“Are you really a sword saint?”
Yagyu Kenichiro could not help but ask again after his father disappeared into the ring.
His father had stayed in the ring for 27 years. But with the help of the Soul Stripping Formation, he was released from the ring occasionally to have a break and visit his granddaughter.
When his father was released from the ring a few days ago, he appeared to be in a daze when he said that there was a sword saint at the Yagyu Kendo Gym.
His evil thoughts were stripped by the ring during these 27 years, his mental strength has also been condensed and solidified. He was sensitive and could easily sense anything unusual.
When he came out from the ring and ran into Kimura Kazuki, who was teaching Yagyu Shizuka at the Yagyu Kendo Gym, he could sense Kimura Kazuki’s supremacy that was oppressing him, as though he was a peasant who was confronting the greatest emperor.
Before his death, Yagyu Yasuyo was at the second stage of sword power, which made him a swordsman of the Second Foundation State. A man who could intimidate Yagyu Yasuyo was not as simple as a man with great cultivation. In his opinion, Kimura Kazuki was probably a sword saint. When he found out that his granddaughter merely signed an agreement with Kimura Kazuki instead of formally becoming his apprentice, Yagyu Yasuyo was infuriated and castigated Kenichiro.
Yagyu Kenichiro felt wronged as he had no idea that Kimura Kazuki was a sword saint. That was utterly inconceivable because Kimura Kazuki was barely 17 years old!
Kimura Kazuki threw a glimpse at Kenichiro and nodded. However, when Kenichiro was about to speak in excitement, Kimura Kazuki interrupted him, “Where is Hiroshi Takeda?”
He was curious about the ring that belonged to the Yagyu Family, knowing that formations were Huaxia’s strength. During the era of the recuperation of reiki, Huaxia developed many types of formations. However, as he scrupulously studied the pendant with the Spirit Tranquilizing Formation and the ring with the Soul Stripping Formation, they both appeared like items originating from ancient Huaxia. He reckoned that these were the inheritance of Huaxia that had traveled to Japan. Hence, he did not question further.
Since he had a chance to obtain the ring that was engraved with the Soul Stripping Formation, he had to work hard to fulfill Yagyu Yasuyo’s obsessiveness. According to Yagyu Yasuyo and his son, Hiroshi Takeda is the only sword saint in Japan as of now. However, this statement was not proven. Therefore, he regarded Hiroshi Takeda as a well-known sword saint among the Ancient Kendo Community and remained skeptical about the existence of other sword saints in Japan.
The highest state for the sword saint in Japan is Kenshin Tsumei. As this was similar to Hiroshi Takeda’s state, his ability would be relatively higher. Other than that, they had to compete on their swordsmanship, secret skills, and killing skills.
Now, his strongest killing skill is the Art of Sword Summoning. He could even break the Metamorphosis State, which was also known as the Kenshin State in Japan, with the Art of Sword Summoning.
It was as easy as falling off a log for Kimura Kazuki to kill Hiroshi Takeda as long as Hiroshi Takeda had not achieved the Kenshin State.
“I have no idea.” Yagyu Kenichiro suppressed his doubts and answered, “However, Hiroshi Takeda would gather all the Kendo families in Japan and conduct a contest at Mount Genrei during the end of the year to pass on the Almighty Nature Stroke.”
“Almighty Nature Stroke?” puzzled, Kimura Kazuki asked, “Why not the Merciless Nature Stroke?”
Yagyu Kenichiro heaved a sigh before he spoke in a solemn tone that was full of hatred, “Indeed, he practiced the Merciless Nature Stroke 20 years ago. Then, with that as a foundation, he founded the Almighty Nature Stroke. This is a new skill that adapts to everyone’s strength as it observes the almighty nature. It is rather popular among the people.” His eyes were glimmering coldly as he spoke, “Moreover, he has great social skills and is a good friend to many of the Japanese families.”
“Hmm...” Kimura Kazuki did not answer. After a while, he said sarcastically, “He’s indeed an evil man.”
