hotmtlnovel Chapter 1031 The Merciful Hojo Kyosuke
Chapter 1031 The Merciful Hojo Kyosuke
Chapter 1031 The Merciful Hojo Kyosuke
"No, no, no! Sakura, wait a minute!"
Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly shouted, turning her head sharply, her face a mixture of shock, disbelief, and ninety-three parts jealousy:
"I... I remember your family didn't keep cats in Ruyi Dormitory, right? Or... did you adopt A-Yue?!"
The girl's voice trembled, and her pale blue eyes were filled with pleading.
No, please, please don't be this happy! Don't tell me you actually have a fat cat with a butt as big as the moon, I really can't accept something this wonderful...
But at the same time, there was a sense of anticipation, since Yukino was now able to go to the Ruyi Dormitory very skillfully, and if Sakura had it, it was as if she had it too.
"what?"
Upon hearing this, Sakura Yamauchi turned her head in surprise and gave the black-haired girl a strange look.
"Of course I didn't," she said matter-of-factly.
Yukinoshita was taken aback: "What? You don't have anything?"
"Of course I don't have a cat, so the cat didn't talk or meow. I was just kidding!"
After saying that, Sakura stuck out her little tongue and tilted her head with a smile.
Yukinoshita Yukino: (-`ェ-╬)
You think it's funny? You don't actually think you're funny, do you?
While I admit that it was very satisfying to show off my years of practiced meowing skills in front of so many people, you don't think I was happy, do you?
The director of the cat factory, Yukinoshita Nekono-sama, is very angry.
It's been completely ruined...
Yui Yuigahama thought to herself that she felt a little sorry for Yukinoshita, but also a little envious.
I want... I want to be teased like this by Sakura-kun...
"Yamachi-kun is so mean!"
While Kiyoko Tsuruno spoke up for the goddess, she was actually filled with envy and jealousy, wishing she could take her place.
Upon hearing this, the other girls burst into laughter.
A group of vibrant and energetic high school girls would be the center of attention wherever they go, especially a group with such high overall attractiveness.
Immediately, everyone in the coffee shop turned to look at them, giving them friendly glances.
After resting for a while, the girls packed up their things and left the coffee shop, ready to start the next phase of their shopping trip.
As soon as she stepped onto the street, Sakura Yamauchi stopped on the sidewalk, shielding her eyes from the sun with her small hand and looking up at the sky.
"Ah...the weather is so nice, I really want to go home and take a nap with Kyosuke~~~"
She stretched and muttered.
Hey, hey, hey, don't speak so loudly!
Yui Hama thought to herself, "Doesn't she know that this will make people very jealous!"
Yukinoshita, however, was already used to someone's unbridled behavior. Upon hearing this, she took out her phone, checked the time, and said thoughtfully:
"The selection process should have already begun by now, right?"
"perhaps……"
Sakura turned her head to look into the distance, as if she were looking at Kyosuke in Soubu High School, but in reality she had no sense of direction at all, so she was just pretending.
Standing beside her, Yukina keenly saw through her pretense, because she could not only distinguish east from west, but also knew the location of Soubu High School.
Yukinoshita glanced at Sakura helplessly, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.
Soubu High School, Kendo Club Activity Room
Inside the vast, empty stadium, nearly a hundred members of the Kendo Club, dressed in blue-black Kendo uniforms, stood solemnly in neat rows.
The left side is the girls' group, which is smaller, with only a dozen or so people, while the right side is the boys' group.
Unlike the usual noisy scene filled with strange cries, the kendo club was unusually quiet today.
Hatake Goro, Hikigaya Hachiman, Zaimokuza, and the others all stood tall and looked ahead, their expressions excited and their eyes filled with the desire to fight.
At the front of the formation, Minister Hojo Kyosuke stood in the middle, with Vice Minister Tamaki Aonobu on his left and Manager Kisaki Tetsuta on his right. In the corner was Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was also the instructor.
Looking at his subordinates, whose faces were filled with longing as if they were saying, "Please say something, Minister," Hojo Kyosuke slightly raised his chin and called out:
"The selection process begins!"
The members, who had almost strained their backs, were dazed, but their bodies acted first.
The formation quickly transformed, skillfully forming a large circle, with members sitting in front and standing behind according to their height.
A 10m x 10m square has been taped out in the center of the circle, and an X has been taped out in the center of the square, along with two "starting lines" equidistant from the X. Everything is being conducted in the manner of a precious competition.
