Chapter 103: Sparring with Miyajima Tsubaki..
While walking and chatting along the way.
The group of four arrived at a traditional-looking large house.
Above the entrance of the house, a plaque read in bold, powerful characters:
"Shinomiya Dojo"
Having learned along the way that both the Shinomiya and Miyajima families ran well-known kendo dojos in the area,
Sasaki did not show any surprise.
Unlike the now successor-less Shinomiya Dojo, Miyajima Tsubaki, standing next to Sasaki, was the current head of the Miyajima Dojo.
And her daughter was different from Natsuha, who has never been exposed to kendo since she was a child.
Listening to Natsuha's descriptions, it seemed that Miyajima Tsubaki's daughter had been practicing kendo from a young age and was highly talented, showing great potential to surpass her mother.
But Sasaki didn't know much about kendo so he just echoed, 'That's very impressive."
In his opinion, these skillful techniques are nothing more than making up for deficiencies in strength or speed.
To him, in the face of overwhelming disparity, all elaborate techniques were as ephemeral as mirages—mere reflections without substance.
Of course, these were his personal views on lethal techniques.
If they are used purely for performance... then, to him, they are even less interesting.
These were, of course, his private thoughts, ones he would never voice aloud.
After all, belittling someone's passion and dedication was not his place.
Each individual has their reasons and commitments—whether it's pursuing a passion, mastering a craft, or learning skills to protect a loved one.
Doing something you love and are passionate about, or learning something to protecting someone you care about—aren't these impressive in their own right?
Just because he got an inhuman strength he didn't want to become one.
With these thoughts in his mind, Sasaki, while chatting about trivial matters and helping Mrs. Shinomiya carry things, entered the Shinomiya household.
Crossing the courtyard's gravel path, they reached the Shinomiya dojo's training area.
Since it had been a long time since anyone practiced kendo there, the training area, aside from the laid tatami mats, had no targets or bamboo swords.
Bypassing the training area and passing through several corridors, they arrived at the residential area of the house.
After putting the groceries in the kitchen,
Sasaki saw two mature and charming ladies and a young and beautiful girl behind him, rolling up their sleeves and looking like they were ready for a big fight.
Although Shinomiya Chiakko didn't really want her daughter to enter the kitchen, afterall the guests can't be left without company.
But because she had said before that she wanted Sasaki to try Natsuha's craftsmanship, it was hard for her to say anything to stop her daughter now.
But she couldn't just let Sasaki, as a guest, sit alone doing nothing.
Just as she was about to leave the dinner tasks to Natsuha,
Sasaki, observing his surroundings, quietly asked, "Aunt Shinomiya, where do you keep the bamboo swords?"
"Bamboo swords? Sasaki, do you practice kendo?"
Hearing Sasaki's words, Natsuha Shinomiya, standing beside Chiakko, turned to look at him.
"No, I'm just a bit interested and want to give it a try."
Sasaki really didn't know how to do that.
The reason why he wanted a bamboo knife was simply boys' natural love for swords, guns and sticks.
Remembering his childhood in a previous life, if he had a straight stick, he would play without end, and even the village dogs would avoid him.
"Okay, I'll take Sasaki-kun. Today's dinner will be left to Chiakko and Natsuha-chan~"
Although it wasn't her place to entertain Sasaki,
As the hostess who knows nothing about kendo, Chiamko certainly wasn't the right person to accompany Sasaki, who wanted to wield a bamboo sword.
So after hearing his thoughts, Miyajima Tsubaki put down his hand on his sleeves and suggested to the two girls.
"Trouble you then, Tsubaki~" Smiling softly in gratitude, Shinomiya Chiakko took her daughter, turned around and walked into the kitchen
Waving her hand, Miyajima Tsubaki, who was obviously not new to this place, smiled and gestured to Sasaki:
"Let's go, if you really want to learn kendo, I can teach you a bit."
"Then thank you Aunt Miyajima in advance."
"But before you teach me, could we have a sparring match first? I've heard that you learn by taking hits before you make any real progress. I want to know the difference between Aunt and myself."
Wanting to know whether his own physical strength or the aunt's technique was superior, Sasaki walked up to her side and softly suggested.
Although he knew his physical abilities were nearly superhuman,
He didn't know by how much.
And he was very confident in defeating Tsubaki Miyajima.
Just as he had thought before, all techniques are used to compensate for deficiencies in one's strength or speed.
But when the gap is truly significant, these so-called techniques become virtually ineffective.
