The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

After closing the distance, he suddenly leaped, coordinating the time of his jump and descent perfectly. He used the impact of his falling body to amplify the power of his blade, striking down with both man and sword.

This is—Swift Sky Blade Momentum!

Facing this powerful and heavy strike, Hasegawa Izumi, who had remained still, finally moved.

"Nine Solitary Swords. Shattering Blade Style."

He chose to meet the attack head-on. His fingertip slid smoothly down the blade, followed by a twist of his wrist. With a swing, he struck directly at the tip of the bamboo sword.

This was the most powerful point, and also the weakest.

"Clack!"

Two different forces erupted from both ends. A snapped piece of bamboo sword flew out and fell to the ground.

"Huh?"

Kojima Hideo stared at the bamboo sword in his hand, now broken, his eyes dazed in disbelief.

How had that sword strike been achieved?

He couldn't comprehend the exquisite swordsmanship involved.

After all, the bamboo sword in his hand wasn't crudely made; it was the result of years of improved craftsmanship. Under normal circumstances, it absolutely shouldn't be cut by a wooden sword.

"Between you and me, I don't think there's any need to continue this match."

Hasegawa Izumi didn't press his advantage to defeat the opponent. He stood his ground and said with a detached expression.

"I... I concede."

Kojima Hideo, though unwilling, lowered his head and admitted defeat, acknowledging the vast difference in swordsmanship between them.

"Next up is you, Busujima Senpai."

Suddenly, the blade in front of him turned, drawing everyone's attention along with it.

Just then, a cold and beautiful woman with long purple hair, holding a wooden sword made of white oak, lifted the beaded curtain and walked in slowly.

Busujima Saeko glanced briefly at the situation and instantly understood what had happened.

Had he defeated everyone in such a short amount of time?

Even she had to inwardly feel a sense of awe.

"Thank you for your hard work. Please go and rest."

Busujima Saeko gestured to Kojima Hideo.

"Yes! Busujima Senpai, be careful of that guy's sword style! It's incredibly bizarre!"

Kojima Hideo nodded, offering a reminder before he began pulling the others away from the arena to avoid interfering with the upcoming decisive battle.

As the saying goes, to observe a sword, first observe the hand.

Busujima Saeko noticed that the palm holding the sword was surprisingly delicate, lacking calluses, looking nothing like the hand of an experienced swordsman.

Furthermore, his entire aura was unremarkable; she couldn't feel any power from him.

However, having quickly defeated the other members of the Kendo Club, he must undoubtedly be a master swordsman.

"Is he concealing his aura now? As a swordsman, that's incredibly difficult to do."

As Busujima Saeko was contemplating this, Hasegawa Izumi spoke.

"Busujima Senpai, I can already feel your Dominating Intent! I hope you won't disappoint me in this next battle."

Dominating Intent?

Her expression became slightly unnatural, feeling as though he was hinting at something.

"So soon? Izumi-chan, aren't you going to rest a bit? Although the previous fight was short, it must have been tiring."

"It's fine. With the Sage's strength, that was just a warm-up."

"Go, Sage!"

"I heard Busujima Senpai's strength is on a completely different level from everyone else. Hasegawa, don't be careless."

The spectators, after the dazzling battle, finally caught their breath. During this brief intermission, they exchanged a few words.

Because the next match would likely be another breathtaking battle.

The arena had been completely cleared.

"My wooden sword is considerably longer than yours. Should I switch?"

Busujima Saeko asked, wanting a fair duel.

Her wooden sword was 101.5 centimeters long, while his was likely around 80-something centimeters. As the saying goes, an inch longer is an inch stronger, and this advantage in a high-level fight was enormous.

For example, it was well-known that famous swordsmen preferred to use 'spears' on the battlefield; it was for this very reason.

"No need, let's keep it this way."

Hasegawa Izumi's attitude remained confident, and he informed her of the rules for their match.

"Alright then."

Busujima Saeko didn't dawdle, nodding in agreement.

In fact, she was quite looking forward to these sparring rules.

A certain evil thought, long dormant in her heart, was beginning to awaken.

"Here it comes, Hasegawa-kun."

Busujima Saeko gripped her wooden sword with both hands, holding it diagonally in front of her arm, her eyes instantly sharpening.

Just her stance told you a lot.

"Not bad! Come on!"

Hasegawa Izumi's expression showed a hint of excitement as he adopted the "Immortal Points the Way" stance.

In the very next moment, both of them moved.

"Clang!"

