madnovel Chapter 598 - 383: The Way to Win_2
Chapter 598 - 383: The Way to Win_2
Moreover, this posture of raising the sword diagonally with the right hand... it’s not in the One-Mind One-Sword Style.This stance is more like... the Jigen Style.
Does this young man also know the Jigen Style?
In the audience, journalist Miyata Kazuhiko also saw this scene. He said excitedly, "It’s the first time in the national competition I’ve seen Uesugi-san use the Jigen Style!"
Uesugi Sakura still doesn’t know that a reporter has been paying attention to her all the way from the qualifying matches to the national semifinals.
But now none of that matters.
Uesugi Sakura set up her stance and slashed head-on at Naito Genichiro.
The footwork of the Jigen Style has a characteristic: it uses the area below the knees to change the body’s center of gravity and orientation. Over time, the footwork seems to move along the floor, and if one wears a long hakama, it gives the impression of the body "floating."
With such footwork, the speed is fast, and the strikes are forceful.
— This is also why the Jigen Style has strong suppressive power.
Jigen Style...
Naito Genichiro, seasoned in experience, was born into an ancient kendo family with research into various schools.
He understood the best way to deal with the Jigen Style was a counterattack, and never to passively defend.
The Jigen Style is designed to crack defensive techniques, and solely defending would only put one at a disadvantage. Read complete versıon only at ????????????????????•????????????????•????????????
He steadied his stance, shouted loudly, and swung his sword to firmly counter Uesugi Sakura’s Jigen Style.
A loud clap!
The air vibrated with the bamboo sword!
This kid... has great strength.
But for now, it’s not a problem...
As he met Uesugi Sakura’s strike, Naito controlled the rotation of his bamboo sword, dispersing Uesugi Sakura’s power along the blade’s length — this effectively reduced the opponent’s strike force and prevented his midstance from breaking.
Breaking the midstance would mean nearing defeat.
Realizing Naito chose to clash swords, Uesugi Sakura gripped with both hands and continuously struck downward, aiming to suppress her opponent.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
In several exchanges, Naito Genichiro countered with exquisite skills.
At the same time, he pushed aside Uesugi Sakura’s bamboo sword, slicing down to his tsuba.
The two clashed blades, once again locked in a stalemate.
Naito Genichiro blocked several consecutive strikes from Uesugi Sakura.
In the audience.
Hanamaru Hiroki saw this scene, somewhat agitated: "This kid, not using Qi Union properly."
Hanamaru Hanabi turned her head and asked, "What... do you mean?"
Hanamaru Hiroki explained to his daughter, "That kid just used the Jigen Style I taught him. He got the form of the Jigen Style, but not the spirit. The most crucial part of the Jigen Style is the Monkey Howl, which intimidates the opponent. He probably thinks it’s too unpleasant to shout and deliberately avoids it. What’s the point of caring about that? As a result, its power was reduced by a large margin!"
Hanamaru Hanabi nods slightly, understanding. Although she doesn’t understand kendo, she came to watch the match just to cheer for Uesugi Sakura.
Just like before, when he participated in kyudo competitions, she’d quietly watch him from the audience.
There is one minute left in the second five-minute round.
Uesugi Sakura must finish quickly — Naito Genichiro is aware of this.
He only needs to hold on and wait for Uesugi Sakura to reveal a flaw while attacking.
Time waits for no one; Uesugi Sakura chooses to continue attacking with the Jigen Style.
The exact same?
Naito Genichiro was a bit puzzled. Can a tactic used once still work?
Following the previous method, he blocked Uesugi Sakura’s next five swords and was about to counterattack with a Cutting Strike.
But,
Unexpectedly, when taking the sixth sword, Naito Genichiro’s entire being jolted with the vibrating bamboo sword for a second.
What happened!?
He realized that his tiger’s mouth was slightly numb.
Immediately, Uesugi Sakura took a step back and executed a very flashy Flying Strike.
The bamboo sword skipped over Naito Genichiro’s horizontally defending bamboo sword, and the tip first landed on his mask.
"Men!"
Uesugi Sakura shouted loudly, stepping back and maintaining the Residual Heart.
