Chapter 171: Hachiman Sword and His New Technique
Time flew by, and before he knew it, the weekend had arrived.
Hachiman groggily woke up from his bed, stretching his arms as he prepared to face a new day.
It was Saturday today.
Hachiman went to the bathroom as usual, washing his face and brushing his teeth.
Returning to his room, he looked at his new katana. The katana had a moderately curved Shobu Zukuri-style design with a lilac and gold color scheme. The tsuba was trefoil-shaped, with each lobe being holed in the middle and thickly ridged. The tsuka was lacquered solid lilac, matching the saya. Both were embellished with simple, golden, five-petaled flower motifs on each side. The kashira and kojiri matched in appearance, with large trefoil cutouts to match the tsuba. The kojiri had an additional accent, a wide, knobbed ring above it. The sword possessed an irregular flame-shaped hamon and black no-hi.
Hachiman named his katana "Enma," a name known from the manga or anime series "One Piece" as the former sword wielded by Oden and currently by Zoro. This name was fitting for him as he was known as the Shura Swordmaster.
He sheathed his sword and admired its beauty before feeling the urge to try it out. He went outside of his house, making sure not to forget to prepare breakfast for his sister Komachi, who was still asleep.
Hachiman ventured to their backyard, but before swinging his katana, he knew he needed to meditate.
Sitting on the rocks, Hachiman focused on clearing his mind, aligning his energy, and finding inner peace. Establishing a calm mental state was essential before he delved into the physical aspects of his training.
After his meditation, Hachiman transitioned into practicing the katas. These were choreographed sequences of movements specific to his self-created "Enma Shin-ryu" technique. He had named it this way because it was focused on incredible speed and strength to defeat any number of opponents, and he could infuse a sword aura into it.
His practice of katas included precise stances, strikes, blocks, and footwork. He performed each kata repeatedly, paying strict attention to the subtleties of form and movement.
Hachiman had also learned the art of iaido from Kotonoha. This discipline focused on the swift and precise drawing of the sword to respond to sudden threats. It required a combination of concentration and explosiveness as Hachiman practiced unsheathing and striking in a single, fluid motion.
Additionally, Hachiman understood the importance of maintaining his weapons. He meticulously cleaned and cared for his swords, ensuring they remained in pristine condition.
After his practice in his new sword technique, he began his run, and he didn't meet Yui, as she had mentioned that her grandparents would be visiting.
....
....
After his jogging, Hachiman returned to his house and found Komachi eating and watching anime.
"I'm back."
"Ohh, Onii-chan, you're back, and good morning."
"Yeah, good morning too, Komachi."
"I will go outside today, Komachi, and I'll be back later. Be careful when you cook," Hachiman reminded her.
"I know, Onii-chan. I'm not a kid anymore," Komachi pouted.
Hachiman smiled at her and went to the bathroom to shower.
After his shower, he dressed in a plain black t-shirt and pants. He looked at himself in the mirror, put on his silver necklace, and styled his hair. Hachiman applied wax to his hand and swept it through his hair, making it spiky and swept back with a single strand hanging down his face.
In this hairstyle, he looked quite similar to Aizen.
After his preparations, he took his bamboo sword and Keikogi along with his manuscript. He had a Keikogi now, so he didn't have to borrow Saeko's father's anymore.
He walked downstairs and told Komachi, "I'm going now, Komachi. Bye."
"Bye, Onii-chan, and take care. You look handsome today," Komachi said, her eyes glowing with admiration.
Hachiman chuckled, knowing that Komachi was still amazed by his appearance in this particular hairstyle, just as his parents had been the first time they saw him like this.
Their parents were busy with their business outside the country, and Hachiman didn't concern himself with what they were doing.
As he made his way to Saeko Dojo to meet Kotonoha, Saeko, and Maki, he noticed that there were girls looking at him and whispering to each other. Hachiman smiled at them.
Seeing him looking and smiling at them, the girls couldn't help but smile and blush. Some even hid behind their friends.
Hachiman couldn't help but reflect on the situation, thinking, "So this is how those handsome guys feel. It's pretty good. There are so many advantages to being handsome, but there are disadvantages too. Still, many people aspire to be handsome, and who can blame them?"
Hachiman hadn't experienced this in his previous life as he was just an ordinary-looking person. Even the original Hachiman was more handsome than him.
