Half a month later, southeastern border of the Land of Iron — Akame Castle.
Akame Castle was one of the major cities in the southeastern region of the Land of Iron. It guarded a vital trade route leading inland, bustling with commerce and especially famous for its blacksmithing industry.
What made it even more notable was that the city was jointly guarded by a "Sword Master" and a "Major General."
A Sword Master was a civilian title, usually granted to elite swordsmen who had reached the pinnacle of the blade, founded or mastered a school, and earned widespread respect in the pure martial world.
A Major General was a military title, focused more on strategy, command ability, and battlefield achievements. Only those who had led large armies, accomplished great feats in war, or made outstanding contributions to national defense and strategy could earn it.
While the two titles emphasized different strengths, neither was strictly superior to the other. A Major General could also be a Sword Master in skill, and a wandering Sword Master could later serve the nation and earn the rank of Major General.
This reflected the Land of Iron's unique culture and power structure.
This nation had no shinobi — and no traditional daimyo. They upheld the most classical samurai spirit, with citizens training in all forms of martial arts centered around swordsmanship.
Those who practiced the arts but held no official post were called "swordsmen." Those who entered government service and joined the power structure were called "samurai."
The entire bureaucratic system of the country was built by these samurai.
At the very top of the samurai was the nation's leader — the "Great General," the supreme commander of all samurai.
The position of Great General was not hereditary. It was held by a samurai whose strength, virtue, and prestige were great enough to command universal respect.
The current Great General of the Land of Iron was the legendary figure Mifune, who had bravely led the samurai to resist the invasion of the demigod Hanzo the Salamander during the Second Great Ninja War.
Shortly after that war ended, he had been elected Great General due to his outstanding merits and lofty reputation.
Unless something unexpected happened, the Land of Iron would continue under his leadership for the next twenty years.
On this day, inside the City Lord's mansion of Akame Castle, the city lord and Major General Takeda Nobutsuna handed a simple report to Yagyu Souichirou — president of the Akame Castle Swordsmanship Association and Sword Master of the Seishin Meichi Style.
"Where did this rude little brat come from?" Yagyu Souichirou set the report down, his brows immediately knitting together.
The report was short and to the point: A young swordsman calling himself "Isshin" had been tirelessly challenging dojos across the region. Starting from Forging Iron Town, he had moved steadily northward — Rockhowl, Greenstream, Blackfeather, Whitewater… Already more than twenty dojos in eight towns had been visited by him.
And now, his trail was pointing straight toward Akame Castle.
"This Isshin kid — what's his background? Which school is he from? Who raised such an arrogant junior?" Yagyu Souichirou asked in a low, clearly displeased voice.
Such high-profile, continuous dojo-challenging was extremely rare and disrespectful in the etiquette-conscious sword world of the Land of Iron.
City Lord Takeda Nobutsuna shook his head. "Background unknown. All we know is that he claims to practice the Ashina Style."
"Ashina Style?" Yagyu Souichirou searched his memory and confirmed he had never heard of any such school in the Land of Iron. His frown deepened. "No traceable roots?"
"Indeed, we couldn't find any." Takeda Nobutsuna analyzed calmly. "However, the sword techniques he uses are definitely orthodox samurai swordsmanship — solid foundation, not some wild roadside style. Perhaps… he's a disciple taken in by some samurai during his travels, or the heir of an old master who has been in seclusion for years. That kind of thing has happened before."
Yagyu Souichirou's expression eased slightly, but the doubt in his eyes didn't disappear completely.
Even if there was some legitimate lineage, the way the boy was acting was far too flashy.
He looked at the name "Isshin" on the report and the long list of defeated dojos beneath it, lightly tapping the table with his fingers.
"It seems he wants to step on everyone else's reputation to make a name for himself." Yagyu Souichirou's voice grew a few degrees colder. "Since this reckless brat is heading for Akame Castle, then according to the rules, someone should teach him what swordsmanship really is — and what respect means."
Takeda Nobutsuna actually smiled at that. "He does need a proper lesson in manners. However, Souichirou…"
He changed the subject. "According to reports from the dojos along the way, although the boy acts arrogantly, he is genuinely young, and both his talent and strength are top-tier. It would be a shame to simply punish him and let him drift away, or to create a grudge."
He tapped the report with one finger. "My meaning is this: after he receives his lesson and understands how high the sky is, we could try recruiting him. If he's willing to follow the rules, his skill would make him an excellent representative for Akame Castle in the next National Swordsmanship Tournament."
"Hmph. He'll have to get past me first." Yagyu Souichirou's voice was firm, carrying the pride unique to a Sword Master. "Rules are rules. Since he chose the most arrogant path, he must be prepared to receive the harshest lesson. As for whether he can be used later and how — that's a matter for later."
He raised his hand slightly, as if gripping something invisible. His entire aura suddenly grew heavy and condensed. "My iron staff will make this reckless brat properly understand what 'seishin' and 'meichi' truly mean."
Although Yagyu Souichirou bore the title of Sword Master, his main weapon was not a blade but a specially crafted, extremely heavy iron staff.
The so-called "Seishin Meichi Style" referred to the way one swing of his staff would deliver an "enlightening blow."
Whether the opponent actually attained enlightenment was debatable, but the instant "eyes full of stars and sudden clarity" effect was universally acknowledged — which was exactly how the style got its name.
"Fair enough." Takeda Nobutsuna chuckled and shook his head. "Then let's see if this young swordsman of the Ashina Style can withstand that enlightening staff of yours."
---
Several days later, Akame Castle.
Noon sunlight poured over the towering city gates and the blue-stone paved streets, bathing the heavy industrial town in a layer of warm gold.
A tall figure walked against the flow of people and stopped at the city gate.
It was a youth of abnormally large build and powerful physique, back straight as a pine — Isshin, who had been traveling steadily northward from the southern border.
As usual, he planned to find a tavern or marketplace first and ask who hit the hardest around here.
But the moment his foot stepped into the shadowed gateway passage, before he could even take a proper look at the city, a large group of people suddenly surged out from the main street ahead.
They were all dressed in neat dark dojo robes, moving with quick, purposeful steps and unfriendly eyes — clearly waiting for him.
They swiftly fanned out into a half-circle, blocking Isshin's path forward. The lead disciple stepped out, chin raised, tone dripping with undisguised arrogance:
"You're the one called Isshin, right? Our master wants to see you!"
Isshin's gaze swept across the clearly hostile group. His expression remained calm. He simply asked, voice level:
"Who is your master?"
The disciple puffed out his chest, voice ringing like a bell:
"The strongest staff user in the southeast of the Land of Iron! President of the Akame Castle Swordsmanship Association! Founder of the Seishin Meichi Style! The man who once repelled a mountain flood with a single staff and single-handedly held Dragonbreak Gorge! Personally bestowed the title 'Iron Courage' by the Great General himself! The Sword Master whose name shakes the southeast…"
"Stop."
Isshin raised a hand to cut him off. He pointed at the ground — the relatively narrow street just inside the city gate.
"This place can't hold this many people."
.......