Chapter 524: Chapter 354: It Seems, There is Another Purpose?_2
Sakihara Matsue seems to recall: "The one from Kasumi Shinto Style?"
Koshin Kagami: "Yes."
Sakihara Matsue is silent for a while, as if recalling something: "And Fujimaki? Which team is he on?"
"Haven’t seen him, at least not among the 16 teams here in the Kantou Region," Kagami answers.
"Gone somewhere else?" Sakihara Matsue mutters, "Just like Yishin."
Uesugi Sakura listens from behind several senior brothers.
He also wants to find his cheap master, but it seems he has gone traveling and left no contact information.
The entire dojo is left to be managed by his younger brother and daughter.
Senior Brother Higuchi Yoshiaki still recalling the morning’s events, he doesn’t understand:
"Why did Maehara concede as soon as he faced the junior disciple?"
Speaking of which.
All four senior brothers’ gazes turn to Uesugi Sakura.
Uesugi Sakura shakes his head and says: "I don’t know, I don’t even know them."
"Before going on, didn’t the junior brother discuss the Kasumi Shinto Style with us? I think you’re quite familiar with their philosophy," Tsujimoto Kiro, although his name sounds intimidating, appears kind.
Uesugi Sakura explains: "That was... a video I searched online the day before."
He looks innocent.
All right... It seems he really doesn’t know.
They get to this point, without any leads.
It feels like today’s morning match was won inexplicably.
Kasumi Shinto Style was last year’s national top four team, facing them without Fujimaki Chidori, there’s still hope of winning.
At least, as swordsmen, there should be a spirit of not giving up the match.
But why did Maehara’s team concede as soon as they faced the junior brother?
Now, apart from asking the person involved, it seems there’s no better solution.
Sakihara Matsue spoke up at this moment: "Maehara... seems to have been here, he appears to know Fujimaki."
Mentioning this senior brother.
All four senior brothers’ gazes turn back to Uesugi Sakura.
...
...
Uesugi Sakura: "What’s up?"
Koshin Kagami: "Junior brother, your senior brother is raising hostility for you."
Higuchi Yoshiaki: "Not good."
Kusunoki Kubomaru, not understanding: "What do you mean with all this talk about here and there?"
Tsujimoto Kiro: "Maehara’s team was last year’s national top four, if they suddenly concede as a whole team when facing one person, what would happen?"
"What could happen?"
"You idiot!" Kagami scorns Kubomaru, "Pressure, didn’t you see the junior brother getting so much media attention as soon as he appeared in Fujimaki’s General position? Not to mention that inexplicable whole team concession this morning.
"By then, newspapers from all over would have articles, but the junior brother has no reputation in the Kendo world, he’s a newcomer, not living up to his name! Wouldn’t people talk about him?"
"Oh, I see," Kusunoki Kubomaru has a sudden realization, completely ignoring Kagami’s first statement, "But Maehara didn’t need to jeopardize his own future for this year? Even if he has connections with Senior Brother Fujimaki, isn’t this a bit excessive?"
"The loser’s bracket can still qualify one," Senior Brother Higuchi chimes in.
"Even if they qualify, their reputation would be lost!"
"Did you forget? Maehara’s family’s financial situation isn’t great," Tsujimoto Kiro reminds him.
"You mean, money? But... Fujimaki’s family situation is also not very good."
Sakihara Matsue suddenly sighs: "He’s changed, I kind of understand why Yishin wanted Sakura to replace him in the competition, this guy has an obsession with the championship, even if he’s squeezed out from the General position, he’s not going to give up on the match, his absence in the Kantou Regions is proof."
Koshin Kagami adds a reminder:
"Even though Senior Brother Fujimaki’s family is not well off, don’t forget he’s a two-time champion."
"So he just let Maehara’s team directly concede? Just to target the junior brother, giving him pressure... that doesn’t make sense either."
The four senior brothers pondered for a while longer.
Sakihara Matsue says: "Show me your competition schedule."
...
The four are silent for a moment.
It turns out, the Vice Master isn’t concerned with their matches at all.
Not even looking at the schedule.
Finally, Koshin Kagami takes out his phone.
Sakihara Matsue takes a glance, returns it and says: "I guessed correctly, Fujimaki not only puts pressure on your junior brother, but he’s also paving the way for you to advance as top four in the Kantou Region."
