Satoshi pondered for a few seds before shaking his head.

  "I just finished f Suzumushi, and I'm feeling a bit off. You guys go ahead! Just let me know how it turns out when you get back."

  Yawning, Satoshi ushered Shunichi and the others out of the fe, greeted Takuya briefly, then y down on his bed and closed his eyes to rest.

  The reason Satoshi didn't go to the dojo artly due to exhaustion, but more importantly, he wao run an experiment, he wao see if distance affected his e with Suzumushi.

  After all, the kendo dojo was quite far from the fe.

  If he could still see everything happening there through Suzumushi, it would be no different from witnessing the mat person.

  ---

  Ihe dojo, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man stood impatiently. His bck kimono was immacute, and his presence was like an uhed bde, sharp and dangerous.

  This man was her than Yagyū Saemon, the master of Yagyū Shinkage-ryu.

  "I had high expectations for the Gojo Kyokushin-ryu's hospitality, but I didn't expect the Gojo family to have grown sant," Yagyū Saemon remarked, his voice filled with irritation.

  It was true that challenging someo their own dojo wasn't the most polite approach, but once a challenge ted, proper etiquette had to be followed.

  Gojo Kumaen and Yagyū Yusuke were already present as official witnesses.

  Had it not been fojo Shunichi's well-known pride, Yagyū Saemon might have suspected that he had fled altogether.

  "Saemon, have some patience. We are guests," an old man sitting beside Gojo Kumaen interjected.

  Between sorcerer families, the gap between the Yagyū and Gojo s was vast. If not for their kende, the Yagyū wouldn't even be qualified to sit in the same room as the Gojo family.

  Yusuke, head of the Yagyū family, had mixed feelings about this duel.

  On one hand, he wanted Saemon to win and secure a pce among the Freat Kendo Masters.

  Oher hand, he worried that defeating Gojo Kyokushin-ryu would provoke the Gojo family.

  Still, after much deliberation, Yusuke ultimately approved Saemon's challenge.

  pared to the ever-growing influence of the Gojo family, bolstered by the Six Eyes, the Yagyū 's standing had weakened siderably.

  If they failed to establish themselves through kendo, the Yagyū risked being an irrelevant name among the sorcerer s.

  This match wasn't just about Saemon's personal status, it was about the Yagyū family's p the world of sorcery.

  ---

  Gojo Kumaen sat silently, deep in thought.

  He had a strong suspi about why Shunichi hadn't shown up yet.

  It was obvious, Shunichi was still with Satoru and Satoshi.

  This so-called kendo master of the Gojo family had pletely fotten where his true roots y.

  Did Shunichi really think he had achieved his status in the family without the support of the Twin Curse Fa?

  Kumaen had even arranged for him to receive aion from punishment, and this was how he repaid him?

  Kumaen's expression grew darker and darker.

  As time dragged on, the atmosphere in the dojo became increasingly tense.

  Not just Saemon, but all the disciples of Gojo Kyokushin-ryu could feel Kumaen's displeasure.

  Just when he was about to sh out, hurried footsteps echoed outside the dojo.

  The doors swung open, revealing Shunichi.

  Kumaen was just about to reprimand him when his words caught in his throat.

  A figure followed closely behind Shunichi, ohat made Kumaen freeze.

  "Young Master Satoru!"

  Unlike some of the elders, Kumaen could immediately distinguish between Satoshi and Satoru.

  The moment those pierg Six Eyes entered his sight, he kly who it was.

  Standio Satoru was another ued guest—Zenin Toji.

  Ever sioji's st battle with Satoshi, the Gojo family had been forced to reevaluate him.

  Despite g any cursed energy, his raw physical power was monstrous.

  Even withiwin Curse Fa, a group that prided itself on jujutsu above all else, they knew better than t up his ck of cursed energy in front of him.

  At least, not until someone capable of defeating him appeared.

  "Who is that?"

  Yusuke reized Satoru but was unfamiliar with Toji.

  After all, someohout cursed energy could never make a name for themselves in the jujutsu world.

  "This is Zenin Toji. The Zenin 's… best."

  Kumaen introduced Toji to Yusuke before shifting his attention back to Shunichi.

  "Shunichi, you're beiremely disrespectful. The Gojo Kyokushin-ryu doesn't keep guests waiting this long."

  Kumaen's tone was harsh, though it was notably restrained due to Satoru's presence.

  This duel was incredibly important to him, and seeing Shunichi take it so lightly was infuriating.

  However, Shunichi was equally frustrated.

  He hadn't even known about the challenge, Kumaen had failed to inform him properly.

  And now, he was the one being scolded?

  If Yagyū Saemon weren't already here, Shunichi wouldn't have even bothered ing to this farce of a fight.

  As Satoru and Toji took their seats, a heavy atmosphere settled over the dojo.

  The match was about to begin.

  ---

  Meanwhile, back at the fe, Satoshi y fortably in bed, watg a system notification pop up.

  [During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience +1]

  [During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience +1]

  [During the battle, the borrower has gained kendo experience. Kendo experience +1]

  […]

  Satoshi's mood instantly brightened.