Challenge the Fourth-Ranked, Tsuchimikado Ran! With One Final Strike, Completely Shatter Flame Style's Sword Dao!

With the rules changed like this, there was no room left for trial and error.

If they wanted to challenge someone above them, they had to pick the opponent among their available choices whom they had the best chance of defeating and knew the most about.

In other words, the later they went, the greater their advantage became.

After Onmyo Assistant vanished into midair, the remaining contestants either lowered their heads in thought or exchanged bewildered glances.

The central area of the venue fell into a brief, silent stillness, because no one wanted to be the first fool to challenge someone above them.

Except Ririko.

"I challenge the Tenth-Ranked, Aonosuke."

The indifferent voice came from Ririko, who was still standing. In an instant, every camera and gaze converged on her.

"They both have the surname Tokugawa, and they both cultivate the Four Extremes Breathing Technique. How can the gap between them be this huge?"

Kyūkōin Jin rubbed her slightly bulging stomach, full from the meal, and stared at Tokugawa Haruhiko, who had lowered his head deeply in front of the cameras the next second. She muttered in confusion.

"Of course it can."

Minamoto Shinsui rarely let out a derisive snort. "I met Tokugawa Haruhiko a few years ago. Even then, he looked like someone who would never amount to anything.

"I just didn't expect that after all this time, he wouldn't have changed or grown at all."

After a pause, Minamoto Shinsui gazed faintly at the calm yet domineering face occupying most of the screen.

"As for Tokugawa Ririko, she's probably the person with the highest attainments in swordsmanship and state of mind in the entire Seed Battle."

"There's one more thing, Jin—"

Minamoto Shinsui said, "Tokugawa Ririko probably doesn't cultivate the Tokugawa Family's Four Extremes Breathing Technique. She