Chapter 553 - The Decided Winner (1/2)

Yamada had been waiting for Akane Koyama to say yes to his challenge. Seeing that the other party finally agreed to a battle, his gloomy face finally showed a touch of joy. The others had consciously stepped aside and cleared the s.p.a.ce in the middle for the two contenders.

Only Takeuchi and Zhang Heng still stood there. Takeuchi then chirped, “Great! I can witness brother Yamada’s Ois.h.i.+ s.h.i.+nkage-Ryu stabbing technique again! My people will be proud of him.”

After that, he slowly retreated to a corner.

Yamada discreetly scolded Takeuchi. The compet.i.tion had escalated to the point it now involved a Choshu domain samurai’s honor. But Takeuchi didn’t seem satisfied. He had to involve the fight between the sects as well. This had increased Yamada’s stress level tremendously. His Ois.h.i.+ s.h.i.+nkage Ryu Stab Technique was a sort of quick melee attack. If he hesitated at any moment, the technique could fall apart completely. From the surface, Takeuchi appeared to be encouraging him, but he was actually taking the opportunity to disrupt his mind.

Yamada, on the other hand, had been adopting s.h.i.+ngyötö-ryū for a long time. He was the kind of samurai who paid close attention to his surroundings, employing elements that could benefit him. After all, Yamada was a man who had been through the Kinmon incident and wouldn’t be affected so easily by Takeuchi. Moreover, one’s state of mind would only be affected if the opponent’s strength was equally powerful. As long as he stayed sober, he was confident that he would win the battle.

Yamada saw that Zhang Heng was still in his way. Sternly, he waved the Tachi in his hand and urged, “Go away, or I will slash you with my Tachi!”

Zhang Heng pretended he heard nothing, turning to Akane Koyama instead. “If you can’t defeat him, just give up. Don’t take the risk. If you make one wrong step, this dojo will be shut forever.”

Then, like Takeuchi, he too retreated to the side.

Yamada was getting impatient. Not even bothered to perform the pre-fight salutation, he raised his Tachi and lunged straight for Akane Koyama.

Since the two fought at the market last night, Akane Koyama knew that Yamada’s left-hand was swift and she had been guarding her right against being attacked. However, as soon as the fight started, Akane Koyama realized she made a mistake. The Yamada right now and the drunken Yamada last night were completely different people.

This time, Yamada was adamant that Akane Koyama paid for what happened to him last night. Not only was his performance unaffected by the pressure, but it actually brought out the best in him. Now that he was fully focused on the fight, he was faster than before, but his form was impeccable as well. Coupled with indomitable momentum, he had managed to produce a perfect rendition of the Ois.h.i.+ s.h.i.+nkage-Ryu Stab Technique.

Meanwhile, Akene Koyama was doing all she could to defend herself. She felt almost completely powerless against Yamada’s dominating blows. The Koyama Flow was a technique that focused on defensive abilities. She was supposed to pay attention to the Tachi’s movements and feel them with her heart. Unfortunately, Yamada’s attacks were so swift, and as her eyes darted around, she had no idea how to suppress him.

In less than ten moves, Akane Koyama’s right arm was slashed by Yamada. The onlookers immediately had the feeling that Akane Koyama would lose the battle. Akane Koyama, however, had no intention to surrender anytime soon. With gritted teeth, she pa.s.sed the katana to her other hand.