Children Aren't Meant to Be Bullied (Loli Exclusive)

In the early morning, a thin mist enshrouded Peach Mountain. The air still held a hint of the biting cold of early spring. On the edge of a steep cliff stood a massive peach tree, its trunk so thick it would take four people to embrace it. Its bare branches were covered in a layer of snow.

Yu Luo, wearing an orange haori over a thin kimono, stood beneath the peach tree. A katana was sheathed at his waist, not Raikiri, but the ordinary katana Jigoro Kuwajima had gifted him. His right hand gripped the hilt, his body lunged forward in a drawing stance, motionless.

If it were the Yu Luo who had first arrived at Peach Mountain, he would have surely been huddled under the covers, refusing to come out, no matter what. In fact, that's exactly what happened during his first winter. Yu Luo had adopted a "the bed is my home" attitude, only to be met with the fury of Jigoro Kuwajima...

In any case, Yu Luo had never been confined to his futon again. Instead, due to the daily chores of chopping wood and carrying water, his physique had strengthened immensely compared to before. Even wearing such thin clothing in early spring, he didn't feel the cold.

Yu Luo calmed his mind, carefully recalling the key points of Thunder Breathing taught by Jigoro Kuwajima. He adjusted his breathing, thick white mist puffing from his mouth and nose. Suddenly, Yu Luo moved—

"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"

His right foot stomped into the snow, accompanied by a faint rumble of wind and thunder. The blade was drawn in an instant, a flash of yellow lightning disappearing as quickly as it appeared. Yu Luo's figure reappeared beneath the tree, his katana leaving a deep mark on the thick peach trunk.

"Still not enough?" Yu Luo chuckled wryly as he sheathed his sword, his right hand gently stroking the rough bark. The trunk was covered in hundreds of sword marks, both deep and shallow, all left by Yu Luo.

"It's been over half a year, and I didn't expect Thunder Breathing to be this difficult. I haven't even mastered the First Form." Yu Luo sighed. For the first few months, Jigoro Kuwajima had him chop wood and carry water to build his physique. In the afternoons, he practiced sword swings. It wasn't until winter that he was allowed to attempt the First Form.

"The essence of the First Form is Iaido, a drawing technique that emphasizes speed and explosive power," Jigoro Kuwajima had told him then, bringing him to this large peach tree. "When you can cut down this tree with a single strike using the First Form, you will have mastered it."

In the days that followed, Yu Luo added practicing the First Form every morning to his daily routine of chopping wood, carrying water, and sword practice. But alas, even after three to four months, Yu Luo still couldn't grasp the secret of the First Form.

"Sigh, after all, I'm not Old Man Tong," Yu Luo sighed again. "Chopping trees is something Old Man Tong should be doing."

"You're right. Making you, Baldy Qiang, chop trees? Isn't that making things difficult for you?" The System suddenly chimed in, teasing him based on his words.

Yu Luo's forehead creased with black lines. "Only Baldy Qiang is bald? Maybe it's Sensei Saitama?"

"At best, you're just a Squirtle."

"Get lost! I don't have a System that constantly argues with its Host!"

"If I could get lost, would I be stuck with a broke Host like you?!"

The System and Yu Luo bickered, neither willing to back down. Fortunately, Jigoro Kuwajima's shout broke up their daily argument.

"You brat!"

"Huh?" Hearing Jigoro Kuwajima's call, Yu Luo curiously stopped his conversation with the System. The System seized the opportunity to retort:

"Kid, you're in trouble. Go turn yourself in!"

Yu Luo rolled his eyes and threw a parting shot, "I'll go see what's up first, then I'll deal with you!"

Yu Luo descended the snow-covered mountain path with light steps, not at all worried about falling. His effortless grace was a stark contrast to his earlier self, who would trip even while carrying water.

In less than fifteen minutes, Yu Luo could see the familiar small wooden house in the distance. In front of the house stood two small dark dots. Upon closer inspection, they were Jigoro Kuwajima and an unfamiliar boy, about twelve or thirteen years old.

"Old man, who's this? Your illegitimate son?" Yu Luo joked, but Jigoro Kuwajima's unceremonious cane strike was his response. Although Yu Luo instinctively dodged, the cane still landed squarely on his backside, making him wince in pain.