The only thing that made him proud of the original Hachiman was that the original Hachiman couldn't even get a girl interested in him during middle school. But the original Hachiman had a unique charm. In contrast, he, in his previous life, had many lovers, although those relationships were based on convenience and not genuine love. That's why he was taken aback when he found himself manipulating Yui when they first met. He realized that not only did Hachiman need to change, but he needed to change as well.
As Hachiman walked, he spotted a tough-looking guy with a motorcycle, which got him thinking that he should consider buying a motorcycle so he wouldn't have to walk everywhere.
But before getting a motorcycle, he needed a driving license. He was grateful that in Japan, the legal minimum age for driving a motorcycle was 16 years, and 18 years for a car. In his previous life, his country had a minimum age of 18 for both, and the process was more cumbersome.
Hachiman didn't have to worry about the cost of a motorcycle since he had plenty of money.
Finally, Hachiman reached Saeko Dojo and rang the bell.
"Ding Dong~ Ding Dong~"
The door opened, revealing a beautiful girl with purple hair, and she greeted Hachiman.
"Good morning, Hachiman. The rest are waiting for you," Saeko said and blushed slightly as she took in his handsome appearance.
"Good morning, Saeko," Hachiman replied, then gently grabbed her waist and kissed her soft lips.
Chapter 172: Maki Zenin
As Hachiman leaned in to kiss Saeko, his hands inadvertently slipped down to her buttocks, and he playfully kneaded them as if they were soft as marshmallows.
However, Saeko quickly stopped him and said, "Hachiman, it's okay if Kotonoha is here, but don't forget Maki is here too."
Hachiman chuckled and replied, "Well, I don't think we can hide this from Maki, she already knows," as he pinched Saeko's buttocks and hurriedly moved behind her with a mischievous grin.
Observing Hachiman's playful but teasing behavior, Saeko couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and slight irritation, her cheeks blushing.
Curious about the progression in his relationships with the girls, she asked, "Hachiman, have there been any developments with them?"
Hachiman shook his head, replying, "Nah, not really."
He explained that the past year had been quite occupied for him. First, he had been closely involved with the "Sword Art Online" anime adaptation, shuttling back and forth to the studio to ensure the project met his expectations. But after the adaptation's conclusion, he had decided to entrust his future works to the studio, allowing him more time with the girls. The prospect of seeing how the animation would turn out, particularly with Ufotable's future reputation, had excited him.
Additionally, he had taken on the role of instructing young kendo practitioners from renowned kendo clans and schools after becoming the youngest swordmaster. Although he could have declined, he had struck a deal with Mr. Chiba, ultimately agreeing to the terms.
...
Hachiman opened the door to the dojo and was greeted by the sight of Kotonoha and Maki deeply engaged in their sparring session. The sight of their dedication left him captivated, and he couldn't help but appreciate their beauty in this moment.
Interrupting their sparring, Maki addressed him, saying, "You're finally here, Hachiman. Where's the volume you promised to me?"
Kotonoha, who had also noticed Hachiman's arrival, welcomed him with a warm smile, "Good morning, Hachiman."
Hachiman reciprocated the greeting, and as he moved toward Kotonoha, he gave her a hug, saying, "Good morning to you too, Kotonoha."
Seeing Kotonoha and Hachiman so close and affectionate with each other in the dojo had initially annoyed Maki. At first, she thought it was just an ordinary friendship, but the frequency of their hugging and even occasional kissing had taken her by surprise.
Maki knew that Hachiman was a jack of all trades, attracting the attention of people from the opposite sex, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Initially, she felt repulsed, but a conversation with Saeko changed her perspective. Saeko had not only surprised her with her understanding but also encouraged her.
Maki realized that Saeko understood why she had come to Chiba, and it had shifted her outlook. She had relocated after her father informed her to transfer from Tokyo to Chiba following her loss to Saeko. Surprisingly, she had agreed, leaving her father amused by her decision.
Her growing curiosity and interest in Hachiman stemmed from his unique journey. Despite not hailing from a Kendo family, he had achieved the impressive rank of Swordmaster at just 16 years old. His diverse talents, including writing popular light novels and culinary skills, had further intrigued Maki, particularly after tasting his cooking while she was in here.
Maki found herself undeniably attracted to Hachiman's remarkable talents, igniting a desire to improve herself and keep up with him. Despite this, she continued to find enjoyment in reading and watching anime, which remained her go-to source of entertainment.
