Chapter 7: Shimotsuki Village: Annoying Little Brat

After seeing Dragon and his group in town, Takumi knew they were heading to see Koushirou.

Dragon was the leader of the Revolutionary Army. The Revolutionary Army existed to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, who ruled the world government with unjust control. They were seen as the biggest threat to world stability by the government.

Given the current timeline, the Revolutionary Army was likely still in its planning stages, not yet ready for large-scale action.

As for why Dragon was visiting Koushirou in Shimotsuki Village, Takumi didn't really care. It had nothing to do with him.

But to get back to the guest room Koushirou had prepared for him, he had to pass by the tea room.

Koushirou was the first to greet him. "Takumi, went out for a bit?"

Takumi glanced at him and calmly nodded. "Yeah."

Dragon looked at him with interest.

Ivankov, on the other hand, couldn't help but rush out of the tea room, practically getting in Takumi's face as he inspected him from every angle. "So, you're the kid Dragon and Koushirou were talking about? I don't see what the big deal is. Hey, are you sure this brat really beat Kuina?"

Takumi pushed him away in disgust. "Keep your distance."

"Huh?" Ivankov pretended to be mortally wounded, clutching his chest and staggering back a few steps. "Ah, my heart... my heart... I'm dying... dying..."

A few seconds later, Ivankov suddenly regained his energy, throwing his hands up and laughing. "Heh-ha! I won't die that easily!"

Koushirou smiled and added, "Ivankov, Takumi's already gone."

"What!" Ivankov turned to see that Takumi had indeed already walked away. He was crushed, as if struck by lightning. He slumped to the floor, hugging his knees as a dark shadow fell over him. "That little brat actually just left like that..."

Koushirou chuckled. "Ivankov, you're still as lively as ever."

"Yeah," Dragon said, sipping his tea. Then, putting the cup down, he asked, "That kid, Takumi, is he really just a child?"

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Koushirou asked.

"The look in his eyes, the way he carries himself—it's more like a seasoned adult than a kid."

"I felt the same way. But he really is just a kid, though a remarkably talented one." Koushirou smiled, then his eyes gleamed as he asked, "Dragon, do you believe in miracles?"

Dragon paused, confused. "Miracles? What are you talking about?"

"If you'd come a few hours earlier, you would've seen what I mean." Koushirou took another sip of tea, his mind replaying the moment earlier when Takumi's sudden surge in power had momentarily overwhelmed him.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, Takumi woke up early.

Just as he stepped outside, a figure lunged at him, radiating killing intent.

Without even looking, Takumi sidestepped the attack. He'd already sensed the presence waiting outside for a sneak attack.

With a simple chop of his hand, he easily knocked his assailant to the ground.

"Ugh!" Zoro faceplanted into the dirt.

Takumi didn't even glance at him as he walked past.

Zoro scrambled back to his feet, gripping his two bamboo swords as he followed Takumi, not frustrated by his defeat but rather excited. "Takumi, I remember everything you told me yesterday! I thought about it all night, and even though I haven't figured everything out yet, I won't give up. One day, I'll understand everything you said and then surpass you and defeat you!"

Takumi responded with a disinterested, "Oh."

"I'm serious!" Zoro continued. "You might not think much of me now, but that's okay. I'll prove myself to you. I'll work twice as hard and show you that I can do it!"

Takumi thought, This kid is so annoying...

Without another word, Takumi kept walking.

As they passed by the tea room, Koushirou's voice suddenly called out, "Zoro, it's time for your morning training."

Zoro immediately stopped following Takumi, bowing respectfully toward Koushirou. "Yes, Sensei!"

Then, with renewed energy, he dashed off toward the dojo.

Takumi glanced into the tea room, where Koushirou was sitting and sipping tea. He nodded, "Thanks."

Koushirou smiled, "Don't mention it. Are you heading out?"

"Yeah."

Without further conversation, Takumi left the dojo and headed into the hills around Shimotsuki Village to start his daily hunting routine.

Hunting was something he did every day. Fighting against various strong animals not only improved his combat skills and physical strength but also increased his mastery of Haki. Plus, the animals he hunted could be sold for Beli to buy food and, of course, more sake.

Two hours later, Takumi returned, his hunt successful.

He gave some of the meat to the dojo as a gesture of goodwill, then headed straight for the village tavern.

Much like the first time he'd entered Makino's tavern in Foosha Village, his arrival sparked laughter among the customers.

"Am I seeing things? Did a kid just walk into the tavern?"

"Hey, kid! This is a tavern, not a juice bar. Go buy a juice somewhere else, hahaha!"

"Look, he's got two swords with him! Is he a student from the dojo? Shouldn't he be practicing his sword swings instead of coming to the tavern to put on a show for us? Ahahaha!"

"Kid, this isn't the place for you. Go back to the dojo and practice your sword swings! Hahaha!"

Ignoring them, Takumi walked up to the bar.

He casually hopped onto a barstool and tossed a handful of Beli onto the counter. "Give me your best sake."

"Sure thing," the tavern owner said, wiping a glass as he turned around. When he saw Takumi, he recognized him immediately. "Hey, you're the kid from last night! You actually came. Where are your parents? Didn't they come with you?"

Takumi wasn't in the mood for small talk.

He tapped the counter lightly.

The tavern owner looked down, then smiled as he pocketed the Beli. "Pretty impressive, drinking sake at your age."

He quickly poured Takumi a glass of their house special, a strong sorghum liquor.

Takumi took a sip, savoring the rich flavor that spread through his mouth.

It wasn't quite as good as the sake Koushirou had given him, but it was still pretty decent.

Satisfied, Takumi unhooked the gourd from his waist and placed it on the counter, along with more Beli. "Fill it up."

The tavern owner nodded, took the money, and filled the gourd before handing it back.

In the time it took to fill the gourd, Takumi had already finished the glass of sorghum liquor.

The tavern owner noticed that Takumi's face wasn't even slightly flushed, and he seemed completely unaffected. Impressed, he gave Takumi a thumbs up. "I didn't expect it, but you've got quite the tolerance for alcohol for someone your age."

At that moment, the tavern door burst open, and a man rushed in, heading straight for the most crowded table. He plopped down as if he had some hot news to share, excitement in his voice. "Did you hear? Kuina from the dojo, who's never lost a match, got beaten by some outsider yesterday!"