Chapter 151: Men

"Kimura-san, Kimura-san, I'm going!"

Sonada Takaki took a deep breath. He was the Senpou of Sakura Kyu High School, and right now, he was extremely nervous.

It was not his fault, the formidability of Yuki Gyo High School was to blame. They sat there, and each time they saw Yuki Go High School flaunting their power, the atmosphere grew more and more grim.

"When the match begins, don't chit-chat with the opponent, attack right away," instructed Kimura Kazuki, who was silent all the while.

Sonada Takaki went blank for a while and subsequently nodded firmly, "I will!"

Kimura Kazuki had an exceptional hearing. Throughout his observation, he noticed that Kageyama Ichiro was spewing too much nonsensical stuff.

High school students were at the age where they are hot-headed. With just a few words of provocations, they would fire up. The moment they lose their cool, Kageyama Ichiro would seize the chance and finish the match.

Of course, Kageyama Ichiro possessed remarkable skills as well, or else he would not be able to fight 1V5 all the time.

Yet, Kimura Kazuki did not scorn upon Kageyama Ichiro's character. He was not in the competitive Kendo circle, so he did not practice the ethics of said circle. Instead, he agreed with Kageyama Ichiro's ways. Every approach was worthwhile as long as victory was obtained.

Sonada Takaki went up and inhaled deeply. After the referee called for them to start, they both bowed and clashed their swords against each other when Kageyama Ichiro spoke, "Sonada-san, you..."

Talking during a match? An opening!

As Kageyama Ichiro parted his lips, Sonada Takaki immediately lifted his sword and pierced forward!

The move was abrupt and quick, catching Kageyama Ichiro off guard. However, Kageyama Ichiro was able to block the attack due to the difference in strength rapidly. He was enraged by the humiliation, and with a swift move, he managed to hit Sonada Takaki's Do point on his body, ending the match!

"Winner, Yuki Gyo High School, Kageyama Ichiro!" Wow...

Applause erupted in the arena. Even though the audience thought that Sakura Kyu High School was no match for Yuki Gyo High School, but when the match began, they had still hoped to see an interesting match.

But, clearly... Kageyama Ichiro from Yuki Gyo High School was far too strong. He merely used a few seconds to block and made a counterattack before defeating Sonada Takaki.

It looks like the champion for District A of the Tokyo region had appeared.

The following outcome was no different from the speculation of the audience. Kagayama Ichiro proceeded to defeat the Jihou, Chuuken, and Fukushou of Sakura Kyu High School.

In an instance, the air about the Sakura Kyu Kendo Association was somber as everyone was gloomy. Natsui, who was sitting among the audience, found it unbearable to continue watching. Yet, as she recalled the strength that her senpai had shown in the video, she regained confidence in the team.

On the other hand, if it was not for Chiba Shiori dragging her back, Tamago would have just left.

Next up was Sakura Kyu High School's Taishou...

To be frank, many of the audience of District A was unsure of the capability of Sakura Kyu's Taishou. Even though he had participated in two matches, but it seemed like an easy win. Despite that, he should not be on the same level as Kageyama Ichiyama.

After all, Kageyama Ichiro had won the acknowledgment of the audience.

Kimura Kazuki put on his Kendo attire for the third time of the day, but he still found it awkward. He came to the arena and stood before Kageyama Ichiro. After the referee had announced for them to start, they both bowed. This time, Kageyama Ichiro had learned his lesson, so he started murmuring when they were exchanging bows.

"Kimura Kazuki... the successor of the Yagyu Flying Sword Style. I will make you understand the strength of our Kageyama Kiai Style! The inheritance of Sword Saint Takeda will surely belong to the Kageyama clan!"

Kimura Kazuki gave his opponent a look, clueless about his intention. However, he found it weird that his opponent did not try to distract him by spewing nonsense.

Yet... Kageyama Kiai Style? The name of the style made him ponder, but it was not because the said style was famous. It was the fact that Kageyama Ichiro kept spitting nonsense, but the referee did not react. At first, he thought it was acceptable to make a fuss during a Kendo tournament. Yet, now it seemed as if the referee could not hear whatever Kageyama Ichiro was saying?

