Supernatural/Anime Crossover: Where Did My Romantic Comedy Go?

It was obvious that they couldn't stand the two of them trash-talking each other and reminded them to have a showdown soon.

"Hmph, when it comes to killing, guns and cannons are much more effective than swords."

Kazama Souto uses a famous quote from Sakamoto Ryoma to retaliate, and at the same time, he also takes action.

Body, will, and momentum merged into one, launching a preemptive attack on Kujo Toru with an extremely oppressive posture.

"Times have changed. Those who can't keep up with the times should step down now, Kujo-kun!"

Kujo Toru calmly thrust out his bamboo sword, intending to strike Kazama Soto's sword-wielding hand. However, the opponent was quite alert and instantly anticipated his move, changing his own stance and turning directly to Kasumi.

Snapped!

The crisp sound of bamboo swords clashing echoed from the kendo platform.

The sword, bound by layers of rope, bent dramatically, with bamboo shavings even flying into the air.

They slid towards each other toward the blade, attempting to make a cut, but instead ended up in a locked position between the tsuba (handguard).

Kazama Hayato did not engage in a power struggle with Kujo Toru.

Although Shinto Munen-ryu is known for its strength, it does not refer to brute force.

Push your opponent away slightly with both hands, using the counterforce to enter the "Remnant Heart" state, followed by a violent barrage of slashes like a storm.

As the only one among the thirty ancient schools of kendo that can rival Shigen-ryu in terms of power, the two schools are also quite similar in their fighting styles.

The only difference is that the Shigenryu style leans more towards the one-sword style, while the Shinto Munenryu style leans more towards the first strike.

That's why Kazama Hayato was able to follow up when Kujo Toru made his straight thrust earlier.

The two sides launched several attacks and defenses, their movements shifting so frequently that it was impossible to discern their specific actions.

Only the continuous crackling sound of bamboo knives clashing together rang out, like firecrackers going off.

The commentator couldn't stop talking, because before he could even finish describing the previous round's offense and defense, the two had already exchanged blows several times.

Although the details were completely obscured, the enthusiasm of the audience inside the venue had already been fully ignited.

The cheers could be heard even outside the stadium.

Such an intense battle is truly rare to see on the field.

In Kendo, the outcome of a battle is usually decided in an instant, and it is almost impossible for it to escalate into such a protracted struggle.

Kazama Soto's offensive was quite swift, but Kujo Toru gave him no chance to break through.

He appeared to be at a disadvantage and being suppressed, but in reality, he steadily blocked every attack.

Only he himself knew that he was the one who was truly at a disadvantage.

A strong offensive cannot last long; once his momentum is exhausted, defeat is inevitable.

Kazama Hayato glared angrily.

However, Kujo Tetsu's expression beneath the mask remained unchanged.

"Since you say times have changed, then why are you practicing kendo so hard?"

The interrogation directly points to Kazama Hayato's weaknesses.

"Although your swordsmanship is not a killing technique, it is designed for actual combat, which seems to contradict your statement."

Yes.

Although Kazama Soto is a very unethical person who likes to cheat and ambush, he has even corrupted the style of the entire Kamimiya High School.

However, he never used ineffective scoring parts of his body to forcefully catch a knife and thus gain a scoring opportunity.

Because if it's a real knife, there's no such thing as effective or ineffective; if you get stabbed, you'll get injured, bleed, and die.

Do you expect your opponent to be weak enough to only injure the skin and flesh?

In other words, he was actually practicing practical swordsmanship, just not as extreme as the "killing sword" style, which aimed to kill the enemy.

"That's because I'm going to join the Osaka Prefectural Police after I graduate from university!"

Kazama Hayato answered Kujo Toru's question in a matter-of-fact tone:

“My dad is the Superintendent of the Osaka Prefectural Police Department. I was trained from a young age to join the police force, so my kendo naturally has to be geared towards real combat.”

"Oh, it's you, young master. Never mind, I didn't ask."

There are only 20 Superintendents of Police in the entire country, which is second only to the Superintendent General in the police system, and can only be held by non-professionals.

Moreover, he is the Superintendent General of Police in Osaka, one of the three major metropolitan areas.

This is the young master of the Zhen family.

However, Kujo Toru's casual remark enraged Kazama Hayato:

"I got here through my own abilities, so don't call me a young master!"

Anger disrupts one's mental state, and once the mental state is disrupted, the sword in his hand becomes erratic.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kujo Toru aimed at his weakness, and with his bamboo sword, he cut out a lightning-fast trajectory, deflecting his slash and then landing heavily on his mask.

"noodle!"

Along with the sound of breathing, there was also a cracking sound.

After being subjected to the two men's vigorous assault, the bamboo knife finally gave way, and the hemp rope used to bind it suddenly broke, sending several bamboo strips flying out.

By sheer coincidence, all the projectiles landed on the "Shinsengumi leader" of Kyoto Kumiyama High School, making him howl in pain.

"Score valid! Chiba Soubu High School, straight to second-tier university!"

With the referee's voice, the match came to a close.

Osaka Kamimiya High School, a favorite to win the championship, was eliminated in the round of 16, and even suffered a complete defeat after being swept five times.

The legend of Chiba Soutake's solo victory continues.

