"He really doesn't pull any punches…" Kazuha knew his friend's character well. He knew the man loathed people like Kujou Takayuki—the arrogant, the ones who borrowed the might of others…
"Lord Commissioner, please step down," the chestnut-haired young man shouted. He didn't use elemental power to amplify his voice like the other man, yet his loud, clear tone reached the ears of most present. "This is the stage for a duel before the throne, not a platform for your theatrics!"
"You—" Kujou Takayuki was nearly choked by his words. It took him several breaths to compose himself and force a smile back onto his狰狞 face. "Young man, you are right. I have overstepped…"
He couldn't lose his composure before the throne, nor could he show his unsightly side in front of all of Inazuma. "Then, without further ado, let the duel begin." He nodded and stepped back from the designated combat area, an undisguised malice in his eyes.
The drums by the stage thundered, and the first swordsman took his place.
"Phew…" The chestnut-haired young man pressed his hand to the sword at his waist, recalling his practice and conversations with the smith.
'Since you've sought my help, I'll see you through to the end.'
'Don't even think about conserving your strength. That will only be counterproductive.'
The man before him was not a Vision holder, but with his physical strength and martial arts, an ordinary Vision holder would be no match for him.
"My apologies for the—" Before the man could finish, the chestnut-haired challenger, accompanied by a clap of thunder, was already upon him. In a flash, his sword was drawn, aimed straight for his throat. The man hurriedly raised his own sword to block, but he was a step too late. The blade left a red mark on his neck.
"My win." The chestnut hair flew up, revealing a dashing smile underneath.
He had already observed them. Only five were true Vision holders, just as the smith had said.
'That Kujou woman brought four attendants with her. While I'm not one hundred percent certain, I'm afraid those few are the strongest elites the Tenryou Commission can field right now.'
'But I've tested them—they are not as good as you. Save your energy for them. For the first few, a single strike to a vital point will suffice.'
"The fifth one!" This one barely managed to block the first strike, which was imbued with Electro, but his shoulder guard was sliced open by the second. The drummer announced the defeat of the fifth enforcer, followed by another thunderous roll. The sound of the drums was joined by the cheers of the crowd, merging into a massive wave of sound.
More than half had been defeated, but Kujou Takayuki was not worried in the slightest—the appetizers were over. It was time for the main course.
"Don't hold back. Go all out from the start," he advised. The next soldier nodded and stepped onto the stage.
The man had an Anemo Vision at his waist and held a tachi, staring at the youth who had won five consecutive victories. Without a word, he raised his hand and slashed.
The chestnut-haired youth, expecting this, dodged to the side. An invisible blade of wind carved a trench where he had just stood. Not giving his opponent another chance, he charged forward, his body crackling with lightning. As he closed in, he swung his sword in a semi-circle towards the ground.
"Hmph." Seeing his intent to close the distance, the man feinted a slash, but his Anemo element struck first. The movement was just a distraction; the attack was much faster than a swing—but the semi-circle slash had kicked up a cloud of dust. The wind blades cut through the sand, but they also revealed their positions. He used this to dodge the wind blades, while his opponent was still in the 'a-beat-too-slow' motion of his swing.
"Next." A flash of lightning passed him, and the Anemo user, his body numb, was defeated.
'I've already told you the strategies for the remaining few. This is also why I had you prepare a second sword.'
The first few were manageable, but when Kujou's attendants were cut down one by one, Kujou Takayuki's expression clearly changed. Though his justification for the duel was sound, if they were defeated ten-to-one, what would become of the Kujou clan's reputation?
"The ninth!" The chestnut-haired youth panted heavily, wiping the sweat from his brow. He bowed to the soldier before him and added, "My apologies."
He hadn't held back enough. The sword had left a deep gash on the man's body, which was now bleeding profusely.
"It's nothing. Swords have no eyes, and besides, it's ten against one." The man shook his head, stopping the medics who were about to carry him away, and stubbornly walked off the stage.
He breathed heavily for a long time. Even if not much energy was expended on each person, the cumulative effect was a significant burden on his body. He straightened up. Only one opponent remained.
The general, Kujou Sara, stood in the distance, a sword at her side and a bow on her back. She leaped gracefully into the combat area.
Oh well. The guy is at the end of his rope. At least he can serve as a foil for Sara, Kujou Takayuki thought. But the tengu general didn't move. Instead, she spoke to the young man.
"You have fought nine consecutive battles. Your strength is nearly exhausted. Rest here for a while."
He was so surprised by her suggestion that he didn't know how to respond. After a long moment, he laughed. "Hah… to think there is someone like you in the Tenryou Commission."
He cast aside the sword he had fought with for so long, its edge slightly chipped and nicked. He then unfastened his other, ordinary sword, sat down cross-legged, and propped it up beside him, moistening his throat with a waterskin from his waist.
"Then I will graciously accept."
"Don't misunderstand." Feeling the gaze of her adoptive father from behind, Kujou Sara seemed to be explaining to the young man, "As the representative of the Commission, taking advantage of the weak would tarnish the Shogun's honor. Especially before the Shogun herself."
…
"I didn't miss the main event, did I?" Kazuha, who thought he had secured a spot at the front by waiting since dawn, was surprised to hear Muramasa's voice beside him. He hadn't even heard the 'sound of the wind'; the man had just appeared next to him.
"No, you haven't." Kazuha's expression remained controlled as he replied softly, "This is the final match. That Kujou Sara, it seems she's letting him rest."
Thinking of her personality, Muramasa let out a "pfft" of laughter. "What an upright person. It's a waste for her to have that old fool as a client."
At first, Kazuha thought he was talking about himself, but then he realized he meant Kujou Takayuki. Normally, he would have smiled in agreement, but today, he remained tense. "Sir Muramasa, do you think…"
"How many times have you asked me that?" Before he could finish, Muramasa already knew what he wanted to ask. A look of resignation crossed his face. "This old man is not a fortune teller. It's better to just watch and see how things turn out."
With that, he turned his gaze back to the stage, just in time to see Kazuha's friend stand up again.
No matter what, the curtain was about to fall.
-------
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