In a secluded alleyway, there were only a few passersby.
Under the black streetlamp, two people stood several meters apart. They each drew their Bamboo Swords and assumed their starting stance.
"Please!"
Junichi gave a low shout, breaking the silence. He moved instantly, his Bamboo Sword shooting out like a serpent, with a fierce sword momentum that whistled through the air.
Pa!
In the next instant, Junichi looked down in a daze at the Bamboo Sword that had fallen to the ground.
When did that happen?
"Want to try again?"
"Again!" Junichi gritted his teeth, picked up the Bamboo Sword, and held it tightly.
Earlier, he had the intent to hold back and test the waters. If he struck with full force, he surely wouldn't—
Pa!
The Bamboo Sword fell from his hand once more.
After a few rolls, it stopped right at Junichi's feet. He stared blankly for a long time, his knees gradually bending as he half-knelt on the ground, looking dejectedly at his Bamboo Sword.
How could this be possible?
At Isshin Dojo, he's the strongest among the last two classes, almost like the senior brother figure, and sometimes even assists Koushirou in teaching the younger kids.
If not for this.
He wouldn't have been so confident to sail alone to Asakura Island, attempting to win the Sword Dao tournament and revive Sakuraba's prestige.
But…
The burly boy opposite him, clearly two years younger than him.
But in Swordsmanship, he had reached a realm that Junichi couldn't fathom, like an insurmountable mountain.
Just one move, only one move.
And he was completely defeated, without even the qualification to see the trajectory of the opponent's sword or to parry.
At this moment.
He felt as if he could hear his confidence in Sword Dao cracking like shattered glass, bit by bit.
Opposite him.
Shano sheathed his Bamboo Sword, glanced over, and saw all of Junichi's reactions.
Tch, was doing this a bit too harsh on him?
However, telling him the truth now, that he actually knows nothing about Swordsmanship, might hurt him even more.
It's better to wait until the competition is over and if there's a chance, explain it then.
"Let's go."
Shano gently patted his shoulder for comfort and then took the lead heading to the inn's direction.
On the road.
Junichi hadn't recovered from the blow for a long time and kept his head down gloomily, while Shano focused on the system panel he just opened, his eyes pondering.
[Name: Shano (Siano)]
[Age: 13 years]
[Height: 176cm]
[Power: 2.2]
[Agility: 2.0]
[Endurance: 2.1]
[Spiritual Power: 1.4]
This was the first time he checked his current panel data after ending his closed-door practice in the afternoon.
All basic attributes saw a significant increase compared to before the breakthrough.
"2.0 seems to be a crucial threshold, and those who can cross it are unlike the ordinary people of this sea."
Shano speculated.
Compared to Junichi, putting aside the huge gap in power for now.
Just the muscle reaction speed and the capture speed of dynamic vision were not on the same level at all.
From the moment Junichi drew his sword to the thrust, all actions seemed to be in slow motion in his eyes.
Frame by frame, always finding the most suitable opportunity to press pause, switch to offensive, and break the opponent's momentum.
The battle between Zoro and Hawkeye at the Baladi Restaurant in the manga was somewhat similar to this.
Before Hawkeye pulled out Black Blade Yoru to show respect, his skirmish with Zoro using a small knife couldn't be considered a duel between Swordsmen at all.
In Zoro's view, Hawkeye's Swordsmanship was so superior that he could easily defeat him with a small knife.
But from Hawkeye's perspective, just like how Shano defeated Junichi now, it was unrelated to Swordsmanship, just a higher-level species overpowering ordinary humans.
Replacing the small knife with a toothpick or even his finger made no difference.
The gap was so vast that strength alone could break through any technique.
...
Shano closed the system panel, looked at the frail boy behind him who seemed like he had been ghosted by Perona, and pondered.
"Although Junichi has been immersed in Sword Dao since childhood and is somewhat single-minded, he's not someone who lacks self-awareness."
"When he said he was going for the championship, it wasn't just empty words, but he really had the confidence."
Being able to easily defeat the opponent with one swing through sheer physical strength.
The difference with other contestants must also be equally huge.
East Sea, after all, is the weakest sea.
The ones staying here don't even have a real Sword Master.
No matter what dark horse emerges in this year's Sword Dao tournament, they should be able to handle it easily without worrying about their poor Swordsmanship being exposed.
Spending just a single day can earn half a million Belly, while also helping Junichi; it seems like a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.
————
Two days and nights passed in the blink of an eye.
In the blink of an eye, it was the competition day.
At seven in the morning, Junichi got dressed up and discovered someone already training in the empty courtyard below the inn when he exited his room.
"Three hundred, three hundred and one… huh, you're awake."
Shano folded his legs, flipped and landed firmly, took a towel to wipe his sweat, and smiled, "I've got my stuff ready too, shall we go?"
"Mm!" Junichi nodded vigorously.
From the night before last until now, his mindset had gradually recovered quite a bit.
Especially yesterday when Shano trained from dawn until midnight, his diligence surprised even Junichi.
If the opponent had gone through such hardship since childhood and possessed a gift for Swordsmanship, then being defeated in one move didn't seem that hard to accept anymore.
Junichi took a deep breath, his gaze firm, looking at the distant large banner that was barely visible.
He couldn't compete for the championship with Mr. Shano, but today was a long-awaited day for him, and he had his battles to fight!
...
Asakura Island is higher in the north and lower in the south, with the Seven Great Dojo all in the northern city, arrayed downward along the terrain, ending at the circular plaza at the city center.
At this moment, the plaza was already crowded and bustling.
Nearly a hundred temporary wooden platforms were scattered around, long queues formed at registration points, and staff in dojo uniforms were bustling back and forth.
The large banners hanging from the corners, ubiquitous light pink decorations, and the cherry blossoms falling with the wind brought a rich festive atmosphere.
On the second floor of the nearby café, two cups of cappuccino emitted steam.
"Boss, the kid is here." On the right of the round table, a tall swordsman wearing a White Fox mask looked at Junichi following closely behind Shano entering the plaza and spoke in a deep voice.
"Hmm, I see him."
The middle-aged man across from him, dressed in luxurious clothing, glanced over before withdrawing his gaze.
He gently tapped his finger joints against the table and said lightly, "Have you figured out the identity of that muscular man with him, who seems quite young?"