Hearing this from the Vice Master, Koshin Kagami has some clues: "So... is Senior Brother Fujimaki deliberately wanting to spar with the junior brother on the national stage? What’s he targeting the junior brother for."
Sakihara Matsue shakes his head: "It’s not your Senior Brother Fujimaki targeting Sakura, it’s Sakura targeting him."
Everyone’s expression shows shock at this moment, what does this mean!?
Uesugi Sakura: "..."
Sakihara Matsue explains: "You also know Fujimaki’s temperament later, proud, Sakura replacing him in the General position but to make him feel indignant.
"Of course, this wasn’t my doing, it was done by your master; Sakihara Yishin did it because he, as Fujimaki’s master, knows what he would do, he’s using your junior brother to extinguish Fujimaki’s competitive spirit."
These words are quite cryptic.
However, combining the previous information, Uesugi Sakura understands.
To summarize:
His cheap master intends to use him to suppress Senior Brother Fujimaki’s arrogance.
Fujimaki Chidori also understands Sakihara Yishin’s intent.
But he is proud, unwilling to argue verbally, wanting to prove who is right through actions in the national competition.
He might even vent this dissatisfaction with Uncle Sakihara onto Uesugi Sakura.
Uesugi Sakura completely understands now.
Damn, his cheap master is using him as a pawn.
Uesugi Sakura feels a bit resentful, determined to extort a good amount from him when he finds him.
Wouldn’t this be worth at least a few thousand yen from this wealthy uncle in Chiyoda District with a garden and dojo?
He still needs a marital home!
...
Hearing this, all the senior brothers feel their master is extremely irresponsible.
Who sends a junior brother to challenge a senior brother, wouldn’t this just lead to a thorough thrashing?
Unfair, completely unfair.
Even if intending to suppress that senior brother’s temper, at least find an equally skilled opponent.
Although... such an opponent is currently hard to find.
None of them are capable enough to rival Fujimaki Chidori.
After all, everyone is learning the One-Mind One-Sword Style behind the senior brother.
In terms of both seniority and skill, they have to take a back seat.
...
"Junior brother, where are you going?"
"Toilet... never mind, since today’s match is over, I’ll just head home, let’s call it a day."
Uesugi Sakura bows to the senior brothers and Sakihara, the Vice Master.
Everyone looks at each other.
"Going home so early? How about... a special training session from us for you?"
"No need, thank you for your kindness, senior brothers."
"You will certainly face Senior Brother Fujimaki in the competition later, none of us is confident to beat him."
Uesugi Sakura shakes his head, makes his goodbye, and leaves the dojo.
His silhouette disappears from view.
The senior brothers start discussing again in front of Sakihara Matsue.
"Why does it seem like the junior brother is not worried at all?"
"He... hasn’t sparred with Senior Brother Fujimaki, he doesn’t know the senior brother’s prowess."
"What level is the junior brother’s kendo skill?"
The other three senior brothers look at Kusunoki Kubomaru, only he has sparred with Uesugi Sakura.
Kusunoki Kubomaru is not joking, ponders for a while, and says: "Feels... peculiar... skill... seems slightly inferior to mine... but I always feel... he appears not to take it seriously."
"It’s unlikely, he just started practicing here with us, heard he hadn’t even touched Kendo before, and last year he took the Kyudo championship, that’s the strangest part."
"Indeed, no matter how talented, it’s impossible to catch up to Senior Brother Fujimaki so quickly, besides, Senior Brother Fujimaki is a genius... that’s beyond doubt."
"Who else has sparred with the junior brother?"
"There have been some people, but I don’t think they can offer advice."
"Uesugi Shio! The junior brother is her cousin."
"Cough, cough, let’s quiet down for a bit."
Sakihara Matsue kneels by a small table with sake, and unhurriedly says: "There’s something I didn’t tell you, your junior brother, is actually Hanamaru Hiroki’s son-in-law."
....
Everyone suddenly falls silent.
"Then it’s possible."
"Also... just possible, he’s still the senior brother after all."
"Do you think the senior brother can beat Priest Hanamaru? Even our master lost to him, learning that move..."
"Hard to say, hard to say..."