Ch.94The God-Sent Vessel (1)

“Mr. Tenjoin. I have something to say about this arranged marriage.”

Asuna went straight to the point.

“Ah!! Finally bringing that up!!”

Tenjoin Takezo, the head of the famous swordsmanship family, the Tenjoin house, shouted loudly.

“Our Nendo… has been singing about wanting to marry Umi every day!! At last you’re bringing it up!”

Tenjoin Takezo said with a hearty laugh.

“However… there’s a condition.”

Asuna said.

“How dare you… set conditions for our Tenjoin family?”

Tenjoin Takezo immediately began to lose his temper.

“Everyone in your family is weak, you know.”

Asuna said in a cold tone.

“W-weak…?”

Tenjoin Takezo was immediately at a loss for words.

“I don’t even need to leave this to my husband Gonzaemon. I can handle all the direct and collateral members of your family myself.”

Asuna spoke with confidence.

No. It wasn’t confidence. It was fact.

Gonzaemon’s wife was equal to or greater than Gonzaemon himself. All kendo practitioners knew this. If Asuna had seriously pursued kendo, the hypothesis that she would have become Japan’s strongest was convincing. However, Asuna simply wasn’t interested in kendo beyond Gonzaemon.

“Our family is the one who should be setting conditions for you. For swordsmen, strength is everything in the end.”

Asuna stated firmly.

“Damn it…!!! Fine. What’s your condition?”

Tenjoin Takezo immediately shrank back. However, his tone carried a hint of inferiority.

Takezo and Gonzaemon had been schoolmates. They once shared youthful ambitions to conquer the kendo world together with their swords.

But Takezo fell further behind day by day. His youthful ambitions also disappeared. After crossing swords with the legendary swordsman Saito Tetsu, his spirit immediately withered. He had come to realize that he could never defeat Saito Tetsu, no matter what.

He ended up just thinking: Let’s just maintain the Tenjoin family’s prestige.

But Gonzaemon was different. His goal remained to be the strongest swordsman even as he aged.

In the end, Gonzaemon achieved the feat of matching Saito Tetsu and cutting down his wooden sword. The gap between them became obvious.

The caliber of the men was different. Knowing this, Takezo conversely came to covet Gonzaemon’s genetic traits. It was natural that he was desperate for the marriage arrangement.

In the end, it was Takezo who had to take the humble position.

“Ah, fine!! What’s the condition?!!”

Takezo shouted loudly.

“Actually, our daughter has already promised her body and heart to another man.”

Asuna dropped a bombshell.

“You woman!!! Have you no shame?!! How dare you try to sell damaged goods to my son?!!”

Takezo immediately erupted in anger.

“However, I still doubt my son-in-law’s strength. I want my son-in-law to be strong, whoever he is. If… your son Nendo defeats Shota in the Toshinhai tournament… I’ll agree to the marriage with your family.”

Asuna said.

“Such an insane condition…”

While Takezo was muttering, someone snatched the phone.

“I accept that condition.”

Nendo said.

“Ufufu. Are you sure?”

Asuna was quite pleased that her prediction had come true.

“I… have no interest in Umi’s former man. I’m confident I can make her happier.”

Nendo said.

“Ufufu. Then our negotiation has been successfully concluded.”

Asuna wrapped up the conversation.

“Then… see you at the Toshinhai.”

Asuna said.

‘Now… I should gradually tell Gonzaemon the truth.’

Asuna said with a sigh.

———–

And the next day, back to Shota’s perspective.

“Strong and good morning!!”

I woke up right at 5 AM.

“Ugh… get up more quietly.”

Taiga, lying next to me, spat out a curse.

“Shota… your energy is too high from early morning…”

Eri said, snuggling up to me.

“……..”

Well, I shouted energetically, but honestly, I was fucking tired.

There was special training from 5 AM to 5 PM.

“But… where’s Umi?”

I looked around. Umi wasn’t in the bed.

“Ah. Shota.”

Umi approached me with a bright smile. She had gotten up earlier than me and had already prepared herself.

“Shota. You’re going to the tournament. I’ll support you properly.”

Umi came running to me and hugged me.

“Really… our Umi is so precious!!”

I hugged Umi and kissed her right away.

*Squeeze-!*

Fondling Umi’s super mammaries, which could be called her identity, was a bonus.

“Is your preciousness stored in these big breasts?”

I whispered while holding Umi.

“Ehehe. I’m… Shota’s future wife after all.”

Umi said with a smile.

Then, Umi looked at the two lying in bed and smiled brightly. Both Eri and Taiga were typical sleepy high schoolers in their prime. She was the only one who could monopolize me and support me now. Umi seemed to feel superior about that. Even this sense of superiority made Umi adorably cute.

Anyway, after washing up, Umi and I headed to the dojo.

——

The early morning dojo was empty. Well, no one would come this early.

The four regular members who were also participating in the Toshinhai said they would come in the afternoon. I was the only one assigned to early morning special training.

‘Well… because I’m the ace…’

I was recognized as Gonzaemon’s top disciple. Gonzaemon was trusting me. I need to work hard. That’s what I thought.

“Oh. Shota. You’re here.”

Gonzaemon spoke to me with a serious expression.

“Shota. You’re working hard from early morning.”

Asuna-san also spoke with a bright smile.

They seemed like their usual selves, but… the atmosphere was strange.

Normally, Gonzaemon would have been more energetic.

‘Our disciple is here!!! Yes!! Come into your father’s arms!!!! Uooooooh!!!’

