My dear wife, I still love you more.

The teams that managed to break into the top eight among so many teams are naturally quite strong, even formidable. Almost every player's kendo level is above 3. 3 is a level that would be quite impressive even among professionals.

Moreover, they are not only strong in themselves, but also have a lot of combat experience. Almost all of the top eight teams, except for Soubu High School led by Hasegawa, are strong teams that frequently appear in or leave the top eight.

Therefore, Hasegawa's vanguard, second vanguard, center forward, and vice commander—the four of them—only managed to defeat two of the opposing team members.

In other words, Hasegawa will have to face three opponents, who are roughly the three strongest players on his team.

Despite this situation, Hasegawa remained calm and quietly observed the opposing player.

Fortunately, the Jade Dragon Flag competition differs from other competitions. Other competitions are one-on-one, best-of-five matches. However, in Jade Dragon Flag, as long as one isn't defeated, they can continue fighting on the field. Skilled players can even achieve a five-game winning streak. Ultimately, whoever remains on the stage at the end is the winner.

"One-hit man? Hmph, although you are very strong, I will let you know that the top eight and the teams outside the top eight are completely different concepts." The opponent's main force stood opposite Hasegawa and spoke to Hasegawa in a domineering tone, but Hasegawa could faintly detect a hint of apprehension in the opponent's tone.

Clearly, although he was unwilling to admit defeat, he was actually a little intimidated and acknowledged Hasegawa's strength.

Hasegawa smiled, completely ignoring what the other person said. After the match began and they exchanged greetings, Hasegawa faced off against his opponent.

Hasegawa quietly observed his opponent, preparing to let him make the first move, as had happened several times before.

After all, Hasegawa is already very strong, so it would be a little embarrassing for him to launch an aggressive attack during a match. After this happened every time, some people who observed Hasegawa came to this conclusion.

Hasegawa is not good at initiating attacks; his strength lies in defense and counter-attack. He defends when attacked and then counter-attacks—a style of swordsmanship that relies on reacting to the opponent's moves. If Hasegawa were to attack first, his strength might not be as formidable.

Therefore, this key player stood opposite Hasegawa, watching him intently, but refrained from launching an attack on him.

"Not going to attack first? In that case, forget it." Hasegawa shook his head inwardly. Although he still felt it would be unfair to attack first, since his opponent wasn't attacking, Hasegawa couldn't just stand there like an idiot. After all, this was a competition. It wasn't like a movie where masters fought, searching for each other's weaknesses and then standing there for three days and three nights before finally finding one and attacking.

Hasegawa, swords in both hands, charged forward with a stomp of his foot: "Noodles!"

Chapters 134 One-Hit Man

"One copy!"

Before the opponent's midfielder could even react, Hasegawa's bamboo sword had already struck his mask heavily. Even with the mask on, the midfielder still felt a little dizzy from the blow. Moreover, Hasegawa's speed was simply too fast; even though he was paying extra attention and being extra vigilant, Hasegawa's attack still left him no time to react.

The midfielder left the field in a daze, followed by the vice-general.

The deputy general is clearly stronger than the main force, otherwise he wouldn't be a deputy general.

The lieutenant also became more vigilant, watching Hasegawa very intently, but he also did not launch an attack.

After all, in their previous practice sessions, Hasegawa had always dodged his opponent's attacks, then seized the slightest opening in their defense to defeat them. It seemed like Hasegawa was the type who waited for his opponent to make a mistake during their attack before striking.

Although the center back didn't take the initiative to attack in the last match and was still cleanly defeated by Hasegawa, this situation only happened once, while another situation has happened many times.

Therefore, the vice commander still planned to wait for Hasegawa to take the initiative to attack before dealing with Hasegawa.

Watching this from the sidelines, Saeko Busujima couldn't help but smile. As a player who had participated in the Jade Dragon Flag competition several times, how could she not understand her opponent's thoughts? However, she felt that this approach was incredibly naive. Hasegawa's consistent strategy of acting second was simply because he didn't want to bully his opponent too much. But to assume that Hasegawa was merely a defensive counter-attacking player would be a grave mistake.

Saeko Busujima had no idea that Hasegawa would fail. She didn't believe that there was a stronger opponent than Hasegawa in the Jade Dragon Banner, not even herself.

Saeko Busujima believes that Hasegawa is now just one step away from reaching the legendary level of a Sword Saint, becoming a Sword Saint of the new era—the kind of master who only exists in books. When will Hasegawa transform? That's when he might become a Sword Saint. Perhaps it will take ten or eight years, perhaps only ten or eight months, perhaps even ten or eight days, or perhaps he'll break through and become a Sword Saint in the next second.

Such a master could lose in the Jade Dragon Flag competition? Tokushima Saeko thought it was a joke.

Hasegawa frowned slightly as he watched his vice-general's demeanor, clearly unwilling to take the initiative. He genuinely didn't want to make the first move, not because he was bad at it, but because he felt that attacking first would be bullying.

