Picking up the samurai sword that had fallen to the ground, Mizukagami Sozan began to doubt his life.
Wasn't this supposed to be an assessment for Shin-chan? Why did it feel like he was the one being tested? During the match with Shin-chan just now, without even realizing it, he had used all of his strength.
And yet, even giving it everything he had, he couldn't cause Shin-chan the slightest bit of threat. It reminded him of his early days in swordsmanship, being sent flying with a wooden sword by his master with a single strike.
The massive gap was insurmountable, total domination in speed, skill, and power.
Musashino Giken, watching from the sidelines, was extremely excited. He hadn't been surprised that Shin-chan defeated his junior brother, but what got him excited was just how easily Shin-chan defeated Mizukagami Sozan.
He knew very well his junior's personality, Mizukagami Sozan would never hold back. That slash just now, with its blade-light like a full moon, was the best proof of that.
Shin-chan's strength far surpassed Mizukagami Sozan's. So then, where exactly was Shin-chan's upper limit?
"This assessment ends here. The strength of Nohara Shinnosuke has been sufficiently proven. He can become the next successor of the Musashino Dojo!"
Musashino Giken stepped forward and declared the results of the assessment.
Perhaps due to his personality, or perhaps due to the nature of the Yagyū-ryū's emphasis on fierce and swift swordsmanship, the representative sent by the Yagyū-ryū, Togo Shun, couldn't hold back upon hearing that the assessment would end like this.
"I say, Musashino, isn't this assessment way too casual?"
"You're not putting on a show, are you? That kid's so young, and he beat Mizukagami?"
Togo Shun strongly suspected that Shin-chan and Mizukagami Sozan had staged their match. In kendo competitions and assessments, it's not uncommon to see rigged matches.
For swordsmen, throwing a match is ridiculously easy. To outsiders, it's nearly impossible to tell if something's off.
Not to mention, Mizukagami Sozan was a Kyoshin Meichi-ryu master, someone who specialized in flashy swordplay.
"Even if you wanted to hype up your junior, this is going way too far, don't you think?"
This reckless guy, Togo Shun, voiced what many others were secretly thinking.
Shin-chan was just too young. He looked like he had only recently become an adult. No matter how much of a genius he was, even if he started training in kendo as a child, how many years could it have been?
Everyone present had been immersed in kendo for decades. To become a faction's head, every one of them had once been called a genius.
Shin-chan's performance had just been too exaggerated. Even though it didn't look fake, everyone instinctively felt, there's no way he's really that strong.
"Togo, why the hell are you talking so much? If you've got a problem, how about sparring with Shin-chan yourself?"
"Fine! Let me see how much composure this so-called genius has!"
Togo Shun thought Musashino Giken was goading him, thinking he wouldn't dare. But today, he was going to teach this brat a lesson.
Musashino Giken glanced at Shin-chan. Meanwhile, Kuki Shiden snuck a peek at Ai Suotome, and when he saw no change in the young lady's expression, he finally sighed in relief.
'That Togo Shun really was a moron! So what if it was staged?'
Seeing Shin-chan nod, Musashino Giken grinned even wider. Guys like Togo Shun, there should be more of them.
Being accused of faking the match, Mizukagami Sozan naturally felt unhappy. His face darkened as he stepped down, coldly sneering in his heart, he wanted to see how long Togo Shun could last.
Facing Shin-chan, Togo Shun drew his long sword, much longer than a regular katana, giving him a clear advantage in actual combat.
Though he doubted Shin-chan's ability, Togo Shun didn't let him take the first move. As soon as Musashino Giken signaled the start, Togo Shun shouted oddly, "Hah-yah!"
The weird, jarring sound was uncomfortable to hear, and while shouting, he slashed at Shin-chan.
This was a typical unorthodox move in Yagyū-ryu one that often had surprising effects.
But as Togo Shun's blade approached, Shin-chan already moved.
This guy wasn't his shishūso, so Shin-chan had no intention of holding back. In his eyes, Togo Shun's strike was slow.
He, and his long sword, both looked fragile.
With one slash, Shin-chan struck Togo Shun's long sword. Sparks flew, and then came a sharp crack, Togo Shun's long sword was cleaved in two by Shin-chan's single strike.
The sword's momentum was chilling. It swept past Togo Shun's face, leaving a faint scratch on his cheek, and then chopped off a large chunk of his hair. Now disheveled, he looked utterly miserable.
One sword to cut through iron, the visual impact left everyone stunned.
Shin-chan flicked his blade and sheathed Fubuki.
"Not much, huh? Anyone else wanna try me? You can send out your strongest."
His words were arrogant, but he definitely had the right to be arrogant. At least on the path of the sword, Shin-chan had walked very far.
Shin-chan yearned to face strong opponents. And if he could find someone evenly matched, all the better.
This time, no one among the spectators dared to speak up. After what happened to Togo Shun, everyone realized, the match with Mizukagami Sozan really had been held back. But it was Shin-chan who was holding back, to save face for Mizukagami Sozan.
Staring at the two broken halves of his sword, Togo Shun gulped.
Is someone like this even real? He was so strong, it was despairing.
"…I lost. I take back what I said earlier."
Picking up the blade that had fallen to the ground, Togo Shun bowed deeply to Shin-chan, completely convinced.
Kuki Shiden spoke up at just the right time, easing the tense atmosphere.
"Alright, alright, let's end it here. Musashino Dojo's assessment of Shin-chan is now complete. If he wants to skip levels for kendo ranking exams, he can contact me. I believe no one will object."
To skip levels in kendo exams, multiple recommendations were required. But now, if Shin-chan wanted to take the test, many people would be eager to help.
No one dared challenge him again, which left Shin-chan a little disappointed. Musashino Giken's goal had been achieved. Soon, today's events would spread throughout the entire kendo world.
Shin-chan had wanted to test the limits of his strength, but unfortunately, there were no suitable opponents. The so-called kendo masters here didn't even seem to last one move.
Ai Suotome was very satisfied. It didn't surprise her that Shin-chan could do this much.
Yukino wasn't all that surprised either, after all, Shin-chan was someone who had slain a cat demon. His swordsmanship being way beyond ordinary was perfectly normal.
Only Kazama looked utterly shocked, this was the first time he realized Shin-chan was this strong.
"Shin-chan… this guy is seriously that good?! And I was worrying for him?! Should've gone to cram school instead!"
Kazama couldn't help but grumble out loud. Still, he was happy for Shin-chan from the bottom of his heart.
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