We agreed to be in a band for life, what the heck is Dragon Raja?

"Uesugi said in a deep voice."

Chapter 164 The First Kendo Lesson, the Long-Awaited Skill Bar

Uesugi continued:

"One more thing, when we train here, I will only teach you techniques. As for the hard work that requires daily effort in kendo, you will have to work on it yourselves when you get back."

Nanon Ugetsu and Toyokawa Shoko nodded.

Seeing their reactions, Uesugi Kotsugu's face showed a hint of satisfaction:

"Then let's get started."

After he finished speaking, his aura suddenly changed.

While I was talking to the two of them, he maintained the demeanor of a ramen chef and a community pastor.

But when he casually pulled a Japanese longsword from a nearby cabinet and assumed a kendo stance, a surge of sharp energy suddenly burst forth, instantly enveloping the entire basement.

Nan Yun Yu Yue looked horrified.

"Is this the legendary sword intent?"

Although Uesugi Kotetsu had not activated his Golden Eyes at this moment, a sharp aura surged from the Japanese longsword, pointing straight at all directions like a sword beam.

"The first step in learning Kendo is 'holding a sword'."

"Uesugi said in a deep voice."

“Holding the sword is the starting point of all actions. Its core is very simple: to maintain a stable body frame in future battles.”

"Watch my movements."

He stretched slightly, then stood still with his feet parallel as if nailed to the ground.

"Pay attention to your knees, and keep your weight on the inside of your feet, not your heels or toes."

"Choose any knife from the cabinet, and then stand in the same position as me."

Nangumo Ugetsu and Toyokawa Shoko exchanged a glance, then walked to the cabinet, their eyes sweeping over the swords that Uesugi Kotsu had taken out.

Upon closer inspection, the sharp aura emanating from these ancient swords was immediately apparent. Although these swords had endured countless years, their blades, enhanced by meticulously crafted alchemical patterns, remained chillingly sharp.

"Although Uesugi Kotsushi's idea is that when you first start practicing kendo, you don't have to choose a specific sword, the choice of your first antique sword has a big impact, so it's best to be cautious."

Nan Yun Yu Yue Xin Dao.

His gaze swept over the ancient swords, each one worthy of being listed in a national museum. For those that he felt a connection with, he reached out and gently stroked the hilt.

"This one looks good."

With this thought in mind, Nan Yun Yu Yue reached out and picked up the long sword.

The long sword's scabbard was wrapped in dark brown sharkskin, with a surface covered in small diamond patterns, and the hilt was wrapped with a dark blue hilt scroll. Overall, it was one of the best-protected swords among these swords.

He drew the blade from its sheath, and for a moment a cold glint appeared. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the blade was covered with fine, textured lines, like solidified water.

Nan Yun Yuyue was somewhat surprised.

Judging by his own eyes alone, this sword would rank among the top five of all the swords that Uesugi Kotsu brought from the Snake Clan.

"Then let's choose this one."

Beside him, Toyokawa Shoko was still hesitating.

Which one should I choose?

Her eyes swept over the gleaming swords and blades, and then she picked up a Japanese sword of moderate size.

There is a section of Sanskrit engraved on the back of this knife. The strokes have been worn slightly lighter by the years, but the strength of the engraving can still be seen.

She held the knife in her hand and weighed it, finding it very suitable for her, so she chose it as her training knife.

After they were ready, the two of them assumed the starting stance as demonstrated by Uesugi Kotsugi.

Once the two had regained their footing, Uesugi Etsu continued speaking:

"Very good, hold the position."

"Next, let your shoulders drop naturally, tuck in your abdomen slightly, and keep your back straight."

"Watch me demonstrate."

His knees were slightly bent, forming an imperceptible, cushioned curve, as precise as the fulcrum of a balance scale.

At the same time, the shoulders naturally sink down, abandoning all deliberate shrugging, concentrating the scattered force in the core, and the back always maintains a straight and upright posture like an ancient pine tree.

Following his instructions, Nagumo Ugetsu and Toyokawa Shoko assumed the corresponding poses. Uesugi Koshi watched the two, occasionally offering pointers.

"When holding the sword, aim the tip at the height of your opponent's throat, keep the blade perpendicular to the ground, and extend your arm naturally, but remember not to lock your elbow."

"Very good, this is the first step."

Since Toyokawa Shoko overcame the inner demons that arose on rainy nights, the troubles that once made her consider leaving the band have vanished. Correspondingly, Nagumo Ugetsu's band participation rate has now reached the 190-point mark.

Besides his physical fitness, his immediate feeling was that he had become more and more flexible in controlling his own body and strength. He was already able to imitate the movements that Uesugi had just performed only once.

Toyokawa Shoko's movements were a little slower, and she was initially a bit unsteady when she exerted force. So Nagumo Ugetsu extended a finger and gently tapped her waist. A gentle force came through and helped her control her movements.

"Ah."

Uesugi Kotsushi nodded.

"This movement is the beginning of Kendo. No matter which sword master, their first encounter with Kendo begins with this movement."

