Page 48
Although he did not have the upper hand, if he fought with all his might, he would be seriously injured, but he would definitely be able to kill Kato Ryota.
It's not that I don't admit that Kato Ryota is stronger, nor do I think that Kato Ryota is inexperienced.
But during the fight, Iinuma Isao could sense the thought that "I can defeat this person in a life-and-death battle."
It's a very mysterious feeling.
It's just like when his mother asked him to meditate, sometimes he would suddenly have an epiphany.
In Iinuma Isao's opinion, although Kato Ryota's sword is cruel and domineering, and although it kills decisively, the sword that is wielded has no "heart".
In other words, Kato Ryota's sword did not resonate with his heart.
No matter how sharp the attack is, it is just a simple skill and does not contain any intention.
Defeating such an opponent will not bring you any benefits!
A mysterious feeling lingered in Iinuma Isao's mind, so he made some space and prepared to launch a psychological warfare first.
First confuse his mind, drive him crazy, and then beat his body!
"Kato-san..."
Suddenly, the boy said with pity in his eyes: "I think you are lonely!
"Ok?"
Kato Ryota was stunned.
Boy, what the hell are you talking about?
"How pitiful..." Iinuma Isao continued, "From your sword, I feel that there is nothing in your life so far that is worth remembering..."
Uh……
For a moment, Kato Ryota was actually asked.
When most people are asked this question, the first thing they think about is whether there is anything worth remembering.
If so, cherish the memory.
If not……
That's really pitiful.
Kato Ryota thought about it carefully and a nostalgic expression appeared on his face.
His life so far, apart from the shining point of kendo, has been full of trivial things that are not worth mentioning... He doesn't know how beautiful the sunset over the Seto Inland Sea is, he doesn't know how gorgeous the double cherry blossoms in Hokkaido are, and he has never even climbed Mount Fuji.
The only color in such a boring gray life...
The high school he attended was an ordinary public high school located in Yotsuya, Shinjuku, where more than half of the students could not get into college.
Diagonally opposite the back door of the school, there is a long uphill road lined with sycamore trees, leading to a top private high school called "Higashimaizuru".
Almost all the students there were children from upper-class or wealthy families, and as long as they did not do anything wrong, they could basically go directly to university. They all had straight teeth, clean clothes, and boring words.
But there is one exception.
It was a girl with long black hair.
Ryota Kato didn't know her name, but he often saw her walking alone along the long uphill road in front of the school gate, carrying her oboe.
She looked like the daughter of a wealthy family.
She has a delicate face, an expensive schoolbag, and seems to have an innate elegance in her every move.
She should have grown up among flowers and applause.
But for some reason, she always went in and out alone and rarely smiled.
Seemingly helpless, yet still standing alone.
Every day the setting sun falls on her, making her as beautiful as an ice-blue flame, so unreal and sad.
Throughout his first year of high school, Kato Ryota could only gaze at the powerful world on the opposite platform from afar, from this ordinary world.
By the second year, he had become a senior in the school's kendo club.
After he defeated everyone and became the head of the Kendo Club, he immediately led the Kendo Club to Higashi Maizuru Junior High School for exchanges and competitions.
I didn't see her the first time.
But it doesn’t matter, there will be a second time, a third time…
On a sunny afternoon in November, Ryota Kato led his team to Higashimaizuru for exchanges.
This time, he saw her in the school courtyard.
She was holding an oboe in her arms, talking to a teenager on a bench, with a smile on her face that was common among top students with straight A's on their report cards.
That smile, accompanied by the sound of Haydn's Piano Sonata in G minor coming from the loudspeakers of the broadcasting department, became the warmest legend at the end of the 1999th century in November 11.
Later, Kato Ryota would still watch her from afar at the back door of the school, but he never entered Higashimaizuru again.
He became more and more silent
Try not to show your emotions on your face, and be careful not to attract the attention of your classmates and teachers.
He knew he was not destined to go to college.
He knew clearly that once he graduated from high school, he would have to integrate into the fiercely competitive adult world and begin a lonely battle called "life".
Therefore, he must become more indestructible than anyone else.
Day after day, year after year.
His expression became increasingly stiff and numb, and his eyes glowed with a cold lizard-like light.
He thought he had forgotten.
I don't think there will be any intersection again.
Until, almost twenty years later, at a funeral...
■
In the quiet night, the cherry trees stand quietly.
The breeze blew the petals into the room, covering the waxed wooden floor with petals.
Kato Ryota looked nostalgic and a little melancholy.
Iinuma Isao stared at him and said, "Yes, I admit that your swordsmanship is excellent, but it is only excellent! The realm of a swordsman master cannot be achieved by simply practicing swordsmanship. A true master swordsman spends his entire life pursuing the unity of mind and skill. Your sword only has skill, but it does not incorporate your understanding of life, so your sword has no heart!"
"I have no heart..." Kato Ryota murmured in a low voice.
Iinuma Isao went a step further and shouted, "Besides the sword, there is nothing worth mentioning in your life, right!"
"No!"
Veins bulged on Kato Ryota's forehead.
Iinuma Isao shouted back, "Stop quibbling! You are so pathetic that you only have sword skills but no heart!"
"..."
Anger gradually welled up in Kato Ryota's eyes.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hanashiro Kyoko looking at Iinuma Isao with a worried look on her face, and he looked at her with a tenderness that he would never show to anyone else.
He was suddenly filled with resentment towards the injustice of the world.
I hate this unreasonable world.
I hate this world that never shows mercy to supporting characters...
If, if, if I were young and promising and drove a G-Class, instead of being that damned commoner's son... Kato Ryota's eyes gradually became fierce, even with a hint of murderous intent.
He slowly raised his bamboo sword and pointed it at the boy opposite him: "Then I will let you know why my sword has no heart..."
"boom!"
The originally clear night sky was suddenly filled with thunder.
The thunder seemed to be responding to Kato Ryota.
Lightning flashed, illuminating his entire body.
The powerful fighting spirit once again condensed into black mist, which squirmed behind him with bared fangs and claws, making him look as terrifying as a demon.
In an instant, the sense of oppression he gave people increased to a whole level.
——Master of oppression.
He used to be a little depressed.
Therefore, after practicing sword for thirty years, he still cannot reach the level of a master.
Today, he turns grief into resentment, and incorporates the injustice he has learned from life into his sword skills.
He finally entered the realm of a master.
His sword was even more murderous.
Perhaps, from now on, he is no longer a swordsman of the Shinkage Ryu.
What he wants to cultivate is the Shura Path...
“… Shit! This is getting out of hand!”
Looking at Kato Ryota, who suddenly had an epiphany and turned from a swordsman into a devil, Iinuma Isao cursed himself inwardly.
but……
This is exactly the effect I want!
Then, fearlessly, he raised his knife and took the lead in the attack.
Things like nostalgia do have a buff bonus, so, as a new master, please let me get a buff to play with!
——Mr. Kato, please be my bearer on the road to becoming a master!
Chapter 47 These little bitches, why are they all thinking about me so much
"Bang bang bang-"