Apart from the referee.
Hiratsuka Shizuka eagerly raised her hand to serve as a referee, but was ruthlessly rejected. The kendo club was Hojo Kyosuke's personal kingdom, and the club president made decisions unilaterally.
With his scanning eyes, Kyosuke Hojo was actually more rigorous and authoritative as a referee than the refereeing team of several people in the competition. Those high-ranking kendo veterans often made mistakes in their judgments.
This is not an exaggeration, but the speed at which a simple wooden stick is swung down is already too fast to see, let alone the speed at which a fighter practices wielding a knife every day.
The judges primarily rely on spirit and stamina to determine whether someone has won; in short, they see who "behaves" like a winner.
Does the striker display power while slashing, and does he quickly disengage afterward? If this series of actions is executed flawlessly, not only the referee but even the opponent will doubt whether they have lost.
In fact, this unreliable person had previously suggested that she be the litmus test, allowing each member who wanted to compete for a regular spot to compete against her, and then she would evaluate who was qualified.
Without a doubt, nobody paid any attention to her; everyone saw through her malicious intention to hit someone.
Even so, Kyosuke Hojo still treated Shizuka very well, bringing her a small, square table to sit on so she would feel superior, along with a can of ice-cold beer and a plate of nuts.
"Is this...isn't this bad?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka swallowed hard, feigning refusal.
Hojo Kyosuke didn't even bother to glance at her. Shizuka-sensei, feeling awkward, pouted and then happily picked up her beer and popped it open.
Although with over ten years of drinking experience she could open a beer silently, if you don't hear that "pop," the beer's deliciousness will be lost by fifty percent!
Incidentally, the remaining 50% came from the refrigerator.
He popped a grilled ginkgo nut into his mouth, then took a sip of ice-cold beer. His unhappiness about having to work overtime at school on Saturday vanished instantly (or so he thought, he was ecstatic, after all, he'd soon be leading that kid Hojo to the national tournament as his mentor!).
Ah~~ My photo will also be kept in the school history museum, with a bright, shining inscription that reads: "A distinguished teacher of Soubu High School, leading the kendo and baseball teams to national domination, creating unprecedented history!"
Cool!
With a wave of his hand, the spirited teacher Hiratsuka announced the official start of the selection process!
Well, actually no one paid any attention to him. While she was still enjoying the deliciousness of the grilled ginkgo nuts, Shiki Tetsuta, who was holding a white notebook, had already started calling out names.
The selection process for the boys' team started first, and there were only a dozen or so girls, so there was no rush.
"Asai Junya, Yoshiga Takuo."
"Yes!" X2
Two boys stepped forward in response, already wearing protective gear. In fact, everyone participating in the selection competition was now wearing protective gear, except for their helmets, which they were holding in their arms.
The two, each holding a bamboo sword, walked to the starting line and stood still, then formed the opposing hand seals... oops, I mean, performed the kendo ceremony.
This is a very important matter. Anyone who knows a little about Japan knows that even if you are about to do something despicable, you should still greet them politely and apologize before you begin.
The reason is that the referee's rulings are very subjective, so you have to show the aura of the strong from the beginning and leave a good impression on the referee.
Neither of the two players standing in the middle of the court will be a starter.
This is something everyone knows, including themselves.
We train together every day, and everyone is well aware of each other's abilities. But even so, no one will give up; the outcome is still uncertain, and we are all...
"Snapped!"
"Asai scores!"
Kyosuke Hojo announced loudly.
Then in the next round, the two returned to the starting line.
"Oh--!"
With a single step forward, the two charged forward, and after a brief exchange, they disengaged simultaneously. Regardless of whether they landed a hit or not, their Ki Harmony and Zanshin were executed flawlessly.
Kyosuke Hojo called out Asai's name again; he had won and advanced to the next round.
After being eliminated, Haga Takuo took off his helmet, his face already covered in sweat. Even though it had only been a few minutes, his entire face was covered in sweat.
Panting heavily, he strode forward, grabbed Asai Shunya tightly with his free hand, and slapped him hard.
"You're really strong, buddy!"
He shouted loudly, then raised his bamboo knife and pointed it in a direction from the sidelines.
"Take my share and show these guys what the anger of ordinary people is like!"
The group being referred to was Hatake Goro and his former subordinates who had followed Hojo Kyosuke from the eastern part of the city.
