“Master, how could you think of me like this?”
Luke was genuinely crying this time. He had always regarded Koshiro as both an elder brother and a father figure, and everyone at the dojo were his dear friends and sworn brothers. He never expected his sincere feelings to be trampled upon like worthless weeds by others.
It hurt. It hurt so much.
“How I think of you? How should I think of you? How else can I think of you?”
Koshiro felt his already sickly body deteriorating further from anger. A wave of sorrow washed over him, and his emotions erupted uncontrollably.
“You only paid tuition once when you came to my dojo—500,000 Berries. Do you know how much you’ve eaten? Other disciples eat by the bowl, but you eat by the bucket!”
This glutton’s appetite alone could match thirty disciples. Since his arrival, the dojo’s food expenses had doubled. Moreover, he never held back during sparring sessions—every brother who fought him ended up half-dead, unable to get out of bed for three days.
The medicinal oil was used bottle after bottle on his fellow disciples… referring specifically to the blood stasis removing medicinal oil.
That was all money!
The 500,000 Berry tuition had been blown into 20 million Berries worth of expenses by this glutton.
If he didn’t drive away this gold-devouring beast soon, he’d have to sell swords to keep the dojo running—first the Skillful Grade Swords, then the Great Grade Swords, until there was nothing left to sell.
And this shameless rogue still had the nerve to ask for a good sword and scabbard, completely throwing dignity out the window.
The senior brothers had their complaints too. When Luke first arrived, he couldn’t even hold a sword properly. Yet within months, he caught up to them, his strength surging at irregular intervals while he constantly shouted “combat bliss” during fights.
In less than half a year, he could single-handedly defeat the entire dojo. Brothers who had trained hard for ten years couldn’t compare to his few months of practice—how could they not be devastated?
Most infuriating was how he went to bathe in the communal baths, washing right in front of everyone.
How inappropriate—not even wearing a towel around his waist.
He clearly had no idea how to write the words “male virtue.”
The adult disciples had their martial hearts shattered by his… display. While the younger disciples believed they still had a chance to surpass him, they secretly sought out various growth-accelerating methods, practically wanting to fertilize themselves every time they urinated.
In short, this child absolutely cannot stay.
Koshiro took a deep breath to calm himself, returning to his benevolent teacher mode. He took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Luke.
“Your senior brothers pooled money to buy you a boat ticket. It departs tomorrow morning—consider it their parting gift. Don’t refuse it.”
Luke never expected his fellow disciples to be so heartless, actually expelling him. He felt genuinely saddened—after spending most of a year together, he’d grown quite fond of these brothers he lived and trained with.
“I understand, Master. I’ll pack my belongings tonight.”
Luke accepted the envelope with a sigh, asking sorrowfully, “I don’t know when I’ll return from this journey. Please take care of your health, and everyone else too.”
They’ll definitely take care of their health once you’re gone.
A relieved smile appeared on Koshiro’s face. “I’m glad you understand. Send word to the dojo when you can. If things don’t work out outside, you can always return.”
“Really?” Luke’s eyes immediately lit up.
Caught in an unguarded moment of polite talk, Koshiro’s eyelid twitched as he changed the subject.
“Falcon is a fine sword. Don’t disappoint it. People choose swords, but swords also choose people. You and Falcon share a bond—don’t abandon this connection lightly.”
“Don’t worry Master, I’ll use it well.” Luke nodded seriously before returning to the previous topic. “Earlier you said if things don’t work out outside…”
“If convenient, try to find one of your senior brothers outside—Roronoa Zoro. This child went out once and never returned for some reason. Everyone at the dojo is worried.”
“No problem. When I find him, I’ll make sure he returns to report his safety. About what you said earlier…”
Koshiro coughed twice. “Let me describe his appearance. He has sharp facial features, green hair, and carries three swords at his waist. One of them is the Great Grade Sword you mentioned before—Wado Ichimonji.”
