"That kid goes to this school?"
"Hanamaru-san, you didn’t know?"
"Would I have this expression if I knew?"
Hanamaru Yugetsu retracted his surprised expression, and fell into thought: "But Shinetsu actually goes to school here... hmm..."
Hanamaru comes from a police family, and unsurprisingly, the children usually attend police academy in high school.
But nothing is absolute, Hanamaru Hiroki didn’t let little Hanabi go to police school, nor did he involve her in these things.
Of course, her personality also doesn’t suit being a police officer.
Part of it is because Hanamaru Hiroki protected her too well.
Walking hurriedly, Hanamaru Shinetsu entered the Kendo Department and nodded apologetically to Kumazawa Onijiro.
He had a delicate appearance and a straight posture, just a bit short.
Suddenly noticing the turned-away Hanamaru Yugetsu, Hanamaru Shinetsu was very excited, "What are you doing here?"
Hanamaru Yugetsu seemed a bit reluctant to see him, sighed internally, then turned back to smile and greet him: "Good morning."
Hanamaru Shinetsu looked towards the beam of light coming through the window, then said, "Uncle Yugetsu, isn’t it afternoon?"
"Ah...? Haha, it does seem like afternoon, no wonder it’s so hot." Hanamaru Yugetsu chuckled, then put back on his sunglasses and went silent.
Uesugi Shio sat in the resting area after taking off her helmet and glanced at him, finding Uncle Sakura a bit strange.
Uesugi Sakura just finished switching his equipment and came out of the rest area, also noticing Hanamaru Shinetsu.
He had an impression of little Hanabi’s cousin, but they never really interacted.
He really didn’t know how to address him for a moment; calling him by his first name felt too close, using his last name felt odd with his uncle present.
He could only politely say: "Hello."
"Brother Sakura, just call me by my name." Hanamaru Shinetsu smiled and said, "Everyone at home knows Brother Sakura."
The implication was ’We’re all family, no need to be formal.’
Hearing his words, Uesugi Sakura naturally called him by his name.
But does the Hanamaru household know about the engagement? Even Hanabi’s grandfather agreed?
"Catch up before the General match begins," Hanamaru Yugetsu interjected with a raised hand, then quickly put it down, "After observing and learning, everyone can rest early on site."
The Waseda High School Kendo Club captain, Higashiyama Chizu, was not the strongest in their department.
Because no matter how talented, they couldn’t match the peers who, growing up in police families, practiced Jigen Style, and interacted with Sword Dao.
Whether they became police officers or not, they would encounter richer, more extensive practical experiences and knowledge.
These years of learning are challenges their peers find difficult to approach; the difficulties they encounter are also much easier to solve.
Therefore, as a newly-entered freshman, Hanamaru Shinetsu had already qualified to hold the position of General in the Waseda High School Kendo Club.
No third-year student could defeat him.
Meanwhile, his classmates who joined the Kendo Department together were still helping the seniors maintain their bamboo swords.
Those who practice Sword Dao usually carry their own bamboo swords, not only for their comfort in use but because they are much better maintained than the common public bamboo swords.
Uesugi Sakura, however, wasn’t so particular; as long as it worked, it was fine.
Maintaining a bamboo bow already exceeded the amount of trouble he could handle, he didn’t want to keep another bamboo sword on him.
After completing a set of salutes on the rectangular competition field, the two stepped back a few steps and the match began.
Higashiyama Chizu: "First match, start!"
Even though Hanamaru Shinetsu had never seen Uesugi Sakura’s Sword Dao, he still assumed the standard Jigen Style stance against a familiar opponent... the "Dragonfly" position.
The unique starting posture of Jigen Style "Dragonfly Eight Forms" - holding the sword with both hands on the right side at shoulder height.
Its blade slanted upwards and right arm bent far off, resembling a dragonfly when viewed from afar, coupled with the special footwork that makes the body "float".
Thus, the name "Dragonfly" came into being.
This starter form evolved from the ancient swordsmanship contains a kind of intimidate force.
Jigen Style – the combination of Qi Union and strength is essential.
This is a swordsmanship that eliminates any unnecessary movement and emphasizes concise, swift attacks.
As soon as Hanamaru Shinetsu raised his sword, his aura changed along with it.
The Waseda High School Kendo Club members were all too familiar with this stance of his, they had been defeated by him countless times.
Seeing him raise his bamboo sword, their bodies all tensed instinctively.
This is a conditioned reflex formed by their repeated defeats.
They knew... he was serious.
Kumazawa Onijiro watched with arms crossed, he had absolute confidence in Hanamaru Shinetsu’s strength; his prowess was at a level that could sweep through all the competitors in last year’s county tournament.
And Uesugi Sakura’s strength... he had no impression, despite going over his memories, logically it shouldn’t be much, but he seemed very familiar with Hanamaru Yugetsu.
He should... have some level of ability.
Kumazawa Onijiro slightly focused his eyes, directing his attention to the two people on the field.
In the next second, the battle suddenly commenced.
With a loud shout, Hanamaru Shinetsu slashed down, his aura erupted completely.
Uesugi Sakura’s one-handed thrust struck the throat.
The opponent’s voice reached his ears, Hanamaru Shinetsu was stunned, the kasaya cut followed naturally to his shoulder armor.
"Pa" a loud sound rang out.
He then realized his throat had already been held against by the bamboo sword.
Even through the protective gear, being hit by Jigen Style swordsmanship is uncomfortable.
Uesugi Sakura simply retracted his thrust bamboo sword, twisted his shoulder, held it in his hand, turned around to the two advisors in the resting area who looked astonished, and said: