I'm a demon in Tokyo!

Chapter 301 I challenge the number one ranked Yuan Jing Shui! Why... is he really "Che"!
what?
Do you want to see me now?
Kitada Kei opened his mouth with a complicated expression, pointed at Ririko who was still lying on the ground, and then shook his head.

—Is it really okay to come to see someone as insignificant as me at a time like this instead of caring about your girlfriend?

In silence, Kitada Kei looked again at the girl whose face was ashen.

Ririko Tokugawa.

Just now, she reached the final stage of sword enlightenment, arriving at the "other shore" of everything?

Is it really possible to "cross the sea of ​​suffering and reach the other shore" with just one battle?

Even more unexpectedly, Uesugi Tetsuya actually managed to defeat Tokugawa Ririko, who had already reached the other side of the river of Kenshin, so completely that she was powerless to fight back...

Upon seeing Kitada Kei's actions, Uesugi Tetsu immediately understood that he meant "now is not the time."

It's not the time to fight.

So that's how it is. You wanted to wait until the very end, until all the other battles were over, before making your grand entrance.

Uesugi Tetsu glanced at Kitada Kei, then at Minamoto Shizumizu, who was also staring intently at Ririko.

Yeah.

Totally understandable.

Let the others fight it out first, otherwise the main event will end before the seeding battle is even halfway through, and the ratings and the number of people watching the live stream will plummet.

But in reality, the two were not thinking on the same wavelength at all.

Uesugi Tetsuya withdrew the spiritual energy infusion into the Flame Armor and the Five Thunder Technique that had been damaging his physical body, maintaining only the minimum circulation of Qi, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Perfect timing, he can take a break and discuss his breakthrough experience with Ririko.

After all, during the battle just now, Ririko had just broken through and was beaten so badly that she didn't have a chance to perform at all.

Because Uesugi Tetsu had a premonition that if Ririko recovered too quickly, he would most likely be the one in trouble.

As it turns out, even a super genius's breakthrough in battle isn't always effective.

It still depends on whether the opponent gives us a chance.

Withdrawing his fighting spirit from his gaze, Uesugi Tetsu's thoughts turned to Ririko's breakthrough.

Speaking of Sword Heart Clarity... If she makes further breakthroughs based on Sword Heart Clarity, wouldn't she reach the same level of mental state as Master Huijue?

Reflect on your own state of mind.

Although the foundation is solid, all that is missing is a suitable "heart embryo" to immediately break through to the peak of the man-sword unity stage.

But the key point is that the concept of the embryonic heart still has a touch of metaphysics to it.

Uesugi Tetsu recalled what Okabe Motonobu had said to him that night.

"Witness..."

If Ririko can single-handedly defeat everyone, including him, and take first place in this seeding battle, maybe the Embryo of the Heart can also succeed.

Unfortunately, she's still a ways off.

Uesugi Tetsu turned around and realized that it was Nanjo Ai who was treating Ririko.

"Huh? Nanjo-nee, why did you suddenly become interested in coming down here to be a babysitter?"

Nanjo Aimi, who had been standing there treating patients for almost thirty seconds, turned pale and replied irritably, "Because I'm the first one on the list of alternative doctors."

Alternative list?
Uesugi Tetsu looked up at the huge healing spell that was slowly dissipating.

Then, he looked down at Ririko, whose complexion was gradually returning to normal and whose foundation seemed to have become more stable.

The meticulous Uesugi Tetsuya carefully examined the fluctuations of spiritual energy before raising his hand and pointing.
"Nanjo-nee, why do I feel that your skills are even better than those of regular doctors? It takes two or three of them to treat you as quickly as you can."

"illusion."

Nanjo Ai answered without hesitation.

Uesugi Tetsuya understood immediately.

If he continues talking, Nanjo Aimi's workload will likely increase even more.

After letting out a drawn-out "oh," Uesugi Tetsu looked at Ririko, whose complexion had visibly turned rosy.

This health bar will probably be fully replenished in no time.

Ririko was beaten so badly by him, yet she was able to perfectly recover. She's a ghost... truly amazing.

Upon seeing Uesugi Tetsu staring at Ririko again, the two-foot-tall man, fearing that "mad" Tetsu-sama would continue to beat the latter, hurriedly ran over.

No matter what, the Great Demon King has helped me and Lord Che a lot, and he even cooks for us every day!
We can't let her suffer anymore!

The two-foot-tall adult's single-threaded thinking is working hard!

But just as she was about to arrive, Ririko, who had regained her strength and was sitting on the ground, looked up at Uesugi Tetsuya and suddenly spoke.
"Uesugi-kun."

"I am listening."

During the seeding battle, Uesugi Tetsu removed his Red Hannya mask for the first time and looked into her eyes.

The demon did not look at the defeated man in the doctor's arms, but Uesugi Tetsu looked at Tokugawa Ririko.

His eyes were filled with admiration.

Similarly, there was no blame or anything else in Ririko's eyes for him having been too harsh on her.

