Chapter 10

Four years have passed, and it is now November 1863 (the third year of Bunkyu). Although it is not yet winter, it has been snowing continuously in the area around Kyoto, and the mountain where Hiko and Shinmei are located is already covered in snow. But none of this matters now, as Shinmei stands before Hiko and Shinmei, declaring his intention to leave and use his sword to save people.

"I will not allow you to leave the mountain," Hiko refused Shinmei's request.

"Master, while we have been training on the mountain, many people have been caught up in the turmoil and died. Now is the time to use this power and protect the people with the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu," Shinmei tried to persuade Hiko, unwilling to give up.

"You foolish disciple, what good will it do for you to walk into the chaos alone? If you want to change this world, you must join one of the factions, but in doing so, you will be used by power. I did not teach you the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu for such a reason. Ignore the outside world and focus on your training," Hiko remained unmoved, as the thirteenth-generation Hiko Seijuro, his insight and understanding far surpassed Shinmei's.

"The people of the land are living in dire straits, and countless people are suffering from the war. I cannot stand by and do nothing. I must help them," Shinmei persisted, hoping Hiko would agree.

Hiko turned around and looked at Shinmei. "The Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is the unparalleled strongest style. (Shinmei: Hey, Hiko, you forgot my Kekkiken-ryu.) For example, it's like the foreign warships..."

"That's why now is the time to use this power to protect the people from the suffering era. Isn't that what the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is for?" Shinmei declared, waving his right hand.

"A sword is a weapon of death, and swordsmanship is a killing technique. No matter how beautifully you justify it, that is the truth. To protect, you must kill; to save, you must kill. This is the truth of swordsmanship. For example, I have killed hundreds of people to save you, but they were also people trying to survive in this chaotic world. If you leave this mountain, you will only face incomprehensible mutual slaughter. And if you throw yourself into the chaos, the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu will make you kill countless people."

"Even so, I still want to... use this power to save the suffering people, even if it's just one person. I want to protect as many people as I can with my own hands. Therefore..." Shinmei held firm to his stance.

Hearing Shinmei's words, Hiko turned and walked towards his house. "Master." Shinmei called out to Hiko's retreating back. "I no longer care about you, you fool. Go wherever you want and disappear quickly." Hiko left without looking back.

"Shinmei, since you have chosen this path, do not regret whatever happens in the future. Hiko named you Shinmei, meaning 'sword heart.' Hold a sword in your hand, but do not forget the heart that wields it. Do not disgrace the name Shinmei." With that, Shinmei also left.

Watching the backs of his two masters, Shinmei bowed deeply. "Thank you for your teachings, both of you..."

In Hiko's house, watching Shinmei's figure, which was now almost out of sight, Hiko drank a mouthful of sake and sighed. "This foolish disciple has foolishly chosen his own way of life. What a simple-minded guy." Shinmei shook his sake cup, staring blankly at the clear liquid inside for a long time before saying, "This is an unavoidable path. Given Shinmei's character, even if he hadn't left this time, he would probably still throw himself into the chaos when he encounters such a situation again..."

That night, Shinmei did not return and drank with Hiko until dawn...

Not long after Shinmei joined the Choshu clan, in a small town not far from Kyoto, Shinmei heard many rumors, such as, "I heard a ruthless executioner has appeared recently, and at least a hundred people have died in the past few days." "The Shinsengumi has increased their patrols because of this. These are truly turbulent times." When he returned to the mountain and mentioned this to Hiko, Hiko could only sigh, helpless about his disciple being used as a killing machine. "Let the foolish disciple carve out his own path. Shinmei, let's drink."

Watching Hiko pour himself another drink, Shinmei helplessly took out some snacks to go with the sake and drank with Hiko...

About six months after Shinmei left Hiko and Shinmei, life on the mountain continued as usual. They practiced swordsmanship during the day and drank at night, living a carefree life. However, Hiko's face often showed a nostalgic expression, and Shinmei understood that Hiko missed his disciple. Despite Hiko's constant calls of "foolish disciple" and "stupid disciple," he actually cared deeply for Shinmei and liked him very much. Seeing Hiko's nostalgic expression again, Shinmei thought for a moment and said to Hiko:

"Hiko, I plan to go down the mountain to Kyoto in the next few days." Hearing this, Hiko's eyes widened, and he quickly asked, "What's going on, Shinmei? Are you..."

