Ch.118Rise Up, The Finals (2)

“UWOOOOOOH!!!”

“UWAAAAAAAAH!!!!!”

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers at the unexpected outcome.

“Mom!! When I grow up, I want to be Arigiri Shota!! Mom!! When I grow up, I want to be Arigiri Shota!!”

“Mom!! Why is my name Shota?”

There seemed to be some kids who were… deeply immersed in Korean internet culture. I’m questioning your nationality.

“Th-that’s cheating!!! You used a microphone!!”

Kana immediately protested in anger.

At Kana’s words, the audience collectively clicked their tongues.

“Tsk… She always has to ruin the mood when things are getting good.”

“Making a fuss over something so minor?”

Indeed. The audience was completely captivated by the underdog. Watching an underdog achieve a giant killing was something that made one’s heart swell with excitement.

And Kana had just thrown cold water on that moment.

“Hehe… Give it up, Kana. The audience is already on my side.”

I said with a smile.

“This is so annoying!!! Using another weapon is against the rules!!”

Kana shouted toward the judges.

Whisper-! Whisper-!

The judges began whispering among themselves, exchanging uneasy glances.

In the midst of this, Tetsu stepped forward.

“This is not a violation. I’ll allow it.”

Surprisingly, Tetsu took my side.

“Grandfather!!!”

Kana was immediately outraged.

“If he had used the microphone as a weapon, that would be cheating… but Arigiri Shota just used it defensively. I’ll acknowledge that as simply utilizing the surrounding environment.”

Tetsu explained.

“Hehehehe. Kana. Looks like I got one over on you?”

I smiled at Kana as I spoke.

“You little sh…!”

Kana clicked her tongue, then took a deep breath as she replaced her broken sword. She quickly regained her composure. As expected of a professional. Her mental fortitude was top-tier.

“I’ll make sure you can’t even open your mouth again.”

Kana immediately raised her sword.

“I’ve already figured out your pattern.”

I lied through my teeth as I pointed my sword at Kana.

“The real fight starts now!!!!”

I immediately delivered a line straight out of a shonen manga. I’ve always wanted to say that.

And so, the second match began.

———-

But… the truth is, I was screwed.

I had already used up all of my Kiryu Second in that one round. I couldn’t use it anymore.

In other words, I had no choice but to fight with my raw stats, without any buffs.

FWOOOSH-!!!

Without the overwhelming speed of Kiryu Second, Kana was the one who seized the initiative first.

CLAAANG-!!!

As our swords collided, my body was pushed far back.

“Hmph. You talked big, but… there’s a limit to your Blazing Stance, isn’t there? Seems you can’t use it anymore.”

Kana said with a smile. Damn it. Did she notice?

CLANG-! CLAAANG-! CLAAAANG-!

Right after that, Kana began pushing me back like a raging tide.

WHOOOOSH-!!

“Gah!!”

I desperately twisted my body to avoid attacks I couldn’t dodge in time.

“Yeah!! Let’s see how long you can hold out!!”

Kana grinned as she raised her sword.

“UWOOOOOOH!!!”

I gripped my sword with all my might.

Somehow… I needed to buy time to use Isshin one more time and shatter Kana’s weapon again. That was the only angle I was aiming for.

WHOOSH-!!

However, Kana didn’t even give me that luxury. She swung her sword toward my head.

“Ngh…!”

I barely blocked Kana’s sword strike.

TAH-!!

In that moment, Kana raised her fist.

WHOOOOSH-!!

It wasn’t just a simple punch. She was in a proper martial artist’s stance.

That stance looked familiar. It was identical to Tina Burst’s fist-clenching posture.

“Tina Burst… you have good observation skills. You can copy techniques just by watching them… but.”

Kana grinned as she continued speaking.

“I can do that much too.”

Kana immediately threw a straight punch toward my stomach.

KWAAAANG-!!!!!!!!

Kana’s fist struck my stomach directly.

“GUUUHHK!!!!”

Hit by the punch, I flew far across the arena.

It was a ring-out.

“Saito Kana!! One point!!!”

The referee shouted loudly.

It was 1-1, but in reality, the momentum had shifted to Saito Kana.

The difference in our level of strength was just… too great. Overwhelming talent. There was meaning in Gonzaemon’s words. We were in different leagues.

‘Now I understand why people who cross swords with Saito Kana lose their spirit…’

I was filled with despair at the realization that I could never reach her level in my lifetime.

“The third round, huh. Is there even a need to continue? Shota. You have no chance of winning.”

Kana said with a smile.

That was true. She was an opponent I could barely match even with Kiryu Second. Without it, I would be helplessly outclassed.

‘Moreover… she’s gotten stronger.’

She was strong when we fought at the hot springs, but now she seemed to have transcended to another level. Damn… her growth rate was overwhelming. I considered myself quite talented, but… she was on a completely different level.

While Rock Lee was training hard… Naruto and Sasuke were training too!!!!

“I have no chance of winning.”

I stated flatly.

“………”

Kana’s expression showed slight disappointment at my words.

“But… that’s not a reason to back down. I’ll land one hit on you before I lose. That’s my resolve.”

