"Not a single one of them can fight."
Looking at the master lying on the ground, Ryuji couldn't help but complain.
Although this well-known master wasn't exactly weak, his reputation was clearly far greater than his actual strength.
A famous master known throughout the region, yet he didn't even possess the strength of a first-rate fighter. Mai would probably have a difficult time dealing with him, but in front of Ryuji, he was completely insignificant.
Originally, Ryuji hadn't even intended to fight this master. Defeating the man's chief disciple would have been enough. After all, he had come to issue a challenge, not to smash up a dojo. Promoting Shiranui-ryu didn't mean making enemies of every martial arts school in the world.
But the problem was always the same.
Some people simply couldn't accept defeat and insisted on believing they could do better themselves.
And so Ryuji had no choice but to beat up the old man as well.
Moreover, when fighting the disciple, Ryuji had at least allowed him to display everything he had learned. But for this rude old fossil, Ryuji had only thrown a casual punch.
"Anyway, even though you said we'd settle this with the dojo signboard on the line, I have no interest in your signboard. Shiranui-ryu wants to revitalize itself, but that doesn't mean treating every martial arts school in the world as an enemy."
Ryuji casually brushed the dust from his clothes and looked at the disciples lying on the ground, all staring at him with complicated expressions.
At that moment, Mai, who had been excitedly watching from the side, quickly came over and handed him water and a change of clothes.
"Anyway, if you want another match with me, then sign up for the World Martial Arts Tournament when the time comes. I'll be waiting for you there."
Taking the water and clothes, Ryuji headed toward the exit, while Mai happily wrapped herself around his arm and walked out alongside him from the Tenshin-ryu Karate dojo.
After leaving the dojo, Ryuji looked at the cheerful Mai and asked:
"So which karate school are we visiting this afternoon?"
That's right, Ryuji had already begun challenging dojo after dojo. The problem was that they were all too weak, making him feel as though he was bullying children, which had ironically caused him to become extremely polite throughout the process.
Mai leaned most of her body against him while flipping through the list of arranged challenges she had prepared.
"Next is Genkai Meishin-ryu. It's also an old martial art and fairly famous throughout the Tokyo area. Once we're done there, we can finally head home."
As she spoke, Mai crossed the name 'Tenshin-ryu Karate' off her list.
The reason for all this trouble was actually very simple.
If Ryuji's only goal had been fame, he could have simply gone from dojo to dojo kicking down doors. With his abilities, taking their signboards would have been effortless, and he'd become famous incredibly quickly.
But the result would have been equally obvious.
He would instantly become the public enemy of Japan's martial arts community. Everyone who mentioned him would call him shameless, arrogant, and lacking martial virtue.
Even if he gained fame, it would only be infamy.
Ryuji didn't particularly care, but since he had promised Mai that he would help revive Shiranui-ryu, it was naturally best not to bring a bad reputation upon the school.
Besides, there was still a long time before the World Martial Arts Tournament would begin, so he wasn't in any hurry. He simply treated this as an opportunity to see the martial arts of this world for himself.
Unfortunately, it was somewhat disappointing.
Most of the famous schools weren't particularly strong. They had merely become popular because their training methods weren't difficult and their marketing was excellent. Some of them couldn't even be considered third-rate martial artists, yet they still had thousands of disciples.
On the other hand, some truly powerful martial artists couldn't even make a living through martial arts. One dojo Ryuji visited was practically on the verge of bankruptcy, yet its owner was the strongest fighter he had encountered in the past two days.
If the man hadn't already had a family and preferred spending time with his children rather than getting involved with the martial arts world again, Ryuji would have recruited him as an instructor for Shiranui-ryu.
After all, if they eventually accepted male students, he couldn't exactly have Mai training them, could he?
Wouldn't that just be letting other people take advantage of his wife?
As for eye-opening techniques or revolutionary ideas, Ryuji hadn't seen many of those either. Every opponent's style felt ordinary. After watching them for a moment, he could already tell how they would follow up, how they would move, and what techniques they would use next.
There wasn't even the slightest sense of challenge.
It was simply boring.
However...
Looking at the happiness that Mai clearly couldn't hide on her face, Ryuji chuckled softly.
"So, which restaurant should we go to for lunch?"
Mai blinked, then lightly tapped her lips with her pen before answering.
"Let's try a famous kaiseki restaurant! I've always wondered how good it tastes ever since I was little!"
Her face was full of anticipation.
It wasn't that she couldn't afford such food in the past, but because Andy and the others had always needed to focus on training, she had felt embarrassed suggesting such expensive meals.
Now that money was no longer a concern, she couldn't help wanting to try it.
"Kaiseki cuisine, huh..."
Ryuji wasn't convinced it would be anything particularly special, but he had heard stories about it before. Supposedly it originated from monks who pressed warm stones against their stomachs to suppress hunger.
But if people couldn't even afford enough food to eat, could they really make something delicious?
The question crossed his mind, but he put it aside and decided to give it a try.
After all, seeing was believing.
"Alright. It sounds a little strange, but let's give it a try."
Ryuji nodded and allowed Mai to pull him toward a famous kaiseki restaurant.
As they walked, Mai's soft, large breasts constantly brushed against his arm. The simple happiness she felt just from being beside him transmitted itself to him as well, filling both his mind and body with a sense of comfort.
He had to admit that Mai really was an excellent girlfriend.
Whether it was her thoughtfulness, her consideration for others, or the way she naturally took care of the little details in daily life, she made being around her feel comfortable.
But thinking about good food inevitably made Ryuji think of Erina. Ever since they had reunited, he realized he had never really gone out and spent time with her like this.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever done something like this with Erina.
Looking at Mai, who was happily enjoying herself like a child, Ryuji made a decision.
The next time he returned to the Food Wars! world, he would spend some proper time with Erina.
~~~~~~~~~~
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