“Tsk, what a tough fight. Despite having speed and strength, I was still tangled up with him. After the initial suppression, I was on the defensive the entire time.”
Natsubi Raku looked at the scratch on his arm. It was a mistake in dodging, just a graze, but it left a significant wound. No wonder he admired this man.
If he could copy all of his combat skills, how strong would he become?
If Ito Shuichi were a jujutsu sorcerer, he would be the second Aoi Todo.
“I lost…”
Ito Shuichi stared at the blood on his fingers. He couldn’t believe he had fought a child to a draw. The kid had tremendous strength and lightning-fast reflexes.
But losing to a kid was a hard pill to swallow. How could an adult lose to a child? It was so humiliating!
“Teacher Ito, according to our agreement, if I last ten seconds, I win, and you’ll teach me all your skills. I know it might be hard for you, but a teacher for a day is like a father for life. Should I kneel and bow to you now?”
Natsubi Raku knew that convincing someone to teach their life’s skills was difficult. He could only use words to persuade. This burly man probably didn’t have a girlfriend, so appealing to his loneliness should work. If he refused, Natsubi would play the pity card.
With these combat skills and the Sharingan to assist, maybe he could even challenge Aoi Todo.
“That’s… that’s unnecessary.”
Ito Shuichi, seeing the playful Natsubi Raku, understood. A loss was a loss. He had to accept it! Besides, at over thirty years old, in another seven or eight years, he might not even be able to swing his fists anymore. Should he take these skills to the grave?
“No need for formalities. I’ll teach you. Come to my room tonight. I’m getting old, it’s time to pass on my skills to the young.”
“Thank you.”
Natsubi Raku was delighted. Despite his harsh fighting style, this old man was true to his word. As expected, with age comes the importance of honor.
Elderly family members often said that one should always strive to maintain their dignity. If you lose face, how can you live in the world?
That was spot on. Once he mastered these skills, he would definitely astonish everyone!
“Alright, everyone back to your posts! Anyone dawdling will be made to run twenty kilometers with weights!”
Ito Shuichi’s roar sent the onlookers scrambling away like they were fleeing a disaster. They all seemed to have painful memories of weighted runs and were terrified of repeating the experience.
“So strict…”
Natsubi Raku muttered just as he heard someone approaching from behind. He turned to see a woman in a black-and-white maid outfit walking towards him.
“Hello, Mr. Natsubi Raku. I am the housekeeper here. Miss Otsuchi Miku wants to see you.”
“Okay.”
Natsubi Raku picked up his backpack and waved to Ito Shuichi before following the housekeeper into the mansion. As soon as he stepped inside, he was astounded.
The floors were so clean they could serve as mirrors, and four pillars carved with flying dragons supported the grand hall. The dragons held golden orbs in their mouths, looking suspiciously like solid gold…
The word “wealthy” was deeply etched into his mind.
Following the housekeeper deeper into the mansion, Natsubi Raku’s expression grew grim. At the end of the corridor was a room emitting a strong cursed energy.
Although he had sensed it vaguely outside, he hadn’t expected it to be in the very room he was supposed to guard.
“Housekeeper, has there been anything strange happening in this house recently? Like objects flying around or people going missing?”
“No, why do you ask such scary things, Mr. Natsubi Raku?”
The housekeeper smiled warmly, looking kindly at Natsubi Raku.
“Just wondering. I heard that big mansions often have supernatural events. I’m a bit scared of ghosts, so I might need the housekeeper to keep me company at night.”
Natsubi Raku said playfully, “If you don’t mind, you can call me ‘Little Brother Natsu’ in the future. I’d be happy to serve you.”
“Hahaha.”
The housekeeper covered her mouth with her hand, laughing. “If you say so, then I will keep you company at night, Little Brother Natsu.”
“Thanks. By the way, have you felt anything heavy on your shoulders lately, even when you’re not moving them?”
“Indeed, my shoulders have felt heavy recently, but the doctors found nothing wrong. How did you know?”
The housekeeper squeezed her shoulders curiously.
Of course, he knew. After all, there was a black cat spirit on her shoulder. Such minor spirits were common in every household but were too weak to harm anyone, so jujutsu sorcerers usually didn’t bother with them.
Not that they wouldn’t, but because it was too trivial. These spirits might disappear on their own someday, and sorcerers were only human—they couldn’t exorcise curses constantly. That would be exhausting and potentially deadly.
“I could see it. I used to massage my mother’s shoulders often, so I can tell when someone’s shoulders are off. Want me to give you a massage? It might help.”
“Sure, that would be nice, Little Brother Natsu.”
As soon as the housekeeper squatted down, Natsubi Raku extended his hand, exorcising the cat spirit, and then massaged her shoulders briefly. “How does that feel?”
“Hmm, it’s strange, but it feels much lighter now. The weight on my shoulders seems to have disappeared.”
“That’s good. I’d be sad if you were overworked, especially since you’re so beautiful.”
“Flattery at such a young age! If you change your heart, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
The housekeeper pinched Natsubi Raku’s cheek. “My name is Kazeko Kaji, you can call me Sister Kaji.”
“Okay, Sister Kaji.”
Kazeko Kaji nodded in satisfaction, retracting her hand. “For the next half month, Little Brother Natsu, you are to protect Miss Otsuchi at all times. She must not leave your sight.”
“Even when bathing?”
Natsubi Raku asked quietly.
“Yes!”
“…”
“No!”
Kazeko Kaji realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself, grabbing Natsubi Raku’s face. “How could you have such thoughts?”
“I was just asking, no other intention. Does Miss get annoyed being watched? The bodyguards outside seem very strong.”
Natsubi Raku quickly changed the subject.
“That’s too conspicuous. Miss doesn’t like that. Although it’s a special period, Master and his brother… never mind, that’s not something I should talk about.”
Kazeko Kaji stopped herself, looking at the nearby door. Taking a deep breath, she returned to her gentle demeanor, “Well then, please enter, Mr. Natsubi Raku.”
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