27 years ago, he practiced the Merciless Nature Stroke and used his cultivation as an excuse to kill the innocent Yagyu Yasuyo and his wife. According to Yagyu Yasuyo, Hiroshi Takeda used to be an unsympathetic person who thought that emotions would merely flaw his mind. However, he had changed after he founded the Almighty Nature Stroke and made new friends. His theory about emotions flawing one’s mind had turned into a complete joke. Yagyu Yasuyo and his wife had died an unnecessary death.
Moreover, their enemy had not turned into a Japanese sword saint and was revered by all families. When Yagyu Yasuyo found out about this, his resentment toward Hiroshi Takeda was immense and hard to be resolved.
“It seems like you have worked diligently on your sword power just to take revenge on Hiroshi Takeda,” Kimura Kazuki spoke confidently. Yagyu Kenichiro had been practicing the Yagyu Single Sword Style, and it took 10 years of hard work to produce one sole attack. The longer the sword power was prepared, the more powerful the attack would be.
“Yeah...” Yagyu Kenichiro heaved a sigh of disappointment as he said, “Unfortunately, I’m only at the second stage level of sword power. The chance for me to take revenge on Hiroshi Takeda is really slim,” Despite the slim chance, he had never thought of giving up. He had to avenge his family. Moreover, Hiroshi Takeda was a psychopath, and he would be an unfilial son if he did not retaliate on behalf of his parents.
Kimura Kazuki nodded, showing his comprehension.
Before the recuperation of reiki, sword power was invented by the Ancient Kendo Community. People who could practice this was between the first and the fourth stage of sword power.
The strongest among them was 130 years old. Not only had he lived for more than a century, but he had also achieved the eighth stage of sword power. However, reiki from his past life recovered, and he was abruptly swamped by the enormous amount of reiki in his sleep. Unable to withstand the overwhelming reiki, his organs consequently began to fail. He then collapsed and died. The entire scene was somehow hilarious, though it brought grief to many.
However, during his past life, he was not interested in either Japan or dead men. Therefore, he was clueless about his name. But, he reckoned that the man was not
Hiroshi Takeda, deducing from the messages he obtained.
According to Yagyu Yasuyo, Hiroshi Takeda was now probably in his seventies.
“I will go to Mount Genrei tomorrow to check it out.”
“Tomorrow?” Yagyu Kenichiro was stunned, “Shouldn’t you wait for some time?”
“Why?” Kimura Kazuki was confused.
Yagyu Kenichiro was perturbed, but he was afraid to speak the truth. It was difficult for him to be frank and say, “I fear that you’ll be vanquished when you confront Hiroshi Takeda.”
This was not child’s play. If Kimura Kazuki was determined to fight with Hiroshi Takeda, their fight would not end without one of them dead. As he thought Kimura Kazuki was still a young man, this plan could wait for a few years...
According to Yagyu Yasuyo, Kimura Kazuki was a sword saint. On top of that, Kimura Kazuki had also verified the statement. But, Yagyu Kenichiro was not entirely confident about his ability as Kimura Kazuki appeared to be very young and inexperienced. He was a 17-year-old sophomore and a teenager. Despite being a sword saint, his skill was most probably not as delicate and defined as Hiroshi Takeda’s.
In Yagyu Kenichiro’s opinion, Hiroshi Takeda would have a higher chance to win if both of them were to be involved in a fight.
Upon seeing the wordless Yagyu Kenichiro, Kimura Kazuki smiled, understanding what was on Yagyu Kenichiro’s mind.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m only going there to observe. I’ll only gauge the level of his ability and have no intention to confront him.”
After listening to that, Yagyu Kenichiro was relieved, “I don’t think this matter is urgent. My father has waited for 27 years and we can wait some more. You shall continue to polish your skills and only confront Hiroshi Takeda when you’re confident!”
“Yes, I will,” Kimura Kazuki answered verbally. But, deep down, he was thinking the opposite. How can I not take revenge as soon as I can? 27 years have passed, and I’m afraid that Yagyu Kenichiro’s hatred and resentment have been worn out.
Yagyu Kenichiro’s ability was probably the main reason why he could not take revenge personally.
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