In the Kamikaze Dojo training hall, gasps and exclamations rose and fell in succession.
"Senpai actually lost..."
"How is that possible? That was Iaian-senpai!"
"I knew it, Aomori is no ordinary person."
"Amazing! I'll always love Aomori!"
Hearing the murmurs of his juniors, Iaian lifted his training uniform, revealing a streak of blood seeping out from his chest and abdomen. He let out a sigh of relief and, with a look of admiration, said to Aomori, "If we had used real swords, I fear I would be a corpse right now. Aomori-san, you are truly formidable. I concede this match."
Aomori shook the extended hand of Iaian and replied politely, "You flatter me."
"Iaian, this time your skill was inferior. There's nothing more to be said. Keep working hard." Atomic Samurai stood up and came to stand beside the two, patting Iaian's shoulder.
"Yes, Sensei!" Iaian straightened his chest and shouted loudly.
"And you, Aomori, is it." Atomic Samurai, who stood at a height of at least six feet three, looked down at Aomori. "Although you defeated Iaian, the truth is, your swordsmanship is a complete mess!"
"Huh? How can that be?" Confusion was etched on the faces of Iaian and the others who heard this.
How could Aomori's swordsmanship, which had seemingly defeated Iaian with ease, be a "complete mess"?
Only Aomori understood Atomic Samurai's meaning. His swordsmanship was partially derived from imitating the techniques of the Hashira from Demon Slayer, partially from his own conceptualizations, and partially a mix of attempts forged in real combat.
In the eyes of Atomic Samurai, a Sword Saint, describing such an unrefined style as a "complete mess" was not an exaggeration.
"That is exactly why I am here. I ask the Swordmaster for instruction!" Aomori said, clasping his hands in a traditional greeting.
"To be able to defeat Iaian with techniques you cobbled together yourself is a testament to your talent. Are you truly not considering becoming my apprentice? With my full guidance, in less than ten years—no, within five years, you will become a new Swordmaster!"
"What?! A new Swordmaster?!"
This statement was like a bomb, exploding in the minds of everyone in the training hall.
"Swordmaster" is an honorific title for a master of the sword. In this world, those who have earned the name number less than five, demonstrating how rare the title is.
Now, for a contemporary Swordmaster to prophesy that someone would become a new Swordmaster within five years, it was practically a sealed deal.
Iaian felt even more admiration for Aomori. He aimed to become a Sword Saint but had yet to see any hope. "Incredible, but I won't give up!"
The other disciples were consumed by envy and admiration.
"So Aomori will be our senpai now?"
"Having a big-shot celebrity as senpai doesn't sound bad."
"Haha, a single school with two Swordmasters—the thought is terrifying."
They had already mentally accepted Aomori as their new senior, as no one could possibly refuse the chance to become a Sword Saint.
Unfortunately, Aomori could.
Under the gaze of the crowd, he shook his head and slowly said, "I apologize, but I must refuse."
"Huh?" The disciples could not believe their ears.
"Are you an idiot?!" Okamaitachi, unable to stop himself, shouted, voicing the thoughts of most people present.
"Why?" Atomic Samurai raised his chin, his expression beginning to chill.
"Because I am a Hero and an idol, and also a student of Bang-sensei. I will not be tied down to one place," Aomori answered honestly.
"Bang is your teacher?!" Atomic Samurai burst out in anger. "Is that old geezer trying to steal my apprentice?!"
He pulled the senbon from his mouth, pointed it at Aomori, and roared, "Draw your sword! I'll show you how utterly powerless Bang's whatever-style-of-fist is against my Atomic Slash! Then you will know how to choose!"
"Sensei is going to fight Aomori?"
The disciples immediately scattered, their eyes wide, watching their master's performance. They knew their master would win, they just wanted to see how Aomori would be crushed.
Fighting Atomic Samurai? Aomori could not be more eager.
Regardless of the memes surrounding Atomic Samurai in the original work, he possessed undeniable Dragon-level combat strength. In the entire storyline, purely in terms of burst output, Atomic Samurai would absolutely rank high. His signature technique, the "Atomic Slash," was named for its ability to supposedly cut things down to the size of atoms.
Of course, that was an exaggeration, but calling it a "Millimeter Slash" was still an understatement.
Clashing with such an opponent was a rare and valuable opportunity.
Aomori took a deep breath, gripped his wooden sword tightly, and focused his entire attention on Atomic Samurai.
Atomic Samurai casually flicked the senbon in his hand. "Don't say I'm bullying you. I'll fight you with just this senbon."
Aomori did not reply, or rather, he had no energy left to reply. He was constantly building up his strength, determined to give his all.
"Oh, such an aura. It seems you've been through quite a few battles. But you're still too green!" Atomic Samurai unleashed his own aura. The murderous intent, like that of a malevolent spirit, instantly engulfed the entire training hall, practically crushing Aomori.
