https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-16-This-Weapon-and-I-Are-Destined/12808819/
Chapter 17: But I Refuse!
Chapter 17: But I Refuse!
"Master, how could you think this way of me?"
This time, Luk truly shed tears. He had always seen Koshiro as a brother and a father figure, and everyone at the dojo was like family and close friends. He never expected his sincerity to be dismissed so casually.
It hurt, deeply.
"How could you think of me like this? How else could I be? What else could you think of me?"
Koshiro felt his already frail body weakening further from the anger. His emotions overwhelmed him, and he couldn't control the outburst.
"You paid the dojo once, 500,000 berries. Do you know how much you've eaten? Other disciples use bowls, but you use buckets! One of your meals is enough to feed thirty disciples!"
Since Luk arrived, the dojo's food expenses had doubled. Every time he sparred, he didn't hold back, leaving his fellow disciples lying half-dead, unable to get out of bed for three days.
Bottles of medicinal oil, used to treat bruises and injuries, were constantly being depleted by his fellow disciples... This was the expensive oil used to heal and reduce swelling.
Money! 500,000 berries in tuition had turned into a 20 million berry expense.
If he didn't get rid of this money-guzzling beast, the dojo would have to start selling swords to stay afloat—first the Rokumaru, then the Kitetsu, and eventually, there would be nothing left to sell.
This ruffian even had the audacity to ask for a good sword and scabbard, completely shameless.
The senior disciples had a lot to say, too. When Luk first arrived, he couldn't even hold a sword properly, but within a few months, he surpassed them all. His strength increased exponentially, and he talked about how exhilarating fighting was, always eager to beat someone up.
In less than half a year, he could take on the entire dojo single-handedly. The senior disciples had spent ten years in rigorous training, and they still couldn't match his progress in a few months. How could they not feel demoralized?
Worst of all, he went to the bathhouse and bathed in front of everyone, not even bothering to wrap a towel around himself.
How rude! He clearly had no sense of propriety.
The adult disciples' resolve had been shattered by his presence, while the younger ones, though they thought they still had a chance to surpass him, were secretly looking for shortcuts, hoping to find ways to accelerate their growth. They even wished they could fertilize themselves when they went to the bathroom.
In short, this boy could not be allowed to stay.
Koshiro took a deep breath, calmed himself, and resumed his role as a wise master. He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Luk.
"This is a ticket to a ship, bought by your senior disciples. You'll be leaving tomorrow morning. It's their way of showing you some kindness, so don't refuse it."
Luk hadn't expected his fellow disciples to be so heartless, ready to kick him out at a moment's notice. He was genuinely hurt. Over the past half year, he had grown to like these brothers who ate and lived with him.
"I understand, Master. I'll pack my things tonight."
Luk took the envelope and sighed, a bit melancholic. "I don't know when I'll be back. Please take care of yourselves."
They would definitely take care of themselves without you around.
Koshiro's face broke into a relieved smile. "It's good to hear that. If you have the chance, send a message to the dojo to let us know you're safe. If you can't stay out there, you can always come back."
"Really?" Luk's eyes lit up immediately.
Caught off guard by his own casual words, Koshiro's eyelids twitched, and he quickly changed the subject.
"Falcon is a good sword. Don't let it down. A person chooses a sword, and a sword chooses a person. You and Falcon have a special bond. Don't give it up easily."
"Don't worry, Master. I'll take good care of it." Luk nodded seriously, then continued, "You mentioned earlier that if I can't stay out there..."
"If you can, find one of your senior disciples. His name is Roronoa Zoro. He went out on a trip and hasn't returned. Everyone at the dojo is a bit worried."
"Sure, I'll find him and have him report back to you. You mentioned earlier..."
Koshiro coughed twice. "Let me describe him. He has sharp features, green hair, and three swords at his waist, one of which is the Kitetsu, the same sword you mentioned before."
"Got it, I'll remember that. You mentioned earlier..."
"Good, that's all you need to remember. It's getting late, so I won't keep you. Go do what you need to do. Say your goodbyes to your fellow disciples properly."
Koushiro interrupted the conversation abruptly.
Luke remained silent for a moment, his aggrieved gaze making Koushiro feel uneasy. Then he sighed deeply, "Could you tell me which kind-hearted seniors bought the tickets for me?"
"What do you want to do?" Koushiro's face darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. They were kind enough to buy you a boat ticket, and you're not even grateful."
"That's a bit presumptuous, isn't it? I just want to thank those seniors."
Koushiro chuckled inwardly. If he believed Luke's lies, he might as well close the dojo.
"You can go. I'm tired and need to rest."
Seeing that his act of being cute wasn't working, Luke got up from the cushion without pressing further. "If you don't tell me, I'll find out another way."
Koushiro remained silent, feigning ignorance.
He thought Luke was still too young. The people in the dojo were very united, and even if they weren't, they were all in agreement about getting rid of him.
...
Half an hour later.
Luke held the dojo's group photo and caught the senior who had summoned him to see his master. He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the other.
"Senior, you must know something, right?"
The senior who had been sent by Koushiro couldn't possibly be uninvolved.
"I... I don't know anything, junior. I haven't finished my training today, so I want to go back."
The senior's eyes darted around, clearly a straightforward boy who wasn't good at lying and was now visibly nervous.
Luke let out a sinister chuckle, "If you tell me, I'll only beat them up. If you don't, I'll have to hang everyone in the dojo and beat them all."
He stepped closer to the 1.6-meter-tall senior, his towering figure casting a shadow over the entire person.
"Come on, just point them out. No one will know."
The senior's teeth chattered in fear, recalling past sparring sessions, and he began to tremble.
"Really? If I point them out, you'll leave me alone?"
"Of course, yes. If you point them out, I'll leave you alone. You're not that close to them, so there's no need to protect them. Come on, just name the people."
Luke's smile widened as he guided the senior's thoughts.
The senior's trembling stopped, and he suddenly tilted his head with a serious expression. "But I refuse."
"Huh?"
"My favorite thing to do is to say no to monsters like you, Luke."
Luke: "..."
What a ridiculous insult.
Sometimes emphasizing a feature means you're concerned about it, which can expose a weakness. Luke chuckled and shook his head.
Teenagers are still too naive, not knowing how to hide their thoughts. You'll get hurt in relationships if you don't learn to be more discreet. You'll definitely be toyed with by bad women.
Let me, your senior, give you a lesson!
"Last chance, do you know who bought the ticket for me?"
"Give up. I won't betray everyone!"
Luke raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly, "There's actually a secret."
"What secret?"
The senior, now formally named Zessan Watanabe, was momentarily confused but quickly caught on, stammering, "You mean..."
"Exactly. If you point them out, I'll tell you how to grow into a cucumber monster."
Zessan Watanabe opened his mouth, his eyes showing hesitation, "You devil, I won't betray everyone."
"I'll give you three seconds to think about it." Luke held up three fingers.
"Give up. I won't say anything!"
"S..."
"It was Senpai Tetsu, Senpai Jun, and Junior Karyu."
Zessan Watanabe quickly pointed out the three people in the photo, helpfully providing their names for Luke to remember.
The room fell silent.
Luke: (ー`ー)
Zessan Watanabe: (●′ω`●)
You little traitor, you betrayed them so quickly.
I didn't even finish counting to three!
(End of Chapter)
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