Hearing Sasaki's suggestion, Miyajima Tsubaki nodded with a peculiar smile, "That's true, but are you sure you've thought this through? A direct confrontation would have a dampening effect on your enthusiasm~"
What she meant was that defeating Sasaki would be effortless for her.
"It's does not matter."
Shaking his head, Sasaki looked at the beautiful woman, who was cautioning him, with a smile,
"Since I've spoken up, I'm prepared. When the time comes, I hope Aunt Miyajima won't hold back. It's only by recognizing my own strength and seeing the gap that I can make significant progress."
As a woman of the samurai family, Miyajima Tsubaki naturally admired men, who were fearless in combat, so facing Sasaki's words, her affection for him became even higher.
After seeing that Sasaki had made up his mind, she no longer dissuaded him and went to fetch the protective gear and bamboo swords stored in the warehouse.
Since Sasaki was a complete beginner and didn't know how to wear the gear, Miyajima Tsubaki naturally helped him as the latter just stood there, letting the plump big sister fasten the straps and ties behind him.
After both were fully equipped, they headed to the training ground.
Given that it was an expert against a novice, and the purpose of the sparring was to let Sasaki experience the gap between them, Sasaki's way to win was to strike Miyajima Tsubaki using any method he could.
So the way for Sasaki to win is to hit Tsubaki Miyajima in any way.
Miyajima Tsubaki's way to win was for him to call a stop himself.
Since Sasaki didn't understand the rules of kendo, and explaining them before sparring would be a waste of time and be overly disadvantageous to him, so after discussing it, they decided to disregard kendo rules altogether.
In other words, they would practice through real combat.
As a member of the Miyajima family, which taught kendo but had its origins in sword techniques, Miyajima Tsubaki certainly knew actual combat sword techniques.
Or rather, once the rules were completely abandoned, her capabilities more than doubled.
After their conversation, they positioned themselves on the training ground.
With no rules to follow, there was no need for the usual courteous bowing at close range.
After a few seconds of silence, seeing that Sasaki had no intention of attacking first.
Miyajima Tsubaki, fully clad in protective gear and holding a bamboo sword, took steps that Sasaki couldn't comprehend but appeared exceptionally elusive and attacked him.
The weight of the protective gear seemed to have no effect on her, and within just three blinks from Sasaki,
Miyajima Tsubaki, who had been several meters away, had already moved within about two meters in front of him.
It was also at this distance that Tsubaki Miyajima, who originally held the sword with both hands, switched to one-handed grip as the long bamboo sword, with a slightly shrill whoosh whistle, came to Sasaki's face in the blink of an eye.
The latter seemed stunned and did not react in time, still holding his sword pointed to the ground with his right hand.
But just as the bamboo sword was about to strike Sasaki's mask,
The bamboo sword, originally pointed diagonally to the ground, mysteriously appeared in front of him.
Clack—
The crisp sound of bamboo swords clashing caused a flicker of confusion to pass across Miyajima Tsubaki's face behind the mask.
According to her expectation, Sasaki should have been struck on the face with her strike, causing him to stagger and fall.
But…
Before her confusion could be resolved,
The tremendous force transmitted through the bamboo sword forced her to step back involuntarily.
Although he hadn't practiced sword fighting techniques, but Sasaki still knew how to take advantage of every opportunity.
So, seeing Miyajima Tsubaki stepping back, Sasaki, having repelled her but not yet swung down, slightly twisted his sword and delivered a diagonal slash towards her neck.
Bending back, the seemingly cumbersome protective gear did not affect Miyajima Tsubaki's agility and flexibility as she ducked to avoid his unexpected slash.
After retreating a short distance, Miyajima Tsubaki, holding her sword in front of her with both hands, closely observed Sasaki, who was slowly sheathing his sword.
Looking at Sasaki's sword-swinging and holding posture that were not standard; it could be seen that he was a complete novice.
But his bizarre speed and the force so overwhelming she couldn't resist left her utterly puzzled.
It wasn't like she had never encountered naturally strong individuals before.
But after years of training, her own strength was also far beyond that of an average adult male.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to swing a sword so effortlessly with one hand.
But when the two swords met just now, the force of the blow from the other side was beyond her ability to withstand.
And how did he block the first blow she made?
When she drew the sword, she could clearly see that he hadn't moved at all.
Yet, he had managed to block it…
Before she could ponder this, Sasaki, seemingly unsurprised by the outcome, took a step forward, "Aunt Miyajima, it's my turn now~"
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