Anime, Girlfriend Shokuhou Misaki.

The figure suddenly vanished without a trace.

“——Huh?”

What happened? Why? She wondered—but there was no time to search.

--knock!

Asagi Momiji felt a hard touch on the back of her head.

She turned around quickly, and there stood Makoto Haramura, a black gun pointed at her.

"Bang bang bang-"

Three loud bangs.

The spirit bullet did not harm the physical body, but went straight through Asagi Momiji's skull. Asagi Momiji fell to the ground without putting up any resistance.

"Knock down!"

"I scream scream scream scream scream—"

The fatal blow that occurred immediately after the start of the match caused an uproar among the spectators.

"In just a moment, in just a moment, before Asagi Momiji could even react, the outcome was decided."

"This is the causal interference ability that controls time. Although Makoto Haramura has not shown it before, we are finally able to glimpse this mysterious power."

The power of time is exceptionally strong and ever-changing.

When Shinguji Kurono was first born, she was even hailed as the next hope of Japan.

Now, after ten years, this power is once again realized by Makoto Haramura on the stage of the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival.

Indeed, compared to that kind of exhilarating battle.

This kind of "face-to-face kill" might be even more shocking to everyone.

In particular, Haramura Makoto's opponent was no nobody; he was the third-place winner of the last Seven Star Sword Dance Festival, a disciple of the God of War, and Haramura Makoto's fellow disciple.

Despite being such a powerful being, he was defeated with a single kill upon first meeting.

"Oh, I have some news to share with everyone. According to the camera footage, this match lasted 0.8 seconds, breaking the tournament record of finishing a match in 1 second."

The footage from just moments ago was being played repeatedly on the big screen.

However, even with a high-definition camera playing at double speed, the footage played in slow frames showed Makoto Haramura's afterimage moving directly behind Momiji Asagi, pressing a gun against the back of Momiji Asagi's head, pulling the trigger, and ending the fight.

"Is this the strongest swordsman of the younger generation?"

"There is indeed a big gap between him and others."

"No, Princess Crimson Lotus and Sword Emperor Gale are not bad either; their performances are equally impressive."

"Princess Crimson Lotus is indeed close, but Sword Emperor Gale has already been defeated, so he cannot be included."

Makoto Haramura has already left, but the audience is still buzzing with discussion.

They were having a lively discussion about who would win the championship at this conference.

They were all looking forward to the showdown between Makoto Haramura and Princess Guren.

……

"Junior brother, you're really being disrespectful."

After the match ended, Makoto Haramura, having finished his interview, did not return to the rest room, but instead went to the VIP viewing area that Kanata Kintoku had reserved for him.

But as soon as he sat down, Toudou Touka's complaints rang out.

"I'm just anxious because I'm afraid I'll miss the competition."

"I'll go see Senior Sister Asaki after the competition is over."

Makoto Haramura immediately and decisively admitted his mistake.

He knew he was in the wrong. After all, they were his fellow disciples, and such a swift defeat was a disservice to Asagi Momiji.

But who told him to be in such a hurry?

This is something we can't help but accept; it's beyond our control.

"Okay, I'll go with you then."

Toudou Touka nodded. This was acceptable. She could understand Haramura Makoto's anxiety.

After all, aren't they the same? They didn't even watch Makoto Haramura's match before coming here.

"Has Ikki already gone to prepare?"

"I've already gone to adjust my state."

Stella nodded, gesturing for Makoto Haramura to sit down.

After sitting down, Makoto Haramura glanced around; the number of spectators for this match wasn't particularly large.

The occupancy rate is roughly around 70%.

This is a far cry from the 100% attendance rate of every match Makoto Haramura participated in.

But that's normal, I suppose.

Indeed, Kurogane Ikki has now entered the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival, but his status as an F-rank knight remains unchanged.

Everyone thought he was pretty much done.

Every step forward is a stroke of good luck, but when facing Kurogane Ohma, no one really thinks Kurogane Ikki can win.

