The Difference Between People Can Sometimes Be Greater Than the Difference Between Humans and Gorillas

"Hold on..." After his helplessness passed, a glint flashed through Isao Kondo's eyes. "Hijikata, tell me honestly—did you secretly leave something out? Is that why it took me over half a year to cultivate it? You must've taken some shortcut, right? You definitely did..."

"Kondo..." Toshiro Hijikata smiled just as awkwardly. "Who was it that just said he believed in my talent for swordsmanship? Who said that not even Sogo could overshadow my brilliance? Who was it..."

"..." Isao Kondo fell silent for a long while. "That's true, but isn't the gap a little too huge? What's the difference between one day and over half a year? Even a gorilla..."

"Are you admitting you're a gorilla?" Toshiro Hijikata shot him a sidelong glance.

"I didn't admit that!" Isao Kondo retorted. "I just don't believe there could be such a huge difference. Something must be wrong somewhere. Wait a little longer—maybe you're just bad at teaching, Hijikata. If Sogo taught me instead, I might enter the Swordman Realm in a week! Hahaha, that must be it..."

"Kondo..." Toshiro Hijikata glanced at him again. "You're tearing down the bridge the moment you've crossed it? Besides, that guy Sogo only showed me the Iron-Cutting Sword Strike and said some ambiguous things. If he were really the one teaching you, you probably still wouldn't become a swordman even now!"

"Impossible!" Isao Kondo's fragile pride... "No, that's not right. I get it now. Sogo is a natural-born swordman. Every move he makes contains the ultimate principles of swordsmanship. Maybe it was by observing Sogo that you comprehended the realm of swordmen and became one yourself. That has to be it. Don't let Sogo's vague words fool you—the ultimate principles of swordsmanship were right in front of everyone... If Sogo taught me, I might not even