One Move Short, Defeated Like a Landslide! The Monsters Mocked Him, Uesugi Tetsu Entered the Fray-Why Aren't You Laughing?

After a brief exchange of glances, the assistant master shook his head slightly.

Uesugi Tetsu had no objection and did not vie for the chance to fight in the first battle.

After all, from the moment the assistant master had first come looking for him, his role had been that of a "safety net."

If Tsuchiya and Akiyama failed to defeat the other three, he would do his best to secure victory for Yagyu Dojo in this wagered battle.

"I'll go."

Tsuchiya Yū's deep voice rang out. He smiled at the assistant master and Uesugi Tetsu in turn, then took a deep breath, causing every muscle wrapped in his martial arts uniform to bulge.

"My tactics are fairly simple. It won't make much difference whether I go first or last."

He raised his iron-hued fist, bared his teeth, and said, "No matter what move my opponent makes, I'll just smash it apart with one punch."

Uesugi Tetsu glanced at the sword at Tsuchiya Yū's waist. Something about those words felt off.

But he did not dwell on it. Instead, he said, "The enemy's three fighters are famous generals from the Warring States period. They are the White, Black, and Blue Guards among the Hōjō Clan's Five-Colored Guard. If you go first..."

Uesugi Tetsu paused, then spoke bluntly instead of beating around the bush. "Lord Tsuchiya, there is a very high chance you will die in the arena."

"Die?"

Tsuchiya Yū slowly stripped off his loose martial arts uniform, revealing a physique that looked as though it had been cast from refined steel.

—There was no doubt that he had advanced much farther than Uesugi Tetsu along the path of the Palace of Flesh.

The man who had used his own body to expound upon the beauty of the flesh lowered