Chapter Twenty-Two: A Clash of Equals

The Youth Martial Arts Hall is the largest and only martial arts facility in the entire Jing County. Today, it is closed to the public. A keen observer would notice hidden sentries stationed around the perimeter of the hall, located in the southern part of the county, secretly monitoring every movement. Their waists bulge with concealed weapons, and they remain in a state of high alert; the fate of anyone daring to trespass is clear.

Inside the hall, warriors dressed in traditional martial arts uniforms, yet devoid of weapons, stand on both sides. The warriors on the left have the character "Jia" (Koga) printed on their chests, while those on the right bear the character "Yi" (Iga). Today marks the quadrennial duel between the Koga and Iga clans. Each clan has selected a youth participant aged twenty-five or younger for a friendly exchange. The venue is this legitimate, jointly-funded youth martial arts hall.

While termed a "friendly exchange," it is, in reality, a test of strength between the two factions, as the younger generation represents the future. It is a rivalry between peers. The results will be announced, though only in terms of victory or defeat; the fact that the loser may not survive will remain undisclosed. However, for those in the know, this duel directly dictates the business prospects for both clans over the next four years. It is a society where strength is supreme; only the strong are chosen.

In the last duel, the young expert sent by Iga was killed by Akimoto Rei, the fifteen-year-old heir of Koga. That defeat led to a nearly twenty-percent loss in Iga’s external business over the past four years. If they win this time, that lost share might return; if they lose again…

This year, Akimoto Rei is once again representing Koga. After four years of growth, many are eager to see how the future leader of Koga has progressed.

"Master, am I really up to this?" Kuroba Itsuki, dressed in his uniform, stands among the Iga ranks. He has gone largely unnoticed because Inoue Izumi, who is sitting in the center of the main hall with Koga’s leader, Akimoto No, has not revealed who Iga would send to fight.

Before the match began, Kuroba learned from the whispers of Iga disciples that his opponent is formidable—a man who killed a Gold-class expert at the age of twenty. He wonders if he, whose own strength is yet to be defined, can truly handle this. Furthermore, in the past two years, his master has taught him only two moves: "cleave" and "slash." Facing an opponent who has received personal instruction from the Koga leader, he lacks confidence. Given the importance of the match, he feels a growing tension.

"Izumi, the match is about to start. Why haven't we seen Iga’s representative yet? Are your young talents afraid? Is there no one who dares to step up?" Akimoto No, brimming with confidence in his son, speaks with deliberate provocation.

"How could that be? Kuroba, step forward."

"Huh? Who is he? I’ve never seen him before. He looks young. Can he handle it? Don't push yourself just for the sake of face."

Inoue Izumi remains unfazed by the taunts, lifting a cup of tea to his nose to inhale the aroma. Kuroba Itsuki walks out from the crowd and climbs the stairs to the stage.

"Who is he? I've never seen him!"
"I have!"
"Who is he?"
"He was standing right next to me!"

Akimoto Rei, at the front of the Koga ranks, leaps onto the stage. His grey bangs flutter in the breeze, and his slightly weary eyes stare coldly at Kuroba.

"You don't look very old," Akimoto says, his tone casual and laced with the arrogance of his own strength.

"You aren't very old yourself. I heard that when you first stood here, you were about my age." Kuroba does not mistake the words for concern. Knowing the stakes and trusting his master’s faith in him, he resolves to give his all.

"Interesting."
"It is quite interesting."
"Arrogance will cost you your life."
"Life? I’ve lost that a few times already."
"Oh?" Akimoto’s brows, hidden behind his bangs, arch in surprise.

Kuroba closes his eyes, taking a deep breath to reach his peak state.

"Shall we begin?" Akimoto No asks.
"Yes."

Akimoto No nods to a woman standing nearby. She carries a red tray onto the stage, holding two identical samurai swords—one with a blue hilt, the other red. The woman, roughly twenty years old with a striking face and wearing a red qipao, is the only woman in the hall. Normally, she would attract many gazes, but now, everyone is focused solely on the two men on the stage.

"Please." Akimoto Rei smiles at the woman and gestures for Kuroba to choose first. Kuroba takes the blue-hilted sword without hesitation. Akimoto takes the other. The woman steps off the stage.

*Clang.*

Kuroba draws his sword, gripping the hilt with both hands, and assumes a defensive stance. Akimoto remains relaxed, not even drawing his blade, tilting his head as he watches Kuroba. The two remain at a stalemate.

"This tea doesn't taste like much," Akimoto No says, taking a sip, smacking his lips, and pouring the rest onto the floor.

The moment the liquid hits the ground, Akimoto Rei moves. He flips his sword, the scabbard flying toward Kuroba.

*Clang.*

Kuroba cleaves the scabbard in two with a single strike and charges forward.

*Clang, clang, clang.*

Cleave, slash, cleave, slash. The simplicity of Kuroba’s movements leaves the audience stunned. They wonder if he even knows how to fight, or if those are the only two moves he has.

"Izumi, what is this? Did you give up and pick someone useless just to entertain us? I recall Iga has many techniques; couldn't you have taught him a couple more?" Akimoto No scoffs.

Inoue Izumi remains silent, sipping his tea. While the audience is confused, only Akimoto Rei realizes the power hidden in Kuroba’s simple moves. They are repetitive, but the timing is perfect. The sword, in Kuroba’s hands, carries the weight of hundreds of pounds, pinning Akimoto down. Akimoto’s own responses become monotonous: block, block, block.

Akimoto No, however, is no fool. He sees that his son is being suppressed, not by choice, but by necessity.

"Sometimes, things that look simple are not simple at all," Inoue Izumi says with a satisfied smile.

"That’s your style, isn't it? But no matter how good the basics are, without varied techniques, one cannot win."
"We shall see."

Half an hour passes. Akimoto Rei is forced back step by step. Despite the physical intensity, Kuroba shows no signs of fatigue, each strike as powerful as the last. Akimoto No scowls, displeased with the state of the match.

Hearing his father's frustration, Akimoto knows he cannot continue this way. He stops blocking and swings his blade in a hard, horizontal slash.

*Clang.*

The impact is brutal; Akimoto is forced back, his hand splitting open. But this clash causes Kuroba’s rhythm to falter.

"Ghost Shadow Blade!"

In that split second, Akimoto unleashes the secret technique of the Koga leader. His blade seems to multiply, surrounded by sharp, lethal energy. With a swift swing, the phantom blades streak toward Kuroba at blinding speed, sealing off every path of retreat.

"He has mastered the Ghost Shadow Blade! He’s only nineteen! This is impossible... it's over."