403. Damn, This Novel Has Way Too Many Dead Followers

"Senior Motoko, you're overreacting. Tsuruko- sensei isn't that scary."

"No, no, no, that's because you don't understand."

Motoko's eyes were vacant as she recalled countless lessons from the past.

"Motoko, this is all your own fault for not making any progress."

Shuya delivered the fatal blow.

"Sister, I was wrong!"

Motoko clutched her head and screamed in agony, seemingly already envisioning her future being subjected to Tsuruko's hellish training.

If Shuya hadn't used Strange Arts to block out the sound, she would have been the center of attention.

Shuya wasn't quite sure how much Motoko's swordsmanship had improved over the years, but judging from her reaction, he knew she couldn't satisfy Tsuruko.

And her fear of men also remained unchanged.

Anyway, Shuya always treated it as a joke.

But now, looking at Motoko, Shuya suddenly remembered something.

---Holy crap, aren't these the precursors to Puberty Syndrome?!

"Motoko, please calm down..."

Ayase patted Motoko's back to comfort her.

They didn't notice that Shuya's eyes had become sharp.

Shuya considering this in his mind; he felt this might be a good opportunity to observe.

The Puberty Syndrome, which involves the aggregation of human Power of Will, is a mysterious thing with a lot of hidden depths.

The time on the train passed quickly, and the three of them got off at Kyoto Station.

Upon exiting the station, Shuya saw a beautiful woman in a kimono waiting for him.

"Sister, sister, sister, go!"

Motoko trembled.

"Tsuruko- sensei!"

Ayase happily went over and hugged Tsuruko.

"Ayase."

Tsuruko touched Ayase's hair, then looked past her and met Shuya's gaze.

In the bustling train station.

Shuya and Tsuruko exchanged a smile...

Chapter 434, page 403: Oh no, I have way too many favorites for this book!

The three of them got into Tsuruko's car and headed to the Shinmeiryu dojo in Kyoto.

This is the place where Shuya brought Yukino for help before.

Upon arrival, Shuya and noticed that the place hadn't changed much, but there were more people now.

Tsuruko has been running the business for several years and has taken in more students, but many of them are just ordinary students and will not receive the true inheritance of the Shinmeiryu.

However, with Tsuruko's abilities, even without teaching the Shinmeiryu, she could still train ordinary swordsmen.

Unfortunately, martial arts training is very difficult, and it's uncertain how many talented individuals will emerge from it.

Shuya never interfered with Tsuruko's teaching, and he didn't care about the development of the Shinmeiryu.

On the surface, the Shinmeiryu and the Monster are enemies, and his position as the Alliance Leader is also a very awkward one in the eyes of the Shinmeiryu members.

With Tsuruko and Shuya together, she has essentially lost her position as heir.

The current head of the family is Tsuruko and Motoko's father.

Shuya hadn't seen him many times, but he heard that he prayed every day that Motoko wouldn't fall for Shuya, otherwise he'd be in real trouble.

"Xiujun, how long can you stay this time?"

Tsuruko asked Shuya.

"Xiu-kun" is the affectionate nickname she has used for Shuya over the past few years.

I'm leaving the day after tomorrow, so I have two days to spend with you.

After Shuya finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Tsuruko.

Tsuruko's eyes were so moist they looked like they were about to drip water.

"Wow..."

Ayase covered her cheek, thinking about many things.

"..."

In front of her sister, Motoko appeared calmer on the surface, but she was clearly distracted.

"Go and put your things down first."

Tsuruko led the three deeper into the area.

Of course, Shuya was no longer staying in the guest room, but sharing a room with Tsuruko.

Motoko and Seya have their own rooms, located behind the dojo, in the area where the host family lives.

After putting down my luggage.

Instead of letting Motoko immediately demonstrate the results of her training, Tsuruko first treated her to lunch.

It takes more than two hours to get to Kyoto by Shinkansen, and with the time it takes to get to the dojo, it was already noon.

Also joining us for lunch was Tsuruko's pet bird, Gale.

It lay down next to Motoko on the ground, glancing at her from time to time. Whether it was Shuya's imagination or not, he felt that the bird's gaze was filled with pity.

Motoko clearly sensed something, and her body trembled even more.

Tsuruko smiled and said:

"Motoko, eat more, these are all your favorite dishes."

"Yes, yes, yes, yes! Sister, go!"

Motoko lowered her head and ate her rice.

Tasty!

These are definitely all her favorite dishes!

So that's what they call a last meal before someone's execution!

She wailed inwardly.

Tsuruko then asked Ayase, "Ayase, do you like these dishes?"

I like them both.

Ayase obediently replied.

She started to get nervous because of Motoko.

Shuya seemed quite relaxed, even asking someone to refill his rice bowl after he finished eating.

After finishing their meal, they chatted about recent events for a while, and then the four of them went to the dojo outside.

The people at the dojo had already left. Tsuruko was going to entertain Shuya and the others today, so she closed the dojo early.

"Motoko."

Finally, we arrived at the part that Motoko feared most.

Tsuruko stood in the center of the dojo, sword in hand, chuckling, "Come on, let me see the results of your training in Tokyo."

"Yes..."

With a look of despair reminiscent of an execution ground on her face, Motoko stepped onto the battlefield, wielding her katana.

Ayase watched intently.

Shuya smiled as he observed Motoko's reaction to see if it would trigger Puberty Syndrome.

Gale was also watching, tilting his head to the side.

"Let's begin, Motoko. You go first."

"... Um!"

There's no way to hide!

Motoko a forced, imposing shout, Motoko swung her sword out.

"Shinmeiryu Secret Technique, Iron-Slashing Flash!"

A spiral of energy shot out from the katana and hurtled towards Tsuruko.

Tsuruko dodged to the side, Motoko appeared behind her, slashing with her katana. "Rock-Slaying Sword!"

This was a fierce attack imbued with immense power, but Tsuruko shook her head and sighed in disappointment:

That's it?

Without even using her sword, she dodged Motoko's attack, placed one hand on her shoulder, and kicked her away, sending Motoko spinning uncontrollably and crashing to the ground outside the dojo.

Tsuruko then said, "... Shinmeiryu, Floating Clouds. A Flash in a Whirl."

She sheathed her sword.

The temple was eerily quiet.

Motoko quietly returned to the dojo, knelt on the ground, and suddenly prostrated herself in a perfect dogeza (vertical kotatsu).

"I'm so sorry! Sister, go ahead!"

"Motoko... what... what have you been doing all this time?"

Tsuruko's smile vanished.

Horrible.

Ayase retreated behind Shuya, peeking out with her little head and looking at him worriedly.

"I already let you off the hook once when you came back last time. You haven't learned your lesson this time either, so what do you have to say?"

Tsuruko stared at Motoko expressionlessly.

Please, please forgive me! Give me a little more time!

Motoko was trembling with tears.

"... Mr. Xiu, how is Motoko doing in Tokyo?"

Tsuruko ignored her pleas and turned to ask.

Shuya shrugged. "I'm not too sure either, and she's too scared to come looking for me."

"Oh...?"

Tsuruko looked at Motoko again; her eyes had turned into Demon Eye.

"Alas!"

"So, Motoko, not only have your swordsmanship not improved, but you haven't even made any progress in overcoming your fear of men?"

"... Waaaaah, sister, go..."

Motoko trembled, her forehead pressed against the ground.

"Alas... Motoko."

Tsuruko squatted down, her tone softening.

"Sister, sister, go up?"