I said as I stood up with my sword.

“As expected… you’re different.”

At those words, Kana chuckled.

“I’m going to fight for Thumbs-up Man.”

That was my resolve.

“That damn Thumbs-up Man!!!!!”

Kana immediately shouted. She seemed upset that Thumbs-up Man had ruined the mood.

“Come at me.”

I immediately took a high stance. A head-striking preparation stance with the sword raised high, a stance that abandoned defense for all-out attack. Either I’d crack my opponent’s skull, or my waist would give out. One or the other.

I bet everything on this strike.

Thumbs-up Man in the audience gave me a thumbs-up. Yes… it got through to me. I’m not alone. We’re in this ‘together’, right?

“Haaaah…!”

I charged my last remaining breath, preparing for Isshin.

“Good. This clash will end the fight.”

Kana said as she took the distinctive stance of the Tennen Rishin-ryu. She too was betting on a single decisive blow.

“Yes. Victory… or defeat. One or the other.”

“This is fun. Well then… here I come!!!!!!”

Kana charged at me with a battle cry.

“KIEEEEEEEK!!!!!”

I too rushed toward Kana.

CLAAAANG-!!

As our swords crossed once, Kana and I ran to opposite ends of the arena.

“………!”

The audience watched in silence, trying to determine the outcome. It was a quick, decisive exchange that even kendo practitioners couldn’t follow.

Even I didn’t know who had been hit first. I had squeezed out every bit of my speed.

About 3 seconds later.

CRACK-!! CRACK-!!

My chest protector shattered and scattered.

“Guhk…!”

I felt the pain penetrating through my armor belatedly. I collapsed to the ground.

That pain confirmed it. I had lost.

“…So it ends like this after all.”

I gave a bitter smile. The difference in skill was just too overwhelming.

“……….”

After confirming her victory, Kana was about to leave the arena.

At that moment, Kana stopped.

CRACK-! CRACK-!

The shoulder part of Kana’s armor shattered and scattered.

CLANG-!!!

Finally, Kana looked at the armor on her shoulder with surprised eyes. She hadn’t thought she would be hit by my sword strike.

THUD-!!

Feeling the pain belatedly, Kana clutched her shoulder and fell to her knees.

I told you. Even if I lose, I’d land one hit.

“What a shame… if you had struck a bit more accurately, the point would have gone to your head strike.”

Tetsu clicked his tongue.

Hearing that, it really was a matter of inches. Damn.

“Saito Kana!! One point!!! The winner!!! Saito Kana!!!!!”

The referee, finally awakening from the afterglow of the match, declared the winner.

And so, the Toshin Cup came to an end.

——–

The Toshin Cup was a competition that honored only first place; it only determined the champion and runner-up, with no third-place match.

Saito Kana was the champion, and I was the runner-up.

“To Saito Kana, the prize money of 5 million yen.”

Saito Tetsu announced in a solemn tone.

Damn… 5 million yen?!!!! That’s 50 million won!!! It was an unexpectedly large sum. Moreover, for a student, its value was beyond words.

“Arigiri Shota. Congratulations on second place.”

Saito Tetsu said that and concluded the award ceremony.

Right. The Toshin Cup was a tournament that honored only first place. There was no second-place prize.

But it was still rewarding.

“Shota!! Good job!!”

“You were amazing!!!”

“I don’t know anything about kendo, but… I could tell you really gave it your all!!”

Umi, Taiga, and Eri immediately threw themselves into my arms.

“Truly… my hero…”

And Tina, approaching from behind, embraced me in a back hug. Beautiful women congratulating me from all directions. Well… what greater reward could there be?

And then… I saw Thumbs-up Man in the distance.

Thumbs-up Man quietly gave me a thumbs-up. In his hand… he held a sword.

I had felt an overwhelming wall against Saito Kana, but despite that, Thumbs-up Man hadn’t given up his sword. He hadn’t succumbed to talent-killing.

Thanks to my efforts… Thumbs-up Man had regained his burning passion. I’d like to think so. I wanted to believe that.

With all this belief, I gave Thumbs-up Man a thumbs-up in return.

———–

“Well then!! Let’s all head back!! Tonight we’re having meat!!! My treat!!!

Gonzaemon shouted enthusiastically.

Gonzaemon, Ms. Asuna, and me, Umi, Eri, Taiga. These were the regular after-party members.

“May I join you too?”

At that moment, Tina interjected sociably.

“Hmm? Tina Burst. I’ve seen your skills. You’ll become even stronger in the future. Yes! You come too!”

Gonzaemon burst into laughter as he shouted.

“Honey….”

Ms. Asuna pinched Gonzaemon’s waist. Apparently… she immediately realized that Tina would become Umi’s rival. Like a mother, Ms. Asuna subtly took Umi’s side in the harem battle.

“Ha!! A true man welcomes outstanding warriors!!”

However, Gonzaemon, an honor-bound man to the core, stood his ground against Ms. Asuna.

“Sigh… do as you please.”

Ms. Asuna sighed as she spoke.

And so, the after-party members were decided. We immediately headed to a famous meat restaurant nearby.