[Samurai] and [Bushido]

"Who is the little soldier in the RPG game! You silver-haired idiot!"

Although Kawaki was being held up by some of his companions, his mouth was still unforgiving.

"Of course it's you! Your universe is in danger!" Gintoki retorted without hesitation.

"You are the little soldier in the RPG game! No! You are not even a little soldier. At most, you can only be regarded as the weakest slime in the Novice Village for the protagonist to master the game!"

Since meeting Gintoki and Shouyou, Kawaki spoke faster and faster.

"Like women, there are always a few days of guys every month. What qualifications do you have to say this!"

Gintoki's mouth was also famous for its damage.

"What right does a person who continuously digs his nose 24 hours a day have! Does your hand grow in his nose"

"Can you stop for a moment? If that's the case, you two can come at me together!" Takasugi shouted.

After Takasugi finished speaking, the entire dojo fell silent. Everyone looked at him in disbelief.

"What's wrong?" Takasugi felt a little unnatural from being stared at.

"Hey, hey, there must be a limit to being arrogant, you short purple-haired man… If that's the case, I'll accept your challenge," said Gintoki, holding his forehead.

"No, let me do it. I also want to spar with different people occasionally," Said Kawaki.

"No, I'll do it." Gintoki refused.

"No, as expected, you should let me do it." Kawaki did not give in at all.

"I said it first!" Gintoki gritted his teeth and said.

"Tell me! Who are you going to compete with?" Kawaki looked at Takasugi as if he was going to eat him up.

At the same time, Gintoki looked at Takasugi with the same gaze.

"This kind of thing can be done! As long as I defeat the two of you, I can challenge that man!" As Takasugi spoke, he picked up a bamboo sword from the ground and prepared himself.

Seeing this, Gintoki instantly raised the bamboo sword in his hand and rushed out.

"Gintoki, you broke the rules," Kawaki complained.

"Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared! I'm sorry, Kawaki. I accept the task of teaching this short purple-haired man a lesson!" Gintoki had already taken a stance as he spoke.

"Alright, it's my turn next time." Kawaki curled his lips and took the opportunity to walk between the two and take the initiative to be the referee.

"Then, let's begin!"

After Kawaki shouted, Gintoki and Takasugi instantly rushed towards each other...

...

When Takasugi woke up again, it was already afternoon.

"Seriously, I've never heard of kicking a private school," Shouyou said with a little helplessness as he knelt beside Takasugi, looking at the kid who was looking at him. Shouyou continued, "But fortunately, he only suffered a minor injury."

At this time, Takasugi also sat up from the tatami. "Actually, I wanted to have a fight with you. I didn't expect that kind of trash..." Takasugi lowered his head and said.

"You are already very strong. After all, you can compete with that kid, Gintoki." Shouyou said with a faint smile on his face.

"But I still lost," Takasugi said.

"Well, so you can become stronger." Shouyou said matter-of-factly, "The winner gets self-satisfaction and self-pride at best. You win something more meaningful than that. So you don't have to be embarrassed."

Looking at the confused Takasugi, Shouyou glanced at him and said, "Moreover, that child, no, those two children are a little special. One is for survival... In order to survive, the child has to become stronger. As for the other, he is born with great power. Now he is only learning how to use this power."

"Did you pick them up?" Takasugi asked.

"Who knows? I met them within a day. It was like a miracle…But now, it seems that it is hard to say who picked up who." Shouyou shook his head slightly and replied.

"Gather a group of unknown children and teach them how to study and practice sword. What can they do? Do you think that kind of people can also become warriors?"

Shouyou turned his eyes to the door when he heard this. "Well, who knows what will happen? I am also looking forward to it."

After that, Shouyou retracted his gaze and narrowed his eyes.

"I was counting on you to tell me," Takasugi complained.

"Is that so?" Shouyou stood up and walked to the door. With his hands behind his back, he continued, "I want to know what a warrior is. Can you tell me?"

"Aren't you a warrior yourself" Takasugi looked at Shouyou's back and said with some excitement.

"Well... at least not the warrior you imagine." Shouyou ignored Takasugi, who asked a question and continued, "Do you want to say that you need to have some qualifications to become a warrior? If you don't have a family that you can protect, you can't be a warrior without a loyal lord. Is that what you think?"

