Chapter 612: Inherited Solution
“Master, you…”
Touma Shin’ichi was somewhat speechless. He knew his master’s personality well. The old man had always been decisive and never hesitated to use force when dealing with various matters. However, to use his brute strength to force others to agree to his ideas on matters within the Hero Association; wasn’t that a bit…
“What’s wrong? Weren’t you the one who went to someone’s house and beat them up because your girlfriend was bullied?”
Hamanoji narrowed his eyes, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. Sunlight filtered through the paper window, dancing on his golden eyebrows, giving his stern face a hint of playfulness.
Touma Shin’ichi’s face flushed crimson. His bandaged hands flailed about in a panic.
“Th-that’s different! Master, you know, I only went there to prevent [Crimson Flame] from bothering us at school. And besides, it was an accident during sparring…”
His voice grew smaller and smaller. The young man himself didn’t have much confidence in his words. Looking back, what he had done back then was truly outrageously arrogant. Not to mention the series of events triggered by accidentally seriously injuring [Crimson Flame], Touma Shin’ichi’s own methods of handling the matter back then were a bit too clumsy. For such a small matter, all Hamanoji had to do was mention it, and it wouldn’t have been a problem at all. Yet, he foolishly relied on his own “clever methods” and messed things up.
“Hahahaha! Young people always go through these things. You just have to bear the consequences. But that Kohmi-chan is indeed worth you doing so many foolish things for.”
Hamanoji laughed heartily, slapping the table a few times, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. The old man could see that the young man had gotten himself into trouble because of his infatuation, but later understood that it was all due to the boy’s uniquely peculiar thought process. Moreover, Hamanoji had a good impression of Kohmi. As someone who had been through it, he knew that children of that age would give their all for the love in their hearts.
“Master!” Touma Shin’ichi shouted, his face red, but he couldn’t hide the upward curve of his lips. He didn’t know if he was embarrassed about his foolish actions or happy that Hamanoji approved of Kohmi in his words.
“However, Shin’ichi, the old man’s laughter gradually subsided. He tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the table, “You should understand now, right? Force has always been just a means, not an end.”
“If it’s something you believe is right, and you’ve verified that it can indeed develop in a good direction, then you should strike out and eliminate those opposing voices. Judging by the current results, my choices back then were not wrong.”
Touma Shin’ichi nodded in agreement. “Looking at the current level of cooperation between the spiritual energy world and the Hero Association, Hamanoji-san’s move was very clever. Spiritual energy users and professional heroes have now basically established a complete cooperative system. With the addition of spiritual energy users, heroes now have excellent methods to counter some supernatural evil spirits. Coupled with the sealing abilities that spiritual energy users excel at, they have also played a crucial role in the containment of criminals.”
“Then, Master, why didn’t you use that method when accepting [Darkness-type] ability users?”
The young man suddenly looked up, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the window, dancing on his golden eyelashes, casting fragmented shadows.
“That’s the other thing I need to teach you.”
“If even the people you trust start to oppose you, then as a leader, you need to seriously consider whether to stubbornly forge ahead.”
Hamanoji’s fingers gently traced the rim of the teacup, his gaze gradually deepening as he spoke.
“Master, you mean that Kazuho and the others also didn’t agree with your thoughts back then?”
Touma Shin’ichi was somewhat surprised. After all, people like Nit-chan and Kazuho, and Minaki Gen were Hamanoji’s classmates and close comrades who had worked together for many years. It was surprising that even they opposed Hamanoji’s ideas at the time.
“Kazuho stood in a different position. As the principal of the academy, he saw the impact of abilities on personal growth more profoundly. Including Ryuki, they all thought my ideas back then were too radical.”
“The outcome of that incident with Yukito wasn’t very good either. It was partly due to his own abilities. At that time, the social environment also didn’t allow such people to exist within the association. If I had insisted on pushing it through, I could have, but the price would have been too high.”
Hamanoji shook his head. In fact, he had hoped to push the matter forward, but the resistance at the time was too great. Moreover, as Kazuho and the others had advised him, it was impossible to push this matter through under the current general environment.
“So, when you are sure you are right, even if you have to resort to force to achieve your goal, you must also perceive the degree of adaptation of your own thoughts to the current situation, and avoid autocratic behavior. This balance is so hard to grasp…”
At this moment, Touma Shin’ichi finally understood what Hamanoji wanted to convey. The furrow in his brow finally relaxed. He pondered how he would handle such a situation if he were in it.
“Brat, stop thinking about it. You won’t understand it in a moment. It requires rich experience to grasp it thoroughly. And your companions are also very important. Otherwise, why did I ask you to maintain good relationships with Sakura, Mai, and the others from a young age? And that guy Gen, have you contacted the group from your neighborhood in a long time?”
“Uh, Ken-an- he, he’s been preparing for the national Kendo competition for the past six months, so we haven’t had much time. When I have a vacation, I’ll go find him to hang out!”
The young man explained somewhat awkwardly. In reality, only he knew that although his friends had important reasons for being busy, the main reason was that for the past six months, Touma Shin’ichi had been wholeheartedly immersed in sweet love, and had completely forgotten about his struggling friends.
“It’s up to you to handle it. You need to know that because of your abilities, you weren’t placed in the hero class with your classmates, so you can cultivate these relationships from childhood. You must maintain them well. Otherwise, if you really take over my position, think about those old guys in the Anti-Association…” It would be very troublesome.
Hamanoji waved his hand indifferently. The old man understood the specific reasons but merely offered a reminder.
“Okay, I’ll pay attention.” The young man nodded, agreeing.
“All right, you’ve talked too much, and you won’t be able to digest it all. Let’s stop here. However, I suggest you have a good talk with Kohmi about these matters. That little girl is quite opinionated and much more mature than you. You should have more to talk about.”
“Consider it homework after class. Talk to your girlfriend about the new office model and the things that have happened. I’m getting old and don’t want to deal with these things anymore, but you’ll have to solve them properly when you officially join the association in the future.”
Hamanoji stood up, his kimono sleeve stirring a gentle breeze. He walked to the window, gazing at the swaying bamboo forest in the courtyard, and instructed faintly.
“Yes, Master.” Touma Shin’ichi also stood up and slowly retreated to the door. He bowed again to Hamanoji, who had turned his back, and then left the room.
As if remembering something, he placed his right hand on the doorframe and spoke to the thin yet exceptionally upright back.
“Old man!”
“Hmm?” The young man’s changed address made Hamanoji turn his head.
“Thanks. And… smoke less!”
When Hamanoji turned around, he found that the young man had already left the corridor. Turning his head to look at the trash can full of cigarette butts in the corner, he shook his head helplessly, but the smile on his lips did not disappear.
“Tch, you brat.”