In the blink of an eye for everyone else, the two wooden swords collided in mid-air!

At such close range, their gazes met, filled with even more fervor, as if sparks were flying.

54 I'm sorry I couldn't entertain you fully...

As everyone expected, all eyes were on them.

After a moment of stalemate, Hasegawa Izumi channeled his strength a second time, his arm twitching as he pushed forward.

His old strength had been spent, and his new strength had yet to arise.

Busujima Saeko felt another surge of power transmit through her hand, forcing her to retreat several steps. Her body swayed before she regained her balance.

This scene unfolded before everyone's eyes. While they had some premonition, they were still astonished.

"My strength is completely at a disadvantage?"

This greatly surprised Busujima Saeko.

While women were naturally weaker, her years of training had long since surpassed ordinary people in terms of basic strength.

But even so, she still couldn't win?

"Busujima Senpai, your sword is too heavy. This blade alone can't even touch my abilities, so please put in some effort and show me your true capabilities. Otherwise, this kind of fight will just bore me."

Hasegawa Izumi didn't know what she was thinking at the moment, but he only wanted a slightly more intense battle, so he resorted to provoking her verbally.

He could feel that she was holding back, which made him very dissatisfied.

"It seems I can't hold back in front of you."

Busujima Saeko's expression turned serious, as if she had made up her mind. She took a deep breath, allowing a large amount of oxygen to flood into her bloodstream.

Beside them, several spectators' expressions shifted slightly.

"She's using it after all, a Breathing Technique."

Kojima Hideo's expression was one of melancholy.

Compared to ordinary people, those who used Breathing Techniques experienced significant improvements in all aspects, including destructive power. Thus, it had become a regulated skill.

However, practicing Breathing Techniques required not only inheritance but also talent and perseverance. Otherwise, it was difficult to achieve anything. Moreover, even if one became a master, they couldn't withstand the power of modern weapons. Therefore, 'Breathing Techniques' were also something that had been rendered obsolete by the times.

This was truly tragic!

As he lamented inwardly, the intensity of the battle on the field gradually reached a level he couldn't comprehend.

"Huuu..."

Busujima Saeko activated her Breathing Technique, feeling her blood boil and her heart surge as she prepared to unleash a storm of attacks.

"A Breathing Technique? What style is it?"

A pleased smile curved Hasegawa Izumi's lips.

In the next moment, the answer was revealed.

"Moon Breathing. First Form... Dark Moon, Evening Palace!"

Busujima Saeko lowered her body slightly, sheathing her wooden sword as she prepared for her next attack.

This was a move similar to an iaijutsu slash.

Concentration, focus, all for the sake of achieving the strongest sword strike!

Time seemed to stand still; she could even hear the flow of blood in her ears, her gaze fixed intently on the person before her.

In the next moment, Busujima Saeko's figure seemed to become parallel to the ground. The instant she drew her sword, she had already lunged forward, appearing right in front of him.

"This is finally a little interesting."

Hasegawa Izumi's eyes shone brilliantly at this moment. While praising her, he brought down his own sword with unwavering resolve.

"Break!"

The swords clashed again!

The same result appeared.

"What?"

Busujima Saeko retreated several steps, her expression changing. The opponent's previous strike had landed precisely on the weak point of her exertion, causing the power of her sword move to diminish significantly.

Could it be a coincidence?

Without time to ponder, she raised her blade and attacked again. The efficiency of her Breathing Technique continued to increase, and her own strength and speed climbed further.

"Moon Breathing... Third Form: Loathing Moon—Erosion."

She brought her arm close to her neck, preparing for a very wide swing of her sword.

This was a two-hit sword technique. If the first strike was parried by the opponent, the subsequent second strike could directly target the vital throat.

A single misstep, and it would be a fatal blow.

However, her intention was not fulfilled.

"Clang!"

Hasegawa Izumi parried the first strike as she expected, but just as she was about to launch her second attack, he moved faster, his swift sword cleaving through the air.

Blocked again!

With no other choice, Busujima Saeko could only tilt her head back, lower her center of gravity by bending her knees, and narrowly dodge the slash.

Her reaction was also extremely agile. She instantly thought of a way to turn the tide. Her left hand pushed off the ground, and the wrist of her right hand flipped, changing the position of her wooden sword.

"Moon Breathing, Eighth Form: Moon Dragon's Tail Spin."

A horizontal sweep, like the wagging tail of a divine dragon.

However, this ingenious change of tactic was still firmly blocked by the sword held upright before him.

Blocked again!