Half-Step Away From Immortal State

The middle-aged man was thin but well built nonetheless with nearly perfect proportions.

He sat on the floor with his legs folded, resting a Katana sideways in his lap. The sheath of the blade was worn and had seen better days. The pattern on its handle had faded due to repetitive use. This seemingly ordinary katana laid casually in this man's lap was, in fact, one of the most infamous weapons in Japan. The man sat with his back facing Chen Fan. He looked into the distant night sky and said nonchalantly.

"Did you know that the Tokyo Tower was the tallest building in Tokyo as well as in Japan? We can have a view of the entire city from here. You and me, we are not only standing at the highest point in Japan but also that of martial arts."

The middle-aged man's Chinese was fluent, and his accent was nearly indistinguishable. Takemiya Hiro was born in the early 20th century and all Japanese born during that time period spoke Chinese to some degree.