6 Tetta Kisaki’s Path to Becoming a Protégé

What on earth? What are these kids thinking these days? Why are they so obsessed with becoming delinquents when their grades are already so good?

Kyosuke Hojo had never been involved in school club culture, so he truly couldn't fathom the thought process of these people.

"Even a loser like Takemichi Hanagaki dreams of ruling Tojo. Doesn't that stir anything in you, Hojo? With your martial prowess and my intellect, we could easily dominate Tojo. Once we defeat the two kendo clubs in Shinjuku and the judo club in Shibuya, the Kanto Manji Gang could control the very heart of Tokyo. From there, we could march into Setagaya and Meguro wards, and soon we'd seize all of Tokyo, becoming the strongest martial arts organization. How about it? Doesn't that sound amazing?" Tetta Kisaki spoke with feverish passion.

"Yawn." Kyosuke let out a yawn. "Zero interest. I'm a bit sleepy, let's talk another time."

With that, he rested his head on the desk and drifted off to sleep. He had stayed up late last night to make up for missed practice time, and he intended to use the next period for sleeping as well.

...

Tetta Kisaki was dumbfounded. He never imagined that the words he considered so seductive would turn out to be a lullaby. Is it me? No, how could any middle schooler resist the temptation of ruling Tokyo? It must be this guy who has a problem. Looks like I need to adjust my strategy.

Watching Kyosuke fall into a deep sleep, Tetta began to calculate his next move.

The afternoon passed quickly. Kyosuke spent every science-related class either sleeping or studying liberal arts subjects.

School was out, and the club recruitment drive had begun, filling the campus with excitement. Kyosuke walked with his hands in his pockets, glancing around, trying to find the Kendo Club’s recruitment booth. Tetta followed close behind, insisting that no matter what club Kyosuke joined, he would join it too.

"Kisaki, do you know where the Kendo Club’s booth is?" Kyosuke asked after searching for a while.

"Tojo’s Kendo Club doesn't set up recruitment booths. As the school’s ace club, they never lack members, and the school doesn't force them to set one up. Anyone who wants to join must go directly to their clubhouse."

"If you knew that, why didn't you say so sooner?"

"I thought you might want to join some other interesting clubs."

In truth, Tetta did it on purpose. He wanted to establish a reliable image in Kyosuke’s mind, making him trust him, until eventually, he could make all the decisions for him.

"I don't have time for that many clubs. The Kendo Club is enough. Also, are you sure you want to join? It’s very tiring, you know." Kyosuke glanced at Tetta’s somewhat frail frame.

"I will see it through to the end." Tetta replied with a gentle smile. He had reflected earlier and felt that Kyosuke might have disliked his previous expression, so he had urgently improved it.

"Then do you know the way to the clubhouse?"

"Of course, please follow me."

"You really are something, Kisaki. Very reliable." Having such a know-it-all around was quite convenient, Kyosuke mused. He didn't care what Kisaki’s motives were; as long as he had a blade in his hand, he was confident in handling any trouble.

The Kendo Club’s activity room was massive, almost rivaling the gymnasium at Mizumon Elementary.

"As expected of Tojo, they have such a huge space for a single club," Kyosuke praised. Here, he could practice kendo to his heart's content without worrying about causing trouble downstairs.

"This facility is shared by the high school and middle school divisions, which is why it's so large," Tetta explained.

"I see."

"Hey, kid, you're here!" A loud voice boomed from nearby.

Kyosuke turned to see Takehiro Akashi, the senior he had met at the school gate that morning.

"Hello, senior."

"Make sure you perform well during the assessment. I already told the club president that a freshman who loves kendo joined our school—don't make me look bad. By the way, I still don't know your name."

"Kyosuke Hojo."

Why is this senior so enthusiastic? Kyosuke thought with a wry smile.

"Let's go. The assessment is over there. After I praised you, the president decided to test you personally."

Takehiro grabbed Kyosuke’s arm and pulled him toward a crowd gathered on the right side of the room, where two people in kendo gear were sparring.

"That’s our president, Kyosuke Masaki." Takehiro gestured toward the tallest person in the sparring circle.

Kyosuke looked in the direction he pointed. It was a man sporting a pompadour hairstyle just like Elvis Presley’s.

Good grief, he had to be at least 1.9 meters tall. The senior he was sparring with was already quite burly, but next to him, he looked like a child. Is this really a physique a middle schooler can possess?

As he thought this, he asked it out loud. This time, it wasn't Takehiro who answered, but Tetta.

"Kyosuke Masaki, a second-year at Tojo High. 'Masaki of the Crimson ZII.' No one in Tokyo doesn't know him. Unlike other clubs that manage middle and high school divisions separately, Tojo’s Kendo Club exists as a single unit, so Masaki serves as the president for the entire club. He is also the leader of the 'Raging Angels,' the Kendo Club’s delinquent faction, dominating the entire Bunkyo Ward. Because of his existence, no delinquent groups from neighboring wards dare to step foot into Bunkyo. He is known in the delinquent world as the 'Hero of Tojo.' Come to think of it, he shares your name. What a coincidence—maybe you could become the leader of Tojo, too."

Tetta recited the information as if reading from a textbook.

"You know quite a lot. Are you a delinquent too? Though, you can't just decide to become the leader of Tojo." Takehiro glanced at Tetta, asking with surprise.

"Not yet, but I will be soon." Tetta pushed up his glasses, his eyes darting as he devised a way to push Kyosuke into the spotlight.

At that moment, the person sparring with Masaki had been struck and scored upon.

"Let's go, the president is calling us." Seeing Masaki beckoning, Takehiro hurried Kyosuke over.

"So you’re the freshman Akashi wouldn't stop bragging about? What’s your name?"

"I’m Kyosuke Hojo. Senior Akashi is being too generous; I’m just an ordinary kendo enthusiast."

"Same name as me, huh? Regardless, let’s spar and find out." Masaki clapped a large hand onto Kyosuke’s shoulder. "Take him to put on his gear."

Seeing Kyosuke remain completely steady under the weight of his hand, Masaki grew interested and instructed Takehiro.

"Understood, President. Let’s go, Hojo."

Soon, Kyosuke, fully armored, stood in the center of the circle. At 13, even with long-term training and his recent improvements, he was only a bit over 1.7 meters tall. Standing before Masaki, he felt a surge of pressure.

He wondered who was stronger, Masaki or his master, Ono Yamamura. Although he had studied kendo for over a month and earned his license, he had never sparred with anyone outside his dojo. Hearing Tetta describe Masaki as so formidable, he felt quite uncertain.

"Kid! Focus! Give me your full spirit!" Masaki shouted.

"Understood!"

Though he answered, Kyosuke remained motionless. At his dojo, he was accustomed to counterattacking; if he attacked first, his fellow disciples rarely had a chance to retaliate. So, he habitually stood his ground, waiting for Masaki to strike first.

Takehiro was internally wailing. Is this kid looking down on the president? He’s actually letting the president strike first! If not for the strict decorum, many around them would have likely started cursing him out already.

Tetta, however, felt a surge of excitement. *Excellent. As expected of the boss I’ve chosen—he doesn't even hold the 'Hero of Tojo,' Masaki, in his eyes.*