】

"Early? Is it possible that there is a later version?"

Boss Kiryu nodded.

"That's right."

"Tachibana-kun, when I was young, I was just like you. I believed that the strongest sword-drawing technique is 'no way to dodge and no way to defend'."

"If you want to reach such a state, you must continue to work hard and temper yourself."

"Strength and speed are everything - 'Snap' is the secret developed based on this idea."

"But in middle age, after experiencing many things, my mind changed."

"Ju-kun, let me ask you: What do you think is the definition of 'fast' in the world of martial arts?"

Boss Kiryu didn’t seem to intend for Qingto to answer this question.

Before Qingdeng had time to answer, he thought to himself and said quietly:

"Did you swing the blade so hard that you can't even see the afterimage?"

"Is it that when you are cutting down the target, the sound of the knife has already arrived before the sound is heard?"

"None of that."

"In the world of martial arts, there is always only one definition of 'fast' - being able to take action before your opponent."

“‘So fast that you can’t even see with your eyes’, ‘So fast that you can’t even keep up with the sound’… These comments are meaningless.”

"Even if your sword is incredibly fast, as fast as lightning, so what? If your opponent has a higher speed than you, what should you do?"

"The definition of 'fast' is based on contrast. A sword that is not faster than the enemy is a useless sword."

"The art of drawing a sword...or, in other words, the essence of 'sword art' lies in this."

"What swordsmanship should pursue is not the power to destroy the dead, nor the speed of lightning, but 'strike first to gain the upper hand'."

"Everything other than that is an evil way that deviates from the essence."

"For thousands of years, through the continuous research and improvement of swordsmiths, the forging skills of blades have become amazing."

"A knife worth more than ten taels, if used with a certain amount of force, is enough to kill someone."

"In this situation where both sides possess 'weapons that can definitely kill the other side,' whoever can get the upper hand will have an overwhelming advantage."

Hearing this, Qingdeng couldn't help but retorted:

"Boss Kiryu, what you said... sounds to me like you are emphasizing the importance of strength and speed in disguise?"

"If you don't have extraordinary strength and top speed, how can you stay ahead of others forever?"

"A swordsman who can always seize the opportunity is a swordsman who is capable of overcoming mountains and is as fast as thunder."

Boss Kiryu smiled slightly.

"Well, you are right. Strength and speed are the foundation. Without the foundation of both, nothing can be discussed."

"But... you and I only have the perspective of a 'mortal'."

As he spoke, Boss Kiryu leaned back, raised his head, raised his eyes to the sky, and let out a deep breath.

"... Mr. Ju, have you ever seen the 'First of all'?"

"...?"

Qingdeng was silent for a while, and then gave a puzzled look.

Mr. Kiryu seemed to have anticipated Qingto's reaction, and raised the corners of his mouth - an indescribable look spread between his cheeks.

"How should I put it... The so-called 'first in' means seeing through everything about your opponent."

"Your opponent's expression, behavior, and thoughts are all invisible to you. It's like a god overlooking his own plaything."

"His attacks cannot threaten you because you have already seen through his intentions."

"And every blow and every move you make can fall easily on the opponent, because you already know how he is going to defend and dodge next. All you have to do is to calculate '1+1 equals

The calculation of a few' is normal, and the attack will be directed to a position and trajectory that will never make a mistake."

"If you want to reach such a state..."

At this point, Boss Kiryu suddenly stopped talking.

Just when he was hearing the important part, it suddenly stopped... Qingto leaned forward unconsciously, held his breath, and stared at Boss Kiryu attentively, waiting for the next chapter.

However... the other party's next words made him almost fall off the corridor.

"...I'm sorry, I don't know what I need to do to reach such a state."

"..."

Qingdeng pursed his lips and resisted the urge to complain.

This is even more uncomfortable than hearing "If you want to know what happened, please read the next chapter."

At least it has a follow-up plot, but this one doesn’t even have a sequel!

Today’s boss Kiryu is a special Riddler.

From now on, he has been like a drunkard, continuing to speak incomprehensible words with unclear meaning.

What the hell is "first in first"?

After talking for so long, the result is "I don't know what to do to achieve this state." What the hell is that?

"Tangerine-kun, please forgive me."

Boss Kiryu shrugged and resumed the conversation.

"I will never hide anything from you."

"If I understand and master the secret of 'first comes first', I will definitely teach you the truth."

"But...it is the highest realm that I cannot reach."

Speaking of this, Boss Kiryu paused.

In this pause, his expression - regret, regret, bewilderment... the three emotions were beautifully mixed together, condensed into meaningful depression.

"How can a person who has never seen light describe the brightness of the sun to you?"

"If you talk nonsense, wouldn't you be misleading people?"

"There is only one thing I am sure of about 'First First' - it is not my delusion, it is real."

"Because two of my old friends have reached this point, they gave 'Xian Zhi Xian' a more formal and majestic title."

"However, because it is a supreme state that can only be understood but cannot be expressed in words, just like Buddhism, you will never achieve anything by just talking with your mouth and using your hands and feet. You can only feel it by yourself.

, to understand.”

"So I dare not tell you too much, let alone inform you of the formal title. Its formal title contains too much information that may confuse you."

"If I talk to you too much, it may have an adverse negative impact on you."

"A long time ago, I was imagining: If we can combine the 'first' to see through the opponent with the 'moment' that moves like thunder... Then, if you don't make a move, it will be a hit, and the one who hits will die.

The strongest sword-drawing skill was born!"

When speaking these words, Boss Kiryu's tone continued to be high-spirited, and every time his tone rose a little, the light in his eyes became brighter.

"If I can successfully develop this move, then my life as an Iai swordsman will be complete."

"However, it's a pity... Even in my heyday, I couldn't get what I wanted, and now I'm even more hopeless with my old body."

"Tachibana-kun, if possible, please perfect 'Setsuna' for me and make it truly the strongest sword-drawing technique."

Kiryu turned his head and looked straight into Qingden's eyes, with a soft smile on his face.

"You are the only direct disciple I have valued in my nearly hundred years."

"Although I can't explain why, I just feel that you can definitely do it."

"If one day in the future you really fulfill my unfulfilled ambition, please be sure to report your success to me as soon as possible."

"If that day comes and I am no longer alive, please come to my grave, offer my favorite red bean buns, and sing a song of victory."

"This is...the important thing I want to entrust to you today."

As early as halfway through listening, Qingdeng felt an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

If you think about it carefully, you and Boss Kiryu are really old acquaintances.

We met each other the day after we traveled to this world.

Without the introduction from Boss Kiryu, he would not have known about the existence of the Imperial Guard Hall, nor would he have been able to get to know Kinoshita Mai, Souji, Sanako, Kondo Isamu, Hijikata Toizan and other brothers.

It can be said that Boss Kiryu is both his master and his guide.

Most of the connections he currently has can be traced back to Boss Kiryu.

In the past three years, the wonderful time of being both a teacher and a friend has already made him an important person in Qingdeng's heart who cannot be underestimated.
To be continued...