A layer of lightning flickered across Aomori's skin. Under this pressure, he instinctively activated the Three-Stage Breathing Style. Coupled with his far-above-average Spirit attribute, he quickly stabilized his mind.
Seeing this, Atomic Samurai was even more satisfied with Aomori, strengthening his resolve to get Aomori to follow the righteous path.
Aomori was not the only one feeling the pressure of Atomic Samurai's killing intent.
"So terrifying. Is this the power of a Swordmaster? My exposed skin feels like it's being scraped by blades. The difference between them is like that of a baby and a samurai in full armor," Bushidrill covered his face with his hands and steadily retreated.
The other disciples also couldn't help but back out the door.
Inside the training hall, only Aomori, Atomic Samurai, and the Three Disciples remained.
Okamaitachi, standing next to Bushidrill, pouted and worriedly said, "Is Sensei using his full strength? He won't kill Aomori, will he? I don't want that! Aomori hasn't even had a forbidden romance with me yet."
"Don't worry, Sensei is a Swordmaster."
Iaian offered a word of comfort, then stepped forward two paces, enduring the pressure. He decided to act as the referee for this duel, even if it wasn't strictly necessary.
"Ready! Begin!"
The moment the words fell, Aomori's body moved, launching the first attack. Otherwise, if he waited for Atomic Samurai to move, the match would be over.
'Thunder Breathing: God Speed!'
Lightning energy concentrated simultaneously in both his legs, and Aomori instantly transformed into a blur of motion. The wooden sword in his hand sliced toward Atomic Samurai in an elusive arc.
A series of crisp clang sounds rang out. The offensive that made Iaian and the others break into cold sweat was easily deflected by Atomic Samurai using the small senbon.
"A complete mess, indeed. Kid, a sword isn't just about speed. Swordsmanship is not that simple!" Atomic Samurai even had the leisure to speak while blocking the attacks.
"It's not over yet!"
Aomori suddenly came to a stop, raising the sword with both hands, bringing it down like a mountain-splitting strike. Accompanying it was a crescent blade of purple light, half a man's height.
'Thunder Breathing: Lunar Fang Heavenly Piercer!'
"This is... a Sword Ki!"
Among the future Three Disciples, only Okamaitachi could use Sword Ki, a technique that was not easy to learn.
"A little interesting, but not enough." Atomic Samurai gently waved his hand, and a wave of Sword Ki larger than Aomori's Lunar Fang Heavenly Piercer collided with the purple crescent blade, annihilating each other.
Aomori, who had launched the strike, gritted his teeth and continuously swung his sword, unleashing dozens of purple crescent blades until he was panting and exhausted.
"You brat!" Atomic Samurai's expression turned serious. "Watch closely. This is my swordsmanship!"
It was the same man, the same senbon, but the feeling he gave off was completely different.
In Aomori's perception, Atomic Samurai had seemingly transformed into a single, razor-sharp sword.
As the crescent blades closed in, Atomic Samurai gave a seemingly casual flick, and the Sword Ki was cut into countless tiny fragments, stripped of all lethality.
"This is the Atomic Slash!"
Aomori watched the scene with wide eyes, seeming to gain a faint realization.
Iaian, who was the most shaken, reacted first. He looked at the swaying Aomori and announced, "The victor is Sensei!"
After watching the entire duel, the disciples outside the door didn't dare to breathe and were collectively doubting their life choices.
No matter how many times they had seen it, they felt their master was inhuman. And Aomori, who had fought such an inhuman master to this extent, could also be considered a monster.
"How was that? More than enough to be your teacher, right?" Atomic Samurai put the senbon back in his mouth and asked Aomori.
Aomori looked dazed, still immersed in the "Atomic Slash" that Atomic Samurai had just performed, feeling a vague understanding.
If this were a cultivation novel, he would have achieved instant enlightenment and mastered the technique, but unfortunately, it was not. Aomori had only seen more than others due to his high Spirit attribute, leaving him with a feeling of almost understanding but not fully understanding. It was like attending a calculus lecture in a past life: you thought you understood the professor's problem, but when you tried to solve it yourself, you were still completely lost.
Nevertheless, a seed had been planted, and perhaps there would be a chance for it to bloom and bear fruit in the future.
It took a long time for Aomori to snap back to reality, as if regaining his soul. When faced with Atomic Samurai's question, he still stood by his choice.
"Hmph, you will regret this," Atomic Samurai conceded.
Atomic Samurai ultimately agreed to take Aomori on as a student, while simultaneously resolving to have a chat with Bang when he had the time.
Aomori, for his part, first had to complete the assignment Atomic Samurai gave him: swing his sword ten thousand times every day and stick with it for at least three months, until swinging the sword became as natural as breathing. Only then would they discuss the next step of his training.
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You can read the ahead chapter on Patr if you're interested: p-atre-on.c-om/Overgod [Just remove the hyphen to access normally]