Chapter 86: Ono's One Knife Stroke

Muraoka Hiroshi was surprised by the sudden appearance of Kimura Kazuki, exiting the resting room.

"Is this... the Thunder Master?"

"My goodness... Come here, quick! Isn't that the Thunder Master?"

"Such resemblance!"

"It looks just like the original..."

People at the back were intrigued by the bustling crowd at the front.

Click! Click!

They could not contain their curiosity when they saw the crowd of people clicking away, repeatedly snapping photographs of the registration area.

Members of the 'Light Novel Space' arrived late. They were standing at the edge. Despite failing to secure an optimal spot to observe the kendo competition, they could clearly see when Kimura Kazuki appeared.

Chiba Shiori covered her mouth with her hand, her bright eyes overflowing with astonishment.

Kimura Kazuki sported a long, black and purple hair, tied up in a ponytail. As he walked, its gentle sways matched the fluttering of his sleeves, giving him an otherworldly impression.

His outfit resembled a kimono, but there were distinct differences. From its color, his kimono was very plain, painted entirely in white and purple. However, his apparel was decorated with an Ukiyo-e of turbulent sea waves and flashes of lightning.

The unusual combination of the elegant kimono and his arrogant aura hit many people right in their G-spots.

This cold expression was precisely what Matsukawa Chisato wanted. Kimura Kazuki did not object to this as it was his duty to fulfill the requests of his paying customers. He was disappointed that Matsukawa Chisato did not ask for an extension. Did she think that it was too expensive?

The price was not a problem. She merely hired him as a makeup artist. She was already pushing the limits by enlisting him to perform with 10,000 yen. She also could not freely sign this type of contract. Furthermore, they were running short of time, so she could not discuss it with him beforehand. Hence, Kimura Kazuki only needed to do it for 10 seconds, as promised.

When he went up the stage, the people at the back finally realized the reason behind the uproar of astonishment coming from the front.

This is... The 'Thunder Master' from the comic book had appeared?

Although 'Thunder Master' from the light novel and comic book seemed like an older man, Kimura Kazuki was portraying the younger version of 'Thunder Master.' This made him even more popular and noteworthy. The 'The Sword Saga' had a younger version of 'Thunder Master' appearing in the memories scenes. Many readers of the comic book fervently wished for the younger 'Thunder Master' to appear more. Unfortunately, it was impossible as 'Thunder Master' had been portrayed to be older since the beginning.

Most present in the audience were readers of 'The Sword Saga' and fans of 'Thunder Master.' Some people shrieked when they witnessed such an authentic cosplay of the younger 'Thunder Master.'

Others in the audience were also bursting with excitement. The epic battle between 'Muramasa' and 'Thunder Master' had yet to occur in the light novel. It was quite a sight to see them in real life.

At that moment...

The atmosphere of the crowd heightened to a complete frenzy.

Ono Nakamura was shocked when he saw his new opponent. Although he did not read light novels and comics, he could see that the costume was indeed outstanding.

"You should not be attending this sort of event," Kimura Kazuki uttered softly so that only Ono Nakamura could hear, ignoring the cacophony of noises coming from the crowd.

"What?" Ono Nakamura laughed in disbelief. Did he really think he was a kendo master just because he was cosplaying 'Thunder Master'?

"You should be cultivating quietly at home as a faint sword's will has been ignited inside you, instead of participating in kendo performances outside. This will only taint the sword's will."

Kimura Kazuki thought that winning the prize of the competition was as easy as bending over and picking up a wallet with 15,000 yen that he accidentally found while walking.

It was so simple he did not mind belittling Ono Nakamura. It would be a walk in the park to fulfill his 10 seconds, just as it would be to make Chiba Shiori increase her price.

10,000 yen for each extra second. It was fate for them to meet.

Ono Nakamura looked startled when he heard it. Gradually becoming more serious, he asked respectfully, "You are..."

Even though Kimura Kazuki was merely a high school student, his prowess far surpassed that of any opponent's. The saying 'one who mastered his art first would always have the upper edge' held true anywhere indeed. Kimura Kazuki could identify Ono Nakamura's sword's will at a glance, not even his father was able to do that... Excitement surged inside him at this very thought.

Kimura Kazuki was impressed. Someone who could cultivate his sword's will during the reiki recuperation era must have good character and heart. However, it was time. He spoke briefly, "You have 10 seconds. I'm starting."

10 seconds?

Intense pressure weighed on Ono Nakamura's heart when he heard it. However, he instantly understood what Kimura Kazuki's meant. Before he could even clear his emotions, he saw a streak of bamboo yellow-shadow striking directly at him.

How quick!

With the sword in Ono Nakamura's hands, he was forced to raise it.

Bang!

Both swords clashed fiercely. Instead of a clear smack, the clash emitted a dull thump. Ono Nakamura trembled as he fumbled a step backward, the bamboo sword in his hand almost struck off by a single hit from Kimura Kazuki.

Not only was it lightning-fast, it was also brutally powerful.

Furthermore... Most importantly, the person who recognized the sword's will inside Ono Nakamura wielded his sword in one hand. Yet, he still possessed such intense power. It was simply unbelievable. Ono Nakamura could not hide the astonishment in his eyes.

Calm down, do not fret.

Reminding himself of his father's teachings, he recollected himself... However, before he could even relax his hand posture, an intense gale slashed across his skin, inflicting intense pain. He could not see its shadow as the second strike was launched at supersonic speed. He must rely on his experience and evade the oncoming onslaught of attacks subconsciously.

Next, another powerful strike came from the opponent's bamboo sword, aching his arms as he resisted, but...

He blocked it again!

Despite being utterly overwhelmed, Ono Nakamura felt celebratory. However, he could not help but let out a moan as his arm ached.

Ono Nakamura was trained according to the Ono's One Knife Stroke, and his father started training him in kendo since he was five years old. According to his father, although Ono's One Knife Stroke meant mastering the use of a single word, it was not just recklessly unleashing a fatal strike. Ono's One Knife Stroke put more focus on defense and counterattack, observing the enemy's movement and direction, as well as searching for weaknesses and exploiting it to deliver a fatal blow.

Hence, while swordsmanship was important, Ono's One Knife Stroke had a more significant emphasis on inner fortitude.

The Seeing Eye, the Inner Eye, and the Eye of the Heart.

The Seeing Eye utilized the vision of both eyes to observe the opponent's attack pattern and rhythm while searching for flaws and then exploiting the said flaws to defeat the opponent.

The Inner Eye was a state which allowed the body to become the eyes and look through it. Any type of swordsman skills would trigger a movement in the air current, thus allowing the Inner Eye to identify these trails of movement. This would help detect the direction of the opponent's movement.

The Eye of the Heart was simply one's judgment.

The state of the Eye of the Heart would allow one to predict the enemy's skills and direction of attacks. Ono Nakamura understood that he was still in the state of the Inner Eye. It helped him to block the offense for the second time, despite not being able to see any traces of the movement with his eyes.

The audience under the stage watched as Kimura Kazuki, who was cosplaying as "Thunder Master', unleash a torrent of attacks with his bamboo sword at Ono Nakamura. The hacks, slashes, and oblique cuts rained down on him incessantly, leaving trails of shadows in their movements.

The pitter-patter of clashing bamboo swords sounded like a torrential cloudburst, and their rapid velocity could not be captured by the human eye. The audience watched as the scene unfolded, completely dumbfounded and silent as a mouse.