On the next day, Kimura Kazuki rushed to Mount Genrei first thing in the morning.
Mount Genrei was located at Yamagata City, which was the largest city in Yamagata Prefecture and also where the county hall was located at.
The city was a town that was developed during the 15th century. East to the city was Mount Kura-ō, while to its west was Mount Tsuki. It was a city with beautiful scenery and a rare and precious tourist attraction.
Yamagata City had a long history and profound culture, while its abundant natural resources granted unique identities to its four seasons.
Mount Genrei was in this city too.
Since it was a Sunday and the game at District A had been completed, two team games would be conducted amongst the male players while one team game for the female players. The individual games would only be held afterward. Therefore, Kimura Kazuki did not have to go to Tachibana Budo Association today.
He certainly had the same plan as Yagyu Kenichiro and intended to observe before he took any action. Then, if he was confident of winning the fight, he could choose to kill Hiroshi Takeda on the spot. However, he ought to find out Hiroshi Takeda's true character and verify Yagyu Yasuyo's words, making sure that Hiroshi Takeda really killed his life savior before he could end Hiroshi Takeda's life.
Although Yagyu Yasuyo's intense resentment toward Hiroshi Takeda was evident, Kimura Kazuki reckoned it was not right to believe in Yagyu Yasuyo's words without any validation.
Tokyo was about 300 kilometers away from Yamagata City. Hence, Kimura Kazuki chose to take the Shinkansen to arrive at Yamagata City directly.
As soon as he entered the cramped train, he quickly found himself a seat.
As soon as he sat down, he found a young man staring right at him from the side. Puzzled, he furrowed his brows unknowingly.
"Are you... Kimura-Kun?"
Seeing that Kimura Kazuki seems to have noticed him, the young man asked in a slightly excited tone. He looked at his phone before staring at Kimura Kazuki again. He was sure that this man was indeed Kimura Kazuki.
Kimura Kazuki threw a glance at him and nodded gently. "I admire you a lot. Can I have your autograph?" The young man took out his notebook and pen and handed it to Kimura Kazuki. He was a massive fan of Kendo. He returned to Tokyo to visit his parents and coincidentally ran into the Tokyo District Qualifiers of the Jade Dragon Flag. He was present for the entire game in District A and witnessed Kimura Kazuki's brilliant skill. Immediately, he became one of Kimura Kazuki's fans.
Kimura Kazuki was confused and slightly speechless. Looking at the guy's enthusiasm, he did not want to ruin the excitement. He received his notebook and pen without speaking a word and asked, "Do you want me to sign as Thunder Master or...?"
"Just your real name. I spectated the game between you and Yuki Gyo High School. You were really handsome and cool!"
Although the young man was not loud, it was sufficient to attract the attention of the others. All eyes were now looking and scrutinizing Kimura Kazuki curiously, wondering if he was a famous celebrity. Some of them even had the urge to come forward and ask for his autograph.
Three strange people were sitting behind Kimura Kazuki. They appeared to be out of place because of their unique outfits that were very different from contemporary fashion.
They were a grey-haired old man, a teenager, and a young girl.
The old man was dressed in an ancient white shirt as he wore a kind and harmonious expression. He was sitting quietly with his eyes closed peacefully, obviously not curious about the things that were happening around him. However, he seems to have sensed something when he opened his eyes and gazed at Kimura Kazuki...
Kimura Kazuki paused, leaving his hand that was holding a pen hanging in the middle of the air. He glanced at the old man and saw the old man smiling and nodding at him. Without many expressions, Kimura Kazuki signed the autograph, and half-heartedly replied to the young man who tried to initiate a conversation while he disregarded the old Onmyoji behind him.
Sitting on the right of the old man was a young girl by the name of Mei Shigeru, who was dressed in a red and white striped witch costume. She was flustered, "How can no one recognize me at all?"
The teenager on the left threw a contemptuous glance at her, "You are not famous. It's only normal that no one recognizes you."
"I am a celebrity...""Celebrity? Are you only an online influencer? You're always broadcasting at the shrine and blemish the shrine. Are you not afraid that God will materialize and punish you one day?"
"Haha..." Obviously, Mei did not bother to talk to him.
