7 Kendo Club, Rampaging Angels, Heroes of the East District

"Ha!"

Seeing the newcomer standing motionless opposite him, Masaki Kyosuke decided not to wait any longer and resolved to end the practice match in a single strike. He held his bamboo sword in the high guard position and slashed straight down at Hojo Kyosuke—no frills, no fancy footwork, just the crushing weight of pure power.

Facing this ferocious strike, Hojo Kyosuke did not show a hint of panic. He even had the leisure to think: *This isn't much. He doesn't look as skilled as Master Yamamura Ono.*

The moment Masaki’s bamboo sword descended, Hojo moved, executing a technique honed over countless days and nights without a moment's hesitation.

*Kirioshi!*

"Clack!" "Thwack!" "Clatter!"

The first sound was the clash of Masaki’s bamboo sword being deflected; the second was the sound of Hojo’s sword striking Masaki’s arm; the third was the sound of Masaki’s bamboo sword hitting the floor.

Silence.

The room was packed with people, yet at this moment, not a single sound could be heard. Or rather, if one had to describe it, it was the sound of everyone holding their breath.

Seeing their own club president—the illustrious hero of Tojo—disarmed in a single exchange, the members of the Kendo Club stared at each other in disbelief, wanting to gasp but not daring to make a sound.

*Oh no, did I go too hard?*

Watching Masaki Kyosuke rub his wrist with an expression of stunned disbelief, Hojo wondered if he should offer an apology or something similar.

"That was amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a clean and crisp *kirioshi*."

It was Masaki Kyosuke who broke the silence. He took off his mask and began to clap. He was called a "hero" not only for his peerless martial prowess but also for his unmatched magnanimity. Thus, despite being easily defeated by a newcomer, he felt no anger and instead took the lead in applauding.

Seeing this, the club members erupted into enthusiastic applause, and some even cheered softly.

"I never expected the kid to be that good. No one could have blocked that strike from the President. If it were me, my bamboo sword would have been sent flying by that sheer force instantly, let alone getting my arm struck afterward," Akashi Takehiro said, clapping hard as he spoke to Kisaki Tetta beside him.

Kisaki Tetta did not respond. Instead, a malicious smile spread across his face as he stepped forward and shouted, "Masaki Kyosuke, having been defeated by a newcomer, do you still have the qualifications to remain the president of the Kendo Club?"

"Hey, have you lost your mind?" Akashi Takehiro grabbed the shouting Kisaki, reaching out as if to cover his mouth.

The people around them stood up as well, their expressions fierce, looking ready to tear apart the bastard who had dared to insult their leader.

"Takehiro, let him speak."

Masaki Kyosuke waved his hand, signaling the men standing between him and Kisaki to step aside.

"Kisaki, shut your mouth. Masaki-senpai, I’m not close with that guy," Hojo said, his head already starting to ache. He knew this guy was going to stir up trouble.

"Haha, it’s fine, Hojo-kun. It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted defeat, and I’m curious to hear what he has to say," Masaki said, laughing and patting Hojo’s shoulder.

"Isn't it true? Whether in Kendo or anything else, the strong reign supreme. Since you lost to Hojo-kun, you should step down and yield your position to the worthy."

With a firm tug, Kisaki Tetta broke free from Akashi’s grasp. He stepped into the sparring circle, spread his arms, and looked up at Masaki.

"Hahahaha! How long has it been since I’ve seen such a bold brat?" Masaki laughed loudly.

"Hey, hey, I never said I wanted to be the boss of the Kendo Club or Tojo. Masaki-senpai, this is all just nonsense from Kisaki Tetta."

"It doesn't matter. He’s right. Only those who can lead their subordinates to victory are qualified to be the boss."

"President! You were just being careless for a moment..."

Tsuzuki Yoshio, who had visited Hojo’s classroom earlier, stood up anxiously. Judging by the way he addressed him, it was clear he was not just a member of the Kendo Club, but also a member of the "Wild Angels."

"Yoshio, don't say such things. A loss is a loss."

"But President, this kind of competitive Kendo isn't even your strongest suit. How can you decide everything based on one match..."

Another member of the "Wild Angels," Sugawara Michitaka, stood up. He was just as hulking as Masaki, and he was terrified that the President might lose his position over a minor initiation test. While it was unlikely, one could never be sure if the President had suddenly lost his mind.

Raising his hand to silence Sugawara and the others, Masaki turned to look at Hojo with a serious expression.

"Whether you have the desire or not, the only person who can rule Tojo is the strongest one. Come on, if you beat me, the world of Tojo is yours."

As these words left his lips, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

"President, I won't acknowledge some brat who came out of nowhere!"

"President, shouldn't we wait for Onizuka Eikichi and Danma Ryuji to return before making this decision?"

"President, don't do this!"

"If you want to duel the President, you’ll have to get through me first!"

"Shut up, all of you! Since when do you have the right to question my decisions?" Masaki roared, waving his hand. "Yoshio, stop crying. It’s unsightly. Come over here and help me take off this gear."

Tsuzuki Yoshio, the spiky-haired boy who had been crying and begging the President not to do this, wiped his tears and hurried over the moment Masaki called him.

As for Hojo’s side, there was no need to say much. Kisaki Tetta had already run over the moment Masaki mentioned a "real fight." He understood the culture of delinquents all too well.

"Hey, hey, can someone tell me what’s going on? Why are we taking off the armor? Does this mean I can leave?" Hojo asked while being forced to raise his arms so Kisaki could help him out of his gear.

"There’s no protective gear in the world of delinquents. This is a real fight now," Kisaki whispered.

He was ecstatic. Although he had suspected Hojo had some decent fighting skills back in the classroom, he hadn't expected him to be this strong—defeating the most violent fighter in the Bunkyo ward, Masaki Kyosuke, in a single strike. He had truly found a powerful boss!

If Hojo could defeat Masaki in the upcoming fight, he would be one step closer to becoming the strongest student in Tokyo. *Tachibana Hinata, just you wait. If you like guys in martial arts clubs, then I’ll become the vice president of the strongest Kendo club in Tokyo!*

"Wait!" Hojo shouted. "Masaki Kyosuke, I never agreed to fight you, nor do I want to be the boss of Tojo. I’m not even a member of the Kendo Club!"

"Hahahaha!" Masaki laughed heartily after a moment of surprise. "Hojo-kun, do you know why I joined the Kendo Club in the first place?"

"I don't care about the reason. I need to go back and study."

"Hojo-kun, could you hear me out before making a decision? You can leave or stay afterward, as you please." Masaki, having shed his heavy protective gear, sat cross-legged on the floor and looked at Hojo earnestly.

"Fine. But no matter what you say, I won't join this unserious Kendo Club. You might not know this, but I was the top student in the entrance exams. My hobbies are reading and studying; I don't like fighting."

Since Masaki-senpai had insisted, Hojo sat down opposite him.

"Hahahaha! You don't think our club is full of academic failures, do you? While most of them don't like studying, don't let my appearance fool you—I ranked at a B-level for the University of Tokyo in the national mock exams. And that crybaby Tsuzuki Yoshio? If he hadn't wanted to follow me for another year, he would have already been accepted into Tokyo University in his second year."

At this, Masaki raised his voice and clicked his tongue in a classic gesture: "Don't underestimate delinquents!"

"Alright, alright. If that's what you wanted to say, then I apologize. Since we’re both people who love to study, I hope you can understand my desperate desire to go back and study."

*Good heavens,* Hojo thought with a sigh, *I just wanted to join a Kendo club so I could legally carry a wooden sword around school. Why is all this nonsense happening? Kisaki Tetta, you really are a troublemaker.*