“Okay, I’ve noted it down. Earlier…”
“Good that you remember. It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you. Go do what you need to do, or properly bid farewell to your fellow disciples.”
Koshiro frantically interrupted the conversation.
Luke fell silent for a moment, his wronged expression making Koshiro uncomfortable. Then he sighed deeply. “Can you tell me which kind senior brothers bought my ticket?”
“What do you want to do?” Koshiro’s face fell. “Don’t cause trouble. They kindly bought you a boat ticket—you should appreciate the gesture.”
“How inappropriate of you to assume. I just want to thank those senior brothers.”
Koshiro chuckled inwardly. If he believed Luke’s nonsense, he might as well close the dojo.
“You may go. Your master is tired and needs rest.”
Seeing that acting obedient wasn’t working, Luke rose from the sitting cushion without pressing further. “Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out anyway.”
Koshiro remained silent, playing dumb.
He thought Luke was still too young. The dojo members were very united—even if not completely united, they were absolutely of one mind about expelling him.
…
Half an hour later.
Luke held the dojo group photo and grabbed the senior brother who had earlier summoned him to see the master, squinting as he scrutinized the other.
“Senior brother, you must know something, right?”
How could the person sent by Koshiro to fetch him remain uninvolved?
“I… I don’t know anything, junior brother. I haven’t completed today’s training yet. I want to go back.”
The senior brother’s evasive eyes revealed that this honest youth had hardly ever lied before. He felt particularly panicked now.
Luke let out a sinister “Heh heh heh” chuckle, his tone menacing: “If you tell me, I’ll only beat them up. If you don’t, I’ll have to hang up and beat everyone in the dojo.”
He stepped closer to the 160cm-tall senior brother, his tall frame casting a shadow that completely enveloped the other.
“Come on, just point them out. Don’t worry, nobody will know.”
The senior brother’s teeth chattered with fear as he recalled past sparring scenes, his whole body beginning to tremble.
“Really? If I point them out, you’ll let me go?”
“Teehee, ah, that’s right. As long as you point them out, I’ll let you go. You’re not that close with them anyway, right? No need to protect them. Come on, name those people.”
The smile on Luke’s face gradually bloomed as he guided the senior brother’s thoughts.
The senior brother’s trembling stopped abruptly. He tilted his head with a serious expression. “But I refuse.”
“Eh?”
“I, Watanabe Zeshan, most enjoy saying no to loofah monsters like you.”
Luke: “…”
What the hell loofah monster.
Sometimes emphasizing certain characteristics indicates caring about that matter, which exposes weaknesses. Luke shook his head with a smile.
Teenagers were still too naive, completely unaware of how to conceal their thoughts. You’ll suffer greatly in future relationships—definitely get played by wicked women.
Let your junior brother teach you a lesson!
“Last time I’ll ask—do you know who bought my boat ticket or not?”
“Give up! I’ll never betray everyone!”
Luke raised an eyebrow slightly, speaking leisurely: “Actually, there’s a secret method.”
“What secret method?”
The now-officially-named Watanabe Zeshan’s mind momentarily failed to process this, but he soon understood, stammering: “You mean…”
“Yes, that’s right. As long as you point them out, I’ll tell you how to grow into… a loofah monster.”
Watanabe Zeshan’s mouth fell open, struggle visible in his eyes. “You demon! I’ll never betray everyone!”
“I’ll only give you three seconds to consider.” Luke extended three fingers.
“Give up! I won’t tell!”
“S…”
“It’s Senior Brother Zheming, Senior Brother Xunchang, and Junior Brother Shoushi.”
Watanabe Zeshan quickly pointed out three people in the photo, thoughtfully providing their names for Luke’s convenience.
The room fell silent.
Luke: (ー`ー)
Watanabe Zeshan: (●′ω`●)
You brat, didn’t you betray them a bit too quickly?
I hadn’t even counted out “three” yet!