"I'm in the Dragon Clan, what the heck is the Naruto Counterattack System?"

The term "children's palace" originated from the Russian word дοΜпиοнерοв, referring to an institution outside of school that conducts political education and group cultural activities for children.

Similar institutions include women and children's activity centers, science and technology museums for teenagers, children's parks, youth centers, etc., which, to some extent, can be considered a citizen welfare and livelihood project with national characteristics.

Under normal circumstances, the Children's Palace mainly has science and technology classes such as computer science, radio science, model airplanes, and astronomy, as well as arts classes such as vocal music, painting, and calligraphy, and sports classes such as gymnastics, martial arts, and chess.

Logically speaking, arts and culture classes such as vocal music, painting, and calligraphy are usually the most popular during the enrollment season, while science and technology classes and sports classes are less popular and sometimes cannot even fill a class.

But this children's palace is an exception.

The venue, marked with a "Kendo Class" sign, was bustling with activity. As far as the eye could see, there was a sea of ​​people, shoulder to shoulder. Many parents were even squeezed outside the door and had to carry their children on their shoulders. Most of them were men and boys.

Logically speaking, this situation should be bustling with noise, after all, men's penchant for putting on airs and talking big in front of children and enjoying admiring glances is something they can't shake.

But the reality is quite different.

There wasn't a single sound in the entire venue; even the breathing of the crowd was barely audible, making the air feel stuffy, hot, and oppressive. Adults and children alike were all focused on the center of the field.

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Two figures, one dressed in indigo and the other in black and purple cotton martial arts uniforms, charged toward each other, their bamboo swords clashing with a dull thud, and the taut muscles on their chests were clearly visible through their exposed clothing.

The overwhelming impact made everyone present feel as if they were about to cleave the other person and their sword in two, as if they were facing an irreconcilable enemy. Every strike was delivered with full force, extremely ruthless and merciless.

To outsiders, the figure in the indigo martial arts uniform appears to be on the offensive, while the figure in the black and purple martial arts uniform appears to be on the defensive, with the former seemingly close to victory.

But only the person in question knows what they are facing.

"You've gotten stronger, why?"

Wearing an indigo martial arts uniform, Chu Zihang was breathing heavily as he stared intently at Qi Xiuyuan, who was relentlessly attacking him.

But faced with his relentless, tidal wave of attacks, no matter how fast or sharp his bamboo sword was, Qi Xiuyuan could calmly and perfectly deflect it back, like a river flowing into the sea and disappearing without a trace.

However, Chu Zihang did not feel tired; in fact, he had a strange feeling.

Qi Xiuyuan was guiding him with his sword, seemingly trying to teach him something...

Chu Zihang suddenly remembered Qi Xiuyuan's sword, each strike carrying an invincible and sharp intent; the bamboo sword in his hands had become a bloodthirsty real sword.

No one wants to be struck head-on by such a sword, because no one wants to personally experience the pain of "dying once," and will feel fear the moment the sword is swung.

Qi Xiuyuan's meaning at this moment was also quite clear.

What are you babbling about?

"I can't hear you."

He said, "Let the sword speak for itself."

creak!

Chu Zihang gritted his teeth and gripped the sword tightly. Sweat soaked his clothes and clung to his skin, revealing muscles as hard as iron. All his strength was being squeezed out at this moment.

As the sweat dripped onto the swords, the sound of the wind whistling through them seemed like his low growl:

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Gradually, the sound and frequency of the bamboo sword strikes became clearer and faster, and the bamboo fibers bursting out of the bamboo joints could be seen, which showed how much force the two people wielding the bamboo swords were using.

The faces of the spectators tightened, and their hearts jumped into their throats.

Finally, upon seeing Chu Zihang like this, Qi Xiuyuan's face, which had been expressionless from beginning to end, broke into a smile, revealing a hint of elation at seeing a predator.

Bang! !

Chu Zihang felt as if his vision was jumping out of frame, and the bamboo sword raised in front of him swung down with great force, leaving only a black shadow.