"However, I don't think so. The so-called martial arts is to restrain the weak self, gradually leading it to strong self-will. Following the self-study consciousness, constantly improving, and establishing this ambition is the key." Shouyou looked at the blue sky, "So, whether they are diligent and eager to learn and strive to be a proper person or you who come here to challenge the dojo, they are all outstanding warriors in my eyes."

"Even if there is no Lord to protect, there is no sharp blade to fight," As he spoke, Shouyou turned half of his body around and looked at Takasugi, who was listening seriously, "As long as you establish your own martial arts in your heart, everyone can become your own martial arts."

After a pause, Shouyou looked at the distant sky. "To be able to witness the birth of another warrior like this, perhaps... it is the martial arts that I have established in my heart. You came here because you were lost, right? Actually, I am here also because I am lost. I am still confused."

"But it is not necessarily impossible. Sometimes you are troubled and sometimes confused. You just need to become a warrior you yearn for."

After saying that, Shouyou revealed his trademark smile to Takasugi.

Takasugi was stunned. From this moment on, these words quietly took root in Takasugi's heart.

.....

At this time, Kawaki and Gintoki were eavesdropping in a corner outside the room. Moreover, the two of them could not be quiet when they were together.

At this time, the two of them were still fighting.

However, at a certain moment, the two of them suddenly saw a youth standing outside the fence. It was the youth that they saw yesterday with Takasugi.

Sensing their gazes, Katsura did not hesitate and directly walked away.

"So that kind of person also has friends," Gintoki complained.

When Kawaki heard this, he also stopped arguing with Gintoki and stood there thoughtfully.

However, at this time, the two of them suddenly felt a chill coming from behind them.

"What are you two doing here?"

After hearing this, the two of them gulped at the same time...

....

The two of them rubbed their little heads and looked at Takasugi, who was about to leave.

Finally, Kawaki could not hold back and asked Takasugi, "What's your name? I am Kawaki. This silver-haired idiot is Gintoki, Sakata Gintoki."

"Shinsuke, Takasugi Shinsuke." Takasugi said to the two of them before he left.

....

After that day, Takasugi would come to Matsushita Village School to challenge them every day. Sometimes it was Gintoki, and sometimes it was Kawaki. However, after a full month, Takasugi still hadn't defeated any of the two.

"Hey, hey, it's the Little Gao. He comes every day. I can't bear it."

Looking at the injured Takasugi, Kawaki couldn't help but sigh.

"Who is Little Gao! Call me Takasugi or Takasugi Shinsuke, you bastard! Besides! Are we that close" Takasugi complained as he got up from the ground.

Takasugi ignored Kawaki's outstretched hand.

"What a nasty character. Little Gao, but… Oi, don't hide, ponytail." said Kawaki as he looked at Katsura, who was sneaking glances outside the door.

"Ponytail?" Takasugi was puzzled. He followed Kawaki's gaze and looked over, "Oh, it's Katsura!"

"Even if you have a bad and stinky personality, you still have friends who care about you. Don't just stare at your own eyes. You should also look behind you, Little Gao." Kawaki waved his hand and said,

"I am Katsura, Katsura Kotarou, not some Mr. Ponytail," Katsura said as he stepped into the door.

"Huh, Zura? (So that's how it is, a wig?)" Gintoki walked over while digging his nose.

"Katsura! Katsura! (It's not a wig, it's Katsura!) Why do you need to skip a pronunciation!" Katsura retorted.

[*TL Note: In the original works, Gintoki always calls Katsura by the nickname "Zura", which literally means "wig", even though Katsura prefers his real name.]

"What does it matter? One day, you might be bald." Kawaki continued.

"What does that mean? What do you mean by bald one day! Do you mean that I will definitely become bald in the future And do I have to wear a wig when I become bald?!" Katsura clenched his fists and shouted at Kawaki.

"Ah, Zura, you are angry… I'm sure you'll be bald this time," Kawaki said casually.

"It's not Zura. It's Katsura! Besides, if I get angry, I'll turn bald! Who said that?"

"Forget it, don't lower yourself to his level, Zura." At this moment, Takasugi patted Katsura on the shoulder.

"It's not Zura! It's Katsura! Even you are like this, Shinsuke!" Gui shouted.

"Hey, you, what exactly is going on with your sword technique? There is no discipline at all. Every time I think I can predict your next move, the result is another move. Why?" Takasugi ignored Katsura and looked at Kawaki.

"Amazing! This is my self-created sword technique. Gintoki even gave it a domineering name."

"What name?" Takasugi couldn't help but ask.

"Blind [beep--]!"