Kazama Hayato's lips twitched as he looked at Kujo Toru, who seemed completely unaffected, with a murderous glint in his eyes.

He finally realized that the guy had said that on purpose.

Otherwise, even if they were at a disadvantage, they wouldn't have been defeated so quickly.

Kujo Toru took off his mask and looked at him with a smile.

"Mind and skill are one, Kazama-kun, your mental cultivation is still insufficient."

Kazama Hayato's fist hardened.

Turning her head away and ignoring him, the two walked off the kendo platform one after the other, handing the space over to the next team to perform.

Yokota saw Kazama Soto's expression and immediately went to mock him, causing chaos and confusion.

Kujo Toru looked at Asagi Yoshino, who was coming to greet him, and was in a very good mood, unusually taking the initiative to greet her:

"Let's go find a place to have lunch, it's on me."

Originally, his participation in the Jade Dragon Flag event was just a side event.

But after two days of actual competition, he found that he actually quite liked the feeling.

He doesn't have to face vengeful spirits or monsters, and he's not a god who has been training in the world, but just an ordinary high school student at Soubu High School.

Without the pressure of life and death, they simply connect through swordsmanship, pouring out their youth and sweat.

Especially among the opponents, although their attitudes varied, ultimately, they were all high school students with a simple goal: to win and take the championship.

This pure, unadulterated competition made him feel much more relaxed.

Otherwise, he would never be so relaxed and cheerful as he is now.

Because he could clearly sense that something was changing in the real world.

Over the past month or so, evil spirits have been reviving one after another.

She was once an unknown yokai disguised as Yumiko Miura at Soubu High School, a black raccoon in Hachikawa City, and now Yatogami in Misaki Town.

There was also that piece of the Sesshōseki, which was clearly placed inside Suzumoto Mayu's mother's body by someone.

It's almost like a signal.

It's hard to say whether the great monsters that were once defeated and sealed away will return one after another, and it's also hard to say whether this is a natural change of the times or someone is secretly orchestrating it.

Logically speaking, when the sky falls, the tall ones should hold it up.

Unfortunately, Kujo Toru has never seen a real god in the real world, and the only person who can be considered a true priestess and exorcist is Asatake Yoshino.

In other words, he is actually the tallest person right now.

Furthermore, the alleged car accident death of the former chief priest and sword priest of the Seifu Taisha Shrine more than a year ago is also full of hidden stories.

According to his memory and impression, even if these two did not have guardian spirits like him, their spiritual power level should still be above level 20.

With the secret techniques of the Seifu Taisha Shrine and the sacred sword, even if one were to be elbowed by Daiun on the way home, at the very least one could abandon the vehicle and avoid it.

It is clear that Seifu Taisha was caught up in the vortex from the very beginning.

This is one of the reasons why he keeps pushing himself to become stronger.

Unfortunately, he was never able to find any clues about the cause of death of these two people.

"Maybe next week is summer vacation, and I should go back to my hometown in Shikoku."

Kujo Toru muttered something under his breath, which drew a puzzled look from Asagi Yoshino.

"Lord Kujo?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking that I haven't been back to my hometown in a long time, and I plan to go back and visit this summer vacation."

"Lord Kujo actually has a hometown?"

Asatake Yoshino was so surprised that she briefly forgot to maintain her composure.

So even gods have this kind of thing?

Kujo Toru's face darkened.

Although I have acquired some divine qualities in the world of trials, I am still a human being through and through, okay?

However, he couldn't easily explain this to Yoshino Asatake, so he could only offer a vague answer:

"There are still some, at least."

He secretly made a decision: once the matter with Yatogami was over, when he entered the training world again, he would definitely deal with those stupid posts on the internet.

And that guy who controls the masked demon should also be dealt with.

Last time, he dared to let the clam pull out the Kusanagi, almost causing a huge disaster. Kujo Toru doesn't even dare to think about what that guy will do next.

"I see..."

At that moment, Yoshino Asatake was thinking about many things.

If the curse can be resolved smoothly, she plans to invite Lord Kujo to Suiori Town during the summer vacation so that she can express her gratitude.

It now seems that this idea is doomed.

Kenji Shrine also holds a grand festival during the summer vacation, so she doesn't have time to go out.

A hint of regret crept onto his face.

"By the way, when will your match this afternoon finish?"

Kujo Toru looked at the girl beside him.

Zongwu Gao was the fourth player to appear in the round of 16, which means that after advancing to the quarterfinals, it would be his turn for the second match.

I estimate we should be able to finish around 3 o'clock.

I just don't know when it will be for Yoshino Asahi.

"We have decided to give up."

The girl answered honestly, and then, meeting Kujo Toru's puzzled gaze, she began to explain.

She, like Kujo Toru, joined the kendo club halfway through, but the only difference was that Kujo Toru was begged by Yokota Tsuyoshi, while Asatake Yoshino asked for it on her own initiative.

Initially, the Kendo Club at Suiori High School was just about participation; the main goal was to legitimately visit the big city.

Considering that Yoshino Asahi led four others, achieving this ranking is already quite satisfactory.

They felt too ashamed to continue, so after finishing the match in the morning, they consulted Yoshino Asagi and then voluntarily withdrew.