I'm Ornn, and I'm about to be beaten to my knees by the Man-eating Horse Girl!

Oguri Hat handed the phone to Kobayashi and carefully wrote his name on the girl's autograph board.

It's not just Kasamatsu; there are people all over Japan, and even all over the world, who support Dolan's team.

The trainer has secretly paved the way for her, so she should shine even brighter in the competition!

Chapter 67 Weakness

"Closing the dojo? What does that mean?"

Orn frowned, looking at the old man sitting opposite him, waiting for an explanation.

But Hidetoshi Miyazaki didn't continue the topic: "What do you think your sense of responsibility is most closely related to?"

Before Ornn could answer, he continued, "In my opinion, the role of the leader is more like the trainer's child."

"They are delicate, agile, and beautiful, radiating a youthful vitality unlike that of an old man, and possessing possibilities entirely different from humans. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the three goddesses created horse girls,"

At this point, he changed the subject.

"But precisely because of this, they are more sensitive to emotions, and they are also more impulsive,"

"Oun, you've already ignited their emotions. Do you really want those children to pay the price for your impulsiveness?!"

"The children are unaware of the dangers involved, but don't we, as their elders, know them too well?!"

As he spoke, the old man leaned forward slightly, his imposing aura even dispersing the white steam rising from the teacup in front of the other person.

But that imposing aura did not overwhelm the opponent; on the contrary, an even sharper and more powerful pressure emanated from the young man.

Undeterred, Orn demanded firmly, "Are you suggesting I keep backing down and avoid conflict?!"

"Just as you said, I ignited the flame of their yearning for victory, so naturally I need to provide that flame with enough oxygen to burn! Isn't that a matter of course!?"

"Besides, I haven't staked all my chances of victory on my position. Even if I fail, I have other options and I will never let them be affected!"

"As the most senior trainer in the Central Training Center, and the head of the Yae Dojo, how could you...?"

The old man sighed again the moment he heard the word "master".

"I... am no longer the head of the Yae Dojo."

He looked up at Orn, who had a puzzled expression, then glanced at the photograph in the display case behind him, gazing intently at the image of a girl with deer fur. He said softly, "The Yae Dojo will be taken over by the Japan Martial Arts Association. At the same time, I will relinquish my title as Honorary President of the Japan Martial Arts Association."

"The resources within the dojo will be managed by the association, and the [Kongo Hachigaki-ryu] style will be listed as a key lineage of the association."

"Most of the disciples in the academy are independent practitioners who have mastered various styles, so they are not recognized by the association as disciples of the Vajra Eightfold Stream."

"From now on, there will be no more [Nagoya Swordsman], only [Trainer Miyazaki]."

As if having finally revealed something buried deep in their heart, the old man's face softened with relief.

But his acceptance doesn't mean others can accept it.

The door to the room was flung open with a bang, and Asuka Izumi, who had just been excitedly discussing the video with Oguri Hat, rushed in.

He looked at his mentor, puzzled, and asked, "Master!? You... what you just said, is it all true?!"

"Are you really going to disband the Yae Dojo!?"

Asuka Izumi never imagined that simply taking her guests to practice bamboo swords for a while would lead to the disbandment of the Yae Dojo!

He and Oguri Hat had just returned from the training room when they heard such explosive news!

But... but why is that?!

Looking at his respected master, Asuka Izumi quickly asked, "Master, is it because the dojo is going out of business? But didn't we just receive donations from many disciples who came because of our reputation?"

"If you were worried about yakuza members causing trouble, those people haven't come to attack again after we taught them a lesson recently. Master, why did you...?"

"Izumi-suke, there are still guests here. You have already violated etiquette."

The old man lowered his eyes and said sternly, "Kneel down, and then be silent."

Asuka clenched his fist, and after a moment's hesitation, he respectfully knelt down to the side.