It wouldn’t have been strange for him to say something like that.

“Umi?”

I glanced at Umi.

Could she have told them about the harem? Umi slightly nodded.

“I thought you were having a beautiful love with Umi… but I heard you have other lovers.”

Gonzaemon glared at me as he spoke.

“Ah… I didn’t have a chance to tell you…”

I tried to avoid his gaze.

“Uhahaha! What’s lacking in our Umi that… you need to take other concubines?”

Gonzaemon muttered with a deep sigh.

But… being a swordsman myself, I knew it wasn’t just a simple sigh.

Gonzaemon was performing the basic breathing technique for Isshin. He was about to use Isshin.

Gonzaemon seemed genuinely intent on slicing me in half.

Shit… this is dangerous?

*Stagger-!*

For a moment, my body swayed. If I had lost consciousness, I would have fainted briefly. Yes, it was due to the killing intent Gonzaemon was emitting. It felt like my breath was being choked off.

“Sh-Shota. Are you okay?”

Umi held me up.

“Ah… I’m fine.”

I barely regained my senses.

“Since Umi herself says she’s happy, I can’t say much… but as a father, I can’t marry my daughter to a philanderer.”

Gonzaemon gestured to Asuna.

“So… we’ve decided to arrange a marriage with another family?”

Asuna said with a smile.

“Mom!! What are you saying?!!”

Umi shouted loudly.

“Wh-what is that……”

I was flustered.

“It’s the heir of the powerful Tenjoin family. Moreover, he’s Umi’s childhood friend.”

Asuna-san said, as if testing my reaction.

“……….!”

Honestly, it felt like my blood was boiling in reverse. I had mindlessly created a harem, so I couldn’t say much… but I still had possessiveness. I didn’t want to give Umi to anyone else.

Her cute behavior that contrasted with her pretty face, her large and beautifully shaped breasts, her slightly soft but slender waist, her voluptuous canyon-like buttocks and thighs… they were mine alone.

I wanted to stay by Umi’s side.

“But since there’s old affection for Shota, I set a condition. If Shota wins in the Toshinhai, Umi remains yours. But if Shota loses… Umi will become a daughter-in-law of the Tenjoin family right after graduation.”

Asuna-san said.

“In other words… you want me to compete with Umi at stake?”

I said.

“Shota!!! Don’t listen to parents who decide such things without asking for my opinion!!!! Let’s just run away together!!!”

Umi shouted in an agitated tone and hugged me.

Umi seemed genuinely angry at her parents.

Eloping for love… it’s an attractive proposal. However, everything needed to be properly settled.

“No, Umi. This happened because of my mistake… and I need to take responsibility.”

I said that and kissed Umi.

*Smooch❤ Chu❤*

A passionate kiss followed, with our tongues intertwining. Through that kiss, our feelings were clearly conveyed to each other. We could never be separated. We both confirmed that again.

“Ahem!”

Only when Asuna-san cleared her throat did we end our kiss. Right. We were in the middle of an important conversation.

“Fine. So I just need to crush this Tenjoin or whatever guy in the Toshinhai? And then you’ll allow me to date Umi?”

I said.

Running away with Umi wouldn’t solve anything. In the end, getting approval from the in-laws and being blessed by everyone while cultivating our love would make everyone happy.

“A warrior doesn’t go back on his word. You’re a rotten philanderer… but if you keep your promise, I’ll give you my daughter. Relationships are for the individuals involved to decide.”

Gonzaemon said.

“Umi… I’ll definitely win at the Toshinhai… and take you properly.”

I said, holding Umi’s hand tightly.

“Mmm…..”

Umi looked at me with eyes full of passion.

“You won’t let me go to another man, right?”

Umi said, looking up at me cutely.

Unable to contain my overflowing feelings, I immediately kissed Umi.

I will never let go of this warmth in my hand. I made that resolution.

For now… let’s have a calm conversation with Umi before training. With that thought, I led Umi to the second floor. Gonzaemon and Asuna didn’t particularly stop us.

———

At that time, Gonzaemon and Asuna were watching as Umi and Shota reaffirmed their love. The sounds of lovemaking could be heard in stereo from the second floor.

“Really… I don’t like playing the villain.”

Gonzaemon clicked his tongue.

“Ufufu. But you acted well, dear.”

Asuna said with a smile.

“Why would we give her to such a philanderer…”

Gonzaemon immediately grumbled. Although Asuna had barely persuaded him, Gonzaemon was still suppressing his anger.

Yes. Asuna and Gonzaemon had agreed beforehand. They were acting as overbearing parents trying to marry off their daughter as they pleased. In other words, villains.

Umi, too, was acting outraged at such parents.

Creating a sense of crisis in their relationship and making each other appear even more special. That was Asuna’s aim.

In the end, they had to gain the upper hand in the competition through storytelling. That was Asuna’s strategy. Umi had to be the heroine in this Toshinhai. Once she became the heroine, they could increase Umi’s share from there.

Nendo, who was brought into this affair, was positioned as the Demon King who kidnapped the princess, while Shota was the hero who would save Princess Umi from the Demon King. The stage was all set.

“Still… isn’t our Shota better than that Tenjoin beanpole? In terms of potential as a man.”

Asuna immediately tried to soothe Gonzaemon.

“That’s… true.”

Gonzaemon said, nestling into Asuna’s embrace.

Soon, caught up in the mood, Gonzaemon and Asuna also leisurely made love.

The sounds of lovemaking could be heard from both the first and second floors of the dojo building.

In the end, the early morning training only began at 8 AM.