I Teach Kendo in Tokyo - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: You Hit the Nail on the Head

On the other side, Bandō was giving first aid to the lackeys.

As a fighter who had worked his way up the yakuza ladder, Bandō was good at performing first aid and bandaging wounds.

After all, this was a key survival skill in the yakuza.

While he was fixing the bones of the most injured lackey, another man who had already been treated asked in a low voice, “What happened after we passed out?”

Bandō glanced at the lackey. Of course, he could not say, “I fainted too, so I don’t know.” Just like how their boss Nishikiyama cared about his reputation, Bandō also didn’t want his subordinates to look down on him.

In yakuza syndicates, reputation was the most important “element” that ensured that those in higher positions would not be challenged by their subordinates too often. Even “duty” and “loyalty” played a less important role in this aspect.

“Watch your tongue,” said Bandō in a low voice. “You might have to call Kiryuu ‘big brother’ soon.”

The lackey was shocked. “Why? Are you going to retire from the underboss position, Bandō-san?”

Bandō gave his lackey a hard slap. “Are you stupid? If he joins us, he will probably become a Young Master, or at least be the underboss’ assistant.”

If that was the case, Bandō’s subordinates would really have to address Kazuma as their big brother.

The lackey glanced at Kiryuu Kazuma, who was humming a song, and asked suspiciously, “Is he… that powerful?”

“Yeah, that’s why even Boss appreciates his talent,” said Bandō as if it was true. After all, these lackeys had just woken up and had no clue about what had happened, and Nishikiyama would speak no word of the incident. “Did you think that Boss would lose to a young brat? Of course not. Besides, Boss even threw away the knife that he always carries with him. He is just finding an excuse to sell a favor.

“The competitions nowadays are very intense. Boss is also thirsty for talents.”

At this point, Bandō was so sincere that even he himself believed it.

The lackey understood. “I see! But, Big Brother, why is Kiryuu Kazuma humming?”

There could be more than one “big brother” in the Japanese yakuza. In any case, when you met someone of a higher status, it would not be wrong to call them “big brother.”

‘I don’t know. People who practice martial arts all have some weird quirks.’ Bando had wanted to say this, but it would make him sound too ignorant. As the underboss, his duty was to educate the subordinates. Hence, he shook his bald head and said, “It is a kind of ritual. He is digesting the insights he had gained from the fight just now, furthering his pursuit of the union of mind and skills.”

This was actually all hearsay Bandō had learned from his former judo teacher. He did not believe it himself, but it did not stop him from saying it seriously as if it was the truth.

Of course, he did not know that his nonsense had hit the nail on the head.

Kiryuu Kazuma was really reflecting on the lesson he had learned from the actual combat earlier and strengthening himself by humming tunes.

As soon as Bandō finished speaking, the lackey looked at Kiryuu Kazuma in awe.

This made Bandō make a serious decision. He had to take it easy when singing praises about Kiryuu Kazuma. He must not overdo it.

After all, Kiryuu Kazuma had not joined the Nishikiyama Family yet.

Unexpectedly, the lackey asked further, “I don’t understand. Why didn’t the Kiryuu siblings fight with us with wooden swords? Wooden swords are surely more powerful than bamboo ones, right? They have such a huge dojo. Do they not have wooden swords at all?”

When Bandō heard this question, he was delighted. He knew how to answer this one. After all, he had learned some martial arts here and there and he had come into contact with all kinds of styles.

He would not let go of such an opportunity to show off his knowledge to his subordinates, so he punched the lackey’s head hard and said:

“Idiot! What wooden sword? Not everyone is a delinquent like you! A proper kendo dojo rarely uses wooden swords. Only dojos that practice old kendo styles or those that specialize in iaido have wooden swords.

“For dojos that focus on old kendo styles, wooden swords are only used in self-practice, when people practice the basic forms of all kinds of moves. They will switch to bamboo swords during every sparring session because wooden swords are too dangerous and can easily cause injuries. Modern kendo has already abandoned moves that require wooden swords, such as iaido. Therefore, kendo dojos nowadays have completely abandoned wooden swords. They use bamboo swords even in self-practice sessions.

“Only delinquents like you carry wooden swords around all day.”

The lackey nodded and said, “I see.” Then, he bowed to Bandō while maintaining his sitting position. “Thank you for the lesson, Big Brother!”

Bandō slapped the lackey again. “Lower your volume! You will disturb Young Master Kiryuu!”

At this moment, another underling who had just recovered from his daze heard Bandō. He was shocked. “Huh? Young Master?”

“Wake up!” Bandō slapped this man too. “I’m talking about the young master of this dojo!”

Every yakuza family had a special position called the young master, which meant that he would be the next family chief. Before the current chief retired, the young master would be in charge of some matters in the family to prepare him for his future job.

The young master was not necessarily a relative of the chief. It could be anyone, as long as the chief could persuade the senior members of the family.

Apparently, the muddle-headed lackey thought that Nishikiyama Heita was going to appoint Kiryuu Kazuma as the family’s young master.

After Bandō had punished his subordinates, he finished the last bandaging procedure and heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he turned to look at Nishikiyama.

Nishikiyama was leaning against the wall of the dojo, smoking a cheap cigarette leisurely. From this angle, Bandō could vaguely see the demon face tattoo on his back.

Bandō’s lips twitched.

As a veteran who had fought his way up from the bottom with Nishikiyama, he knew that Nishikiyama would not usually take off his shirt to reveal his tattoos before fighting.

In yakuza terms, taking off one’s shirt and revealing their tattoos meant that they had acknowledged the other party as a worthy rival that they had to fight with all their might.

Correspondingly, if one could defeat the opponent with their clothes intact, it would mean that they had obtained a crushing victory and would thus gain a higher reputation when news of their victory spread out.

In the yakuza world, being defeated without the other party even showing their tattoos meant that you were a complete loser.

Bandō once again sized up Kiryuu Kazuma, who was still humming. He could not help but whisper in his heart, ‘So this is a man worthy of Boss’ showing of his tattoos. I really can’t tell.’

At this moment, the doorbell rang.

Then, Fujii Mikako’s anxious voice came from the door. “Kiryuu-kun! Are you there? Open the door! Open the door!”