Inside the Fukuoka Civic Gymnasium, participants clad in kendo uniforms stood in neat rows, listening to the opening speech delivered by the official on stage.
The surrounding fifteen thousand seats were packed to capacity. Tourists watched with bated breath, eagerly discussing who would claim the throne this year.
Amidst those hushed conversations, Akishin's na frequently cropped up.
Word had spread like wildfire that Akishin's disciples were here to compete. However, expectations weren't exactly high. Everyone knew Akishin had only been taking students for a few months—if they were total beginners before that, how much could they truly achieve in such a short window?
Besides, it wasn't a rare occurrence for a Kendo Champion's student to enter the Gyokuryu-ki. So had risen to beco champions themselves, but many more had simply faded into obscurity.
This year, aside from Hachiman, there were two other students of forr kendo champions present. Yet, the only master who had actually bothered to show up at the arena to watch his pupil compete was Akishin.
Kendo wasn't sothing where you beca a master just by having a good teacher. Teaching thods, raw talent, and the sheer level of effort—all of it mattered.
Though people loathed to admit it, talent was the ultimate deciding factor in kendo. All your hard work eventually hits a ceiling determined by your natural aptitude. Facing an opponent who has more talent and works just as hard as you is enough to drive anyone to despair.
For instance, a talented individual might master a technique after being shown once, whereas a less gifted person might need ten repetitions. By the ti the latter finally grasps the basics, the genius has already reached mastery or moved on to entirely different sword styles.
It wasn't just a simple difference of one versus ten.
They existed in two completely different worlds.
Of course, there were a few things that even talent couldn't overco...
But back to the matter at hand.
dia outlets had sward the venue, nearly rivaling the turnout for the All Japan Kendo Championship, even if the scale was slightly smaller. Everyone was there, from small-ti journalists with no reputation to full television production crews. Even student reporters from school newspapers had joined the fray.
The Sobu High school newspaper club had also arrived, apparently having just pulled in today.
Among them, Hachiman spotted a familiar face: the Student Council President, Shiroguri guri. She was a gentle-looking upperclassman with her black hair tied back, exuding a soft, elegant aura.
Next to her was an underclassman nad Isshiki Iroha, a girl with flaxen hair who approached them with a cheerful "Senpai!"
Her overly enthusiastic, sowhat calculated, and pampered attitude made Hachiman feel a bit awkward. Having dealt with the likes of Yukinoshita Haruno, Hachiman couldn't help but feel this junior was still a bit of an amateur in the art of manipulation.
Cara flashes flickered incessantly. The tournant's highest honor, the 'Gyokuryu-ki' flag, hung from the main podium, swaying gently in the draft from the air vents.
Akishin sat in the front row of the spectator stands, taking in the scene with a hint of amazent. He hadn't expected a high school tournant to be produced with such grandeur.
In terms of pure participant numbers, it far exceeded the finals of the Kendo Championship. The atmosphere was different too—less like a duel between masters and more like the collision of two massive armies.
Hachiman and the four others from Mizukawa Masaru's group stood among the sea of participants, listening to the dignitary's speech. Mizukawa Masaru suddenly leaned in and whispered: "Hikigaya-kun, are you nervous?"
The matches hadn't started yet, so no one was wearing their protective masks (n). Every face was visible and clear.
Standing beside him, Hachiman glanced at Mizukawa and admitted: "A little."
This was his first ti participating as a competitor in such a massive event. It was impossible not to feel the pressure.
It was a world away from his ti at the Tokyo Gymnasium. Back then, he was just a face in the crowd; this ti, he was the one stepping onto the floor.
Mizukawa Masaru let out a small laugh. "I'm pretty nervous myself, but today isn't our day for the boys' team matches."
Hachiman looked at him with a puzzled expression. Haven't you already done this twice before?
Noticing Hachiman's reaction, Mizukawa smiled bitterly. "I have participated twice. In my first year, I ca with the seniors and we lost in the second round.
In my second year, we were stopped in the third round. Back then, I wasn't nervous at all. I didn't expect to place or win anything; I just wanted to experience being here.
This is my final year at the Gyokuryu-ki. Honestly, I'd given up hope. I'd decided that as soon as the tournant ended, I'd quit the Kendo Club to focus on university entrance exams.
But then Chishima-sensei appeared out of nowhere. And then there's you, Hachiman. You guys made see hope again. You made want to actually achieve sothing.
Now, I even have the confidence to aim for the championship.
But that's just confidence. The nerves... they're still there, haha."
Mizukawa trailed off with a small laugh that carried a note of self-consolation.
After all, he had poured so much effort into kendo since he was a child. He wanted sothing to show for it. Even with all the various high school kendo tournants out there, the prestige of the Gyokuryu-ki was undisputed.
Hachiman remained silent for a mont, recalling Akishin's words when they had debated about Mizukawa. He took a breath and asked: "Senpai, if we get a great result this ti at the Gyokuryu-ki... will you still leave the Kendo Club?"
Just as Akishin had pointed out Mizukawa's flaws while still appreciating the man, Hachiman felt the sa. At least among students, Mizukawa Masaru was the most impressive person he had t.
