Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
As the referee announced the result, the stadium went silent. It was only a few seconds later when loud, thunderous applause erupted.
No matter how unbelievable or questionable it was, when the referee announced Kimura Kazuki’s victory after much inspection, it meant that the incident of Kageyama Ichiro’s bamboo sword being slashed into two was a question of Kimura Kazuki’s true strength.
Throughout the history of Jade Dragon Flag, there was never a case of cheating or cover-up. It was clear that the referee could not believe it as well. That was why he asked to check the bamboo sword, but after confirming that the quality of the bamboo sword was not compromised, the final call was the reality no matter how unbelievable it was.
“So awesome!”
“How strong was the force needed to slash a bamboo sword into two?”
“I was keeping an eye on Kageyama Ichiro. His arms were still shaking. It was obvious that the Taishou of Sakura Kyu High School excelled in both strength and speed.”
“Even I couldn’t see the Taishou of Sakura Kyu’s speed clearly. I’m going to watch the recording at home again after this match.”
The audience clapped on as they looked more excited than the participants.
The audience who made their way to the Tachibana Budo Gym to watch the preliminary round of the Tokyo Jade Dragon Flag Competition were all big fans of Kendo. Previously, they thought that Yuki Gyo High School would be the champion for District A, but with an unforeseen twist, the Taishou of Sakura Kyu gave them a huge surprise.
The spectators who came to the tournament naturally hoped to witness an intense and complicated battle.
Meanwhile, Ono Junichi who was sitting at the corner at the back row paused before speaking, “The technique that Kimura-Kun used just now was a technique from the
Yagyu Flying Sword Style as well?”
“Yeah... It’s called the Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain.” The face of Yagyu Kenichiro, who was sitting nearby, twitched before nodding rigidly.
“This technique looks just right for me. Besides, it doesn’t seem like I need to memorize any acupoints. I’ll ask my teacher to teach me later in the afternoon.” Yagyu Shizuka had clearly believed whatever her father had said. Besides, she thought that the technique suited her perfectly.
Even though she could slice a bamboo sword in two, she needed to use her whole body’s strength. However, her teacher did not look like a player that excelled in brute strength, but nonetheless, he made it possible. Maybe it involved some kind of technique in applying force? Besides, Kendo styles were abstruse. There were many explanations behind simple slashing or hacking movements.
As she thought of this, Yagyu Shizuka became enthusiastic. At first, she thought it was a boring tournament, but now she began to observe diligently.
Ono Junichi smiled but did not speak. He clearly did not believe what Yagyu Kenichiro had just said. What ‘Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain’? It was obviously a made-up name to fool others.
Ono Nakamura, who was sitting nearby, heard Yagyu Shizuka and could not help but laugh. Yagyu Kenichiro glared at him, and he dared not speak anymore.
The four of them were clearly there to see Kimura Kazuki. Of course, Ono Junichi was there because of his second son, Ono Maho. Ono Maho had participated in this season’s Jade Dragon Flag Tournament as per his father’s request. Yet, Ono Junichi, who was aware of his own son’s ability, was too lazy even to watch his son’s match.
“Kimura-Kun may be strong, but he clearly doesn’t fully understand the Kageyama Kiai Style. If he wasn’t careful, it could end horribly.” Ono Junichi watched as Kageyama Ichiro dully left the platform and said in a deep voice, “It was clear that the ability of this fellow called Ichiro wasn’t really great... He was able to fight against five opponents every single time because he has a solid foundation.”
Yagyu Kenichiro furrowed his eyebrows but did not speak. Kimura Kazuki’s ability was a mystery to him as well. However, even though Kimura Kazuki had seen through his sword power, he still could not believe that the person in question was a Sword Saint. Previously, he had worked together with Kimura Kazuki because he thought that it was a piece of cake for Kimura Kazuki to win the Jade Dragon Flag Competition.
This was a matter of a chain of discrimination. The Ancient Kendo Community had always looked down on competitive Kendo.
Yet... Ono Junichi told him that Jade Dragon Flag, this time was different.
