Chapter 1: Ikkaku Sensei

Mizuho, I brought Ikkaku, just as you ordered.

Oh, darling! Thank you for coming!

Here's the thing. You see, our kendo team was ambushed by another school's team the other day.

Isn't it upsetting?! I had to come up with something!

So I asked them for a friendly match so that we can get revenge, but the unharmed freshmen aren't even close to being ready.

I was wondering if you could help prepare them for the event.

Mizuho, there's no way Ikkaku would do it.

Okay, count me in.

Huh?! You'll really do that?!

You're the sweetest man ever!

But why?

I'm in debt to her for giving me food and shelter.

Let's do this then! I'll make you into real men!

Come with me if you want to win!

Come on, wimps, come on! I better not see you slacking!

Pulling carts, hopping up stairs while squatting, swinging sticks while hanging upside down, and even stone-holding?

Why the medieval training methods. The last one's not even training. It's just a form of torture!

Hm?

Hey.

Y-Yes? Oh, I wasn't trying to say your training methods were bad or anything. I just...

I have some business to take care of. Watch these kids for me, will you?

Wait, what?

Hey, I'm back. How's everyone doing?

W-Well...

It looks like your harsh training beat 'em up good. No one's in any condition to do much else.

Thing is, they might be in worse shape than the upperclassmen who were ambushed.

Tch, I guess I overdid it.

At this rate, they're not even gonna be able to fight in the match. What are you going to do?

Don't worry. I'll take care of it.

Huh?

All that matters is winning, right? You can leave this to me.

I don't doubt that you could win. But if I may ask, why are you working so hard on this?

It's been a while since I've seen it, that look of desperation that comes from one's desire to get stronger.

He is majorly wrapped up in this kendo thing.