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

Page 224

Without the host's prompting, all the audience members realized this.

They have already started spontaneously to show their support.

Online, the topic is gaining immense popularity.

Even those who had no prior knowledge of the Jade Dragon Flag were inevitably influenced by their surroundings and began to pay attention to this matter.

It was in this atmosphere that Sakamoto Heisan composed himself and stepped back onto the kendo platform.

His silhouette was quite tragic.

"I have figured it out."

Looking at Kujo Toru standing opposite him, he slowly spoke.

Kujo Toru raised an eyebrow.

He carefully examined Sakamoto Heisan.

Unlike his performance on stage, his entire demeanor had changed; he was much more composed now.

Standing there, he exuded the air of a swordsman.

"What have you realized?"

"In my life, I have focused too much on other things, and as a result, I have lost the true essence of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style."

As he spoke, Sakamoto Heisan assumed a high-level stance, his eyes fixed on Kujo Toru, and said in a deep voice:

"Let's settle this fair and square! Our glory and honor shall be earned through the sword!"

Seeing Sakamoto Heisan's current appearance, Kujo Tetsu began to doubt whether his previous prejudice against Hokushin Ittō-ryū was correct.

Is it possible that the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style is truly without problems? Or is the problem only with the people involved?

"Chiba Soubu High School vs. Tokyo Kokushikan High School, the Grandmaster Match!"

The referee drew out his words, stirring up the enthusiasm of the audience in the stadium:

"The second trial begins!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sakamoto Heisan launched his attack.

By using a sliding step and visual illusion, he created the illusion for the audience that he had only taken three steps to cross the five or six meters between the two people.

This is what is known as shrinking the distance.

This kind of footwork is not only found in the Natural Rishin-ryu style; in fact, similar techniques exist in all ancient kendo styles.

However, what Sakamoto Heisan used next was the unique technique of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style.

He gripped the sword hilt with his right hand and loosened his grip slightly with his left.

The bamboo sword, which had been as easy to wield as an arm, suddenly took on a light, rhythmic movement, fluttering in the wind like the tail feathers of a wagtail.

The sword tip, covered with white cotton cloth, moved swiftly and mysteriously, like a firefly.

This is precisely the ultimate essence of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style: the Sekirei Attack.

Just like a wagtail that, when perched on the ground, constantly moves its tail feathers up and down.

This move is similar; by slightly shaking the tip of the blade with the left hand, the tip can be prevented from freezing, allowing for flexible changes in tactics while also making it difficult for the enemy to discern one's intentions.

Then...

"hand!"

Sakamoto Heisan's breath control echoed continuously on the kendo platform, and each time it was the exact same word.

Kujo Toru expressed that he really shouldn't have doubted Hokushin Ittō-ryū.

This school of kendo has a major problem!

Sakamoto Heisan completely abandoned the easy points of the noodles and torso, focusing his attention solely on Kujo Toru's sword-wielding hand.

In modern Kendo rules, the hand is the part of the body most likely to be judged as a foul, resulting in the score being invalidated.

Even Kujo Toru only scores by striking the hand after clearly cutting into the blade.

However, Sakamoto Heisan has his own explanation.

When he first started learning kendo, his instructor, the Hokushin Itto-ryu master, once said:

"The defining characteristic of the Hokushin Itto-ryu style is cutting off hands. If you can't cut off his hand by moving forward, then you'll retreat and cut off his hand! Regardless of whether it's against the rules or not, if you strike his hand with your sword, even if the point is invalidated, how can he hold a sword normally after his hand is swollen from the blow?"

From then on, Sakamoto Heisan fully understood the essence of the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style.

And it was fully utilized in this battle.

As for the disdainful looks and boos from the audience, weren't they the highest praise for his Beichen Ittō-ryū style?

"hand!"

He took another step forward, and spoke with a unified breath.

He swung the bamboo sword in his hand, cutting through the air currents.

Unlike before, this time another voice rang out at the same time as him.

In his line of sight, another bamboo sword slashed diagonally upwards and into his blade at a rather tricky angle.

He then used an extremely skillful sweeping technique, forcibly dragging his bamboo sword in a wide arc, breaking through the wagtail's attack.

Before he could even sheathe his sword and retreat, it landed heavily on the back of his hand.

In pain, he instinctively released the bamboo sword, which fell to the ground with a thud.