After the hug with Hachiman, Kotonoha headed to the kitchen to prepare coffee for Hachiman.
Observing Maki's somewhat annoyed expression, Hachiman couldn't resist teasing her.
"Maki, do you want a hug too?" Hachiman playfully spread his arms and closed his eyes, approaching her.
Seeing him like that, Maki was initially irritated and playfully attempted to chop Hachiman's head. However, Hachiman, with his quick reflexes, caught her hand, leaving her slightly panicked. She raised her legs, intending to kick him.
Hachiman, recognizing her intentions, attempted to pull her, but the result was unexpected as they both lost their balance and ended up falling together.
With a sudden bang, Maki's eyes flew open, and she couldn't help but blush. She was straddling Hachiman, with his hands on her waist, and she felt something hot pressing against her privates. Blushing furiously, Maki felt both angry and humiliated.
As Hachiman began to speak, "Ahmm Maki...," Maki seized the opportunity to showcase her martial prowess. Swiftly, she sprung to her feet, facing him. In one graceful motion, she bent at the waist and swung her left leg around his right arm, positioning her calf just above his elbow, effectively immobilizing his arm. Simultaneously, her right leg swung over his left arm, her thigh clamping down on his wrist. Her legs formed a lock, restraining his hands.
Hachiman, feeling the pressure of her thighs, couldn't help but notice how soft and thick they were. It reminded him of the phrase "Thick thighs save lives," although he couldn't fully appreciate it as Maki was wearing kendo attire.
Despite a hint of discomfort, Hachiman quickly apologized, saying, "Ahh, I'm sorry, Maki. I didn't expect to pull you so hard." He maintained his pained expression, fully aware that he could handle the situation given his strong physique.
In that situation earlier when they both fell and Maki straddling him, Hachiman couldn't help but become aroused. It's almost impossible for a guy not to become aroused when they're in such a position.
If a man isn't aroused in this situation, it could indicate a problem with their mental state.
Maki, seeing the hurt expression on Hachiman's face, quickly released him and sternly warned, "Hmph! Next time, there will be no mercy if you do that again."
Hachiman, undeterred, responded, "Of course I will. Oh, I will change now and get the manuscript to fulfill my promise." He got up, patted her on the shoulder, and offered a smile as he walked away to change his outfit and retrieve the manuscript.
As Hachiman exited, he spotted Saeko behind the door, and they shared knowing smiles. Clearly, Saeko had witnessed the earlier situation.
Saeko approached Maki, maintaining a playful expression of doubt, clearly relishing the opportunity to tease her. She asked, "Maki, why are your clothes all messed up? What did you do with Hachiman?"
Blushing, Maki replied, "Don't misunderstand, Saeko. W-we were just sparring right now," her heart still racing from the memory of the earlier situation.
"Is it?" Saeko said, unable to contain her laughter as she enjoyed teasing Maki.
"Hahaha."
Observing Saeko's reaction, Maki felt a sense of embarrassment and an urge to give Hachiman a playful punch for the earlier situation.
Saeko, speaking seriously, told Maki, "You know, Maki, we don't mind you being with Hachiman."
Maki quickly responded, "Nah, why do you think that I like him?"
"Okay, stop teasing me now, Saeko. I'm going to the bathroom," Maki said, walking away.
Although Maki was indeed intrigued by Hachiman, her feelings weren't yet clear, and she wasn't certain about wanting to be with him.
As Maki walked away, Saeko couldn't help but shake her head. She had known Maki since childhood. Maki had gained fame after winning a tournament, but she had also experienced a painful incident when a boy had confessed to her and they had grown close. However, after some time, Maki overheard him talking to his parents, disclosing that he had only used her to gain proximity to her clan and had referred to her as "dumb" from the very beginning.
After Maki had overheard the boy's cruel words, she couldn't restrain herself and confronted him in a secluded place. The resulting altercation led to a scandal, and her clan had no choice but to hide Maki and prohibit her from participating in certain Kendo tournaments. The Zenin Clan had many enemies, which added complexity to the situation.
Upon entering junior high, Maki faced a lack of friends, and many of her peers treated her like a delinquent due to witnessing her confront and physically retaliate against those who had confessed to her.
But now, observing Maki in her current circumstances, Saeko couldn't help but feel relieved and thankful that Hachiman had entered their lives.
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