The Great Swordmaster System: My Master is Yoriiichi

The Scribe, looking at the man holding him, murmured to himself.

My era is about to begin!

Chapter 2: Ten Thousand Sword Swings, I Want to Learn the Breathing Technique

Winter passed and spring came, cold gave way to heat—before he knew it, the Scribe had been in this world for seven years.

As early as age three, the Scribe could already grip a blade and swing it.

Over five years, he endured bitter cold and scorching heat, weathered heavy rain and hail.

But no obstacle, no matter how harsh, ever stopped him from swinging his sword.

Now, he was only the final step away from completing his first task.

99998/100000

99999/100000

100000/100000

Counting silently in his heart, the moment he reached one hundred thousand swings, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

Congratulations, Host. Proficient Swordsmanship has broken through to Master Swordsmanship.

Task: Swing sword one hundred thousand times—completed.

Detected that task completion time was ahead of schedule. This task will issue an additional reward.

Gift pack (including bonus reward) has been sent. Open it?

Taking a deep breath, the Scribe calmed his surging emotions.

Open.

Gift pack opening... Opening complete.

The instant the gift pack finished opening, a string of notification sounds appeared in the Scribe's mind.

Combined with Host's inherent abilities, Master Swordsmanship (0/1,000,000) has been raised to 300,000/1,000,000.

Combined with Host's inherent abilities, Novice Body Technique (1320/10,000) has been raised to Proficient Body Technique (10,000/100,000).

Combined with Host's inherent abilities, Basic Culinary Arts (892/1000) has been raised to Proficient Culinary Arts.

Just as the Scribe thought the rewards were over, the system spoke again.

Congratulations, Host. Acquired skill: Basic Blade Forging (0/1000).

Congratulations, Host. Acquired skill: Proficient Medicine.

Congratulations, Host. Acquired skill: Proficient Economics.

Proficient Culinary Arts / Medicine / Economics: 0/100,000.

From the system, the Scribe learned that all skills could be divided into seven tiers: Basic, Novice, Proficient, Master, Grandmaster, Transcendent, and Ultimate.

Each tier required points to advance.

Advancing from Basic to Novice needed one thousand points; from Novice to Proficient needed ten thousand points.

Except for the unknown conditions for advancing from Transcendent to Ultimate, all other tiers could be reached through accumulating points.

Tiers below Master could be improved through daily practice.

Once reaching Master and above, system rewards or the Scribe's own methods were needed.

This wave of first-purchase rewards had essentially launched the Scribe into the stratosphere.

Not only had Master Swordsmanship been boosted to the 300,000 level, but Body Technique and Culinary Arts had also been elevated to Proficient.

Not to mention the newly acquired Blade Forging skill, Proficient Medicine, and Proficient Economics—these three were an unexpected bonus.

First-time rewards really hit the spot. Awesome.

Just as he thought the system's rewards had ended, another voice sounded in the Scribe's mind.

Congratulations, Host. Acquired skill: Ageless Body (Simple Version / Deluxe Version dubbing).

For some reason, upon hearing this so-called "dubbing," the Scribe felt a chill run down his spine.

It was as if the system had dug a big pit and was waiting for him to jump in.

Drawing on his previous experience, he resolutely chose the Deluxe Version dubbing.

Deluxe Version dubbing loading... Loading successful.

The next second, the sounds of various instruments rang out in his mind.

Are you still troubled by the passage of years? Are you still vexed by aging?

With this system's Ageless Body, your physique will forever maintain its peak strength!

You'll be forever vigorous, fierce as a tiger! Energy overflowing!

Not 998, not even 688, just—

Before the system could finish explaining, the Scribe directly blocked out the rest.

Put simply, the Ageless Body meant he no longer had to worry about growing old.

Looking down and examining himself, the Scribe shrugged.

Well, having it was better than not.

At the very least, he didn't have to fear dying of old age—the most awkward death imaginable.

Stretching slightly, a series of crackling sounds like popping beans came from every joint in his body.

His understanding of swordsmanship had deepened, and his physical reactions were sharper and faster.

Even though the natural limitations of a child's body held him back, the Scribe could still be certain.

