The disciple who was leading the way quickly stepped forward and respectfully said to Soichiro Yagyu, "Master, the person has been brought over."
Soichiro Yagyu slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was not particularly sharp or intimidating, but rather deep and profound, like an ancient well, carrying an air of authority and insight as he calmly looked at Isshin, who stood in the center of the dojo.
The entire dojo was completely silent. All the dojo masters and instructors watching held their breath, waiting for Soichiro Yagyu to speak while scrutinizing this young madman who dared to challenge them all the way here.
"You have traveled from south to north, conquering eight towns and more than twenty dojos. May I ask you, what is your purpose in doing this?"
Soichiro Yagyu did not immediately launch an attack. His deep gaze lingered on Isshin for a moment.
"To hone the sword in my hand and prove the way in my heart. Furthermore..."
Isshin paused, his voice steady, "I wish to establish a dojo here, in the name of the Ashina Style, to pass on what I have learned."
"Oh?"
Soichiro Yagyu narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his long, narrow slits: "Now that you've arrived in Akazonae City, you must have the same thoughts as before."
He raised a hand, his palm broad and thick, and pointed to both sides of the training ground: "Those in Akazonae City who have names and are qualified to be called instructors are all here today. If you want to verify it, it is right before your eyes."
Soichiro Yagyu's gaze returned to Isshin, and he continued, "As for your wish to establish a dojo here and teach students..."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "That's a matter for later! Once you can get past this hurdle and prove you're qualified, I, in my capacity as the president of the Akazonae City Swordsmanship Association, will grant you the position of head of the dojo."
His words were calm, yet they clearly conveyed immense pressure, making the atmosphere in the dojo increasingly heavy, almost tangible.
In the suffocating silence, Isshin suddenly laughed. His gaze swept over the displeased faces of the dojo master and instructors on both sides as he spoke in a clear, matter-of-fact voice: "Alright! Since you're all here, that makes things easier. Will you come one by one, or all at once?"
"Rude!"
"Presumptuous!"
"Arrogant fool!"
"You ignorant brat!"
These words were like cold water being poured into boiling oil, causing an immediate uproar on both sides of the dojo!
The dojo master and instructors could no longer contain themselves and began to angrily rebuke the person before them.
They are all prominent figures in Akazonae City. When did they become so disrespected by a junior of unknown origin?
This is no longer a challenge, but a blatant humiliation!
"Let this old man teach you what manners are!"
A sharp shout rang out.
On the left, a thin, monkey-like figure couldn't contain himself any longer. He leaped up and landed lightly in front of Isshin.
This man was about forty years old, with sharp eyes like a hawk. He carries two swords, one long and one short, at his waist. He was none other than Kyosuke Asuka, the master of the Flying Swallow Two-Sword Style, famous for his rapid attacks with dual swords.
His right hand was already on the hilt of his katana, his eyes fixed on Isshin, and he said in a cold voice, "Flying Swallow Two-Sword Style! Kyosuke Asuka!"
Isshin's expression remained unchanged, but his right hand firmly gripped the hilt of the slightly larger katana at his waist, and he announced his name: "Ashina Style, Isshin."
The moment the words left his mouth, Kyosuke Asuka moved!
With a clang, the katana was drawn, bringing with it a flash of bright, cold light.
His figure was truly like a swallow skimming the water, the tip of the sword aimed straight for Isshin's throat. It was fast, accurate, and ruthless!
At the same time, his left hand had already quietly pressed down on the short sword, ready to unleash a series of deadly moves!
However, Isshin was faster than him!
Almost the instant Kyosuke Asuka's katana left its sheath, Isshin also moved.
Instead of retreating, he took a step forward!
This small step, however, was precisely timed to the point where the opponent's blade was about to be unleashed.
With a sudden jerk of his wrist, the scabbard shot forward, striking Kyosuke Asuka's wrist with pinpoint accuracy, like an iron pestle!
"Clang!"
The scabbard and guard clashed, producing a crisp metallic clang!
This power!?
Kyosuke Asuka felt a numbness in his wrist, and the trajectory of his swift thrust was abruptly interrupted. His subsequent combo was also aborted.
He was horrified and reacted extremely quickly, immediately changing his move to try to cut the scabbard with the blade.
But Isshin's movements were fluid; at the moment of impact, his sword flashed like a thunderclap!
Whoosh!
With the katana drawn, using the recoil from the impact of the scabbard and the twist of the waist, the blade slashed upwards at an incredibly tricky angle, aiming at the gap under Kyosuke Asuka's armpit, which was slightly raised due to the change of move!
It was so fast that only the afterimage remained!
Kyosuke Asuka's pupils contracted sharply, and at the last second, he barely managed to parry with his sword.
"Clang!"
The two swords clashed, and sparks flew everywhere!
The force from Isshin's strike far exceeded Kyosuke Asuka's expectations, causing his arm to go numb and his center gate to open again.
With a downward thrust, the blade lashed out like a whip, striking Kyosuke Asuka's side heavily.
"Hmm!"
Kyosuke Asuka groaned, his entire body thrown off the ground by the force of the blow, staggering and falling more than ten meters away. His katana slipped from his hand and landed with a clatter on the polished stone slab. He clutched his stomach, curled up, and was unable to get up for a moment.
One round, and the outcome is swiftly decided!
The angry shouts in the dojo abruptly ceased, replaced by a suppressed gasp of surprise.
Kyosuke Asuka's dual-sword attack was quite famous in Akazonae City, but he couldn't even use it in the duel.
"That's not how you fight!"
On the sidelines, a lean man with a goatee, sitting in the back row, said to his disciple behind him: "The key to dealing with this kind of opponent is... Well, it's about anticipating their movements and breaking their rhythm."
The young disciple looked bewildered and instinctively asked, "Master, how exactly do we predict it? And how do we break its rhythm?"
"Well... The subtleties here cannot be fully conveyed in words. You need to observe more and comprehend more."
After finishing his sentence, the speaker with the goatee sat up straight and said no more, looking unfathomable.
…
"Damn it! Don't be so arrogant!"
Another angry roar came from the right, and a burly man with a red face, holding a strange weapon, a chain sickle with a sharp scythe and a heavy iron ball connected at the end of a long handle, strode out.
"Fūrinken Chain-Sickle Style! Shimazu Shigekuni!"
He stood facing Isshin, assuming a fighting stance. The chains jingled softly, and the scythe and iron ball, one in front and one behind, faintly sealed off Isshin's space to dodge left or right.