Dad, Please Try a Little Harder - Chapter 98: Beat the Opponent with Skills_i

“I will defeat Qian Quan!”

“I will defeat Qian Quan!”

“I will defeat Qian Quan!”

“It’s not about wanting to win, but being able to win!”

“Only I can defeat Qian Quan!”

“I must win!”

After Shimizu Ichiro whispered these words like a spell, he finally drifted off to sleep peacefully.

This mental suggestion technique had been taught to him by his father.

By constantly brainwashing himself with these words, honing his belief in victory, coupled with relentless daily training and heeding the teachings of his Master, he was determined to achieve his desire to defeat Qian Quan.

During his recent trip to China with his uncle, he met many legendary figures and witnessed silent duels between them and his uncle.

It was then he realized just how formidable his uncle was – his strength lay not just in his physical prowess but also in his mental fortitude. He seemed invincible with no vulnerabilities.

Thus, when Shimizu saw Qian Quan effortlessly catch a maple leaf thrown by his uncle, he was deeply shaken.

The sight of Qian Quan confronting his uncle with an unyielding aura left a profound impression on him.

He remembered the first time he met his uncle; he had thrown a leaf at Shimizu, which Shimizu failed to catch. He stood there, head bowed, feeling like a child who had done something wrong.

Qian Quan, on the other hand, treated the uncle as a worthy adversary.

To defeat him, Shimizu realized he had a long way to go.

The next day, Shimizu Ichiro returned to Japan with his uncle.

Though neither his uncle nor his Master had explicitly told him, he knew that after their inspection trip, they were planning to organize a grand martial arts competition between China and Japan.

Their aim was to revitalize the glory of Japanese bushido and boost the national spirit.

Historical grievances between Japan and China were deep-rooted, and their martial arts disputes spanned centuries. For instance, in modern China, there was a famous martial artist named Huo Yuanjia, widely believed by the Chinese to have been poisoned by the Japanese.

Every martial arts exchange between the two countries, even grassroots exchanges that might not garner widespread attention, was always charged with tension.

If these exchanges were uploaded online, the ensuing debates would surely be as fierce as the combats themselves.

The upcoming martial arts competition that his uncle and the Master were publicly organizing would undoubtedly generate much interest.

Regardless, it would be a golden opportunity for Shimizu to make his mark. However, the premise was that by then, he would be able to defeat Qian Quan. Upon returning to Nara, as expected, his uncle began discussing the martial arts competition with the Master. Their conversation revealed shocking news: Before the competition, his uncle planned to challenge Qian Quan to a private duel, even if it meant both fighters would be severely injured, just to prevent Qian Quan from competing.

“I’m essentially a nobody. Facing him offstage is the best choice.”

“I cannot tolerate a young Chinese fighter outshining our youth in such a high-profile event.”

His uncle, Igarashi Yuugiri, confided in his own uncle, Kunio Okawachi.

After pondering for a while, Okawachi nodded in agreement and asked, “Have you thought about the timing?”

“About a month from now. We need a month to prepare and create public anticipation. We also need to give Tori and Ichiro time to prepare.” “And yourself?” Okawachi asked with a smile.

“Yes, even though I tested him, a real duel can have unpredictable outcomes. Ideally, we’d both end up injured.”

“If I could incapacitate him, even if it costs me my martial skills, it’d be worth it.”

“Therefore, I need a month to prepare as well.”

“It seems you felt threatened by that young man from China.”

“To be honest, I did.”

Okawachi nodded and reminded, “Ensure it doesn’t result in death, or it would be impossible to handle.”

“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

“Alright. But, the exact date might still need approval from the Chinese side.” “Yes.”

The two brothers chatted for a while before Igarashi Yuugiri took his leave.

Upon leaving Okawachi’s residence, he drove to a quiet forest.

Parking his car by the roadside, he saw two skinny deer approach. Waving them away, he strode into the woods.

In a forest, a tall and slender young girl reminiscent of a graceful deer was attempting to catch sparrows with her bare hands.

She darted about, leaping and swooping with a lightness like that of a swallow, soon seizing a sparrow.

Holding it delicately, she softly stroked the feathers atop its head.

The sparrow struggled frantically, trying hard to break free.

Without warning, the girl’s movement ceased, and with a quick forceful motion, she snapped the bird’s neck.

Blood spurted out, staining her hands and clothes.

Nonchalantly, she tossed the bird aside and gracefully headed to a nearby stream to wash her hands.

Igarashi Yuugiri watched the scene unfold and nodded in approval. He approached her.

She sensed his presence, quickly turning to face him. Recognizing her father, she bowed respectfully, “Father.”

Igarashi Yuugiri responded with a nod, tossing her a maple leaf without a word.

She didn’t try to catch it but swiftly stepped forward. With knife-like precision, her hand moved as quickly as lightning, slicing the leaf in two.

“Too slow,” Igarashi Yuugiri commented.

“Yes, Father,” she replied, lowering her head.

Saturday evening, at Wanxiang Plaza on the fifth floor.

Qian Quan was teaching a basketball class to a group of elementary school kids..