"Turns out you really haven't dated? They say staying single until thirty makes you a sage, why doesn't Sensei use that power to become a kendo master?"
"Huh? What are you talking about with that cheap manga plotline? If staying single until thirty could make you a sage, then all of Japan would be kenjutsu masters."
"I'm already kendo level seven, that was already very difficult, and even then, it was because my father used connections to pass the exam."
This world highly valued kendo, and the kendo exams and levels also underwent great changes.
To attract more attention and expand the influence of kendo, kendo competitions were divided into two types: modern kendo and ancient kendo.
Modern kendo involves hitting valid body parts with a wooden sword while wearing protective gear to score points and determine the winner.
Ancient kendo, on the other hand, uses unsharpened katanas, has a stronger visual impact, higher competitiveness, and even life-and-death battles using sharp swords are recognized!
Practicing modern kendo can only reach level six at most. Only ancient kendo can take the level seven and above exams, with the highest level being nine, followed by "Menkyo Kaiden" (full transmission license) and "Kendo Meijin" (kendo master).
Unfortunately, in modern Japan, no one has been able to conquer dojos of various styles and become a "Kengo" (sword saint).
Kenta's strength was definitely more than level seven, but in Japan, every industry was very closed off and exclusive.
The best example was the agricultural association here. Nominally protecting the interests of farmers, but in reality, the money was enjoyed by capitalists, causing the prices of vegetables and fruits for ordinary people to be very expensive.
Kendo practice, besides exams, also had requirements for training time and age. Unless you could defeat an examiner with a higher level, it was very difficult to advance.
Of course, there were other ways, for example, if your connections were strong, you could use back channels.
"Only level seven? So weak!"
Shinnosuke's expression was disgusted, but he also knew that in this world, because kendo was highly valued and involved many interests, leveling up was very difficult.
"You, you're not even level one, yet you dare to talk about me! Luckily, this tournament doesn't have level restrictions."
While speaking, the two of them had already arrived in front of the dojo.
Musashi – Kyoshin Meichi Ryu!
Several large characters written in beautiful calligraphy style were on the gate's signboard; it seemed to be the work of a famous calligrapher.
"When can it be changed to my own style?"
Kenta looked at the signboard and muttered softly.
Shinnosuke beside him shook his head. His teacher was too easy to read. There must have been a conflict with his father when he was young that made him so eager to prove himself.
Father-son conflicts were the most difficult to resolve.
Entering the gate, they passed through a very luxurious garden. This was a very typical Japanese-style garden, looking very beautiful.
Shinnosuke wasn't very interested in this style. Such a garden, its annual maintenance costs, were astronomical figures to him.
"Shinnosuke, my father's personality is a bit serious, you should be careful."
Remembering Shinnosuke's personality, Kenta was a little worried and gave a slight warning.
They didn't enter the dojo but followed a small path towards the house behind the dojo.
"Father…"
In front of the house, an old white-haired man wearing a flower-patterned kendo uniform had his back to the two of them.
His body was very sturdy, but his back gave the impression of an aging hero. Hearing Kenta's call, he turned his head.
"Father, this is my student, Nohara Shinnosuke, he has extraordinary kendo talent."
Kenta's tone was very proud. He had great faith in Shinnosuke's talent.
"Shinnosuke, this is my father, Musashi Giken."
Giken didn't answer his son but looked at Shinnosuke very seriously.
He also had long hair and a neat beard, looking much more orderly than Kenta.
He stared at Shinnosuke without speaking, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Due to years of kendo practice, the aura of both father and son Musashi was very sharp.
Kenta stood in front of Shinnosuke and faced his father. Their auras both rose sharply, neither willing to give in.
"Haaah."
Suddenly, Giken sighed.
"Shinnosuke? Due to an injury, I can no longer hold a sword. Even a wooden sword is difficult to swing."
"Since you are the student he acknowledges, then I will give you a chance to see your talent."
"As long as you can gain my recognition, then you are the heir to the Musashi Dojo."
Shinnosuke frowned, feeling that something was wrong.
These father and son, could it be that they already knew he was a natural swordsman? Why did both of them want him to inherit this dojo?
Seeing his father mention the injury, Kenta also felt sad.
After practicing kendo his whole life, in his old age, he could no longer hold a sword. For a swordsman, this was no different from the greatest blow.
"Kenta should have told you, if possible, achieving a ranking in the tournament would greatly help our dojo."
"Come with me, let me see your potential."
Giken's tone was very gentle, looking at Shinnosuke with the gaze of a senior to his junior. He felt that Shinnosuke was much more reliable than his son.
Giken walked in front, Shinnosuke and Kenta followed behind him.
"Kenta should have told you about the condition of our dojo."
"That brat does have some talent, but he can't calm down, constantly wanting to train some ultimate move, does he really think this real world is like a game?"
His father's comment made Kenta very embarrassed; he scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Although I don't know your kendo strength, but since you are someone acknowledged by this brat, I will definitely train you seriously."
"Our dojo, although its strength isn't very great, but because our style has high artistic value, it's quite popular among the upper class. There's no need for either of you to have high levels, just being able to maintain our good name is enough."
Shinnosuke didn't answer; in his heart, he already had a certain understanding of this stubborn father and son.
Both of them were the type of people who were sharp-tongued but reluctant to admit their mistakes. Being able to allow Kenta to leave for so long, how could they not love this son?
At least Shinnosuke was sure that Giken must have been secretly paying attention to Kenta all along.
Not far ahead, they arrived at the dojo. Inside the dojo, many people were practicing swords.
"You didn't bring a sword?"
Giken looked at Shinnosuke and asked.
Generally, people who practiced kendo would order a special sword for themselves, whether it was a wooden sword or a steel sword, both needed to be custom-made.
Everyone's habits were different, physical conditions were different, and the length and balance point of the sword, and other factors would affect the swing of the sword.
"Since parting ways with Sensei back then, I haven't practiced swords anymore."