Aoto's attack, though it missed the target, successfully disrupted Niitsuma Kan's continuous assault, breaking Kan's attack rhythm.
Seizing the momentum, Aoto angled his left shoulder towards Niitsuma Kan, adopting a lower right stance, and pushed off with his rear foot, charging at Kan as if trying to topple him.
As their figures were about to merge, Aoto's sword angled and grazed Niitsuma Kan's right side.
According to the rules of this competition, the whole torso is a vulnerable area where any hit results in defeat.
Unfortunately, Aoto's sword tip only brushed the air — Niitsuma Kan swiftly sidestepped half a step as Aoto charged, causing Aoto's sword tip to miss, slicing only through air.
Aoto sprinted two steps forward with the momentum of the exchange, then stopped, turning to look at Niitsuma Kan — not seeing Kan's face, but instead the rapidly enlarging dark yellow bamboo sword in his field of vision.