"Relax, Hiko."

Shinmei drained his cup and refilled it before continuing, "I plan to gather information in Kyoto. The news from the nearby towns is too slow. I also need to buy some supplies, as we can't get materials while staying on the mountain." Hiko knew Shinmei was learning blacksmithing, and there were no iron mines on the mountain.

Of course, the lack of materials was just an excuse to fool Hiko. The Infinite Heart indicated that iron ore and such were free.

"Don't worry, you know my strength. To be honest, how many people in all of Kyoto can withstand my five strikes without dying?"

"I'm not worried about your safety."

Hiko rarely acted tsundere, but his reaction almost made Shinmei spit out his drink. After barely suppressing the urge to spray Hiko, Shinmei continued:

"Actually... I also want to check on our disciple. When Shinmei left, he hadn't learned your secret techniques or the Kuzuryu Sen, and he hadn't mastered my Kekkiken to a sufficient degree. This makes me feel uneasy."

Hiko thought for a moment and replied, "Alright, Shinmei, please check on that foolish disciple. If he encounters trouble, help him. After all, he is our disciple."

"Of course."

Shinmei stood up, put on his cloak, and picked up his sword, Kikusen Sangetsu.

"I'm leaving. Don't go on a rampage because you run out of sake while I'm gone."

Hiko suddenly realized something. Since he and Shinmei met, he had always been drinking Shinmei's sake, and he had no sake stored at home. Shinmei leaving for over ten days = Hiko going without sake for over ten days = Hiko's alcohol cravings not being satisfied = Hiko going on a rampage.

"Wait, Shinmei, can you leave a few jars of sake before you go (⊙o⊙)?"

Shinmei turned around with a serious expression:

"Want sake? Don't even think about it."

Seeing Hiko's face turn into an o(╯□╰)o, Shinmei couldn't help but laugh:

"I'm not joking. When I came today, I brought you eighteen jars of sake, enough to last you these days."

Hiko came out and saw the mountain of sake jars at his doorstep, his face immediately turning into an O(∩_∩)O~~. Shinmei, who knew Hiko's love for sake, bowed to Hiko:

"Then, I'll take my leave, Hiko."

Hiko's face also turned serious, and he bowed to Shinmei: "Be careful, Shinmei."

In May 1864 (the fourth year of Bunkyu, the first year of Genji), Shinmei first arrived in Kyoto, the center of Japan at the time.

Physical condition:

Number of Heart Coins: 800

World: Rurouni Kenshin

Name: Shinmei (Liu Tianyin)

Gender: Male

Physical Attributes:

Physical strength is about seven times that of an average person.

Detailed Attributes:

Strength 75 (10) - Affects burst strength, pure strength, and strength beyond limits.

Agility 80 (10) - Affects speed, reaction time, and intuitive strength.

Stamina 76 (10) - Affects endurance, recovery speed, and the ability to withstand certain techniques.

Abilities: Kekkiken-ryu swordsmanship

Acquired Heart Powers:

Killing Heart LV1: Does not waver in most killing situations, has some resistance to certain illusions, and gains minor recovery from killing.

Compassion Heart LV1: A necessary heart for a strong person, has some resistance to certain illusions, and gains minor recovery from helping others.

Other powers not yet activated.

ps: The book review section is full of ads, making it very quiet. After reading the book, please leave your opinions in the book review section. Also, please consider favoriting and recommending the book.

ps2: The free exchanges of the Infinite Heart are determined by the current level of the contractor and the state of the world they are in. For example, if Shinmei were in the Gundam 00 world, exchanging parts for a Flag would be free, while in the Rurouni Kenshin world, exchanging ordinary firearms would cost money. Generally, exchanging items from the same world is much cheaper than exchanging items of the same level.

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