It wasn't just about physical strength or grades; it was his morals, his personality, his work ethic, and his perspective. Compared to soone like Hayama Hayato, Mizukawa Masaru felt far more genuine.
Mizukawa had looked out for him. Even if a large part of that was due to their teacher, the fact that he was being protected remained an undeniable truth.
The world judges actions, not intentions. If we judged by intentions, no one in this world would be perfect.
Regardless of the motive, as long as he wasn't being hard and was being cared for, he owed a debt of gratitude.
How many people talk endlessly about virtue and morality, only to do nothing or, worse, do sothing disgusting?
Mizukawa Masaru gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah. Like I said, I have university exams to worry about."
Hachiman pressed further. "And after the exams are over? Will you continue kendo? At university, for example?"
He found himself wanting to know the answer, hoping it would differ from what Akishin had predicted.
"..."
Mizukawa fell silent. He turned to look deeply at Hachiman before shifting his gaze back to the official speaking on the podium. After a long, quiet pause, he smiled as if a weight had been lifted. "No. Truth be told, I don't actually like kendo that much. I practiced because I co from a kendo family. It was mostly family expectations..."
Mizukawa sighed, a smile playing on his lips as if he were breaking a long-standing shackle. "I've worked so hard since I was a kid. Even if I didn't hit the targets my family set, the results weren't bad. I don't love kendo, but I don't hate it either. So, I've decided that this Gyokuryu-ki will be my farewell to the sport. In the future... I probably won't pick up a sword again."
He couldn't help but laugh, the sound carrying a complex mix of emotions. Being able to voice the thoughts he'd kept buried for so long made him feel significantly better.
...
The organizers spoke, the sponsors spoke, the athlete representatives spoke. There were announcents about the Budo spirit and the unveiling of the Gyokuryu-ki—Akishin was almost asked to go up and give a speech, but he flatly refused.
Much like the Kendo Championship, once the formalities were out of the way, the participants filed off the mats. Two local teams from Fukuoka took the stage for an exhibition match.
Accompanied by music, they fought with flashy, choreographed movents. Following that, the captains (Taisho) of each team went to draw lots for the group brackets and match order.
The first two days were reserved for the girls' matches. The main event—the boys' tournant—would follow after.
A Gyokuryu-ki team consisted of five mbers: Senpyo (Vanguard), Jihi (Next), Chuzen (Center), Fukusho (Vice-captain), and Taisho (Captain). The Taisho held a special privilege; if a match ended in a draw, the Taisho was automatically declared the winner.
Furthermore, according to the rules, if soone wanted to aim for the Fighting Spirit Award, they usually had to take the Senpyo position to be the first one out.
Sobu High's girls' team had been assigned their slot. They drew Natsukaze Girls' High from Saitama Prefecture and were currently in the middle of their preparations.
The other three mbers of the boys' team went to serve as support staff.
The 'family' cheering section—Shizuka, Yuika, Kaiko, Soichi, Komachi, Yui, Yukino, Haruno, Kawasaki Saki, Totsuka Saika, Zaimokuza, and even Director Okazawa—were all seated behind Akishin to offer their support.
And yes, Shiroguri guri and Isshiki Iroha were there as well. The other Sobu student journalists had scattered to different areas to take photos.
Hachiman and another teammate returned to the spectator area and sat beside Akishin. Journalists were lurking nearby, dying for an interview with the champion, but they were kept at bay by the security guards arranged by the venue organizers.
Akishin didn't care for the VIP seats, but certain protocols of respect had to be maintained.
Akishin imdiately noticed that Hachiman's expression was a bit off. "Sothing wrong?"
Hachiman shook his head. "Nothing."
He didn't feel like talking.
Mizukawa Masaru had trusted him with those words, and Hachiman had given his word not to tell anyone else.
Akishin glanced at Mizukawa and could more or less guess what had happened, so he didn't pry further.
Suddenly, Akishin felt a sensation. He turned his head toward the source and locked eyes with soone.
It was the handso high school boy he had run into yesterday.
They stared at each other for a mont, brows furrowed, before exchanging a slight nod. Akishin then turned his attention back to the arena.
A high school student... here to participate in the Gyokuryu-ki?
Looks like Hikigaya just found himself a formidable rival.
He glanced at his first disciple, who was currently laser-focused on the arena.
...
On the other side of the gymnasium, the boy nad Kitahara Shuji pulled back his gaze, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was the first ti he had seen soone so terrifying in real life.
It wasn't just the aura he had felt yesterday. Even a simple, calm gaze from that man carried a chill that was far more unnerving than any swordsman he had faced in 'Image Training.'
To think such a monster actually existed in reality.
He tapped the senior sitting next to him. When the upperclassman turned, Kitahara asked seriously: "Senpai, who is that man? Do you know him?"
Shikishima Yo followed the direction of Kitahara's finger and spotted Akishin.
At that mont, Akishin happened to be turning to speak to the person beside him. Feeling the gaze again, he glanced back in their direction.
