The Swordmaster’s Path: Shimotsuki Takeda’s Ascent

With his head foggy, feeling as if he were adrift in a vast and restless sea, Itō Tōsai slowly opened his eyes.

What came into view was a field of waist-high grass, and not far ahead, the figure of a young man with a sword case on his back and a blade at his waist.

Memories quickly returned to his mind, and his expression grew complex.

"Did I lose again?"

He sighed softly in his heart. His body was once again wrapped in white bandages, and he felt utterly powerless.

There was no doubt that this battle had left him more injured than the previous ones—he had nearly lost his life. What made him feel even more despair was that each of the three challenges ended worse than the last.

In the first battle, he was at least able to exchange a few blows with the opponent. In the second, it was over in a single strike. By the third, the power of the slash Jiangliu unleashed left him utterly shaken.

A great swordsman, even without striking their opponent directly with a blade, could unleash sharp slashes that could cut through buildings or slice through steel.

But the technique the young man used was entirely different—it infused Flowing Sakura into the Sword-Drawing Slash , creating a lightning-fast, explosive slash capable of destroying almost anything instantly.

It was this slash that completely subdued him.

"I'll never be a match for him!"

"Like that man, this boy named Shimotsuki Jiangliu will also reach his level!"

He suddenly struggled to sit up, startling Yojuro, who was walking ahead.

"Ito, you're awake! That's great!" Mikurou exclaimed joyfully.

"Put me down,"Itō Tōsai said weakly.

"I thought for sure you'd die under the lord's blade this time. You're far too reckless. Why push yourself so hard? The lord keeps getting stronger!" Mikurou said, then seemed to remember something and leaned in to whisper.

"Did you know? While you were unconscious, I saw it with my own eyes—the lord slashed a lake in half with one strike."

"And he even cut through a small mountain in a single blow."

"Truly incredible!"

"The lord's swordsmanship and mastery of the way of the sword have reached unimaginable levels!"

Hearing these words,Itō Tōsai's pupils contracted slightly.

Cutting through a lake, or the sea, or a mountain—those were things he could also do. But he knew clearly that Takeda's slashes were entirely different.

Moreover, such slashes consumed enormous physical and mental energy, making them techniques that couldn't be used repeatedly.

Only the strongest and most exceptional samurai, those with extraordinary physical strength, resilience, and willpower, could wield such techniques as easily as eating or drinking.

"Awake, Ito?"

Ahead, Takeda stopped walking and turned around with a faint smile.

Seeing the boy again, Itō Tōsai's expression grew complicated.

Previously, he had been defiant, but the final battle had completely convinced him. This young man had boundless potential for the future.

"I am willing to serve you as my lord and dedicate my life as your retainer!"

Taking a deep breath,Itō Tōsai slowly knelt down, pressing his forehead to the ground.

Takeda was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. "Good!"

"Serving you isn't just because of your immense strength, but also because of that awe-inspiring aura you possess."

"Your future will undoubtedly be extraordinary!" Itō Tōsai said earnestly.

"The future? Who knows what it holds. But for now," Takeda said, helping him up with a smile.

"Come with me to Kuri and help me defeat that man named Oden!"

"Your goal is Oden?" Itō Tōsai asked gravely.

"That's right! If I'm going to do this, I aim to be the best!" Tadeka laughed.

"That man isn't easy to deal with!"

"There's a vast gap between our strength and his,"Itō Tōsai said seriously.

"Oh? You've fought him before? Then tell me all about it on the way," Takeda said with a smile.

There was a flicker of battle lust in his eyes. Only challenging formidable opponents made victory meaningful!

Yujoro supported Itō Tōsai , and the three of them continued their journey.

Time passed, and three days quickly went by.

The group walked through a quiet forest. The stream flowed gently, and birds chirped from the trees.

"Something doesn't feel right," Yujaro suddenly said, sensing the atmosphere around them.

Itō Tōsai , his body still wrapped in bandages, scanned the surroundings. "Someone is hiding nearby. Probably ninjas!"

Takeda's expression didn't change as he continued walking.

The Land of Wano was home not just to samurai but also to sumo wrestlers and ninjas. Compared to other nations in the world, the people of Wano seemed to have higher combat strength, and its cultural atmosphere was more complex, standing apart from the rest of the world.

"Itou, are you okay?" Yujaro asked, turning his head.

"Yes," Itō Tōsai replied with a nod. The two had grown closer recently, their bond strengthening.

After all, Yujaro had saved him multiple times after his defeats in challenges against their lord.

Suddenly, the leaves scattered on the ground ahead shifted violently. Three figures leaped out, attacking them.

"Watch out!" Yujaro shouted, drawing his long sword and swinging it forward.

Clang!

Three short blades collided with his sword in mid-air, producing a grating sound.

"What kind of people are these?" Itō Tōsai asked as he drew his own sword.

He was about to step forward when a hand stopped him.

"You're still injured."

"Let me handle this," Takeda said, stepping forward with a smile.