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Indeed, in any battle, the initial exchanges are always for probing.
Using one's full strength from the start, unless you can instantly kill your opponent, risks revealing your weaknesses.
Kurogane Ikki shared this mindset.
During their brief clash, though his strikes were sharp and fierce, he never truly believed he could defeat Ryoji with just a few blows. That was simply unrealistic.
His true aim was to gauge Ryoji's capabilities through combat, seeking a strategy to exploit them.
"But Little Brother Kurogane returned empty-handed," Saikyou Nene said, crossing her legs and unable to suppress a smirk.
"Little Junior Brother never revealed his own sword techniques, relying entirely on countering Little Brother Kurogane's moves. As a result, Little Brother Kurogane couldn't discern his opponent's true capabilities, leaving him unable to devise a winning strategy."
"I recall Kurogane possessing a unique technique called 'Perfect Vision'," Shinguuji Kurono mused. "With his exceptional eyesight, could it be that he's unable to grasp Ryoji's true nature?"
"Activating 'Perfect Vision' requires gathering sufficient intelligence," Nangou Torajirou chuckled, his face beaming with a radiant smile.
"Only by thoroughly understanding the brat can he see through him. But right now, Kurogane can likely only see his own reflection in the child's body. To Kurogane, the brat's body must appear shrouded in mist, its true form obscured... Still, 'Perfect Vision'... Kurogane has truly achieved what countless world-class experts have failed to accomplish!"
'Perfect Vision' refers to Kurogane Ikki's unconventional application of his talent for "stealing."
Just as he could plagiarize an opponent's sword technique by discerning its underlying principles and structure, Kurogane Ikki believed that with sufficient understanding of a person, he could penetrate to their core beliefs.
A sword technique had its underlying principles, and a person had their fundamental structure, these were the essence of a sword technique or a human being.
Once someone was subjected to his 'Perfect Vision', it was akin to having their mind read. No thought could escape his gaze, and every behavioral pattern would be laid bare.
Yet now, Ryoji appeared to Kurogane Ikki as a perfect reflection of himself.
In other words, Ryoji was currently mimicking Kurogane Ikki.
Unable to discern Ryoji's true nature, Kurogane Ikki could not grasp the essence of this person.
"Most swordsmen adhere to a specific style, but Junior Brother never confines himself to one," Toudou Touka explained to Totokubara Kanata beside her.
"Junior Brother's simulation ability is truly remarkable. He can mimic Master's sword techniques, mine, and even Ikki-kouhai's. What's more, he can innovate and adapt them in an incredibly short time. His style is inherently all-encompassing, allowing him to experiment with and absorb anything. Sometimes, I'm even awed by the unfathomable depth of his talent."
"If Ikki-kouhai has 'Perfect Vision', then Junior Brother has 'Perfect Simulation'. In a way, these two are remarkably similar!"
Ryoji's style is incredibly versatile.
He can effortlessly absorb the techniques of Kurogane Ikki, Toudou Touka, Nangou Torajirou, Ais, and others, making them his own. Like a bottomless pit, no single style can ever fill him completely.
If he had a single defining style, it was his all-encompassing nature…Tch!
This was proof of the terrifying power of his innate sword technique.
Few had ever forced this side of him to surface. But when faced with Kurogane Ikki's Perfect Vision, Ryoji, unable to easily display his own style, deliberately exposed this aspect of himself.
Faced with a version of himself that wasn't truly him, 'Perfect Vision' was rendered useless.
And the truth aligned with their assessment.
Kurogane Ikki had indeed failed to grasp Ryoji's true style.
Upon reflection, Ryoji had demonstrated a variety of distinct styles across his seven selection matches. In his battle against Hagure Kikyō, for instance, he had displayed a relentless, wave-like assault of blade strikes, unlike any swordsman Kurogane Ikki had ever encountered. This likely reflected the styles of other swordsmen Ryoji had faced in the past.
Kurogane Ikki felt a prickling sense of unease.
'Ittou Shura' was unusable right now.
'Perfect Vision' proved ineffective as well.
His two trump cards had been sealed away in an instant.
'This man is truly unlike any opponent I've ever faced!'
Even when battling Stella, Kurogane Ikki had never felt such burning intensity!
'And it was exactly because of that, he wasn't afraid in the slightest. In fact, being pushed into this desperate situation only fueled his excitement!
"This is a crisis, but also an opportunity!" Kurogane Ikki's eyes blazed like burning embers.
"Hah!"
Using his breathing technique to regain his composure, Kurogane Ikki roared and charged forward once more!
He assumed his stance again, his blade transforming into a lightning ray!
"Not enough!"
"This speed is nowhere near enough!"
Kurogane Ikki's eyes widened in realization.
A fierce dissatisfaction surged from the depths of his heart.
'I have to be faster!'
'If I'm not faster, I can't win!'
'If I'm not fast enough now, then I'll surpass my current limits!'
"Hmm?"
Ryoji's gaze sharpened.
In a flash of lightning, the katana seemed to vanish completely from Kurogane Ikki's hand!
His speed had increased by another degree!
'He's added a spiral motion to his wrists and ankles?'
Ryoji's eyes darted rapidly.
His exceptional vision allowed him to instantly analyze the reason for Kurogane Ikki's increased speed.
By twisting the joints in his wrists and ankles to their maximum extent, he was harnessing the recoil force as the joints snapped back into place, generating a spiral motion that allowed the sword tip to pierce through the wind resistance with even greater force, thus achieving greater speed!
'But it's useless!'
Ryoji raised his blade vertically.
His entire demeanor shifted, transforming from sharp and aggressive to calm and composed.
Clang…!
Amidst the lingering chime of metal, Kurogane Ikki felt a metallic taste in his throat and staggered backward once more.
Ten'i Muhou!
The ultimate counter-attack sword technique.
'The ultimate Profound Truth of the Ayatsuji Ittou-ryuu!'
From a corner of the audience seats came a gasp of disbelief.
It was a beautiful girl with long, straight black hair, precisely Ayatsuji Ayase. Having learned that today was Ryoji's final match, she had rushed all the way from Hiroshima to cheer him on.
"When did Ryoji-kouhai learn this technique? He only fought his father once, right? Could he have mastered this ultimate Profound Truth after just one encounter? I've been studying it for three years and still haven't grasped it!"
"Not enough!"
Kurogane Ikki didn't falter.
The damage reflected back by Ten'i Muhou was halved by his "Third Secret Sword - Madoka (Circle)."
This technique redirects an enemy's power in a circular path within his body before returning it. Originally a power reflection technique, he was now using it to neutralize the force.
"He can withstand it because I'm not fast enough!" Kurogane Ikki gritted his teeth.
His gaze burning with unwavering resolve, he unleashed another lightning ray!
(End Of This Chapter)