"This is the second time I've said this. Maybe you didn't hear me the first time..."

The girl held her index finger to her lips, her smile clear and pure.
"But that's okay."

Under the silent gaze of millions, Ririko looked at Uesugi Tetsuya with an earnest yet delighted expression, as if trying to unlock his heart.

"—It's so great to live in the same era as you."

"Ah."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded, answering sincerely.
"I feel the same way."

The two-foot-tall man who had just run up behind him: ...

Nanjo Aimi, who is continuing her treatment: ...

Ye Chun, who nearly broke her chopsticks while eating at the family dinner table: ...

Shizumi Minamoto, Kei Kitada, and countless viewers who were unexpectedly fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection): ...

"Smack smack!"

Only Kaga Kiyomitsu, whose sword was not yet sheathed, made an onomatopoeic clapping sound to express his congratulations.

Kaga Kiyomitsu thought happily, "The Great Demon King suddenly looks better and more amiable in my eyes. Hmm... he's a decent match for Master, barely!"

But immediately, it fell into thought again.
"However, they still need to undergo our serious test!"

After clapping for a while, Kaga Kiyomitsu turned around in surprise and realized that he seemed to be the only one clapping in the whole world.

Huh, that's strange?
Isn't this a good thing?

Is this a good thing...?

In the audience, where silence and commotion intertwined, Motonobu Okabe was completely stunned.

That face.

that person.

That knife.

It is Che.

Even now, no matter how much Okabe Motonobu couldn't believe it, no matter how unwilling he was to believe it, he had no choice but to believe it...

The Uesugi Tetsuya standing before him was indeed Tetsuya.

The great Onmyoji she had met was Che.

After a brief moment of confusion, a whole host of emotions, including doubt, anger, and bewilderment, welled up in Okabe Motonobu's eyes.

why?
Why... it really is him?

It was someone on whom both he and his lord had placed high hopes, only to have those hopes dashed.

澈。

Who's watching me?

On the stage, Uesugi Tetsuya, feeling himself being locked onto by an unusually intense gaze, turned his head in surprise.

But after searching for a long time, he still couldn't find the owner of that gaze in the sea of ​​people.

Because Okabe Motonobu happened to be wearing sunglasses.

At that moment, Hozoin Inari, who was enjoying the milk candy that Chisa had shared, turned his head as if sensing something and asked Okabe Motonobu,

"Big sister Ogasawara, what's wrong?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Okabe Motonobu's head in the dead of winter, bringing her back to her basic sanity.

After a long silence, Motonobu Okabe finally answered in a calm tone.
"nothing."

At that moment, Motonobu Okabe abruptly closed his eyes.

I...lost my composure. I almost let my lord down.

—Nobody would believe it's nothing.

This rollercoaster-like emotional fluctuation is completely treating this humble monk like a blind and deaf person.

Hozoin Inri scoffed inwardly.

But he glanced at Chisa, whose face was full of excitement and innocence, and hesitated for a moment before shutting his mouth.

It would have been better if the person sitting next to him was an ordinary, unrelated spectator, or someone capable of protecting themselves.

A few seconds later, Motonobu Okabe added an explanation,

"I just felt that Uesugi Tetsu looked a bit like someone I used to know... but after looking closely, I realized that I was just mistaken."

Motonobu Okabe clenched his fists tightly, but tried his best to control the force so that his nails wouldn't pierce his skin.

……

"He's cured, what's next?"

Nanjo Ai patted Ririko all over to make sure it was her, then pointed at Uesugi Tetsuya and said...

"If you're not going to fight, then get off here quickly and stop wasting public resources."

Uesugi Tetsu nodded.

"Nanjo-nee is right, it's not good to steal too much of the limelight."

After saying that, he looked at Saito Ryuichi, who hadn't made a single move from beginning to end, and now no one dared to challenge him anymore.

The latter remained expressionless, only thinking to himself.

"That look from Uesugi Tetsuya means he doesn't want me to delay any longer."

There's no need to antagonize Uesugi Tetsuya; that was already certain before the seeding battle even began.

Looking at it now, he is even more of an ally that the Saito family has to try every means to win over.

Saito Ryuichi looked around again and found that all the faces were familiar enough to be recognized.

It's almost there.

Aside from Minamoto no Shizumizu and Kitada Kei, he had almost gathered all the information about himself.

However, since he couldn't beat Minamoto Shizumizu anyway, Uesugi Tetsu could at least test Kitada Kei's character for him first.

The key lies with Ririko.

Saito Ryu's expression darkened slightly.

Ririko Tokugawa, I had already analyzed her quite thoroughly, and my chances of winning were around 70-80%.

But in the blink of an eye, she actually reached the "other shore" of sword enlightenment in just one battle, and she was defeated without even having a chance to use her skills.

How outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!
The family's records also contain some information about this place, saying that those who can send a sword heart here are all famous swordsmen in history.

Although Saito Ryuichi knew nothing about swordsmanship, he still knew that Genji's eldest daughter, Genji Shinsui, had also reached this level.

