Sword

-Moments after Azuma met with Mikumo-

Azuma was gobsmacked his mom's surprise, not an unwelcome one, but a surprise non the least. He had a suspicion about who would be his sword teacher.

As he walked to his old room, in his bed were a pair of arm protectors, one like the ones his brother would gift Kenichi, able to cover below the elbow, the other one, big enough to cover his whole arm up to his shoulder, with interlinked pieces one on top of the other like scales.

Trying them on, they felt perfect, both a metallic black in color, no metal in them, it felt more like hardened leather, but he wasn't sure of the exact material. Both just short enough to leave his wrists and hands open.

At the least, it seems his mother does not want him to lose his arms while training.

He lays on his bed, ready to sleep, his suitcase already done since he just returned from a trip. Here he goes training again.

._._._._._._._.

His suspicion is one hundred percent correct, the moment he landed on an island near mainland Japan, his boat trip relaxing, the last time he would for six months. He sees a big elderly man, clad in dark blue, seemingly kimono-like attire, wielding two swords. One is a standard katana, and the other one smaller.

His hair grey, incredibly muscular, with his muscles being visible through his clothing. His face emotionless, mustache, and a long beard.

If he had to describe him, Azuma would say, he looks like an evil, dark side version of his dad. Azuma slowly walks toward who could only be Ōganosuke Yogi, Tenken in his hand, too big a sword to strap on his back or hip. He bows to him in thanks for teaching him.

"Thank you for the opportunity, to learn from you." The man only observing him, judging if the boy was worth his teaching.

"Do not bow to me, I am not, nor will I be your Sensei." After finishing he starts walking inland, not caring if Azuma is following or not. Azuma hurriedly catches up to Ōganosuke, maintain half a step behind the man, showing his respect.

"Your mother addressed my pride and love for all worthy martial artists for me to teach you, praising your talent to the tenth heaven. We shall see if she did not lie to me." Saying ominously, still walking. He did not talk again during the trip.

Having time Azuma began to think.

This had actually been one of his plans to learn how to fight with a sword, which is why he insisted for his mom to join OSNF, what he didn't expect was for this to happen so early.

His contingency was to find Hachirobe Kōsaka to teach him, the only other weapon master worth one's salt at this day and age.

Azuma actually didn't want to focus on swords in this world, if he could reach master class in them, perfect, if not, it wasn't an issue. The reason for asking his mom for a good sword, and plaining on someone to teach him was simply his foundation.

There are multiple worlds where weapon fighting is the norm, hand-to-hand combat being secondary, like Bleach, RWBY, Noragami, SAO, Rurouni Kenshin, among many others, and that without considering cultivation novels, webtoons or games.

Many of which could teach him sword fighting better, his focus on martial arts here having two parts, one, he was actually enjoying himself learning, practicing, not training, and fighting, and two, talking about pure, unadulterated, martial arts fighting, there were few places better than here.

Beginning here would make his training in any of those places, easier, faster, better.

Still, with his talent, reaching grandmaster may be possible, although way slower than his martial arts, after all, Ōganosuke will only be teaching him for six months, and the fact that he didn't allow Azuma to call him Sensei means he would not be teaching him, either his style of techniques.

Having reached the top of a hill a small house is seen. Nearing it Ōganosuke, ahead of Azuma simply sits in a reclining chair near the entrance.

Azuma assumes it's time to train and begins to draw Tenken. Ōganosuke seeing this begins loudly laughing, saying.

"You believe you'll start with a real sword?" Azuma with an incredulous look begins to understand where this is heading, and already hates it.

Out of nowhere, Ōganosuke throws a wood Ōdachi to Azuma. "You start with this; I want a thousand swings before you may go to sleep."

Dreading that his assumption was correct, Azuma begins swinging. His teacher for six months leaning against the chair, reading a book, not really caring about Azuma.

._._._._._._._._.

The months began to pass. Ōganosuke without care simply and occasionally, passing by Azuma, only saying.

"Wrong." Leaving Azuma to figure it out.

Not to say he was a bad teacher, he did explain the fundamental to a tee, and the dominating principles on how to fight with a weapon, against another weapon, or a barehanded opponent.

Now, the sparring was nightmarish, good thing his mom gave him his gauntlets, or by now Azuma would have lost both arms, multiple times. The spars were done with actual swords, not Tenken for Azuma or any of Ōganosuke's two swords, but real swords, nonetheless.

Near the end of the six months, Azuma reached master class or would have reached it, if he didn't forget that you need to master your art, and well, in swords he didn't have one. Still, he was master class on actual combat, even if not technique, meaning for the moment he would not be able to become a grandmaster.

This made Ōganosuke from the smallest tinge of regret within him, but as powerful as he was, he was equally prideful, sticking with not accepting Azuma as his disciple.

The six months training ended.

"You have my gratitude for teaching me all this time, teacher." He realized that calling him teacher was allowed, as Ōganosuke was indeed Azuma's teacher.

Seeing the surprisingly talented boy, bowing in front of him. "What did I told you about bowing to me boy. But it was a pleasure." Still the same nonchalant look on his face, slightly happy to teach the boy something about the sword. His love for martial arts and those who practice them showing.

Stopping the bow, Azuma left the small hill, heading towards the beach, the boat he will be returning in already there. Tenken in his hand, the only discernable difference between now and his arrival, being the way, he walked with Tenken in hand. What previously might as well have been a stick, now actually looks like someone that knows how to use the weapon.

The Ōdachi seemed to almost shine happily as if saying that at least now, its stupid owner had a smidge of ability to use it.

Azuma left the island, thankful for his teacher, regretful, for not being able to advance more on the way of the sword, but even if you have the most powerful teacher in the world, the only thing they can do guide you.

Do not mistakenly believe that having a strong teacher makes you strong, a strong teacher makes one have a solid foundation, and if they pass their techniques, if able to perform them, that's what makes one powerful, and his teacher did not pass anything to Azuma.

It was only due to his talent and his teacher's ability that he was able to improve this fast, he may be able to improve his sword fighting, ability, but only that, there was no style, there were no techniques.

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A/N: Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

I already expect some comments on "How OP he is." or "How could he be this weak, with his teachers?" or "[Blank] was stronger in 5 seconds."

Some believe he is too weak for who his parents/teachers are. And truthfully, I don't believe so, if I wanted to create a character that powers up in 2 years or through the power of friendship or other bullshit, I would go read a Shōnen.

I kind of want an OP character, I don't want to write a story about someone overcoming some incredible hardship or having to accomplish some incredibly important goal.

The appeal for me, at least on fanfiction, is seeing how characters may interact with the people around them, how could they change the stories they're in.

And that's the story I want, not saying there would be no conflict, tension, or fights.

Sorry about that gigantic rant, but after writing this chapter and imagining some comments, I got a little angry.

Comment on my chapter, the rant, or the weather.

Thanks

Ciao.