The tournament that Takashi faced that person in was a clan internal strength evaluation.
The Ashikaga clan was very strict in hierarchy based purely on strength, even though as a prince he had many benefits.
However, in the hierarchy of strength, Takashi was always constantly scoring lowest of the low, he couldn't even defeat the beginners who had just started to hone their katanas.
'But that changes now.'
Takashi tightened his fist, a flicker flashing in his eyes.
If he wanted to get stronger, there were many ways in the game, and the most simple and brutal method was to kill yokai. However, Takashi knew the power of Yokai, and he had only one word for them:
Strong!
For some reason, there wasn't a weak yokai in the game, and even with spiritual Qi, he didn't have any proper technique to have a way to kill them, so his other option was through this royal clan.
As the seal bearer clan with the "Royal" tag, the entire clan was basically royalty and controlled a province that was the size of around Japan if compared to Earth.
And they were one of the strongest and massive samurai clans, obviously, and had many katana techniques in their possession, so powerful that very few could even dare try to compete with them.
If he could get this technique and practise it, then Takashi was confident that he would grow much stronger in the future.
"We have arrived."
The man in front of him said as he turned back to look at him.
"Hmm." Takashi simply nodded his head and turned his neck slightly. "Ishihara, you didn't have to come…"
"No, I wanted to get some fresh air." Ishihara stretched her body as if to prove her point, a smile gracing her lips as her gentle voice felt very soothing to Takashi's soul. "Also," she tiptoed to him and spoke in a whisper, "I wanna see my dear kick some ass and show them who is the strongest!"
Takashi looked at her with a speechless expression. "You…"
"Are you going to take the fight?" the man in front of them shouted out loudly with a frown, dissatisfaction in his tone.
"..." Takashi walked up to the man and struck the back of his head without mercy.
The man staggered, the world spinning as his vision blurred. He crashed to the ground with a grunt, growling as he turned to face Takashi:
"How dare you—?!"
"Is that how you address your prince?" Takashi's voice was cold and icy. The man froze. A shiver crept down his spine at the sheer chill in Takashi's tone.
As he looked up, Takashi felt much taller than him. More imposing.
The man swallowed hard, forcing a shaky smile onto his face:
"P-please, Prince. Don't be like that... I realize my mistake. I—I'm ready to punish myself for it."
"Really?" Takashi said with a smile that didn't look like a smile.
"Yes."
A strange tension rose in the surroundings before Takashi chuckled:
"Let's go."
"Y-yes." The man stuttered and quickly followed behind Takashi with a tentative expression.
"Husband…." Ishihara murmured, with deep worry reflecting in her eyes, but she didn't stop him.
'Trying to improve and become strong, there is nothing wrong with it.'
But she also made a decision: if he got too injured, then she would intervene. The clan internal evaluation was no joke. Until now, Takashi had never displayed any semblance of strength, however, now that he is somehow stronger, then his life would be more likely in danger.
Soon, they arrived at the place, an open ground designed like an arena. Cushions were arranged in a circle where spectators sat, forming a living ring around a flat, central space.
In the middle stood a young man, clad in a fluttering blue samurai robe. His blue hair swayed gently in the breeze, and two katana were strapped to his waist.
"Here it is… Young Prince," the man beside him muttered with forced smile.
"Hmm." Takashi nodded and stepped forward, entering the circle under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
"Did the Dandy Ninth Prince really win his first round?" someone whispered.
"Yeah, he actually defeated a beginner."
"Seriously? I don't buy it, it must've been a fluke."
"Well, we'll find out soon enough. After all, he's up against Yasutake, the infamous user of—"
Most of the spectators were young people, and they were constantly speculating about the match. Although none of them made exaggerated movements, they sat in utter discipline.
This was the Ashikaga clan's strict discipline. Since young, they had been taught to remain firm and strong. Every single one of them had honed their blades since young, and no one was allowed to rest.
Takashi was the same as well. However, unlike the others, his talent was really null even through strict and vigorous training since young.
As he stepped into the ring, his ears perked when he heard the whisper of the people. He actually didn't know who he was facing right now. As a loser, he had never bothered to check his opponent before, because he loses any match no matter the opponent anyway.
But now he needed it. Unfortunately, he didn't have any information about his opponent.
Takashi saw the familiar old referee from his previous match standing between the two.
The old referee nodded with respect.
Then Takashi was handed a wooden katana.
Yasutake, opposite him, took out both his katana's at the same time.
"Dual wield?" Takashi asked curiously while observing.
"..." Yasutake didn't reply. He gripped both katanas tightly, lowering his center of gravity into a crouched, coiled stance, one blade drawn back at waist level, the other pointing forward like a spear.
"Welp." Takashi also took a deep breath with a casual shrug of his shoulder, his eyes narrowed as he looked at him.
The referee in the middle raised his hand, and a strange tension, mixed with anticipation, was already brewing in the place.
Then the referee's hand fell down in one fell swoop.
Swish!
In an instant, Yasutake moved like a feral beast, pouncing on him.
Takashi retained his calm and collected expression, his pupils fixed steadily on Yatsutake as his katana moved with grace, almost like a delicate dance as he swirled it.
He blocked the first strike, feeling an immense pressure bearing down on him. Still, Takashi held firm, preparing to counter with the second rotation.
"Hehe," Yatsutake sneered, his second katana striking faster, clashing against Takashi's blade in a single, fluid move.
Bang!
A terrifying force crashed down on Takashi. Every muscle, every fiber in his body screamed in protest. Veins bulged as he summoned every ounce of strength to withstand the blow.
Just then, the man moved with grace and kicked him hard, pushing him back several times.
Takashi was fully focused on the blow of the katana and almost stumbled across the line. Luckily, he was able to pull himself back just as quickly.
"Hehehe."
Yasutake crouched low again, a bestial growl escaping his throat as he looked straight at Takashi. "I have to admit that you seem to have gotten really stronger."
"The [Animal] style katana technique, huh," Takashi murmured as he looked straight at Yasutake.
Even though he seemed to be overpowered, there wasn't a sense of panic in his eyes. With his technique upgraded to the first stage, not only did he gain strength beyond normal humans, he also gained the experience that came with reaching the first stage.
The spiritual energy circulated inside him, feeling the soft sensation almost like a feather brushing against him as it all collected towards his wooden katana.
An image formed behind him, the image of a circle with two smaller lines that cut through it.
Yasutake growled like a beast before lunging forward.