Yes, it's that Source Water that, by simply passing by from the unseen heavens and wielding its sword energy, could easily slaughter an entire city of demons and splatter blood all over their faces.

Recalling the shock of that day, Saito Ryuichi still finds it hard to imagine that he is about to face a monster of this level.

Thinking about this, Saito Ryuichi became even more puzzled.

—What kind of useless people are in power in the Tokugawa family? They actually let this monster escape by his own hands, and even kicked him out of the family.

If it were me, I'd probably be too busy serving tea and water, asking about your well-being, and giving you massages and leg rubs every day...

After cursing the old Tokugawa family for being incompetent and short-sighted, Saito Ryuichi couldn't help but wonder how he should face Tokugawa Ririko.

Well, let's just take it one step at a time.

Saito Ryuichi got up and began his first challenge in this seeding battle.

"I challenge, ranked 12th, Flameflow."

In short, you should always pick the softest persimmons first.

"--pity."

Yuan Jingshui turned his gaze away from Ririko, who was sitting in the TOP4 seat and deep in thought, brainstorming.

It's a real shame that Tokugawa Ririko used up that one chance to challenge someone higher.

Because she had never fought against another swordsman whose mental cultivation had reached such a level.

Strength and such are actually secondary.

Only by sparring with a swordsman who truly surpasses oneself on the path of "sword" can one gain rewards that no other battle can match.

Amidst her regretful sighs, Saito Ryuichi, who possessed a wealth of information and was able to devise four, five, or six solutions, practically swept through the competition to secure a spot in the TOP 5.

Then, Ririko, who hadn't even managed to get her hands on Kaga Kiyomitsu, was inexplicably beheaded.

Yes, it's inexplicable.

Not only did Uesugi Tetsu not understand, but even Minamoto Shizumizu, who was also a highly skilled swordsman, and Kitada Kei subconsciously narrowed their eyes, unable to figure it out.

Even when he first entered the game, preparing to implement a steady long-range strategy, Saito Ryuichi had no idea how he died.

He felt a sudden bright light, then darkness, and then another bright light.

When Saito Ryuichi opened his eyes, he saw Nanjo Manami's face.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Please note that the medical staff are requested to wait in the background..."

To everyone's surprise, Nanjo Manami actually said to him,
"The battle is over."

She helplessly spread her hands: "You lost, Saito."

"I lost?"

The head of the Saito family lowered his head and moved his ten undamaged fingers and the spiritual energy shield on them.

Lost?

Saito Ryuichi felt the surging spiritual energy filling his body, as well as the dense array of spell patterns engraved on his skin, waiting to be activated.

The battle hasn't even started yet, has it?

"Yeah, she was beheaded by Ririko." Nanjo Ai pointed with her thumb to the girl in the distance who could attract everyone's attention just by standing there.

Amidst the unbearable absurdity, Saito Ryuichi, who hadn't even had a chance to unleash his full power, took a deep breath, nodded, and spoke in polite language.
"I understand. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Nanjo-sama."

"You're welcome. Actually, Saito, you've been very well prepared. It's just that Ririko doesn't play by the rules at all."

Nanjo Manami offered him a few more words of comfort.

The more he tried to comfort Saito Ryuichi, the greater his sense of frustration became.

He is actually capable of accepting failure.

It's acceptable to be slightly outmatched after a fierce battle, to be ambushed and killed by a new move, or even to become the "demon shattered by Yuan Xinshui's sword" that day.

But what's going on when you still think nothing has even started until you fail?
After being teleported back to his seat in the TOP5, Saito Ryuichi fell silent.

Perhaps I'll need to learn some Yin-Yang techniques about the dead and their souls in the future.

At least, before you die completely, you should figure out how you died.

It's so frustrating to die without understanding.

From his higher seat, Kitada Kei looked down after turning his gaze away from the ring and suddenly found himself shamefully feeling a sense of relief.

He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly in horror, then looked to both sides.

However, it was noticed that both Uesugi Tetsuya and Minamoto Shizumi couldn't help but show a slight sense of regret and pity in their expressions.

These subtle expressions, in Kitada Kei's eyes, formed an incredibly strong and stark contrast with his own thoughts and feelings.

He silently closed his eyes, and in his daily self-reflection, he firmly remembered this shameful sense of relief, and then slowly erased it little by little.

Kitada Kei sighed.

It turned out to be the case.

I'm still far from good enough.

So, it's only natural that I couldn't beat them both.

However, we should still give it a try.

How can you know the outcome if you don't try?

Amidst the wary silence of the lower-ranked players, Kitada Kei, who was in second place, suddenly spoke up.

"I challenge the number one ranked player, Yuan Jingshui."

One stone stirs up a thousand waves.

Uesugi Tetsu suddenly looked up, completely unprepared for such a raging uproar.

　There were fewer words today, but I'll gradually make up for it over the next few days, so don't worry! (orz)
　　
　
(End of this chapter)