Although the kendo club is now entirely made up of our own people, there is still a difference between veterans and newcomers, and their skill levels are worlds apart.
"Ok!"
Exhausted both mentally and physically, Asai Shun nodded vigorously, silently walked to the sidelines, took off his helmet, and sat down to rest.
"Youth, friendship... how wonderful!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed, using their friendship as a drinking companion, and took another big gulp.
Watching young men yelling and slashing at each other with knives, isn't that more beautiful than admiring cherry blossoms or the moon?
In the middle of the field, two team members grabbed two towels and rushed over to lie down on the ground and start wiping the floor.
"Ayasuke Moriyama, Seiji Kimura!"
Tetsuta Kisaki called out two more names. This was an internal competition, so the order of matches was not determined by drawing lots as in official competitions. Instead, the names were arranged from weakest to strongest, which reduced the randomness.
It may seem unfair, but it actually prevents monsters like Hatake Goro from appearing too early and eliminating ordinary members. If they were ruthlessly eliminated by strong players in the first round of the internal selection, it would be too hurtful and detrimental to the brotherhood.
Although Soubu High School's kendo club had no noteworthy achievements before, it was rebuilt around Hojo Kyosuke and his gang, so it had an extraordinary sense of pride from the very beginning.
Although this is an internal selection competition, it determines the number of players who will participate in the national competition.
But in the hearts of the kendo club members, this is the competition that will determine the winner of the national tournament!
Those who win the internal selection competition will be guaranteed a spot at the top of the national competition!
This confidence belonged to Dongcheng High School for the previous three years. Their annual internal selection competition attracted the attention of high schools across the country. Every school with a little ambition would try every means to collect information and even pay a considerable price to obtain the qualification to watch the selection competition.
And now, a new king has appeared.
"Aaaaaah—!!" X2
Two more monkey cries rang out, and the bamboo swords clashed. Unable to determine a victor, the two separated after a brief exchange and began the next round of combat.
"Katsuki Kimura!"
Kyosuke Hojo announced loudly.
In a single-round competition like this, there are many uncertainties. Someone might not be in good form today, or they might suddenly fall ill, causing someone with stronger skills to be eliminated.
In other schools, the starting lineup is decided by the coaches and instructors because they have a better understanding of the members' strengths and weaknesses and can more objectively select the five strongest players.
However, Kyosuke Hojo didn't like that!
During regular training, he treats everyone fairly and provides them with ample guidance.
Everyone has different levels of talent, which he can't control. What he can do is give everyone the opportunity to wield their swords. Even in a match that is destined to be lost, he must give them the chance to fight for their dreams.
Perhaps this is too cruel for the weak, but it is the greatest mercy he can give.
"Snapped!"
"Snapped!"
"Hatagoro wins!"
The two rounds, which lasted less than a minute, saw Hatake Goro easily emerge victorious, as effortlessly as if he were practicing his usual routine.
The person eliminated was Asai Shunya, who was the first to go on stage. He failed to keep his promise to his friend and failed to make Hatake Goro experience the anger of an ordinary person. He was like a dog on the side of the road, kicked aside at will because he was blocking the way. The other party didn't even care whether he was a male or female dog.
but……
"Well done, Asai!"
On the sidelines, Haga Takuo jumped up, clapping and shouting happily:
"You just hit Goro, didn't you!"
Asai nodded silently. He had indeed seen it, but he hadn't seen the scoring opportunity. Hatake Goro had sacrificed his arm for a clean and decisive goal.
He looked at Hatake, who had already taken off his helmet and was rubbing his arms.
"Haha—how's my knife!" he shouted.
"Ouch, that hurts! Come here and let me return the favor!"
Hata Goro raised his bamboo sword and shouted.
It gives ordinary people the opportunity to wield their swords against the strong, even if they will die in the next second.
I am being far too kind.
Kyosuke Hojo was somewhat tipsy; this battle table was one he had meticulously crafted.
He created a personal attribute panel for each member of the Kendo Club from the very beginning, listing their various attributes, and updated it regularly.
The match-up list is compiled based on their individual strengths, ensuring that everyone has a chance to advance and enjoy a thrilling battle.
Despite Asai being cleanly and decisively defeated by Hatake Goro, he had already defeated eight opponents before that.
It's fair to say that the gap between people can sometimes be even greater than that between humans and animals, and this isn't something that can be bridged simply through hard work. Moreover...
Goro Hata's efforts and sweat are no less than anyone else's!
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(End of this chapter)