Time passed in the blink of an eye. Everything these past few days had gone surprisingly smoothly, as if following a script.
First, the game helmets were delivered as scheduled. Then, Kayaba provided a detailed explanation of the data modifications he had made for Yusei and Shiro.
Just as Yusei had envisioned, it included the various stages of the Sharingan's abilities and the addition of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
Furthermore, Shiro was given the Byakugan, one of the Three Great Dojutsu, which could advance into the Tenseigan as her level increased.
Moreover, Kayaba had very creatively added a [Celestial] Clan Bloodline setting.
For example, Yusei and Shiro's Dojutsu were set to originate from the [Celestial] Clan.
But they were the only two in the entire server with the [Celestial] Clan Bloodline, making their character settings incredibly powerful, almost like using cheats.
When Yusei found out, he could only smile wryly, thinking Kayaba's hypnosis was truly thorough.
Originally, it was just modified to 'most respected person' and 'obey commands', but he hadn't expected the effect of this 'respect' to be so great, even reaching the level of flattery.
Aside from the game helmet matter, there was also the submission.
He mailed it out, filled in his contact information and included the manuscript, taking the first step towards making money.
Whether it would be selected for recommendation and contract signing was still unknown, as that would take a few days for review.
So these past few days, Yusei hadn't continued drawing manga but had focused entirely on physical training.
Without the system's help to improve, the best way to enhance his combat ability now was to improve his physical stamina for using Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
The group stages of the Kendo Tournament were also held at the Tokyo's Metropolitan Gymnasium, with transportation arranged uniformly by the school's Kendo Club.
The process was naturally smooth sailing. Yusei's opponents were defeated by him in just a few moves.
Following the scoring rules of Kendo matches, although he couldn't use his sword completely freely, with Yusei's insight, defeating his opponents was still very easy.
Time flew by, and it was already Saturday, the day before the finals.
Today, because Utaha needed to go home early to prepare her novel manuscript for her meeting with the editor tomorrow, Yusei also planned to head home early.
But he suddenly received a message from Koken, asking him to come over after school.
Yusei followed his teacher's arrangement. He hadn't come these past few days, not because he thought he knew everything, but because Koken hadn't asked him to.
He said that continuing to learn sword techniques now was useless, and he should focus on strengthening his physical fitness and mastering the current sword techniques more thoroughly.
So, it all came down to the issue of physical fitness, especially stamina.
Taking the train, Yusei arrived at Koken's extravagant traditional Japanese estate.
Two servants stood at the entrance. Seeing Yusei, they respectfully bowed and then led the way.
Yusei was quite used to this by now… it happened every time he visited, so he wasn't surprised and followed them to Koken's dojo.
Generally, this sword-obsessed old man could be found either in the dojo or the garden, at least those were the two places Yusei had seen him.
"Yusei-kun, you're here."
Koken, practicing sword shirtless, saw Yusei and couldn't help but smile.
He put down his sword, took a towel from a maid nearby, and casually wiped his sweat.
"Yeah, I was wondering why you suddenly thought of calling me over, Old Man Koken?"
"Tomorrow is the finals of the Kendo Tournament, right?"
Instead of answering Yusei's question, Koken asked something seemingly unrelated.
He also didn't mind Yusei's form of address.
By rights, Yusei should call him 'Sensei' or 'Shisou', but Koken was an easygoing person himself, and Yusei had called him 'Old Man Koken' from the start. Over time, it just stuck.
However, Yusei truly respected and was grateful to Koken. He had introduced him to the world of swordsmanship, treated him very well, and genuinely wanted to find a successor for Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
"Yeah, any issues? The championship should be mine for the taking anyway."
Yusei casually took the sword from the maid's hand and assumed a sharp stance.
In the next moment, his body suddenly vanished from its original location with Shinsoku, reappearing directly above a straw dummy in front of him.
Ryutsuisen!
With a single downward slash, the straw dummy was cut in two by Yusei.