After bowing, Kimura Kazuki spotted that his opponent's mouth was opened under the mask. It was apparent that his opponent was about to say something.

Observing this, he held the bamboo sword with both hands. He did not want to hear any nonsense from his opponent as he aimed a blow on the protective guard of his opponent. As he slashed down, his tone was light as he said, "Men. " He was aiming for the head.

Kageyama Ichiro's face stiffened slightly. His opponent's movement was unrefined with many flaws, but he dared not underestimate his opponent. The players from the other school were nothing to him but Kimura Kazuki... He saw the video of the match in Akihabara Square.

This fellow was the successor of the Yagyu Flying Sword Style and should not be underestimated.

Besides, Kageyama Ichiro knew the rules for competitive Kendo tournaments. If he chose to make a counterattack at this moment, even if he managed to land a blow on any valid points, they would both go down together if he could not avoid his opponent's attack.

In competitive Kendo, points were not awarded when both parties go down together, and there would be a rematch. This was the reason why players would back away from their opponents after hitting a valid position in Kendo tournaments recordings. It was to avoid going down with the opponent. Besides, he was excellent at blocking and making a counterattack.

Even though a lot went through his mind but Kageyama Ichiro immediately held his bamboo sword horizontally when Kimura Kazuki raised his sword. When the two sword touches, he would make his counterattack.

Yet, at the next moment.

Crack! Boom... He felt a tremor from his protective guard, and a strong force went rushing his way. He could not help but retract his footsteps before landing on his bum.

Kageyama Ichiro was confounded... What happened? He sat on the floor, dazed at the bamboo sword that was broken into two on the floor, and suddenly fear hit him.

His opponent split his bamboo sword into two just now?

It was then that the audience regained their focus and was sent into an uproar.

"This... What happened?"

"Kageyama-san's bamboo sword was cut into two?"

"Wasn't that force too frightening? The Taishou of Sakura Kyu High School was holding a bamboo sword too, not some kind of sharp weapon?"

"Is... the point counted?"

Kimura Kazuki stood in the arena, but the referee did not announce the match's result. Curiously, he turned to look... Instead, he saw the referee come up to him with shock in his voice, "Excuse me, can I check your bamboo sword?"

As the referee said this, the staff member who was on standby came up. The staff member picked up Kageyama Ichiro's bamboo sword and carefully examined it.

"Sure," Kimura Kazuki handed over the bamboo sword to the referee as he quietly thought to himself that perhaps he overdid it.

After all, competitive Kendo was all about skill, speed, and counteraction... Nobody had ever sliced the opponent's bamboo sword in two in past tournaments.

This was also why the referee was flabbergasted. No matter the Kendo attire or the bamboo sword, it was distributed by the organizer, so that the quality could be guaranteed. Yet, the bamboo sword was sliced in two in a match. Nobody would believe this even if they were to tell anyone.

Therefore, if it was due to the quality of the bamboo sword, there would be a rematch.

Kimura Kazuki was speechless. He did this was so that he could end the match as soon as possible to make himself look good. It was because he promised Yagyu Kenichiro that he would make the Yagyu Flying Sword Style famous in the Jade Dragon Flag Competition.

Which was why he planned to hint the audience that it was possible to excel and achieve a balance in both power and speed with the Yagyu Flying Sword Style. He implied it by outperforming in these two aspects. Power and speed could be achieved by picking up the Yagyu Flying Sword Style. With the right amount of advertising, was it possible for Yagyu Kendo Gym to not be famous?

However, now it seemed like he overdid it by force and baffled everyone. He paused to think, and it occurred to him that it might be better for him to amaze the audience with his skills... Even though Kendo tournaments usually end quickly but with his ability, he would be able to lengthen the time of the match.

After a full five minutes, the staff gave the green light. The referee glanced at Kimura Kazuki with astonishment and proceeded to hold up the red flag that represented Sakura Kyu High School.

"Winner, Sakura Kyu High School, Kimura Kazuki!