Soryu Dojo, First Meeting Koiyuki!

The unconscious Hakuji was slung over the man's shoulder and carried back to a dojo he ran.

Early the next morning, Hakuji woke from his stupor. As he looked over the unfamiliar surroundings, he surprisingly did not feel the slightest bit wary.

Compared to sleeping rough in the wilderness as he had before, where he was now was better by countless times.

Not long after Hakuji woke up, the man in white entered carrying a bowl of rice porridge. Seeing that Hakuji was already awake, he warmly greeted him. "You're a sturdy young man. I thought you'd be out until noon. Since you're awake, come have breakfast!"

Looking at the steaming bowl of rice porridge the man had brought him, Hakuji's nose stung. For the past half month, he had barely managed one meal a day, and even then, it had only been scraps left over by others.

The reason was quite realistic. The tattoo on his arm had become the most immediate label others placed on him. Anyone bearing that kind of tattoo clearly did not look like a good person.

It was precisely because of the tattoo on his arm that Hakuji had lost out on many jobs. Many shop owners were unwilling to hire him, worried that his character might be questionable.

Hakuji knew explanations were useless, so he simply did not waste his breath on them. Rather than spend time on that, he might as well think about how to sustain himself going forward. There was no need to waste what little strength he had on needless words. Although Rota had given Hakuji plenty of money when they parted, stubborn as he was, Hakuji had no intention of using it. He wanted to earn a living through his own abilities. Going hungry was nothing at all!