It was about the succession of the Takeda Sword Saint. That was why the Sugawara family had come forward and hoped that every Kendo family in the country, no matter big or small, would dispatch the younger generation to participate in the Jade Dragon Flag Competition... Kenichiro felt threatened by the remark. Although Kimura Kazuki had easily defeated Ono Nakamura in Akihabara Square, Ono Nakamura had just figured out his sword power at the time. He had not started to absorb Reiki. Ono Nakamura had only mastered his sword power but had yet to diffuse Ono’s One Knife Stroke into his sword power.
He had heard from Ono Junichi that Shinohara Sugawara would be the representative of the Sugawara family in the Jade Dragon Competition. Shinohara Sugawara might be 17 years old, but he had stepped into the second stage of sword power. A fellow like that participating in the Jade Dragon Flag would just be a bully.
As Yagyu Kenichiro thought to himself, the applause of the audience slowly died down. Meanwhile, Kageyama Saburo was walking toward the stage carrying his bamboo sword.
“Saburo, that fellow is really good. His take on strength is very terrifying, as well. His strength was more than enough to smash my protective gear in two with the force of that slash... That isn’t all. If he had wanted to kill me, he could have done so with that slash. So, you must be careful and be on guard. His power and speed are frightening!”
Standing opposing Kimura Kazuki, Kageyama Saburo recalled what Ichiro had told him. Yet, a smile flashed across his face.
“No matter how strong the force is or how swift the speed is, if one couldn’t even execute a move, one would just be a sitting duck.” Kageyama Saburo looked at Kimura Kazuki and smiled.
Ichiro’s ability was still too low. He did not understand why he was the Senpou, maybe it was because... Ichiro was still too weak!
After the referee had announced for them to start, both of the players bowed at each other.
During the bow, Kageyama Saburo took a deep breath and a gush of airflow formed at the point two inches below the navel where one’s qi resides. The airflow was not reiki but an aura. Upon finishing the bow, he let out a roar.
The outcry was thunderous. The audience in the arena was blown away by this deafening roar, their ears were ringing... Luckily the audience was far away from the platform, but the outcry had made many uncomfortable.
“What was that?”
“Wasn’t that Kiai a bit too loud? I’m at least 100 meters away from the contestants... but my ears could barely even take it.””Scary... This is the first time I heard such a formidable Kiai! Are they shooting a movie?”
“Is the referee, alright?”
The audience was still fortunate enough. The three referees who were standing nearby became dizzy from the outcry. The nearest referee blacked out and crumbled to the floor, unable to react.
As Kageyama Saburo shouted, he rapidly made a move with the bamboo sword in his hands.
The technique that Kageyama Saburo had used was called ‘Kikyo.’ It was a secret technique of the Kageyama Kiai Style. No matter how strong Kimura Kazuki was, he was confident that with this move, his opponent would at least black out for a second or two.
Yet, a second was enough for him to eliminate his opponents.
“Men!” As he swung his bamboo sword, Kageyama Saburo shouted again. However, it was not as formidable as the previous one, but it was loud enough.
Bang!
The two swords collided. Kimura Kazuki managed to block the attack.
How could this be? Kageyama Saburo was filled with bewilderment. How could the opponent be unscathed?
Kimura Kazuki, who was covered in protective gear, looked at his opponent in awe. He did not expect his opponent to utilize sound as part of his Kendo, which was unusual.
Yet, Kageyama Saburo clearly did not know that Kimura Kazuki had strengthened his whole body with reiki. So, every part of his body was enhanced, including his ears. Even though the Kiai was tremendous, it did not affect him.
Of course, if his opponent had infused reiki in the Kiai, maybe he would have been taken aback.
“Men. ” As Kageyama Saburo was still in a daze, the bamboo sword in Kimura Kazuki’s hand was like a whip. The yellow silhouette of the bamboo sword hit the opponent’s wrist before landing another blow on the opponent’s face.
Pit pat... Kageyama Saburo felt pain in his wrist, and he could not help but drop his bamboo sword on the floor. Following that, his face was attacked...
He lost.
At that very moment, Kageyama Saburo’s face turned ashen.
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