Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard

Chapter 595 - 382 Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Style

"Cough, cough, currently, the Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Style can be introduced in one sentence: It is the origin of Japan’s Sword Dao... The ancestor, Sakihara Kunzan, who created the One-Mind One-Sword Style, also sought instruction in some techniques at the Katori Shinto Style dojo during his travels.""Wasn’t Sakihara Kunzan a doctor?"

"You little rascal, don’t interrupt!" Sakihara Yishin said sternly, then his expression returned to normal, "Of course, the ancestor indeed came from a family of doctors. He traveled the world for more than ten years, encountering many famed schools and sects. It was only after a long period of experiences that he finally settled down and established the One-Mind One-Sword Style that has been passed down to this day."

"My dear disciple."

Uesugi Sakura, sitting idle below, raised his head.

"Didn’t you have a match with Ishibashi from the Katori Shinto Style earlier?"

"Yes."

"I watched the recording of your match that day. The opponent used the Police Style wooden sword and didn’t employ any techniques from the Katori Shinto Style...

"Before disciples of the Katori Shinto Style are initiated, they must swear an oath to the Katori Great God, a Blood Oath that is like a vow made with a blood seal to the deity. The oath requires all disciples to keep the contents of the Shindo Style confidential, forbidding any casual duels, and this confidentiality extends even to their family members...

"You lack practical experience, with almost no encounters against the Katori Shinto Style. Tomorrow’s semifinals might put you at a disadvantage with certain techniques, and that old fellow Naito isn’t easy to deal with. Let me teach you a few moves to counter the Katori Shinto Style."

...

Uesugi Sakura, donned in Sword Dao armor, looked at the center of the competition arena.

This team competition was a troublesome affair his cheap master signed him up for. Originally, he just needed to participate in the singles tournament, cutting through opponents to advance. Now, being in the team tournament, the risks have increased somewhat.

Fortunately, the senior brothers were strong and did not lose to the other team at crucial moments.

It was truly befitting of a team that had been back-to-back champions for two consecutive years.

What he needed to do was win a key match at a critical moment.

Uesugi Sakura looked at Naito Genichiro, seated on the opposing side.

His cheap master said he was quite troublesome.

A formidable opponent in Sakihara Yishin’s eyes definitely had fame and a name.

Recalling his identity as a Vice Master...

Uesugi Sakura intended to make an exception and look at his attributes.

...

After bringing up the nearly rusty system.

Uesugi Sakura focused an observation on Naito Genichiro’s head, staring at the transparent text above his head.

[Sword Dao: Lv10]

[Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Style: Lv7]

A master.

A rather formidable master.

Uesugi Sakura glanced at his own Sword Dao attributes.

[Sword Dao: Lv10]

[Niten Ichi Style: Lv4]

[Jigen Style: Lv6]

[One-Mind One-Sword Style: Lv6]

Style levels are sub-branches of Sword Dao, equivalent to familiarity with a particular style.

Sword Dao is the foundation, the reflex.

Style levels are the familiarity degree of various specific techniques.

For example, Uesugi Sakura learned the Outer Tachi Skill unique to the One-Mind One-Sword Style from Sakihara Yishin, and after practicing to proficiency, his skill level in the One-Mind One-Sword Style elevated.

And when Sword Dao reaches Lv10, it does not go any higher.

But according to Uesugi Sakura’s experience these days, even reaching Sword Dao Lv10, strength varies with different people.

Yet, Naito Genichiro has reached Sword Dao Lv10 and also has a style level of Lv7.

This indicates he has reached a level of mastery in his own style’s techniques.

Sakihara Yishin’s One-Mind One-Sword Style is only level Lv8.

Naito truly lives up to being a Vice Master of the Katori Shinto Style in the Capital City lineage.

After a long wait, the competition was finally about to start. Google seaʀᴄh ????????????????????※????????????????※????????????

First, the referee entered, followed by all contestants entering in order, from vanguard to general, each entering the arena, both teams of ten facing each other before saluting, then respectively bowing to each other and withdrawing for the competition.

This match follows an order-based schedule, meaning forward against forward, second leader against second leader, general against general.

The first vanguard match was Senior Brother Kusunoki against an opponent eight years his senior. Senior Brother Kusunoki was of a relatively small stature, but the opponent did not hold back, immediately greeting him with the Katori Shinto Style’s Outer Tachi. The opponent clearly had some skill, using his height advantage to continuously launch forceful attacks. After two rounds, both sides remained evenly matched.

Starting from the third round, the opponent obviously changed tactics. The overall style seemed to suddenly become a different person.

Hanamaru Hiroki, watching from the audience, recognized what it was — the Scythe Technique of the Katori Shinto Style, a Sword Dao tactic evolved from the Scythe Technique. Although it’s not suited for Sword Dao, it wins with surprise during transformation, and Senior Brother Kusunoki lost the next two rounds to this upward slash skill derived from the Scythe Technique.

Although the first battle was lost, Kusunoki Kubomaru did not lose without any impact.

The following brother Koshin and brother Higuchi both secured victories against opponents ten years and twelve years their seniors, respectively.

"Mirror! You should thank me properly this time!"

Koshin Kagami took off his helmet, revealing a forehead full of sweat, and glanced at him.

"I cannot deny your contribution, but it is limited to that alone."

"What do you mean just limited? Weren’t the sword techniques of those two afterwards composed of moves evolved from the Shindo Style’s Iaido and stick technique? Didn’t you still lose the match in the first variation then?"

"That’s called adaptation; didn’t I win in the next round?"

"Damn, you guy, you really don’t know how to be grateful."

Kusunoki Kubomaru chose not to argue with Koshin Kagami, instead turning his gaze to Uesugi Sakura, who was preparing to go fifth, "Little junior brother, if you win this match, we’ll advance from the semifinals!"