The moment he called "Men," three judges raised their flags simultaneously, indicating the point was valid.
The current score, one-to-one.
Hanamaru Hiroki in the outer area frowned deeply.
That sixth sword just now... had a problem.
What was it?
At this moment, the large screen on the field cut to a close-up of Uesugi Sakura lowering her bamboo sword and returning to her seat to rest.
On the big screen, one could see him take off his helmet, revealing his sweat-soaked forehead.
The bottom of the screen marked his representing region, name, and rank.
Tokyo Chiyoda, Uesugi Sakura, third rank.
Soon, the screen gave a close-up of Naito Genichiro’s defeated face opposite.
Just from the appearance, one could see the two were not the same age bracket.
One is 47 years old, the other is 18 years old.
One is Sixth Rank, the other is third rank.
Many people who didn’t understand kendo saw a third-rank swordsman defeating a Sixth Rank swordsman and applauded.
Just now... how did I lose?
Resting in the break area, Naito Genichiro’s mind continuously pondered the instants from earlier.
The Formless Tachi Skill of the One-Mind One-Sword Style...?
Doesn’t seem like it; at that time, he used the Jigen Style...
But neither the One-Mind One-Sword Style nor the Jigen Style seemed like the techniques used for that sixth sword.
What exactly was it?
With this question in mind, the third match began. At the referee’s whistle, Uesugi Sakura advanced, transforming her midstance into the Jigen Style’s Dragonfly Eight Forms almost in an instant, coordinating with the footwork, executing a series of successive strikes.
Swift and fierce.
The strap behind Uesugi Sakura’s mask flew up, making the scene quite dashing. After exchanging dozens of swords, Naito stumbled, giving Uesugi Sakura a chance to find an opening, executing a Qi Union strike with a precise hand thrust, hook thrust, and clean cut all in one motion, hitting directly on the torso.
Second point taken!
Kusunoki Kubomaru by the field looked pleasantly surprised. Just one more win, and they could advance to the championship!
After saluting, Uesugi Sakura sat back in the rest area.
He looked at the new message in his mind.
[You have received a new message.]
[Niten Ichi Style: Lv5＞Lv6]
[New skill acquired: Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Style]
[Current Level: Lv0]
Did he level up?
Uesugi Sakura looked at Naito Genichiro sitting opposite and knew he was a bit puzzled now.
If it were him, he wouldn’t figure out which style this move belonged to.
The sixth sword earlier was a move he executed using the Thunder Fire Strike of the Niten Ichi Style, coordinated with the Jigen Style.
It didn’t belong to any technique of the Jigen Style or One-Mind One-Sword Style.
The key to this skill is concentrating the power of the legs, body, and hands, exploding instantly, and striking with lightning speed.
He found this move especially compatible with the fierce pursuit and onslaught of the Jigen Style, all based on power.
As for winning the critical second and third rounds, he had initially thought of learning something more from Naito’s Vice Master’s Katori Shinto Style, but now... it’s almost clear.
So... in the decisive third match, there’s no need to hide the tool he’s been keeping.
Sigh... the winning strategy the master suggested was very good, but now it’s unnecessary...
What a pity, maybe use it another time when there’s a chance.
[Miyamoto Musashi’s Legend]
Description: Temporarily acquire the skills of the Niten Ichi Style representative — Miyamoto Musashi.
Status: Active (remaining duration 9:59:32)
Fourth match.
At the referee’s gesture.
Both sides stood up from their seats, holding their bamboo swords.
Naito Genichiro hadn’t deliberately lost to him in the second round; it’s just that his defense was extraordinary. No matter how much he probed or attacked from tricky angles, he couldn’t break through.
And just now, that sixth sword...
So powerful, with a forceful momentum and fast speed.
Virtually consolidated all the power in an instant, exploding with the attack...
It’s a technique that Naito Genichiro is certain of.
But can’t the Shindo Style find a solution?
Not necessarily.
The Katori Shinto Style has a famous technique.
Collapse Skill.
This is a technique that requires at least five years of practice as a disciple to reach the directory level before starting learning.
The meaning of the Collapse Skill — disintegrate the opponent’s sword techniques.
Naito Genichiro planned to use this, aiming to secure the upcoming victory.