Final Match Over, Division Champion! Chisa the Little Workhorse, the Preliminary Roster, and a Gathering of the Strong!
[Moon Sand-chan: Yes, sir.jpg]
Without a word, Uesugi Tetsu sent back a salute sticker, then closed the screen after tapping "Accept File."
The roster could be checked anytime, even on the way back to Arakawa Ward.
But the division final of the Seed Battle was about to begin, and Yagyū Shion was going onstage soon.
It went without saying which was more important. Uesugi Tetsu hardly needed to think about it.
"They're coming, they're coming!"
Tamamo poked Uesugi Tetsu with her elbow, making him turn his gaze back.
As a rhythmic, oppressive sound rang out, the lights throughout the venue abruptly went dark. Only the road leading to the central arena was illuminated by dim, cold-white lights.
The first person to enter was Yagyū Shion's opponent.
The commentator's deep, slightly hoarse voice echoed through the venue over the expensive sound system.
"His roar shatters his opponents' courage, while the Nodachi in his hands cleaves through every obstacle! Who can possibly stop him from claiming the title of 'Shizuoka Prefecture Champion'?"
"Let us first welcome—the competitor from Nodachi Jikishin-ryū, Kawakami Ryōto!"
As his voice fell, the passage on the right was bathed in dazzling pure-white light, creating a road of starlight leading to the center of the arena.
A wave of passionate cheers immediately came from directly opposite Uesugi Tetsu and Tamamo. Most of the cheerers wore the same training uniforms, probably senior and junior disciples from the same dojo.
"Say what you will, they've done a pretty good job with the atmosphere."
Under Uesugi Tetsu's gaze, the heavy automatic doors slowly opened.
A young man stepped out from the darkness beyond the doors. He carried a nearly six-foot-long Nodachi on his back, his fists clenched and his cheeks flushed red. He was clearly struggling to contain his excitement.
*Nodachi Jikishin-ryū