Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980

Chiyoko was honestly feeling a little weak in the knees at the sight before her.

But just knowing her brother was standing right beside her filled her with courage.

She positioned herself slightly behind and to the side of Kazuma, doing her best to adopt the air of the lady of the house.

Of course, being only a third-year middle schooler, she didn't really know what kind of "lady of the house" demeanor she was supposed to have.

All she could think to do was stand up straight and puff out her chest to appear more... mature.

In contrast, Kazuma—having already seen what lay beyond the Sanzu River—was perfectly calm.

He was currently eyeing the status bar floating over the old man's head.

Kendo — Style-less — Level 12.

Stronger than Daimon Gorō, sure.

But—hmph!—that still doesn't mean he can beat me now.

That's what Kazuma was thinking.

What puzzled him more was that the old man didn't seem to have any Street Brawler level at all.

Weird. Has he never fought in the streets?

Still, as the boss of the Hakuhō-kai, the guy's permanent title was certainly... something:

Iron Rat.

Kazuma vaguely recalled that being some kind of Japanese yōkai (spirit or monster), but couldn't remember the details.

For a yakuza boss, calling yourself a rat spirit feels a bit... undignified, doesn't it?

He glanced at the description, which—as always—was maddeningly cryptic:

"The spirit of a greedy magnate takes the form of a rat, devouring the sacred scrolls of Mount Hiei."

Hmm... That probably ties into the original legend of the Iron Rat. I should look this up later—might be useful.

While Kazuma was sizing up Hakuhō Sōgo, the old man was studying him just as intently.

Hakuhō Sōgo's first impression was: What a formidable presence!

It was an aura only found in those who had cut their way through countless battlefields—someone who, in the Warring States era, would have surely risen to become a great general in his own right.

Though Hakuhō Sōgo had later sent Kimura Nobumori to test Kiryu Kazuma's strength, one glance was enough for him to know: there was no need to test him at all.

If we can recruit this one, Hakuhō-kai will soar to new heights.

Of course, the problem was whether a talent of this level would even consider joining a second-tier group like Hakuhō-kai.

That said, Hakuhō Sōgo did have some confidence.

Hakuhō-kai might not be the strongest second-tier group, but it was definitely the richest in the entire Kanto Union.

No—even compared to some first-tier groups, our profits surpass theirs.

Their turf was technically in Tokyo's poorer districts, but their contributions matched—or even exceeded—those of groups in lucrative areas like Kabukichō or Yokohama.

I must recruit him—no more bowing and scraping to those fight-happy factions!

His mind made up, Hakuhō Sōgo was not about to tell Kimura Nobumori to stand down.

Win or lose, he had strategies prepared for either outcome. He could spin the result to his advantage.

Decision made, Hakuhō Sōgo finally spoke:

"Kiryu Kazuma-san—what a pleasure to meet you. You truly are a young hero. Seems Tsuda Masaaki greatly underestimated you. I must admit, I've clearly overestimated him."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I see... well, no need to apologize. Tsuda Masaaki's already dead, so that's all... wait—no!"

Hakuhō Sōgo was just pondering how to smoothly transition into a recruitment pitch without compromising his dignity as the head of a second-tier group—when Kazuma's sudden "no!" completely threw him off.

"What's 'no'?" Hakuhō Sōgo asked, baffled.

Kazuma pointed to the last broken piece in his genkan: the shoe cabinet.

"You smashed up my front gate and genkan. You're going to pay to repair them. Also, my sister got doused in sewage by one of Tsuda-gumi's thugs. That guy needs to cut off his pinky and ring fingers to atone."

At the mention of being "doused in sewage," Chiyoko's face turned a deep shade of embarrassment.

Hakuhō Sōgo's expression darkened. He turned sharply to his son, Hakuhō Akira:

"There was such an incident? Do we know who did it?"

"We'll need to investigate," Akira replied. "But I'd guess Ōta Jūzō gave the order. I'd suggest having him cut off a pinky—it'd show more sincerity than just some underling."

"You fool!" Hakuhō Sōgo snapped.

"Both of them should cut off their pinkies! That's the proper show of sincerity! Now go arrange it—immediately!"

Just as he finished issuing the order, he noticed Kiryu Kazuma's sister whispering something to him.

Hakuhō Sōgo's eyes narrowed.

He began seriously assessing how much influence the sister had over Kazuma.

If direct recruitment won't work, perhaps I can approach him through her.

Meanwhile, Chiyoko was whispering to her brother:

"Why do we keep taking pinkies? Are you going to bury them under the cherry tree again?"

"Yeah," Kazuma nodded.

"I want to see if burying them under the 'Cherry Tree' triggers that temporary buff again. I still need to test what it actually does."

Chiyoko frowned.

"Is that really okay? I mean... I don't care about the sewage thing anymore. But if you bury even more fingers there, won't that attract... um, something unclean? We're selling the place, you know. I'd feel bad for the next owners."

Kazuma patted her shoulder reassuringly.

"Trust me. It'll be fine."

Chiyoko pursed her lips but said no more, stepping back in quiet assent.

It was a very traditional Yamato nadeshiko response—express one's opinion when necessary, but once the head of the household made the decision, support it without further objection.

The fiercely opposed-to-selling-the-dojo Chiyoko from before seemed entirely gone now.

Kazuma turned back to Hakuhō Sōgo.

"So—what say you?"

"We will send both the mastermind's and the perpetrator's pinkies," Hakuhō Sōgo replied.

"As for your gate and genkan, we'll cover all costs and handle repairs as quickly as possible.

However... we do have a small request."

Kazuma immediately cut him off.

"I'm not joining the yakuza! I'm going to get into the University of Tokyo and become an officer in the Metropolitan Police."

Hakuhō Sōgo clearly wasn't surprised—he must've heard the rumors already.

He countered smoothly:

"An admirable goal. But can you really achieve it? Tokyo University is one of the hardest schools to enter. I've looked into it—based on your current deviation score, making it into Todai is a pipe dream. Isn't it wiser to choose a more... realistic path, like joining us?"

Kazuma shook his head without hesitation.

"Not interested. I asked Nishiyama Heita a question before—and after I did, he gave up trying to recruit me. I'll ask you the same question now."

Hakuhō Sōgo glanced warily at Nishiyama Heita, who simply smiled knowingly.

Frowning, Hakuhō Sōgo said:

"Very well. Ask, young man."

Kazuma:

"Who holds more power—the Kanto Union's chairman, or the Superintendent-General of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police?"

Hakuhō Sōgo pressed his lips together, brows furrowed.

He struggled for several seconds before answering grimly:

"Of course, the Superintendent-General holds greater power."

"Then I choose to be a police officer," Kazuma said firmly.

Hakuhō Sōgo exhaled deeply.

His gaze toward Kazuma shifted.

In a disappointed tone, he said:

"I thought I was meeting a young hero... but it seems you're just another kid with delusions of grandeur. Clearly, you need a lesson in the harshness of reality.

Kimura-san!"

His raised voice made even Nishiyama's group tense up.

The yakuza behind Hakuhō Sōgo parted in unison, forming a clear path.

Kimura Nobumori strode forward with supreme confidence.

Kazuma's brow furrowed.

He'd just seen the man's swordsmanship level:

Shinkage-ryū — Level 23.

Almost four times higher than my best Shintō-ryū level!

But notably, there were no other skills or titles above the man's head—just pure swordsmanship.

At that moment, Kimura spoke:

"Shinkage-ryū, Kimura Nobumori! I humbly request the honor of a bout with the Kiryu Dojo! Either face me in combat... or surrender your dojo's nameplate!"

(End of Chapter)