A precise strike instantly knocked the knife from his wrist, and the terrifying pressure that had been weighing on his heart vanished in an instant.

Chu Zihang felt all his strength being drained away along with the knife. Suddenly, he felt dizzy and his legs gave way, causing him to stumble forward.

But just before the ground began to loom larger before his eyes, a strong, reliable hand touched his shoulder.

Hey.

Chu Zihang, drenched in sweat and trembling, suddenly heard the sound of the rising tide.

Those were applause erupting both inside and outside the venue, and the fervent gazes of adults and children.

"Are you alright?" Qi Xiuyuan asked knowingly, his tone tinged with amusement.

Even the aloof Chu Zihang couldn't help but glance at him; the "what do you think?" meaning in that look couldn't be clearer.

However, he still mustered a little strength to stand up straight and bow to Qi Xiuyuan, facing him.

The outcome is decided.

Instantly, the applause in the arena became even more enthusiastic, accompanied by chatter and whistles.

"Dad! That older brother is so handsome, I want to be like him."

Are you afraid of pain?

"Don't be afraid!"

"Then let's choose this one."

Putting aside the fact that Qi Xiuyuan and Chu Zihang's fight had a performative element, the sheer power and impact of their performance were enough to impress anyone.

Most importantly, although Chu Zihang uses a two-handed sword and leans more towards knife skills, Qi Xiuyuan uses a one-handed sword, and his moves are unrestrained and elegant.

Not to mention children, even adults are tempted. After all, who hasn't dreamed of being a chivalrous knight-errant when they were young, with the motto "A great man born in troubled times should carry a three-foot sword and achieve unparalleled feats"?

"Don't push, don't push! The tuition is 3600 yuan, and there are 36 class hours in total. Please line up and register one by one. Don't rush!"

The old man, who had been sitting in his chair with an expressionless face, looking as unfathomable as a wise and enlightened sage, couldn't help but smile broadly as he watched the parents and children scrambling to pay.

After shouting a powerful shout, the old man handed over the task of collecting and tallying the money to his other apprentices. With a broad smile, he walked towards Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Xiuyuan, rubbed his hands together, and exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, the effect is beyond my expectations!"

"Teacher Yuan."

Chu Zihang addressed him formally, while Qi Xiuyuan jokingly said, "Then how about giving us a little reward, teacher?"

"Haha, yes! Of course..."

Qi Xiuyuan suddenly interrupted, "I don't want the Jedi lightsaber from Star Wars."

"..." Old Man Yuan's smile vanished, and he said nonchalantly, "That's all."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiuyuan's eyes twitched involuntarily.

It's been so long since I've seen him, and this old man is still as stingy as ever...

Qi Xiuyuan shook his head helplessly and tried to help Chu Zihang to his room to rest.

But as he turned around, the old man's voice suddenly came from behind him, his tone devoid of laughter, only solemn.

"Mr. Qi Xiuyuan."

Suddenly being addressed by his name so formally, Qi Xiuyuan subconsciously turned to look behind him, only to find that Old Man Yuan's face was unusually serious and earnest, something he had never seen before.

"I know it's a bit rude to say this, but I can see that your sword has already drunk blood, which means you are now a true swordsman."

"And I've been waiting for this day for so long, I can't wait any longer..."

Despite a moment's hesitation, he straightened his slightly hunched back and stared into Qi Xiuyuan's eyes, saying, "Would you like to duel with me?"

"A completely equal contest, devoid of any mentor-student relationship, simply a battle between an ordinary person and a talented one."

Qi Xiuyuan was stunned, looking at the old man in front of him, and also at the light screen in front of him.

[During your training with Sasuke Uchiha, you encounter an unremarkable hunchbacked old man who calls himself Maruboshi Kosuke. He claims to be a genin from Konoha, but in reality, he is a man whose ninjutsu was recognized and taught by both the Second and Third Hokage. Even among jonin, he is an outstanding figure. Now, he challenges you to a sword duel. You choose...]