In the vast arena, only the roaring flames and the faint sound of ice shattering remained.
On the other side, Shinomiya Saki, who was easily beating her opponent, stopped her movements when she noticed the sudden silence in the arena.
"What was that?"
Someone said blankly.
In the teachers' section, Yamamoto shot up the moment the Red Nichirin Sword appeared. However, the other teachers beside him were not startled by him. They just stared at the red long sword.
On the main stage, the principal, who had been closing his eyes, twitched an eyelid and turned to the vice-principal, Nitta Shinji, beside him, saying,
"You go."
Nitta Shinji did not ask what it was. He simply nodded, and his figure instantly vanished, reappearing next to the referee inside the arena.
"You may step down."
The referee shook at the sudden voice, then breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was the vice-principal, and quickly stepped off the stage.
Asking me to save someone under such an attack—how is that any different from me being directly sliced by that sword? Just looking at it already makes me break out in a cold sweat!
Nitta Chiyo's delicate hands were covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her pounding heartbeat seemed incredibly loud.
Mitsuki stared blankly at the figure in the arena, who stood as straight as a sharp sword piercing the sky. The long sword in his hand was held diagonally, and even though the sword was still several inches from the ground, the ground was continuously breaking.
"I don't know what that is, but if someone got hit by it..."
"They would definitely die!"
Yamada Akira released his hands, which had been pressing firmly against the ground, straightened his bent waist, and slowly stood up.
If you had ever used this move before, would I have mocked you? Would I have failed to see my own extremely foolish arrogance?
Just by staring at this deep red sword, one could feel the heat washing over them, burning everything, destroying all, the ultimate in heat and rigidity.
Perhaps he was right when he said my flames were vast but not refined. This is what true flames are.
Thinking this, Yamada Akira took a deep breath.
"Come on!"
Bearing the honor of the Yamada family, I can only be carried off the stage, not walk off.
In the audience, a middle-aged man sat unmoving, while the several men and women around him were restless.
"Patriarch, the young master he..."
"Naoto, Akira he..."
"Silence! How can you be so flustered!"
The middle-aged man scolded them. He was the patriarch of the Yamada family, Yamada Akira's father, a second-rank strong individual, Yamada Naoto!
He was very satisfied with his son but disappointed with the people around him. They only knew how to protect, not how to let go. Perhaps this was why the Yamada family always remained at the bottom of the four great families.
"Senior Nitta is an extraordinary person even stronger than me. If he were to make a mistake, what right would I have to save Akira? Everyone quiet down and continue watching!"
The few people fell silent, their eyes fixed on the arena.
"You're not giving up?"
Seiichi held the sword with one hand and slowly walked towards Yamada Akira, the tip of the sword pointing downwards. An invisible pressure scraped against the ground, leaving a deep furrow.
"I will leave lying down."
Yamada Akira's eyes were fully open, bloodshot in the whites, showing that he was under immense pressure.
How could he not be under great pressure? This is the Red Nichirin Sword, which had continued to improve for several years after the battle with Muzan, the Demon King. Although it isn't at full power right now, its normal state is already no weaker than at that time.
If he said there was no pressure, then Muzan's coffin lid would burst open.
This person is actually not bad. The opponents he defeated were basically lightly injured, the kind that could be healed in an hour. He was just spoiled by his family and given too many arrogant ideas.
So, for a kid like this, a good beating is all it takes.
"One strike..."
He said softly.
"Good!"
Yamada Akira nodded fiercely, and his entire body erupted in yellow flames, wrapping himself in three outer layers and three inner layers, like a giant rice dumpling. He bent his legs forcefully, ready to dodge at any moment.
Nitta Shinji by the stage was already prepared to act. Vast spiritual power gathered in his feet, and his abilities were constantly ready.
The long sword was raised above his head.
Buzz!!! Boom!!!
The soft hum of the long sword echoed throughout the arena, followed by a tremendous roar.
The Red Nichirin Sword aura was too fast! There was no time to dodge. In an instant, it cut through all the flame defenses. The immense pressure pinned Yamada Akira to the ground, his legs trembling, completely unable to move. He could only watch as the red sword light flashed past.
Am I going to die? No way...
The massive sword aura did not go towards Yamada Akira but grazed past him! Dust flew everywhere! Stones were flung all over the place, and staff members opened protective shields to stop them.
The smoke and dust slowly cleared, and everyone saw a massive, bottomless crack appear on the platform floor, like a canyon, extending from Seiichi's feet, grazing past Yamada Akira, all the way to the towering stone wall.
The thick stone wall was directly cut through, forming a huge passage. Shinomiya Saki on the other side looked at Seiichi with an amazed expression.
That's right, the two platforms were pierced through with one strike!
Nitta Shinji sighed faintly.
"With this one strike, he reigns supreme in the first rank."
He had felt that this strike was not directed towards Yamada Akira, so he did not step in.
This Kanto Tournament is going to be interesting.
The principal on the main stage narrowed his eyes slightly, showing a sly smile. Each tournament was a moment to prove the school's strength, and it also represented the redistribution of resources.
On the stage, Yamada Akira, who was already exhausted, had been carried off by the staff. The long sword in Seiichi's hand also turned into ashes and scattered into the air.
Tens of thousands of spectators cheered, shouting Seiichi's name, the wave of sound growing louder with each surge.
Seiichi defeated his opponent with a commanding presence and won over all the students of First National Middle School with his absolute strength.
"Onii-chan..."
Mitsuki's eyes sparkled, with tears glinting.
Onii-chan's journey had been incredibly difficult, whether it was his desperate training or his firm decision to cut off all other thoughts and only practice swordsmanship.
Next to her, Nitta Chiyo's eyes showed envy.
After greeting Nitta Shinji, Seiichi left the arena.
Shinomiya Saki on the other side had also dealt with her opponent, but she didn't feel particularly happy, because a high wall now blocked her path, and she currently lacked the ability to cross it.
Her light blue eyes looked a bit sad, and she pouted her small mouth before also leaving the stage.
Time to go back and watch the video...
With this, the ranking matches ended. Tomorrow will be the final match, where Seiichi and Shinomiya Saki will determine who is the strongest in First National Middle School!
Even though everyone already knew the outcome, what if? Aren't geniuses meant to create miracles?
As everyone waited in anticipation, the second day arrived!