Right now, he was already stronger than his past life!

Just as he was about to find a place to test his strength, footsteps sounded from not far behind him.

Turning around, he saw Tsugikuni Yoriichi standing there in his samurai attire.

Master.

After bringing him back, Yoriichi hadn't taught him any advanced swordsmanship or martial arts.

All he had given the Scribe were some relatively simple training methods.

And because Yoriichi preferred quiet, the master and disciple's residence was in a very remote location.

Aside from occasional deliveries of food and supplies, almost no one else ever came.

On top of that, Yoriichi was often out hunting demons, leaving him even less time to stay by the Scribe's side.

That was why, over the past seven years, the Scribe could only keep honing his swordsmanship, while progress in other areas was painfully slow.

Even so, the Scribe held no resentment toward Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Just the fact that he had raised him was enough to earn Yoriichi his lifelong respect.

"You've changed from before."

After carefully examining the Scribe, Tsugikuni Yoriichi spoke.

"Every time I return, you make me see you in a new light."

Smiling faintly, the Scribe said, "Is that so? I just persisted in things that others find hard to endure."

Nodding, Tsugikuni Yoriichi said nothing more.

A flicker of approval passed through his eyes. He was satisfied with the Scribe's answer.

Speaking at one, holding a blade at three, and then training himself relentlessly for five years after that.

Even though Yoriichi had never given him much care or guidance, the Scribe had persevered on his own.

As his disciple, if the Scribe had wanted, he could have coasted through life on that status alone.

But the Scribe had chosen a difficult path—a hard road to becoming stronger.

Talented, capable, humble, knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

Those twelve words were the best evaluation Yoriichi could give of the Scribe.

"Train well. I'll go rest for now. If there's something you don't understand, you can come ask me."

Naturally unable to express his emotions, Yoriichi could only use simple words to show his care for his disciple.

Just as he turned to leave, the Scribe suddenly spoke up.

"Please wait!"

His steps halted instantly. Yoriichi turned to look at the Scribe.

Though curious, he knew the Scribe wouldn't call him without reason.

Only matters the Scribe deemed extremely important would make him seek out Yoriichi.

Taking a deep breath, the Scribe met Yoriichi's eyes.

Their gazes locked, and Yoriichi saw something in the other's eyes that hadn't been there before.

It was a longing—a craving for something new!

"Master, I want to learn the Breathing Technique!"

Chapter 3: Yoriichi's Test, I Won

As soon as the words fell, the scene fell silent.

The sharp-eyed Scribe noticed that Yoriichi's body had trembled slightly just a moment ago.

Clearly, Yoriichi didn't want the Scribe to learn the Breathing Technique.

Or rather, not to learn it too early.

Of course, this wasn't Yoriichi deliberately making things hard for him—it was a way to protect the Scribe.

The path to strength was arduous and painful. Tsugikuni Yoriichi wanted his disciple to grow up as healthily and happily as possible.

Besides, learning the Breathing Technique and swordsmanship meant becoming stronger, and becoming stronger meant participating in trials.

Having become an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps, one must take on the duty of hunting demons!

Yoriichi knew well the fates that befell those Demon Slayers, and he did not wish for his disciple to bear that pain too soon.

If possible, he would rather the Scribe live as an Ordinary Person, happy and carefree.

But clearly, the Scribe would not follow the path Tsugikuni Yoriichi had laid out for him.

After experiencing a rare emotional stir, Yoriichi quickly calmed his heart.

His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that—"

"No! I must learn the Breathing Technique!"

Cutting off Yoriichi's words, the Scribe's expression was grave and resolute.

"This is the request of my lifetime!"

Faced with his own disciple, Yoriichi finally wavered.

"Very well. But I have a test."

As he spoke, Yoriichi picked up a Wooden Sword from a nearby rack.

"Next, I will not use the Breathing Technique, and you will engage in a practical test with me."

"The condition to pass is to tear my clothes!"

On the surface, this test seemed simple enough.

But the Scribe knew well that the difficulty was far greater than it appeared.

Though he had never crossed swords with Yoriichi, he was fully aware of the man's strength.