Bronze Head and Iron Arms?
It should be called the indestructible vajra instead!
Looking at the tall, seemingly unharmed young man in the distance, Soichiro Yagyu couldn't help but mentally complain.
You know, with that all-out blow he just delivered, even a head made of bronze or iron should have been smashed to pieces.
"Well?"
Isshin grinned, his smile brimming with the undisguised sharpness and arrogance unique to young people. "Did I pass, president?"
A subtle silence fell over the room. All eyes darted back and forth between Isshin, who stood tall and proud, and Soichiro Yagyu, who was barely holding on.
Shock, bewilderment, awe, complexity... A variety of emotions permeated the shattered Dojo.
After a few moments of silence, Soichiro Yagyu finally took a deep breath, suppressing his churning blood and the numbness in his arms, and slowly stood up.
"Hmph."
He snorted, "Since I made a promise beforehand, I will naturally not go back on my word."
His gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on Isshin, and he said in a deep voice, "From this moment on, you are a recognized instructor by the Akazonae City Swordsmanship Association, and you are qualified to open a dojo in Akazonae City and teach your Ashina Style."
"Instructor Isshin."
"Haha!"
Isshin laughed heartily, casually cupping his fists in a respectful bow: "Then thank you, president!"
He then turned to the dojo masters around him, whose expressions were complicated, and laughed heartily, "Thank you all for your guidance and staying as witnesses just now. Since we will be in the same city from now on, I hope for your continued support."
Upon hearing this, the dojo masters' facial muscles twitched, and they forced out stiff smiles while bowing in return and saying polite things like, congratulations, Instructor Isshin, so young, but already accomplished, and, let's have more exchanges in the future,
After exchanging pleasantries, Isshin seemed to suddenly remember something, turned to Soichiro Yagyu, winked, and asked, "President, now that I can have a Dojo, according to our customs, is there any proper ceremony? For example, announcing it to the whole city, holding a banquet, so that everyone can get to know each other?"
Upon hearing this, Soichiro Yagyu frowned and snorted irritably, "A ceremony? Do you think this is a festival or a wedding? No need for all that fancy stuff! Do you expect me to make a big fuss and let the whole city know you're here?"
"Hey, president, you've hit the nail on the head!"
Isshin wasn't annoyed at all; instead, his eyes lit up, and his smile became even brighter. He said bluntly, "To tell you the truth, I've always loved this kind of fame! Why do I practice swordsmanship? Besides proving my path, isn't it all for making a name for myself and letting more people know the name of the Ashina Style? The more lively it is, the better!"
"You..."
Soichiro Yagyu was taken aback by his undisguised pragmatism and was about to say something more.
Just then, a man dressed in simple samurai attire who had been standing quietly to the side quickly stepped forward and respectfully whispered a few words in Soichiro Yagyu's ear.
After the guards withdrew, Soichiro Yagyu looked at Isshin again and sneered, "You want a ceremony to announce it to the public?"
"Right!"
"Then come with me!"
......
Inside the city lord's mansion.
Soichiro Yagyu succinctly explained the situation, and only after Soichiro finished speaking did Takeda Nobutsuna slowly begin to speak.
He didn't ask for details, nor did he bother with pleasantries; his conditions were direct and pragmatic: The city lord's mansion can make an exception and hold a grand enough initiation ceremony for him, a newly promoted instructor, one that will be known throughout the entire city, to fulfill his wish to become famous.
Not only that, but afterwards he could also have people spread the word about this incident throughout the southeastern region of the Land of Iron.
However, the condition is that Isshin must represent Akazonae City in the next National Swordsmanship Tournament.
For the samurai warriors of the Land of Iron, this tournament is as significant and weighty as the Jonin selection within the Five Great Ninja Villages.
It is not only the ultimate arena for skill, but also a ladder to fame and power.
Those who excel will be awarded the nationally recognized title of Master Swordsman and may even be directly promoted to a military rank, becoming a Major General and stepping into the national power hierarchy.
Upon hearing this, Isshin agreed without any hesitation; these so-called conditions were exactly what he wanted!
His fundamental purpose in coming to the Land of Iron was to build fame through battle and prove his swordsmanship through reputation, quickly gaining sufficient recognition to push his Swordsman occupation toward the higher-level Master Swordsman.
The National Swordsmanship Tournament is the ideal and broadest stage.
Takeda Nobutsuna's proposal was equivalent to placing him on this high-speed path, complete with a grand starting ceremony and preliminary promotion.
...
A few days later, a fresh topic of discussion spread like ink drops into a pond, quickly permeating the streets and alleys of Akazonae City.
"Have you heard? A remarkable young swordsman has arrived in our Akazonae City and become an instructor recognized by the association!"
"Heard? That day at the Tranquil Mind and Enlightened Wisdom Dojo in the south of the city, you could hear the commotion from half a street away; it sounded like a house being demolished!"
"It is said that President Soichiro personally tested his strength, and the result... Tsk tsk, half of the Dojo collapsed."
"Really? How skilled must he be? I heard he's very young!"
"The city lord's mansion and the swordsmanship association jointly issued a notice that an induction ceremony for him will be held in the central square in three days. It's a grand event that hasn't been seen in many years!"
Curiosity, doubt, anticipation, awe... All sorts of emotions mingled in casual conversations over tea and after meals.
The fact that a young, outsider swordsman barged in with such a forceful attitude is itself a topic of much discussion.
Three days later, the central square was packed with people.
On the high platform, city lord Takeda and President Soichiro stood side by side, both dressed in formal attire and with solemn expressions.
Below, prominent samurai warriors of Akazonae City, dojo masters, and numerous citizens who had come to admire the place packed the square.
The ceremony was simple yet solemn. In full view of everyone, Takeda Nobutsuna personally announced his recognition of Isshin's Ashina Style, while Soichiro Yagyu, on behalf of the Akazonae City Swordsmanship Association, presented him with a plaque and documents symbolizing his official status as the head of the Dojo.
There were no lengthy speeches, but the simultaneous appearance of the two giants of Akazonae City carried more weight than a thousand words.
Under the sunlight, Isshin, dressed in simple swordsman attire, accepted the token. His upright figure was deeply imprinted in the eyes of countless spectators.
His name, along with the unfamiliar Ashina Style, was officially etched into the consciousness of everyone in Akazonae City at this moment.
However, after the commotion of the ceremony, this newly appointed young instructor did not rush to open a dojo, recruit many disciples, or quickly transform his reputation into tangible power and profits, as everyone had expected.
On the contrary, his behavior was somewhat baffling.
He didn't have a fixed place of practice; he just rented a secluded courtyard at random.
Every morning or afternoon, people could see him carrying a common katana, like a lion surveying its territory.
He strolled leisurely through the streets and alleys of Akazonae City, from bustling main roads to quiet residential areas, his footprints seemingly covering the entire city.
Occasionally, when he comes to an open space, the entrance to a market, or the head of a bridge, and sees a large crowd gathered there, he will suddenly stop.
Regardless of whether the gazes from those around him were curious, scrutinizing, or awe-inspiring, he found an open space and began training with undivided attention.
He trained with such composure and immersion that it was as if the surrounding crowd, whispers, and even the entire Akazonae City were merely part of the background as he practiced his sword.
After finishing his training and calming his breathing, he strolled away like a lion surveying its territory, leaving behind a trail of speculation and discussion.
What exactly does this young man want to do?
Was it merely to use this peculiar method to make more people remember his face and his sword?
Or is it using this city as a whetstone, silently polishing something?
No one knows the answer, and time slips away quietly in this seemingly casual daily routine.