"You may call me Lan Chan," the young woman replied after a brief pause.
Her face was adorned with light makeup, her skin delicate and flawless, and her features perfectly balanced, exuding a fragrance as gentle and fresh as an orchid in a secluded valley.
"As for sensing your emotions, I'm not quite sure what happened. Just now, I vaguely felt as if I saw you standing by the sea, delivering a slash so powerful it carved a chasm into the waters," Little Lan said nervously.
Ren was slightly stunned. He carefully observed her again.
This woman's perceptiveness was extraordinary. The sword intent he had just integrated with, belonging to Ryuma , was an advanced concept. While its essence lingered in his mind, it was not something an ordinary person should be able to sense.
"Sir, you must be a renowned swordsman, right?" Lan chan asked cautiously as she poured him another cup of sake.
"Renowned? For now, I'm only mildly known," Ren replied nonchalantly. "But soon, the entire Wano Country Ren will know my name."
His words sounded arrogant, yet from his lips, they felt more like a matter of fact—a calm and confident declaration.
Lan Chan blinked in surprise and then said, "You're incredible, sir. I admire swordsmen like you the most."
Ren gave a faint smile but said no more.
To him, Little Lan seemed unique in certain ways, but nothing particularly extraordinary. As the noble son of the Shimotsuki family , he had encountered countless beautiful women. His privileged upbringing had given him a hint of untamed elegance, a natural byproduct of his status.
Standing up slowly, Ren picked up his black blade, Aki-Zero , which rested nearby. Lan chan quickly stepped forward to help him straighten his clothes.
"Will you visit again, sir?" she asked hopefully.
Ren glanced down at her and smiled faintly. "If I come back, I'll call for you."
A smile spread across Little Lan's face. This man, despite being much younger than her, exuded a distinctive aura of nobility and charisma. Forced by circumstances into working here, Lan chan considered herself fortunate to have served someone like him.
As the door opened, Ren strode out confidently.
Waiting outside was a hostess who immediately stepped forward.
"Are you leaving, sir?"
Ren nodded and reached into his robe for payment.
"No need, sir," the hostess said hurriedly. "It's an honor for someone as distinguished as you to visit us!" She beamed as she continued, "Would you like me to reserve Ren for you? I selected her specifically for your tastes."
Ren glanced at the woman and chuckled as he withdrew his hand.
"Keep her reserved. You're quite perceptive," he said.
The hostess's face lit up with joy as she bowed deeply. "Understood! Please take care, sir, and we look forward to your next visit."
Inside, Lan chan watched the exchange in astonishment. She had never seen anyone leave Kabukicho without paying.
"Is he…?" she murmured.
The hostess turned to her and smiled. "From now on, you don't need to serve anyone else. Just focus on this guest."
"But what about my earnings?" Lan chan asked anxiously.
"You'll be paid daily, don't worry. Serving this guest well is more important than anything else," the hostess replied with a knowing smile.
"Who is he?" Lan Chan asked, still puzzled.
The hostess's eyes sparkled as she answered, "He's a renowned noble swordsman from the Ringo region. Just recently, Lord Shimotsuki Yasuie personally declared him the most promising talent to become a swordmaster as great as Ryuma !"
As Ren left Kabukicho , his destination was clear—the famed arena in Hakumai .
In Wano Country , where the culture of samurai thrived and martial arts were highly revered, every region had arenas where warriors tested their mettle.
The arena was the quickest way to fame, but also the most perilous. Every battle was a life-and-death struggle, a contest of skill and will.
Having inherited Ryuma's swordsmanship, Jiangliu urgently needed combat experience to refine the techniques of the Legendary Swordsman . Defeating every swordsman in Hakumai was also part of his goal, to further elevate his swordsmanship.
The path of the sword was inherently selfish. Key insights and principles had to be personally understood and mastered. Even with Ryuma's legacy, Jiangliu was not complacent.
Instead, he focused on refining, fusing, and honing his skills, striving to cultivate a swordsmanship that was uniquely his own—a flower of unparalleled beauty.
Before long, he arrived at the arena's entrance.
The loud, chaotic noise of the crowd filled his ears.
"Yajuro!"
"Yajuro!!"
"Yajuro!!!"
"Victory!!!"
The name reverberated through the air, drawing Ren's attention to the arena below. His eyes narrowed as he observed the scene.