After all, the battle between Kurogane Ohma and Haramura Makoto is still circulating online.

Although Kurogane Ohma lost to Haramura Makoto, it was only a narrow defeat, as the strength of Haramura Makoto and Kurogane Ohma was not much different.

So who would have faith in Ikki Kurogane?

……

"Brother, long time no see."

Accompanied by the host's not-so-enthusiastic enthusiasm, Kurogane Ikki and Kurogane Ohma walked onto the battlefield at the same time.

"Big brother!"

Even with the title "Kurogane Ikki," Kurogane Ohma's cold eyes remained calm and undisturbed.

“I already said that I have left the Black Iron family and have nothing to do with them anymore.”

"There was no need to call him 'elder brother' ten years ago."

Kurogane Ikki gently shook his head, his pupils equally calm.

"This has nothing to do with whether you left home or not, brother."

“I have also left home, but I will still acknowledge my sister, mother, father and relatives.”

"This has nothing to do with family; it's just about blood relatives."

This is an argument completely opposite to that of Black Iron King.

"That's it!"

Faced with his younger brother's rebuttal, Kurogane Ohma was not angry; instead, he revealed a meaningful expression.

"It's because you keep caring about such trivial things that even though your strength has improved, it's still at a level that's not worth looking at."

"If you could completely let go of this boring feeling, you should become stronger than you are now."

Romantic love? Family love? Friendship?

These worldly emotions meant nothing to Black Iron King; they were merely stumbling blocks on his path to becoming the strongest.

He only strives to be the strongest, and he will discard anything that hinders his progress.

"No, brother."

"My sword becomes sharper because of the people who protect it."

Amidst this not-so-intense argument, announcer Iida pulled the trigger to start the match.

"Both athletes are in position at the starting line. The competition is now officially starting."

Let's go!

Both sides received the signal to start the match at the same time, with Black Iron King Ma making the first move.

"Is that so? It seems I've been unusually talkative."

Black Iron King whispered, as if talking to himself, lowering his body and stretching his right hand forward.

Then, he concentrated his magic in his right hand—

"Roar! Dragon Claw!"

The crystallization of the soul is directly manifested.

It was a bit longer than a Japanese sword, and its classification was roughly that of a "nodachi".

"Come on, use your strongest move."

"I have no interest in fighting you in this state; you're too weak."

"I see."

Kurogane Ikki clasped his hands together, and azure light rippled outwards.

Then, an ordinary sword that was completely black like meteorite appeared in his hand.

"—'One-Sword Asura'!"

Azure flames erupted from Ikki Kurogane's body.

At the start, Kurogane Ikki unleashed his full power, just as Kurogane Ohma had predicted.

"boom!"

With a deafening roar, the air around Ikki Kurogane exploded, causing the azure, flame-like radiance to transform into a storm that swept out from his body.

No one knew better than Ikki Kurogane how weak he was in his normal state.

He knew exactly how strong his older brother was.

Therefore, going all out from the start is his best approach.

"For those who support me."

"Big brother, I will defeat you in the next minute."

The moment Kurogane Ikki made that declaration, the attack began immediately.

"pound--"

With a thud like an explosion, Kurogane Ikki shattered the ground with astonishing force and burst forth with a roar.

Its figure disappeared the instant it darted out.

but……

"choke--"

Amidst the crisp clanging of swords, a slash, like lightning, tore through the air and space, disappearing in an instant like an arc of light.

"The Seventh Secret Sword - 'Lightning Light'!"

fast!

The power of this sword strike was several times stronger than that of Kurogane Ikki's previous strike.

"clang--"

With a loud clang and sparks flying, the invisible, lightning-like slash was cleanly deflected by the nodachi, which was carrying the force of a hurricane.

"not good!"

Kurogane Ikki's expression changed drastically.

But now is clearly not the time for him to be shocked.

"Chong-"

The soft clatter of swords rang out once more.