Hasegawa felt that participating in the Jade Dragon Flag competition was already bullying enough. If he were to strike first and defeat his opponent during the match, without giving them a chance to retaliate, it would be even more bullying.

But since his opponent didn't make the first move, Hasegawa was helpless. Shaking his head inwardly, he swiftly lunged forward, his bamboo sword flashing like lightning as he slashed down at the opponent's mask: "Mask!"

Hasegawa was too fast. By the time Hasegawa attacked, the lieutenant had already reacted and immediately tried to sheathe his sword to block it. However, Hasegawa's speed was simply too great. Before his sword even reached him, Hasegawa's bamboo sword had already struck his mask.

bump!

The lieutenant couldn't help but take several steps back before regaining his footing.

"One copy!"

We lost again.

Finally, the opposing general appeared. His eyes, hidden behind his mask, blazed with rage: "Despicable bastard."

"Huh?" Hasegawa was taken aback, not understanding why the other person suddenly said this.

"The reason you always waited for the opponent to make the first move was to create the impression that you weren't good at initiating attacks, making others wait for you to strike first. In reality, what you're really good at is attacking, isn't it? You've really gone to great lengths. You deliberately used weaker opponents to create an impression on them, and then when they targeted you, you used your most effective methods to defeat them. Right? You bastard. But it's useless. I've seen through your true colors. This time, I will defeat you. I will make you understand that under absolute power, everything else is completely futile."

This is what the general said to Hasegawa at the start of the match.

Hasegawa was taken aback, then found it amusing. When did he become such a scheming man? He just wanted to stop bullying people so much, how did it turn out like this? Hey, aren't you guys being way too right?

"start!"

At this point, the referee announced...

"Die, you vile bastard, little hand!"

The general directly used his bamboo sword to take Hasegawa's hand that was holding the sword.

As expected of a top player among the top eight teams, his strength is quite impressive. Both his power and speed are relatively strong, and the arc of his attacks is also somewhat unique, making him difficult to deal with.

However, that only applies to ordinary people. Hasegawa, upon seeing the opponent's attack, twisted and pulled his bamboo sword, directly entangled the opponent's bamboo sword, and with a flick of his wrist, used powerful strength and skill to send the opponent's bamboo sword flying. He then shouted "Noodle!" and his bamboo sword landed on the opponent's mask.

The general stood there, stunned, staring at his empty hand. His bamboo sword had been snatched away by Hasegawa. This was the first time this had happened since he participated in any kind of kendo competition. He suddenly felt the same powerlessness and bewilderment he had when he first started learning kendo and faced his kendo teacher.

"One copy!"

Hasegawa won again, and it's still a single book.

Even at this point, the video of Hasegawa fighting his opponent was replayed on the large monitor. Slowed down many times, the audience finally saw how Hasegawa disarmed his opponent and then delivered a swift strike to his opponent's mask.

"One! One! One!"

"One-Hit Man! One-Hit Man! One-Hit Man!"

The kendo dojo echoed with the cheers of the audience, and eventually they even unified and became known as "One-Punch Man".

Hasegawa has already gotten used to this nickname; after all, with so many people recognizing it, there's no way to change it now. One-Hit Man it is. As long as it's not One-Second Man.

In this frenzied atmosphere, Sayuri Sawamura and the others joined in the cheering. Even Utaha Kasumigaoka couldn't help but shout "One-Punch Man" along with them. When she realized what she had done, she blushed a little. She had originally wanted to see Hasegawa get defeated, but now she was cheering for him instead.

Chapter 135 Finals: Kooh High School vs. U.A. High School

In fact, the audience in the kendo dojo had almost all decided that Hasegawa was the strongman who would lead his team to win this year's Jade Dragon Flag championship.

Because in all the kendo competitions, apart from Saeko Busujima in the women's division, no one has ever defeated their opponent with just one strike. Such a situation is almost impossible in the top eight matches, but Hasegawa did it, and he was the only one to do it.

Hasegawa can do things that others can't, so it's clear that Hasegawa is the strongest.

Hasegawa led his team to a strong entry into the top four. The other three teams in the top four all looked quite cautious, clearly having already considered Hasegawa a formidable opponent, and they were all thinking about how to defeat him.

In the eyes of the three teams, Saeko Busujima was the Great Demon King, but wasn't Hasegawa just as much? One-hit wonder, one-shot kill. Such a powerful figure, capable of defeating opponents with overwhelming force, leaving everyone in despair—what else could he be but the Great Demon King?

However, what gave them some reassurance was that Hasegawa's strength lay solely in himself. His teammates were clearly insufficient; in fact, they had all sustained injuries during their battles in their pursuit of the top four. In essence, Hasegawa's teammates were practically rendered ineffective. Their existence could be completely disregarded. Therefore, the only one they truly needed to contend with was Hasegawa.

The five of them took turns fighting Hasegawa. Even though Hasegawa was very strong, it must have been extremely difficult for him to take on five opponents at once.

