192 Common Traits Of The Dead (2/2)

Yet apparently, this final match would not be as spectacular as was expected. To prevent Ikioi Ito's emotions from acting up and pulling off unexpected moves again, Kimura Kazuki knocked him out the moment the duel began, leaving the audience stunned.

Even the three judges blanked out for a few seconds before raising the red flag, announcing Kimura Kazuki's victory.

Ikioi Ito, on the opposing end, had a grudging look all over his face, ”Kimura-Kun, that ended way too soon... Doesn't that make me inferior to my sister-in-law?” At least Furuhashi Harunaka had managed to fight briefly against Kimura Kazuki. Still, he had only just got on stage before being instantly knocked out with a single strike the moment the bowing ritual was complete. This was way too realistic of him, and did it not also imply that he was inferior to Furuhashi Harunaka?

”If you don't train seriously in the future, perhaps Harunaka's abilities may soon overtake yours,” Kimura Kazuki spoke slowly. What Harunaka displayed today had made him realize that her talent was perhaps not inferior to that of Ikioi Ito's after all.

Ikioi Ito had disbelief written all over his face.

Kimura Kazuki merely smiled without saying more.

Harunaka had been practicing Kendo for 10 years. Similarly, Ikioi Ito had also been introduced to Kendo since a young age and had even undertaken training with the guidance of professional teachers. However, Harunaka had been training step-by-step alone this whole time, but she already had a comprehension of sword power within one month of being introduced to sword styles from Ancient Kendo. Hence, to state that Harunaka's talent was inferior to that of Ikioi Ito's would clearly be disagreeable to Kimura Kazuki.

After that, in the accompaniment of the crowd's cheer, Kimura Kazuki rose as the champion of the Tokyo District Qualifiers.

With that, the champions of both the individual and group category of the District Qualifiers were claimed by Sakura Kyu High School. It was won entirely by Kimura Kazuki himself.

The Jade Dragon Flag District Qualifiers only ended officially once Kimura Kazuki accepted the individual category's champion medal from Chairman Tetsuto Hirata. Moving on, a week following this event would be the Jade Dragon Flag National Competition, where all of Japan's most skillful high-school level Kendo practitioners would assemble at Fukuoka.

Just as Kimura Kazuki intended to pay Harunaka a visit, he received a call. A quick glance at his phone showed that the call was from the Otake Police Department.

Upon picking up the call, Ryo Otake's words made him furrow his brows. ”Kimura-Kun, another body has been found... The location is at the Reimei District...” Ryo Otake's voice was deep as he spoke slowly, ”The crime scene was similar to the scene from yesterday where the victim died in his home, the same kind of sealed room murder. Furthermore, from what we've seen on the surveillance footage, there wasn't anyone who had entered the victim's room.”

If Kotone Mikami's death had merely raised Ryo Otake's suspicion of it being a supernatural case... He was no longer in doubt now.

”How can you be certain that the killer was the same person?” Kimura Kazuki questioned doubtfully, ”Perhaps the perpetrator could be a different person?”

Ryo Otake's tone sounded strange as he replied, ”Honestly, I've thought of this before... but the two victims share a few common traits.”

”What kind of common traits?”

”Both victims were cheaters when they were alive.”

???

Kimura Kazuki's expression was one of utter bafflement.