Fujimura hurriedly raised his sword to defend, the bamboo swords clashed with a clang, Saito’s strike barely parried, his bamboo sword whistled past Fujimura’s temple.
Saito’s transition was extremely quick, after Fujimura blocked his strike, he swiftly changed his stance and slashed back at Fujimura.
Seeing Saito starting his counterattack, Aoto only pondered for a moment before immediately adjusting his strategy: assist Saito, and first defeat this exhausted Fujimura!
Aoto stepped half a step in Saito’s direction, continuing to keep an eye on Harada’s movements, while together with Saito, pincered Fujimura.
Harada naturally understood that if Fujimura fell, he alone would be unable to support.
However, this pointed out their second disadvantage compared to Aoto and Saito—their level of coordination was far inferior to Aoto and Saito.
This was understandable, after all, Harada and Fujimura had just learned each other’s names, and knew nothing about what types of tactics each was skilled at.
In contrast to Aoto and Saito—they already shared a life-and-death friendship.
Having fought side by side, having lived and died together, the two had unknowingly developed a high level of tacit understanding.
Due to virtually no coordination with Fujimura, Harada’s support often missed the mark, even sometimes accidentally hindering Fujimura.
Harada’s spear was an undeniable threat, and couldn’t be left unattended for long, so Aoto gave Saito a signaling look—quickly finish off Fujimura Heisuke!
Saito, understanding Aoto’s intention, exhaled a deep breath, and his sword stance became sharper!
Saito slashed at Fujimura, then swiftly turned his bamboo sword, swinging it at his side to push away Harada’s thrusting spear, without even glancing at the spearhead’s position.
After launching a series of ineffective attacks on Saito, Fujimura’s arms were now severely sore and numb.
After barely blocking Saito’s slash, due to his exhausted arms, Fujimura couldn’t resist the tremendous force, and could only stumble backward holding the parried bamboo sword, retreating two steps.
Aoto at this moment closed in like ink spreading across paper!
In his current severely declining state, Fujimura was full of openings.
The bamboo sword in Aoto’s right hand leapt with force, and instantly traced an arc through the air, slashing down towards Fujimura’s left shoulder.
Fujimura attempted to dodge or defend—but his action still came a step too late.
This after all was just a sparring session for assessment purposes, so as the bamboo sword was about to hit Fujimura’s shoulder, Aoto timely pulled back some force.
Pop!
The sound of the bamboo sword striking Fujimura’s shoulder was loud, but thanks to Aoto pulling back, it only caused Fujimura pain, without injuring him.
Fujimura covered the hit area, stepping back several times with heavy thuds.
If they were using real swords for this duel... Fujimura would be dead by now.
Knowing he was now "defeated," Fujimura, despite his unwillingness, still sighed helplessly, bitterly smiling while holding his bamboo sword, retreating to the edge of the courtyard.
Earlier, upon witnessing Fujimura’s legs showcase extraordinary explosive power, Aoto had secretly thought: Could this person have a talent like "Leg Explosive Power"?
Unexpectedly—Aoto guessed right!
Just as Fujimura exited the scene, a series of system sounds echoed in Aoto’s mind:
[Ding! Talent detected]
[Successfully copied talent: "Take the Lead"]
[Talent description: Legs possess power beyond ordinary]
A surge of warmth, accompanied by the system’s notification, emerged from Aoto’s lower abdomen, flooding into his legs.
Enveloped by this warmth, Aoto only felt a strange soreness in his legs.
When the warmth subsided, Aoto tightened the muscles in his legs.
The muscles in his legs... unprecedentedly firm and strong!
—Lucky break!
Feeling the changes in his legs, Aoto couldn’t help but reveal a glee-filled smile at the corner of his mouth.
Aoto wanted to savor this newfound divine-level talent, but the ongoing battle clearly left him no leisure to do so.
Fujimura had already exited, leaving only Harada standing alone.
Harada’s face, usually wearing a silly grin.
Now, his expression was stern and solemn.
Despite being alone, Harada showed no hint of fear or retreat.
He swung his wooden spear, pushing back Aoto and Saito trying to approach from left and right.
Even during the earlier one-on-one with Harada, Aoto had noticed—this person had an excellent sense of distance.
He retreated decisively when necessary, advanced without hesitation when needed.
Be it sword or spear, reviewing all cases of defeat in weapon battle, it can be found that the majority were defeated by "failing to grasp the distance from the enemy."
Unaware of stepping into the enemy’s attack range; initiating an attack when weapons cannot reach the enemy; overestimating the enemy’s attack range and retreating too far, wasting energy...
In conclusion, whether one can manage the distance with an opponent, whether one can judge when to retreat and when to advance, this distinguishes amateurs from experts.
Though Harada’s skills were good, he was ultimately still unable to support himself alone.
Relying on the spear’s wide attack range, he temporarily fended off the advancing Aoto and Saito... but it was ultimately only "temporary."
Fighting till now, Harada finally exposed a flaw; the angle of the spear aimed at Saito skewed slightly.
Saito seized this opportunity, planting his feet slightly wider than shoulder-width, lowering his center of gravity, taking a deep breath, and with a lower rank stance, he forcefully lifted the blade from the bottom-up, precisely hitting Harada’s un-retracted spearhead.
The spear shaft was knocked aside... Harada’s defenses opened wide!
The chance to decide the victory in one go appeared! Aoto gripped the bamboo sword tightly.
—A perfect opportunity to test the newly gained talent!
Aoto’s rear foot stomped on the ground, launching him like a bullet shooting from a barrel, straight towards Harada.
The whistling wind brushing past his temples made Aoto’s expression turn to incredulous amazement.
—So fast!
It was only after this attempt Aoto authentically sensed what his legs had now adapted to; experiencing for the first time what it meant to be a "flying man."
Not only Aoto was startled by his current speed and explosiveness, but in the courtyard, others like Saito, Kiryu, and Mukiwa, all exhibited looks of surprise at this moment.
Mukiwa’s lips parted, eyes wide, blinking hard.
Nagakura, who had once sparred with Aoto, now raised his hand, scratching his chin: "Hmm... Mr. Tachibana’s leg strength is also this strong..."
The fierce speed brought by powerful explosiveness allowed Aoto to reach Harada in an instant.
For a spear to exert power, distance from the enemy is necessary.
Once the enemy comes close, the spear’s long shaft becomes a hindrance rather than an advantage in battle.
Harada hurriedly retreated, trying to maintain distance from Aoto.
But it was too late.
Just as the bamboo sword in his hand could touch Harada’s body, Aoto swung at Harada’s chest.
Harada instinctively turned the spear horizontally, attempting to block Aoto’s strike.
However, Aoto’s attack was just a feint.
After tricking Harada’s defense, Aoto redirected the sword, sweeping at Harada’s left leg, upsetting his balance; in the next instant, the bamboo sword drew half an arc, pressing against Harada’s chest.
Looking at the bamboo sword touching his chest, Harada paused, then gave a silly laugh, tossing the wooden spear to the ground.
"I lost."
[Ding! Talent detected]
[Successfully copied talent: "See Through"]
[Talent description: Excellent spatial sense]
This battle without announcing move names was the hardest to write, so writing today’s Chapter took far longer than any other, please make sure to cast lots of monthly votes for this book today! (Crying loudly with leopard head.jpg)
Looking for monthly votes! Looking for recommendation votes!

Comments

Loading...