Ask Me First, Then Ask the Sword

Who was the world's greatest swordsman? Many would answer Dracule Mihawk.

The man known as "Hawkeye" was unquestionably the strongest in the world.

But if one asked where the world's greatest swordsmanship dojo was, the answer seemed equally obvious.

The Yatogami Family.

This prestigious family, with a legacy spanning a full eight hundred years, was the world's foremost swordsmanship lineage!

Located at the heart of the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Yatogami Family received countless swordsmen who came seeking their reputation every day.

However, not just anyone was qualified to enter the Yatogami Family. Aside from blood relatives of the Yatogami Family, all outside disciples were renowned powerhouses in the world.

"Three hundred inner disciples, one thousand outer disciples."

That was the Yatogami Family's rule. Not one more, not one less.

Yatogami Taizo wore a plain white kimono as he walked barefoot through his family's dojo, a long katana cradled in his arms.

His brows were tightly furrowed, his face deep in thought. Four attendants followed behind him—one tall, one short, one stout, and one thin.

After pondering for a long time, the bald old man spoke calmly, as if talking to himself, yet also as if deliberately speaking for the attendants behind him to hear.

"Those old bastards want to meddle in the Yatogami Family's affairs too. They've got some nerve! Tell me, do they deserve to die?"

The old man snorted coldly, and his four attendants fell silent with fear.

A moment later, the bald old man calmed himself and resumed his composed expression. He glanced at the attendants behind him and spoke indifferently.

"Tell Jingxue I want to see her shortly."

Without needing a response, one of the attendants bowed respectfully and vanished in an instant behind the bald old man, leaving no trace.

The bald old man paid it no mind and simply continued onward. Passing through an antique corridor, he arrived at a spacious hall.

More than a dozen Celestial Dragon nobles wearing bubble helmets were already standing inside, waiting.

Ignoring their stares, the bald old man strode forward and took a seat in the foremost row without saying a word.

There were five chairs, occupied by five people.

"Yatogami Taizo, I believe you owe us an explanation!"

As soon as the bald old man had settled down, one Celestial Dragon noble could no longer hold back. He stomped his feet in rage, and with that bubble helmet on, he looked absurdly comical.

The bald old man said nothing. He merely smiled faintly, utterly calm, showing no regard whatsoever for the noble who had spoken.

Even among nobles, there were ranks. The Yatogami Family had no need to answer to anyone else.

"How dare you!"

How could a Celestial Dragon noble, who had always looked down on everyone, endure such humiliation? The Celestial Dragon ignored by the bald old man instinctively wanted to curse loudly, yet he did not dare utter even a single insult.

Among noble houses, rank and status were clearly defined. The demon blade Kitetsu was no decoration.

Seeing that Celestial Dragon humiliated, the representatives of the other families snickered without end, showing not the slightest pity.

None of the important figures seated above had spoken. For people like them to speak first would only invite humiliation.

"Although the head of the Maxwell Family was rude, what he said was true. Taizo, don't you wish to explain yourself?"

With that opening, the bearded old man seated beside the bald man spoke calmly.

He wore a black suit with a black tie. His beard and hair were white, and his eyes were narrow. Though his tone carried no hint of reproach, boundless pressure lay concealed within it. He was the head of the Anglaus Family, one of the Five Elders.

"Explain? Explain what?"

The bald old man sneered, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. He adjusted his glasses and showed no intention of saying anything further.

When the Celestial Dragon noble representatives below saw that smile, chills ran through their bodies and cold sweat poured down their backs.

"The demon blade may belong to the Yatogami Family, but the 'key' belongs to all Celestial Dragons."

Another scar-faced old man spoke. He wore a black hat over his curly hair and leaned on an expensive cane.

The bald old man holding the sword, Yatogami Taizo, remained silent, still sneering. Even the head of the Figor Family, also one of the Five Elders, was not qualified to make him speak.

"We are giving you a chance to confess."

When two were not enough, a third stepped in. The heavily bearded old man with a balding head frowned. In his eyes, the Yatogami Family's actions were challenging the bottom line of all Celestial Dragons.

"So this is the Mossfield Family's position. The Yatogami Family understands."

Facing the pressure from the three men, the bald old man spoke calmly, entirely at ease.

"I think you'll change your mind, old friend."

At last, the yellow-haired old man with slicked-back hair, who had remained silent until now, could no longer hold back. He stared fixedly into the bald old man's eyes, his words laden with meaning.

"Heh, what an imposing display."

Gently stroking his sword hilt, the bald old man rose with a half-smile. His gaze swept over the four "old friends" he had known for decades. Raising his chin, he spoke each word clearly.

"The Yatogami Family's affairs are none of your concern."

"This isn't a family matter!"

The moment the bald old man finished speaking, the Celestial Dragon who had been ignored earlier immediately chimed in, stomping his feet. He looked smugly at the bald old man, his face beneath the bubble helmet appearing even uglier.

The Yatogami Family excelled in swift swords, killing unseen within the smallest margin.

A flash of sword light.

The bald old man sheathed his sword.

Not far away, a body fell to the floor.

Looking at the Celestial Dragon who had been shouting moments ago but was now completely devoid of life, he spoke calmly.

"This is a family matter."

Hearts seemed to skip a beat, followed by one sharp intake of breath after another. Though terrified, not one of the Celestial Dragon representatives dared flee the hall.

The bald old man's short attendant silently appeared. Ignoring the trembling Celestial Dragons, he dragged the dead Celestial Dragon out of the hall, leaving only the thick stench of blood spreading through the room.

"He was too eager to prove himself to you. He overstepped his bounds, forgot his rank, and deserved to be killed."

The bald old man remained silent, but the bearded old man quietly said this to the old man in the black hat.

The old man in the black hat showed no particular reaction. He merely nodded faintly, seemingly agreeing with his old friend.

Without someone powerful backing him, how would that Celestial Dragon have dared act so presumptuously before the Five Elders?

But everyone had underestimated the bald old man's toughness. That was why such a twist had occurred at the Dragon Council.

"If you want me to withdraw my decision, you can."

To everyone's surprise, the bald old man suddenly softened his tone amid the stalemate.

But before the Celestial Dragons could rejoice, he changed the subject.

"Ask me first, then ask Kitetsu."

The four powerful old men fell silent, while the Celestial Dragon representatives below trembled all over.

The Dragon Council ended on bad terms.

The Yatogami Family's inner courtyard.

A young woman was gently wiping a blade with a soft cloth.

She wore black, with a head of white hair.

Quiet as ice, serene as snow.