178 A Good Word

When Tetsuto Hirata, the council member of the National Kendo Association of Japan, came forward to award the top three, he glared sternly at Ikioi Ito when his back was facing the audience. 

Being a council member, the things Tetsuto Hirata knew would naturally be more than that of an average person. 

Regarding Kendo, he was aware of the existence of THE Ancient Kendo Community other than competitive Kendo. According to the rules, the Ancient Kendo Community was forbidden from entering competitive Kendo here. But of course, since there were no records of any written laws regarding this, there were no restrictions or enforcement toward this unwritten rule. The people were just merely hidebound by conventions. 

But what is even up with the Sugawara family this year? Spreading news and ordering the young generations from various clans in the Ancient Kendo Community to join in the Jade Dragon Flag. 

Well, if they want to join, then let them. As long as they do not act beyond their limits, it should be fine. At the same time, we can show these competitive Kendo practitioners how sword fighting is done. 

At least that was what Tetsuto Hirata thought all along! 

He never thought that Ikioi Ito would create such a mess out of things. 

He glanced towards the spectator's seating area. Every year, during the prize-giving ceremony... a small batch of viewers would start to leave the venue. Their sole purpose would be to watch the Kendo competition only. When it was over, they would begin to fan out. They've already seen the results of the competition, why would they waste their time staying for a prize-giving ceremony? 

But now? He could only see the front row overflowing with the excitement bursting from the fanatic audience. 

Obviously... Since it was still a prize-giving ceremony, everyone was keeping their questions and doubts to themselves. Just wait till the ceremony is over. I don't think many of us will be able to leave this place, not until they are given a satisfactory answer. 

Even though they did not have any need for an explanation, and neither were they obliged to have one, but there were over 10,000 witnesses here in Tachibana Budo Gym... This is no longer a matter of obligation anymore, it is a matter of how we are going to explain it! Tetsuto Hirata gave a murderous glare, but all Ikioi Ito could do was provide a small apologetic smile. 

Meanwhile, backstage at the Tachibana Budo Gym. 

Kimura Kazuki had no interest in the prizes awarded on stage, so he left earlier. Then he received a message from Yagyu Kenichiro to meet him backstage, saying that he wanted to discuss something with him. 

"Hello." Kimura Kazuki reciprocated the handshake. He questioned, "May I know what this is about?" 

At Kimura Kazuki's direct questioning, Reizan Takamatsu let out a sigh of relief. He really did not have much time for mindless small talk. 

"Here's the thing, Ikioi Ito used a technique that was out of the competition's bounds... and this time the competition was being broadcasted live on television. Now anyone who has seen the live telecast is calling the TV station demanding to know the deal with Ikioi Ito's sword fighting. As we speak, the audience here on site are waiting for an explanation from us, the officials." 

Kimura Kazuki nodded in understanding. During the competition, he knew the forbidden techniques that Ikioi Ito used would definitely shock and puzzle the common folks here... But the reality was not like the movies. However, when action scenes for the big screen show up in real life, anyone would burn with curiosity at these magic-like sword fighting techniques. 

This curiosity, if it isn't satiated soon, I fear that it will spark a craze of theorizing and opinion. 

After all, this is about extraordinary powers, anyone would want that. 

But... what has all this got to do with me? Kimura Kazuki kept his silence. 

Reizan Takamatsu took a deep breath, and continued, "Since Kenichiro is here, I'd like to ask him for a favor, that if he could come up with a reasonable excuse and help explain Ikioi Ito's technique to the audience. But Kenichiro said that his hands are tied." After all, Yagyu Kenichiro was currently Master of Yagyu Kendo Gym, and the Yagyu Flying Sword Style was his opponent's family traditional sword fighting technique. Not to mention that Kenichiro was over 40 years old and looked mature, so it was only logical that his words would hold more credibility. 

But at this request, Yagyu Kenichiro was helpless to oblige. 

Of course, he could not help... Kenichiro was just someone with a strong foundation and training, really. If Ikioi Ito were to use that technique on him, he might not even have been able to handle it. 

But then again, Yagyu Kenichiro had been practicing Kendo for years. If they were pitted in battle against each other, he would slice Ikioi Ito in half before the battle even started. 

On the other hand, the Ito family was also at a loss. Since 'The Return of the Swallow·Sword Drawing Skill' was Ikioi Ito's personal brainchild, they were clueless to the principles behind the technique, so of course, they could not give an explanation either. 

So Yagyu Kenichiro suggested that they could discuss this matter with Kimura Kazuki, as they could not explain, he thought that perhaps Kimura Kazuki might be able to... After all, he was on the saint of swords. Ever since he found out Kimura Kazuki was a sword saint, he had full confidence in him joining the Jade Dragon Flag Competition. In his heart, he believed that swords saints were invincible. 

Seeing that Kimura Kazuki remained impassive, Reizan Takamatsu pulled out his trump 

card, "Kimura-Kun, if you can solve this predicament perfectly, the Ito family is offering a three-room two halls, 140 square meter property on Weier Road. Here, the association will give you a piece of land for you to build your own Kendo Gym. Besides, the official organizers of the Jade Dragon Flag Competition will advertise the Yagyu Kendo Gym during the competition period. It is good exposure for the gym's name." 

At this time, Reizan Takamatsu did not have any more time to bargain or haggle. 

After some time, Reizan Takamatsu began to lose hope. But then he heard Kimura Kazuki softly utter a word, "Fine." 

Meanwhile... on the other side, Tetsuto Hirata has finally finished awarding the prizes... He secretly hated this. The rewards for the district qualifying game and the nationals were different. He only needed to award the certificates and medals for the former. But for the National Jade Dragon Flag Competition, there was also the Jade Dragon Flag, trophies, certificates, decorations, and the whole shebang, it would drag the ceremony for some time. 

However, now that the awards were over, he still has not heard any news from his earpiece. Unless they want me to come out and explain? I am just a council member! Plus, I have absolutely no clue about Ikioi Ito's sword-fighting technique... Not even my eyes could catch up with that battle speed. 

Just when Tetsuto Hirata was about to despair, the earpiece finally cackled with reception. He could almost cry out of joy. 

With the messages passed through the voice from the earpiece, Tetsuto Hirata started to have his doubts... Let Kimura Kazuki settle this problem? He is strong, alright, but he is still a youngster. 

But not even he was dumb enough to question at this point. 

After the awards, he picked up the microphone and smiled at the audience. "I know you are all burning with curiosity, so we won't tease and waste time here. After all, we paid good money to rent Tachibana Budo Gym, we can't let that go to waste!" 

Friendly laughter echoed through the spectators' seats. 

Shortly after, Tetsuto Hirata loudly announced, "Well then, let's welcome high school heartthrob, Kimura-san! He will explain to us what exactly happened in the last moments of his battle with Ikioi Ito!"