Little Chestnut Hat, standing outside the door, peeked at the oppressive atmosphere inside. She had originally intended to stay outside, partly out of Ma Niang's intuition and instinct, and partly because she was not good at dealing with this kind of situation.

But after seeing Orn's straight and aloof back, she changed her mind.

The girl with the gossamer feathers carefully approached the young man from behind and obediently knelt down.

Looking at the old man in front of him, recalling the rumors about the dojo along the way, Orn asked, "Did the martial arts association put pressure on you? Did they use some underhanded tactics?"

"Um,"

"It's not just the martial arts association; I'm afraid [him] is also exerting pressure behind the scenes,"

Miyazaki Hidetoshi nodded, then continued, "More importantly... I don't want the disciples in the dojo to be affected."

"The people they sent are not swordsmen who abide by the rules of martial ethics; they are more like desperados than swordsmen."

"I don't want to see them get hurt for no reason."

Asuka Izumi-suke started to get anxious. He was about to speak, but his master's stern gaze silenced him.

So he could only turn to Orn, hoping that this hero who had defeated him could persuade his master.

But Ornn didn't see the bird's plea for help; he just stared at the old man in front of him, his fingers rubbing together.

"Are you afraid?"

"Hehe... You're right, I am indeed afraid."

"Especially after taking down the Invincible One, the fear even wakes me up from my dreams from time to time."

"So you'd rather cut off your own arms than continue fighting?"

"Yes, just as you said, I... even if it means giving up my own dreams, I want to protect her."

"Don't you think this is selfish? To give up your own dreams, and even the dreams of the disciples who follow you, for the sake of your own dream of taking on a responsibility—can someone like you really be a teacher?"

"...Yes, you're right, so I gave up my identity as a [Swordsman] and chose to become a [Trainer]."

Since things have come to this point, there's nothing more to say.

Orn stood up; he was utterly disappointed in the old man before him.

He could understand the other person's hesitation and their situation, but he was still inevitably disappointed.

"Ornn...."

Little Chestnut Hat gently tugged at his sleeve, and Orn patted it to indicate that he was alright.

Before leaving, Orn looked down at Miyazaki Hidetoshi, the Nagoya swordsman, the strongest martial artist of his time, and the former honorary president of the Japan Martial Arts Association, who sat motionless like a statue, and asked him a question.

"Does your superior know that you are going to disband the Yae Dojo and resign from your title of swordsman?"

"......"

"No."

Upon hearing this expected answer, Orn didn't linger for a moment and walked straight out of the room.

Little Chestnut Hat also got up, her ears twitching slightly in a panic, and then they both ran outside.

The old man gently picked up the empty teacup in front of him and gestured, "Izumi-suke, go see the guest out."

Asuka Izumi quickly stood up and said, "Master, you..."

"No need for further explanation, Izumi-suke,"

Miyazaki Hidetoshi instructed in a gentle voice he had never heard since he joined the sect: "In another week, the people from the Central Martial Arts Association will come to reclaim the mansion. Izumi-suke, let the disciples go back."

"I will return to Central Tressen in a day; this trip has been long enough."

He looked at the bird with a complicated expression and said with a smile, "For the past ten years or so, you have worked hard to take care of the dojo while I was away. With your abilities, you can still shine even if you are not at the Yae Dojo."

"Although you are not yet of legal age, all other conditions have been met,"

"From today onwards, you are no longer a [priest], but a [paradigm] qualified to open a dojo."

Asuka Izumi choked up a little, bowed respectfully as required, and then turned to chase after the two people outside the room.

Miyazaki Hidetoshi lowered his gaze to the wooden table in front of him, where the glass of water in front of Orn was still emitting wisps of steam.

His cup was completely empty.

Chapter 68 The First Restaurant to Ban Reed Feathers

At the entrance of the Yae Dojo, a panting Asuka Izusuke caught up with Ornn and Oguri Hat, who had just arrived at the main gate.

He took a breath and said, "I'm sorry, young Orn. ​​I didn't expect so many things to happen this time. I hope I didn't interrupt your questioning of your master?"