Shikishima Yo saw Akishin clearly and brightened up. "I didn't think such a legend would actually show up." Then, noticing Kitahara was still pointing, he swatted the boy's hand down and scolded him: "Kitahara, show so respect! You shouldn't just point at soone like him."
Kitahara Shuji wasn't bothered by the slap. He just asked curiously, "Who is he, exactly?" Is he famous?
Shikishima Yo looked at Akishin again, his eyes full of reverence. He said solemnly: "That is Chishima-sensei. The current All Japan Kendo Champion, Chishima Akishin. Since he's also a teacher at Sobu High in Chiba, everyone calls him Chishima-sensei... I heard rumors he was here, and I didn't quite believe it, but there he is. Looks like he's here to watch his students."
Chishima Akishin?! Chishima-sensei!
Kitahara Shuji repeated the na in his head. So he was the national champion.
Having an aura and a gaze like that... I guess it makes sense for soone of his caliber. Then again, I haven't seen any other national champions, so I can't say for sure.
Shikishima Yo asked curiously: "Kitahara, since you didn't know who he was, how did you even notice him?"
"Oh... I just noticed him by accident. He felt very... unique."
"I see. I guess legends just stand out from the crowd."
Fuyumi, who was sitting nearby, leaned in. "What? Who are you guys talking about? Chishima-sensei? Who's that?"
...
Soon enough, the matches began.
The Gyokuryu-ki floor wasn't massive—about a hundred square ters—but it was divided into sixteen separate courts. Sixteen groups of participants competed simultaneously, with each court eventually producing one team that would advance to the final rounds.
This kind of tournant structure relied heavily on luck. So teams were unlucky enough to be grouped with the three-ti returning champions in the very first round, while other 'groups of death' might see several top-tier teams eliminate each other before the finals even started.
Of course, that was just theory. For the sake of the spectacle, the organizers would never let the top three seeded teams get grouped together before the final stage.
Sobu High's Senpyo—a rather petite girl wearing black armor (Kuro-do)—stepped onto the mat.
The sixteen groups of participants stood in their respective courts, bowing to each other on the referee's command. Then, bamboo swords (Shinai) were raised, and the fighting comnced.
Instantly, the gymnasium was filled with the rhythmic clattering of bamboo hitting bamboo.
The Sobu High contingent naturally focused on their own teammate. The petite girl, Koike Yuriko, fought with decent form. She wasn't extraordinary, but she was solid. Her opponent was impatient, allowing her to quickly land a clean strike for a point (Ippon).
Yui and the others cheered from behind.
*WHAM!*
Suddenly, a thunderous impact echoed through the hall, causing most people to instinctively turn their heads. In a corner court, a girl in white armor (Shiro-do) had been slamd to the ground by a girl in black armor.
The referee imdiately signaled a point for the girl in black.
However, the girl in black didn't back off. Instead, she raised her Shinai again. With the montum of a falling mountain, she lunged forward with a direct thrust (Tsuki) toward the girl on the ground.
At the sa ti, she let out a piercing scream: "DIE!"
The word "Die" was yelled with such raw power that it echoed throughout the entire arena, vibrating in everyone's ears. Akishin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Just how big were that girl's lungs?
The second attack landed, but the girl in black still didn't stop. She literally jumped on top of the girl in white, raising her Shinai and raining down blows, as if trying to see which was tougher: her opponent's face protector (n) or her own bamboo sword.
The girl being pumled let out shriek after shriek. It was a pitiful sight to behold and even worse to hear. It was safe to assu she wouldn't be stepping near a kendo match ever again.
The entire audience stood up, a roar of shock and excitent rippling through the stands. Yui and the others stared with their mouths wide open, while Yukinoshita Haruno watched with an amused smirk.
A large group of journalists reacted instantly, rushing toward Court Number 9 where the girl in black was, caras clicking frantically.
...
The match was temporarily halted, and the girl in black was pulled away by the referee. Akishin noticed the naplate on her waist protector (Tare). It was written horizontally as 'Private Daifuku' and vertically as 'Fukuzawa.'
When she finally removed her mask, revealing her face, a flash of surprise crossed Akishin's eyes. He instinctively looked toward the upper stands. Sure enough, the team belonging to that handso boy was hurriedly leaving their seats in a panic.
Akishin recognized her. This girl in black was the one with the innocent, childlike face who had been with the handso boy yesterday.
In the corner of the court, a short girl was currently hitting the girl in black over the head. She looked absolutely furious—and for good reason. The rules had been completely disregarded, and her conduct was appalling. There was a high chance she could be disqualified from the tournant entirely.
Soon, the na of the girl who caused the chaos spread: Private Daifuku Academy, Fukuzawa Yukari, a first-year student participating for the first ti.
After a brief delay, the matches resud.
Koike Yuriko won her match and went on to defeat four consecutive opponents before finally falling to the opponent's Taisho. However, that Taisho was then defeated by Sobu High's Fukusho.
The Sobu High girls' team had passed the first round!
anwhile, over at the Private Daifuku Academy court, Fukuzawa Yukari had been swapped out, though she wasn't forced to withdraw. Despite the rocky start, thanks to the efforts of another short girl also nad Fukuzawa, they managed to scrape through to the next round.
...
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