"Your sword skills are really sharp!"
Kaizen drank the last of the sake in one gulp, his cheeks puffed out.
"It's a pity I can't match your Armament Haki," Fujitora replied with a smile, continuing to drink.
"I didn't need your praise," Kaizen said playfully.
"You praised me first, I was just returning the favor," Fujitora responded politely.
"Hahahaha! By the way, who taught you those impressive sword skills?" Kaizen asked curiously.
"There are two types of swordsmen in this world: those who study hard and those with innate talent," Fujitora explained confidently.
"Oh? Which are you?" Kaizen asked eagerly before he could swallow his sip of sake.
"I'm a bit of both, unfortunately," Fujitora said cryptically.
"Why do you say 'unfortunately'? Isn't that a blessing? You're being pretentious," Kaizen laughed, pointing at him drunkenly.
"Having both talent and hard work is indeed gratifying, but if you look closely, no matter how strong you are, you can't fight against the world's laws. You're still nothing compared to the rules of this era. It's especially ironic for the strong."
Fujitora used the sake to express his dissatisfaction with the world's ethics.
"Ouch! You still want to fight the world's laws? You're ambitious," Kaizen teased drunkenly.
"Why not? The Celestial Dragons are called god-like beings, but they feared Rocks, didn't they?" Fujitora asked, sounding both drunk and honest.
"But do you know the final outcome of Rocks?" Kaizen countered.
"Yes, after the God Valley Incident, all legends were erased, as if he never existed," Fujitora admitted softly.
"Exactly," Kaizen said matter-of-factly.
"Should we just surrender to the world's laws?" Fujitora clenched his fists, shattering the bottle in his hand.
"Of course not. We wait for the turn of fate. The bell of change doesn't ring casually. It's a cause accomplished by the voices of many. If the world can't wait for that, then it shouldn't be called strong, just a passerby, making life dull."
Kaizen raised his sake bottle to the sky, as if toasting the bright moon.
"Waiting? It's a delicate word, both mysterious and mundane, seemingly profound yet meaningless," Fujitora mused, picking up another bottle.
"I'll tell you this: you may not believe in this era, but you must believe in me," Kaizen said, giving a warm thumbs-up.
"Hahahaha!" Fujitora laughed heartily, then turned serious. "From your tone, you seem to hold the secrets of this era. So, who are you?"
Fujitora was curious about Kaizen. Though blind, he felt the light radiating from Kaizen, so intense.
"I said, I'm just an ordinary person, a passerby, really not worth mentioning," Kaizen leaned against the wall, noticing the sky was getting dark.
"But your skills and conversation suggest otherwise!" Fujitora smirked, implying he wasn't easily fooled.
"Hahahaha!" Kaizen laughed it off but then said, "I just know a bit about fate and have a few tricks. Do you think I'm extraordinary? That would be superficial."
This answer was more refined than a simple laugh, giving a high-end impression.
"Since you don't want to say, I won't press," Fujitora said mildly, taking a sip of strong sake.
Seeing Fujitora stop asking, Kaizen felt a bit guilty and changed the subject.
"I really admire your swordsmanship. There's a beast-like strength in your Haki, and your movements are crisp and neat. You're so cool!"
Kaizen spoke freely, praising Fujitora without hesitation.
"When I hold the sword, it feels like it's part of me. Every swing unites my mind and heart. With the sword, I'm confident and feel endless power."
Fujitora said, stroking his sword gently.
Is this the aura of a powerful swordsman? So gentle yet powerful.
"Hey! How about teaching me a couple of moves? I've always dreamed of being a swordsman."
Kaizen, recalling Fujitora's skill, couldn't help but feel envious.
"Hahahaha, if you want to learn, I'll take you as my disciple," Fujitora said without hesitation, pleased with the idea.
Fujitora stood up with his sword, releasing an oppressive aura.
Feeling this, Kaizen stepped back to give space.
"I'll teach you a beginner's sword technique first! How about it?" Fujitora's voice turned serious.
"Is it cool? If not, I won't learn," Kaizen said arrogantly.
"Quite picky, aren't you?"
Fujitora said, then swiftly slashed, splitting the wall beside them. The other half collapsed shortly after.
It was a beautiful strike, executed with such precision that it demanded admiration.