"When will you ever change your irresponsible ways?!" Jigoro Kuwajima's beard bristled as he angrily tapped his cane, pulling the boy in front of him to introduce him to Yu Luo.

"This boy is my new disciple, Kaigaku. From now on, he's your junior disciple." Jigoro Kuwajima glanced sideways at Yu Luo, warning him, "This child is an orphan. I found him stealing because he had no one to rely on. You are not allowed to bully him!"

Hearing Jigoro Kuwajima's words, Yu Luo was speechless. He pointed to his own face, bent down, and leaned close to Jigoro Kuwajima's face. "No, do I look like someone who bullies little kids?"

Jigoro Kuwajima carefully examined Yu Luo's face and then solemnly gave his conclusion: "With your personality, you don't look like it, you are it!"

"Haha..." Yu Luo gave an awkward laugh. "I didn't expect you to make jokes too, old man."

"When have I ever made a joke?" Jigoro Kuwajima asked curiously. Then, looking at Kaigaku, who was slightly taller than him, he introduced him: "This is your senior disciple, Yu Luo. Although he can be a bit irresponsible, he's a good person. You can ask him anything if you have problems. If he bullies you, you can tell me anytime." He emphasized the last sentence, leaving Yu Luo speechless and muttering inwardly, Is it really that serious?

"Alright, you two get acquainted. I'll teach you breathing techniques tonight."

With that, Jigoro Kuwajima disappeared. Yu Luo didn't know where he went, but it had been like this for over half a year, so Yu Luo was used to it. Instead, the new so-called junior disciple piqued Yu Luo's curiosity more.

Messy black hair, a thin body due to poor development, appearing to be about twelve or thirteen years old. A pair of black eyes filled with eagerness to please. Magatama ornaments hung around his neck and wrists.

"Your name is Kaigaku, right? How old are you?" Yu Luo didn't mind the messiness. He first patted Kaigaku's messy hair, then put an arm around his slender shoulders and asked gently.

"Replying to Senior Disciple, I am fourteen years old." As Yu Luo patted Kaigaku's head, a fleeting hint of displeasure flashed in Kaigaku's eyes. He then looked up with a smile at Yu Luo.

Yu Luo had been observing Kaigaku's expression and caught that hint of displeasure. However, Yu Luo didn't pay it much mind. After all, he was an orphan. Perhaps touching his head had touched his pride. Besides, arguing with a child would only give the System more reason to mock him.

"Come on, Senior Disciple will take you for a bath and change into some clean clothes." Yu Luo smiled and released his arm, preparing to fetch bathwater. As for clean clothes, knowing his outwardly harsh but inwardly kind Master, he probably disappeared to buy clothes for Kaigaku.

"Thank you, Senior Disciple," Kaigaku's grateful voice sounded from behind Yu Luo. Yu Luo simply waved his hand, signaling him not to worry about it.

As expected, when Kaigaku finished bathing, Jigoro Kuwajima returned, holding a set of smaller clothes for Kaigaku to change into.

When Kaigaku emerged, his appearance had completely changed. His somewhat delicate features, paired with new clothes, erased any trace of his former beggar-like appearance. Yu Luo stood by, smiling, and thought gleefully, From now on, I won't be the only one suffering! I really want to see him suffer!

The System was utterly speechless at Yu Luo's dark thoughts. Jigoro Kuwajima also seemed to sense something, raising his head alertly. He looked at Yu Luo's smiling face and sternly reprimanded, "What are you smiling about! Have you finished training your First Form?! If your junior disciple surpasses you in the future, what face will you have!"

"..." Yu Luo was speechless. He helplessly raised his hands. "Alright, alright! I'll go back to training!"

Watching Yu Luo nimbly run towards the mountaintop in the snow, a spark flickered in Kaigaku's eyes before he quickly suppressed it. He raised his head and, with a seemingly casual smile, asked:

"Master, is the senior disciple very strong?"

"Strong as shit! It's been seven months, and he hasn't even grasped the first form of Thunder Breathing. He's always slacking off!"

Jigoro Kuwajima angrily struck the ground twice with his staff, furious at his lack of progress, as if making sure Yu Luo could hear him.

"Oh."

A strange look in Kaigaku's eyes deepened.