he spotted Nishiyama Heita approaching with a whole new contingent of men.

Kazuma groaned inwardly, rubbing his forehead. Nishiyama Heita... do you never rest? After standing in the rain all that time, now you're back for more? Aren't you tired?

Chiyoko leaned close and whispered, "What do we do? This is turning into a full-on ancient battlefield standoff. If they stay like this till morning, the whole neighborhood will think we've joined the yakuza."

"The whole neighborhood?" Kazuma murmured back. "At this rate, my infamy's going to spread from Ireland to Khitan..."

As the siblings whispered, one of Nishiyama's officers yelled out, "Sakata! Don't you know this is our turf—territory assigned by the Kanto Union board?"

Kazuma shouted, "Nishiyama! Enough! You're disturbing the neighborhood!"

Nishiyama blinked, then promptly smacked the officer who'd shouted.

The officer immediately bowed deeply to Kazuma. "I apologize!"

And with a voice so loud it echoed louder than his earlier shout.

Kazuma pressed a hand to his face, utterly despondent.

It's over... my reputation...

Behind him, Chiyoko giggled softly. "I don't know why... but this scene is kind of funny. Pfft..."

(End of Chapter)