The other three teams in the top four thought the same way.

Hasegawa's teammates experienced a range of emotions, from excitement to disappointment and unease.

The excitement stemmed from making it into the top four, a feat that almost broke their historical record. However, they also felt a sense of loss and unease. They knew their situation; their skills were lacking, and they were even injured, leaving them with little fighting power. In short, they were a group that was holding the team back. If, by chance, Hasegawa failed due to exhaustion because of them, they were even contemplating seppuku.

"General Hasegawa, I'm sorry, we... we've dragged you down."

"I'm sorry, Admiral Hasegawa!"

"general--"

"Alright, alright." Hasegawa waved his hand. "Don't worry. It's fine. Don't be like this. It's just a victory. Leave it to me. I'm someone who can fight against Busujima-senpai. Don't worry about this kind of match."

Hearing Hasegawa say this, his teammates, who had been feeling disappointed and worried, perked up a little. Indeed, they believed in Saeko Busujima. After all, Saeko Busujima was so strong. They believed that even without anyone else, Saeko Busujima alone could win the Jade Dragon Flag. Since Hasegawa's strength was on par with Saeko Busujima's, he naturally had the ability to fight alone and win.

The competition has begun. The semi-finals will determine the final champion today.

Hasegawa and his team are facing Komao High School, last year's champions, the Dragon Flag team. A group of very strong opponents.

Hasegawa, as the general, was naturally the last to appear. So, although the vanguard and the second vanguard were much weaker than their opponents, they fought almost desperately during the match. At the cost of their own four lives, they managed to fight off the opponent's vanguard and second vanguard.

Then Hasegawa will face three opponents, the three strongest of them all. But in their eyes, these opponents will still alleviate some of the pressure on Hasegawa.

In reality, for Hasegawa, there's not much difference between three people and five. On an ancient battlefield, while Hasegawa might not be a master slayer capable of killing a thousand men, he could easily achieve ten, and even a hundred, with a bit of luck, should be achievable.

Not to mention the one-on-one matches like the Jade Dragon Flag, which, despite being a series of matches, were nothing to Hasegawa.

Not much different from before, Hasegawa quickly finished each book, one after another. He continued to defeat his opponent.

At this point, almost everyone acknowledged Hasegawa's strength, after all, Hasegawa had so easily defeated the team from Komao High School, the boys' champions last year.

This overwhelming power was so terrifying that even after their defeat, no one at Kuoh High School dared to say to Hasegawa, "You won this time, but next time, we will definitely defeat you." Their strength was simply on a completely different level, not even in the same dimension.

Just like how no one on the other side could confidently defeat Saeko Busujima.

Soubu High School, Kenichi Hasegawa, One-Punch Man!

This name was etched into almost everyone's hearts. Even many high school teams were inwardly wryly thinking, "Soubu High School again! First, there was Saeko Busujima, who dominated them for three years. Now that Saeko Busujima is leaving, Hasegawa has arrived, ready to dominate for the next three years. Where do Soubu High School get so many monsters?"

Of the four semifinalists, two teams faced off. Besides Soubu High School, another winning team emerged: U.A. High School. A group of very energetic guys who unfortunately lost to Komao High School last year. However, their strength is by no means inferior. This year, their kendo club has gained another very talented member, making their overall strength even surpass that of Komao High School.

They had originally planned to defeat Kooh High School and win this year's championship. But now, Hasegawa suddenly appeared, leading Soubu High School to a strong run into the finals and becoming their opponent.

Looking at Hasegawa, they felt immense pressure, and even had difficulty breathing.

However, they were soberly aware that, of the boys' team at Soubu High School, only Hasegawa was still able to fight; the other four were simply not good enough to even participate.

Hasegawa, the general, stood directly on the field.

Immediately, countless people began to gasp and scream. If Hasegawa wanted to lead Soubu High School to victory, he would have to defeat all five opponents single-handedly. If Hasegawa could actually do that, he would absolutely rise to legendary status and become a legend in the history of the Jade Dragon Banner.

Although Yulongqi has previously achieved a five-game winning streak, that would never happen in the finals.

Chapter 136 Winning Streak: One Victory After Five Matches

The five players from U.A. High School watched Hasegawa cautiously. After all, Hasegawa's displayed strength was beyond what one person could defeat. In fact, even with five of them, they weren't very confident they could beat Hasegawa.

"Please bring your players to the stage!"

The vanguard of U.A. High School stepped forward, and at the same time, Hasegawa also stepped forward under the worried and self-reproachful gazes of his teammates.

Hasegawa, as the captain, should have been the last to go on the field. However, the bodies of Hasegawa's four teammates were clearly no longer able to support this kind of battle. Even if they went on the field, the final result would probably be that they would be defeated by the vanguard of U.A. High School in a one-against-four battle. It might consume some of the vanguard's stamina, but for Hasegawa, it would make no difference at all.

So, Hasegawa was the last one to take the stage.