The result was exactly the same as the previous game.

The stadium was filled with immense enthusiasm, with shouts of "Single-handedly breaking through the enemy lines" echoing throughout.

In this enthusiastic atmosphere, both referees simultaneously raised their flags, announcing the result of the match:

"General Battle, Chiba Soubu High School's second-year students drop straight out!"

Sakamoto Heisen stood alone on the kendo platform, looking down at the bamboo sword at his feet, and took off his mask.

He took a deep breath and spoke with a rather desolate air:

"Forty-nine years of prosperity, a fleeting dream; glory, a single cup of wine..."

Before he could finish reading, a slap landed heavily on his back, almost knocking him unconscious.

He coughed twice, and the emotions he had just built up were instantly shattered.

The hateful voice of Yokota Tsuyoshi echoed in my ears:

"Stop pretending to be a literary youth. Are you Uesugi Kenshin reciting his last poem?"

Before he could even retort, another pair of large hands had already grabbed him and dragged him off the stage.

Instantaneous stress response.

This moment is just like that moment back then.

"Let's go, let's go, the game's over, time to go for a drink."

Kazama Souto spoke casually, completely disregarding the fact that the three of them were still minors.

It wasn't until the referee, who hadn't left yet, cast a murderous glare at him that he realized what was happening.

His imposing manner vanished instantly, and he began to mutter under his breath:

"No, it's barley juice."

"And there's oolong tea too, let's go!"

Yokota added that he didn't give Sakamoto any room to struggle at all, and forcibly dragged him out of the Fukuoka Hall.

-----------------

Author's words

P.S.: The Hokushin Ittō-ryū fighting style in this chapter is something I actually encountered a few years ago when I was playing a military game, and I was disgusted by it, so I'm going to hate the Hokushin Ittō-ryū style for the rest of my life.

Volume 1: Chapter 210 (4K) The meaning of the minister's existence is to be betrayed.

Kujo Toru ignored the farce between the three and turned to Asabu Yoshino beside him, asking a question:

"There are still five hours until the final. It's boring to stay here. Let's go out for a walk."

"Ah."

Asahi nods vigorously.

Kurokawa Kirizuki, who was excitedly wandering around the venue, quickly followed the two when he saw them about to leave.

A gaze filled with fervor and a hint of doubt remained fixed on Kujo Toru until his figure disappeared into the passageway.

"You care a lot about that lone warrior breaking through the enemy lines?"

The kendo club president, arms crossed, suddenly asked a question.

On the stage, the referee's voice rang out, announcing the start of the final four-match game.

"Kyoto Hisumiyama High School vs. Kyoto Izumi Shin High School, First Match!"

Kyoto Izumi High School is a traditional powerhouse in kendo. As one of the top kendo teams in Kyoto Prefecture, the two sides have faced each other many times, and their strength should not be underestimated.

In the eyes of the audience, this should be a closely fought battle, and as the captain of the Hisumiyama Kendo Club, he should also pay close attention to the situation of this match.

But that's not the case.

From beginning to end, Quanxin High School was not taken seriously by him at all.

He was more concerned about the condition of his key players than about the uninteresting match.

Since the start of the assembly this morning, although Dongtang Xiuluo remained as taciturn as usual, he could clearly sense that something was wrong with the other party.

His gaze swept over the sword pouch that Dongtang Shura had been holding in his arms.

"Correct."

Dongtang Xiuluo nodded, then fell silent.

The minister did not press further, and the atmosphere fell silent.

Only the sound of footsteps on the stage and the cheers from the audience reached my ears.

Before they knew it, the vanguard of Kumiyama High School had already taken down two opponents in a row, only to be defeated by the opponent's midfielder.

"Minister, I have a request."

Dongtang Xiuluo took a deep breath, seemingly having finally made a decision, and spoke up.

"Tell me about it."

The minister, with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his haori, listened quietly to Toudou Shura's explanation, looking as if he had expected it.

A moment later, he took a deep breath.

The composure that had been on his face completely vanished.

Instead, they look at you like you're a lunatic.

"Hey kid, are you asking me for a favor or making a wish? Do you think I can help you get something like this done?!"

Dongtang Xiuluo remained silent.

He simply hugged the sword pouch in his arms even tighter.

Clearly, even if the minister doesn't help, he will do it in his own way.

The minister immediately hardened his fist.