"No, rather, he did give me some useful information,"

Orn shook his head, looking at the bird whose chest was heaving violently, and asked, "I guess they'll take back this gym soon, right? What are you going to do then?"

Asuka shook his head somewhat blankly. He looked up at the stone lion in front of the dojo and said, "I... actually, I don't know either. I haven't told my junior brothers and sisters or the people who support us about such a big thing yet, but... but I don't think I'll leave."

He paused, then said, "At least, I won't leave here until I see the final outcome."

Ornn stared intently at the other person, and after seeing the resolute look in Asuka Izumi's eyes, he sighed and then said a series of strange things.

“Brother Asuka, if you intend to stay here, you can’t do it alone,”

"Find more people to support you. I don't want to see you having fun with SpongeBob on the seabed while I'm fishing in Tokyo Bay."

Asuka scratched his head, nodding somewhat confused, and said, "Uh... okay, I'll go look for it."

"Okay, take it easy on yourself. We'll be going now, no need to send any more outside."

Orn patted Asuka on the shoulder one last time, then, with Oguri Hat in tow, hailed a taxi and headed towards the Shinkansen station.

In the car, Little Chestnut Hat looked at Orn with some concern and asked softly, "Torna, are you... are you alright?"

"Good, but also not good,"

Orn roughly ruffled the hair of the girl beside him, tousling her silvery-white strands.

"What are we going to eat later? It's almost seven o'clock now, and we probably won't get back to Kyoto until 8:30. I just hope the buffet restaurant hasn't closed yet."

"I want to eat all-you-can-eat barbecue!"

"Okay! Let's go eat all-you-can-eat barbecue!"

Oguri Hat could sense that after communicating with the old man who seemed capable of unleashing spatial slashes, something had changed about his Torena.

So what exactly is the change?

As she ate her grilled meat, she pondered the changes in Ornn.

Under the terrifying gaze of the lobby manager, who seemed to want to devour its flesh, drink its blood, tear out its tendons, and grind its bones to dust, and under the gloating eyes of the surrounding waiters, the meat that Little Chestnut Hat had placed on the grill sizzled.

"Ah...it's burnt."

She picked up the piece of black roast meat, swallowed it with a gulp, then her eyes lit up, and she said to Orn across the table, "Torena, you seem to have aged!"

"..."

Ornn looked up, somewhat bewildered. After pondering for a moment why the girl in front of him had said those words, he concluded, "Kuri, did Glorious teach you that too?"

"Hmph, hmph, no!"

Little Chestnut Hat raised his head proudly, with an expression that said, "I'm so awesome, come and praise me!" He said boastfully, "This is my own idea! Torena is like a piece of beef that's been charred over charcoal! He's aged a lot!"

Ugh.

Even though he should have been angry inside, looking at Oguri's innocent eyes and her longing for praise, Orn's anger transformed into a smile that made his cheek muscles twitch.

He covered his face with his hands and forcefully slapped downwards, using physical means to fight his biological instincts.

"Ahem, Koguri, it's best not to describe the other person like that in the future, but I'm very pleased that you've learned to use such sophisticated metaphors."

The white ears twitched rhythmically, and Little Chestnut Hat was delighted.

Her happiness turned into interest, and her interest turned into appetite, so she decided to have another round or two.

"You...you ten plates of beef!!"

The lobby manager practically gritted his teeth as he spoke these words; he had been all smiles when he first saw the two guests.

They're a young couple! They must have had so much fun that they missed dinner, so they came to his shop to get some food.

These are the kinds of people most welcomed by buffet restaurants, since generally speaking, couples don't want their partners to see them wolfing down their food in an unrefined way.

But this time it's different, very...different.

The girl with the gossamer feathers seemed to have transformed into an eternally hungry monster, devouring everything in the shop. The sounds of her eating never ceased from the moment she sat down on the golden lacquered wood.