Upon seeing this, Asuka Shigeru pouted grumpily.
The old man who was sitting between these two teenagers smiled as he watched their squabbles. He was apparently enjoying a leisure time like this.
Kimura Kazuki replied to his fan half-heartedly before he eventually felt somewhat annoyed. Then, he claimed that he needed to rest. Although the young man was slightly irritating, he was sensible enough and did not bother Kimura Kazuki further as he rested.
Before long, two hours had passed.
After arriving at Yamagata City, he hurriedly got off the train without greeting the Onmyoji.
After living in Japan for more than a year, he had naturally met many Onmyoji. However, most of the Onmyoji were just ordinary people. This was his first time meeting an Onmyoji who was carrying reiki.
However, he was the least nosy person and had no intention to be friends with the Onmyoji. He did not mind to know the Onmyoji if he was short of money like before. But, since he has sufficient money, for now, he clearly does not have to worry about it.
After he exited the Shinkansen station, Kimura Kazuki found a random person to show the way to Mount Genrei.
Although there was Google Maps, there was no dropped pin for Mount Genrei. He asked a few of the passersby but to no avail. This continued until he met an old woman.
He found out that Mount Genrei had been renamed, now called Mount Tobiuo, because of its shape that resembles a flying fish, or a tobiuo, when it was viewed from above. The fact was later widely spread on the internet. Eventually, Mount Genrei's name slowly changed to Mount Tobiuo.
Following the old woman's instructions, Kimura Kazuki soon arrived at Mount Tobiuo.
Mount Tobiuo had a relatively spacious cemented path connecting the foot of the mountain to the peak, and many people were walking on the route. Besides, there was a well-known Tobiuo Village on top of Mount Tobiuo. Many tourists who visited the Yamagata Prefecture would stop by this place and enjoy the hot springs as they overlook the beautiful scenery of the ocean surrounding Japan.
Unfortunately, Kimura Kazuki did not have the leisure to enjoy the hot springs and tour the village.
Once he arrived at Tobiuo Village, he promptly reached out to the staff. A man was residing on the peak of Mount Tobiuo. Other than his surname Takeda, the staff knew nothing else about the man.
Seemingly, it was true that Hiroshi Takeda lived in Mount Tobiuo. Although Mount Tobiuo was packed with people, this seemed to be a somewhat hidden place compared to the city.
Following the staff's instructions, Kimura Kazuki took a narrow path that led him to the top of the mountain. On his way to the top, he met a wooden plate that said, "Private Territory. No Trespassing."
Before long, he was halfway up the mountain. There was a pavilion, and sitting in the pavilion were two teenagers and an old man, the trio he ran into on the train.
"...Back then, Sword Saint Takeda stood here for three days and three nights as he overlooked the vast and deep ocean before the realization finally hit him, and he founded the 'Infinity Style.' 10 years ago, I was fortunate enough to witness Sword Saint Takeda's 'Infinity Style.' His skill was undoubtedly powerful and admirable. As of now, I reckon that throughout Japan, Master Kamimiya is the only person who can suppress him..." Sei Shigeru halted his sentence abruptly, apparently noticing the presence of an outsider.
He turned and immediately saw Kimura Kazuki. He was caught off guard, but quickly put on an amicable expression.
Before Sei Shigeru could say anything, Mei saw Kimura Kazuki from aside and was surprised. She seemed to have recalled something and said to Kimura Kazuki as though she was reminding him, "Are you here to look for Sword Saint Takeda as well? We have just visited his place. But, he is apparently traveling overseas right now. I'm afraid that you'll have to wait for the end of the year if you really wish to meet him."
Upon hearing that, Kimura Kazuki seemed disappointed.
Seeing that Kimura Kazuki was carrying the Sun and Moon Sword, Asuka chuckled, "Are you here to learn from Sword Saint Takeda? If that's the case, you shall return at the end of the year. I heard that Sword Saint Takeda will hold a contest to pass down his skills to a potential person. If you can successfully win the contest, you might be able to become Sword Saint Takeda's apprentice!" Asuka and his company seemed to have no idea that Hiroshi Takeda was able to escape from misfortune because of his overseas trip.
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