In the lavish office of the Spiritual King, laughter echoed off the polished walls.
"Want to see my statue? Mine's the best!" the Spiritual King beamed, arms crossed proudly.
"Yeah," Ryju nodded, amused.
"Did yours look good?" Rei asked curiously.
"Well, kind of... mine wasn't that bad," the Spiritual King admitted, chuckling.
"Yeah, his statue was made properly," Kaji agreed.
"There are some ugly ones, though," Okata smirked.
"Yeah, like very ugly ones," the Spiritual King added, laughing.
"Let's see them!" Goro said, already excited.
"I want to see yours, Spiritual King," Shun grinned.
I wonder if it looks like him... Kenshiro thought silently.
They all left the office, descending the staircase.
Just as they reached the bottom, an old man entered the room—leaning forward slightly, eyes closed, with a katana in his hand.
The Spiritual King's eyes widened. "Mr. Taka?!"
"Hello, Lloyd," the old man said calmly.
"Hey, old bastard," Kaji grinned.
"Kaji," Mr. Taka replied with a slight smirk.
"Hey, Mr. Taka," Okata greeted.
"Hello, Okata."
"Who is that?" Ryju asked, puzzled.
"Yeah, and why is he holding a katana?" Rei questioned.
"That's Mr. Taka," the Spiritual King said. "Your grandfather's rival."
"That's my grandpa's rival?!" Ryju blinked.
"Yep. He was supposed to be Spiritual King once—but he rejected the title."
"He rejected it?"
"Yeah. He wanted to stay on the battlefield."
The Spiritual King looked at Mr. Taka. "What happened?"
"I'm looking for Uzuki."
Uzuki? Ryju's eyes narrowed.
"Ok, Kaji—get Uzuki."
"K," Kaji nodded and vanished in a flash.
"So your break is over?"
"Yeah. We have the meeting with the Twenty Great Villages in an hour."
"Wait—we do?! What day is it?"
"January 15th."
"Oh yeah… you're right. We do."
Kaji returned with Uzuki.
"Who wants to meet me?" Uzuki asked—then his eyes locked on Mr. Taka. His hand instinctively gripped his katana.
"Makando Clan Technique: Blinded Sword Style!" Uzuki shouted. His eyes shut, and a purple aura flared around him.
He dashed forward in a blur, sword slashing—but Mr. Taka sidestepped. Uzuki attacked again, but his blade was blocked effortlessly by Mr. Taka's sheathed katana.
"Not bad," Mr. Taka said.
Uzuki backed up.
"One Sword Style: Deadly Strike!"
He vanished and reappeared behind Mr. Taka, sheathing his katana.
A delayed slash shimmered through the air—but Mr. Taka blocked it again with his sheath.
Uzuki's eyes opened slightly in surprise. He continued slashing furiously, but Mr. Taka didn't even turn—blocking each attack without facing him.
Uzuki retreated, eyes still closed. "Team One—a little help?"
So this is Blinded Sword Style. His speed just increased, Ryju thought.
"Why should we help you?" Ryju asked, folding his arms.
"You nearly killed us two weeks ago," Kenshiro growled.
"You're all still on that?" Uzuki frowned.
"Of course we're still on that!" Rei snapped. "We nearly died!"
"We'll help on one condition," Shun said, stepping forward.
"What?"
"Apologize," Goro demanded.
"No!"
"No help," Ryju said.
"Ugh, fine! Sorry, Team One, for nearly killing you. Is that good enough?"
"Alright," Ryju smirked. "Let's help Uzuki."
Team One jumped into action. Uzuki vanished and reappeared above Mr. Taka.
One Sword Style: Blooded Strike! Uzuki thought.
A red slash shot downward. Mr. Taka leapt out of the way. Rei was behind him, summoning her spiritual arms.
Turn to dust, old man! she thought, lunging.
But Mr. Taka spun, evading easily.
"What the hell?!" Rei gasped.
Goro launched a heat ball from the air—but it missed by inches.
Man, his leaning posture threw off my aim, Goro thought.
Ryju charged with a punch—but Mr. Taka leaned back slightly, dodging it with ease.
Fell for it, Ryju grinned.
Kenshiro appeared behind Mr. Taka with his Blackhole Sword— but Mr. Taka launched into a backflip, his movement fluid and precise as he soared over Kenshiro.
For a brief moment, mid-air, their faces aligned—
Close. Too close.
Kenshiro froze.
Why is he so close to my face?! he thought, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Still upside down, Mr. Taka spoke calmly.
"…What a special ability," he muttered.
Then, just as smoothly, he landed behind Kenshiro.
Silent. Effortless.
His posture remained slightly leaned forward, as if always ready to strike.
Suddenly, Kaji appeared above him, hand glowing with blaze energy.
"I got you now, old geezer!" Kaji roared.
But Mr. Taka tapped him with the top of his katana—and Kaji flew sideways.
Seriously?! Kaji thought as he hit the ground.
"He just sensei'd Kaji like that," Rei whispered in awe.
Kaji stood up. "Alright! I'm done playing, old geezer!"
He jumped into the air. Mr. Taka calmly turned and looked up.
"I'm going to make you open your eyes!"
Both leapt upward, swords ready.
Kaji's entire right arm blazed. "Blaze Form One: Devilish Punch!"
Mr. Taka's hand stayed on his sheathed katana.
"I got you this time, old geezer!"
"Oh really?"
Time suddenly froze. Everyone stopped in place.
The Spiritual King stood, eyes glowing.
"You're not destroying this academy," he said.
He jumped up, altering Kaji's and Mr. Taka's trajectories. Kaji was hurled toward the outside the academy gate. Mr. Taka landed gracefully atop the golden gate.
"Now that's better," the Spiritual King said as time resumed.
"Wha—?!" Kaji grunted, crashing face-first onto the ground.
"Damn you, Lloyd… and you, old geezer!"
Uzuki landed, sword in hand.
"Just who is he to you?" Ryju asked.
Uzuki took a breath. "He's… my grandpa."