"You must practice diligently when you get back. You may not see much difference in the basics at the beginning, but they become increasingly important as you progress. In life-or-death battles, even the slightest difference can be a matter of life and death."

He gripped the long knife tightly, and his arm trembled.

"Next, I will teach you the basic footwork of Kendo."

"All Kendo attacks and defenses rely on footwork coordination, whether it's moving forward, retreating, shifting to the side, or jumping... the core is maintaining a stable center of gravity and a consistent rhythm."

"Now...do as I say."

Nanon Ugetsu and Toyokawa Shoko didn't speak, but their eyes became more focused.

Uesugi took a step back, his footsteps so light they were almost silent. He planted his long sword on the ground, put his hands behind his back, and then said:

"Start with your right foot first, with the inside of your foot on the ground, then follow with your left foot, keeping your center of gravity stable."

Following his instructions, Nanon Ugetsu took the first step, followed closely by Toyokawa Shoko.

Snapped.

Snapped.

"Stop." Uesugi Kotsushi frowned. "Both of you, while your footwork is accurate, your waist strength isn't sinking down."

He walked to their side and gently touched their waists with his fingers.

"No matter how standard your footwork is, if your waist doesn't sink down, it's just for show. When you're really killing someone, you rely on your center of gravity and explosive power."

"Sink your waist, like a bowstring being taut for a moment, so that the force of the next burst will be fierce enough."

"Come again."

The two looked at each other and stood up straight again.

"Get started."

Step—step.

Uesugi Kotsushi nodded: "Okay."

"The second step is to move to the side. Lift your left foot and move it horizontally, then follow with your right foot, without crossing them."

The two followed the instructions. Nanon Ugetsu moved relatively smoothly, but Toyokawa Shoko's center of gravity shifted, and she stumbled.

“The movements were too hasty,” Uesugi said calmly. “When killing someone, if your footwork is too hurried, your mind will be in turmoil.”

"You should imagine your center of gravity as a well. No matter how fast you walk, the water in the well will never come out."

Toyokawa Shoko bowed her head: "Yes."

"Come again."

She gritted her teeth and went through it again.

This time was much better than before. After all, she was also a high-level hybrid. Although her control over her own strength was not as good as Nan Yun Yu Yue's, it was still far beyond that of ordinary people.

"good."

Uesugi Koshi didn't offer much praise, but simply continued:

"There are seven basic footwork techniques: forward step, backward step, side shift, position change, false step, diagonal sweep, and leap."

“You have to practice each movement until your muscles react automatically, without having to think about it. This requires hard work day after day. You are just getting started.”

He turned around and walked to an open space.

"Okay."

After saying that, he stepped off the ground.

Whoosh!

Uesugi Kotsuki's figure blurred, and in an instant, he stepped forward, shifted to the side, changed position, and performed a series of feints in one smooth motion without the slightest pause.

Nan Yun Yuyue gasped, "That was way too fast..."

Toyokawa Shoko stared intently at his movements, equally shocked.

“It’s not about speed, it’s about stability.” Uesugi stopped and stood still. “No matter how fast the movement is, without a stable footwork to support it, it’s just like a rootless duckweed.”

"Come on, practice each move one by one. I'll be watching, and I'll point out any mistakes you make."

……

"The key to changing positions is to be as fluid as water, and not to be too rigid in each step."

"When leaping, pay attention to quickly adjusting the distance from your opponent, and use your knees to cushion the landing to avoid shifting your center of gravity."

"Your movements were too stiff just now, let's try again!"

……

Time was slowly worn away in the basement.

Following Uesugi Kotsu's instructions, Nagumo Ugetsu and Toyokawa Shoko practiced the basic movements of kendo repeatedly, round after round, without ever stopping.

Uesugi Kotsushi stood calmly to the side throughout.

"The path of swordsmanship is about perseverance."

"Your physical abilities far surpass those of ordinary people, and you also have an advantage in controlling the power generation techniques in swordsmanship. However, to reach the level of a true master, you still need to practice day after day to improve."

"Continue, until it gets dark."

Tapping.

Footsteps echoed repeatedly in the basement.

Shoko Toyokawa gritted her teeth and persevered, a few drops of sweat dripping from her forehead, but she wiped them away gently and threw herself back into practice.

"I want to become stronger..."

"I want to be stronger!"

Now that she knows the true nature of this world, she has no choice but to try her best to adapt.

Moreover, after escaping from Odin's Neberogen, they would naturally be marked with the mark of 'He'.

No one knows when 'He' will descend again.

Moving closer to the present, a family crisis awaits her.

Amidst the undercurrents of change in Japan today, Toyokawa Shoko learned of her grandfather's ambitions from Nagumo Ugetsu.

She is now the only direct descendant of the Toyokawa family and also bears the responsibility of the family.

Although Shoko Toyokawa disagreed with many of her grandfather's decisions, only she was able to legitimately get the Toyokawa Group back on track.

For hybrids... physical strength is the most direct manifestation.

In the blink of an eye, night fell completely.