9 The Confrontation (Part II)

"Masaki-senpai, can you continue?"

Kyosuke Hojo did not feel he had done anything remarkable, nor did he realize he had become a monster in the eyes of others. Ever since he began converting his "Kendo Talent" into actual skill, he had grown accustomed to defeating any opponent with a single strike.

Now a Kendo master in his own right, Kyosuke could clearly see that his opponent's right hand was completely incapacitated. Out of respect for his senior, he refrained from relentlessly capitalizing on every opening as Kisaki Tetta had advised before the fight began. Instead, he stepped back to his original position and asked with genuine concern.

"Hahaha, kid, you've still got a long way to go. Remember, the world of delinquents isn't a Kendo tournament; you never stop until you've confirmed your opponent is unable to fight."

Masaki Kyosuke switched his wooden sword to his left hand. A hearty laugh remained on his face, though his forehead was beaded with sweat from the throbbing pain.

*...In my eyes, you're already unable to fight,* Kyosuke thought to himself. *Forget that one hand is already wrecked; if I wanted to, I could have incapacitated both of your hands in an instant.*

Kyosuke was now certain that he possessed a level of combat prowess that was, for the time being, invincible.

"Then I shall continue, Masaki-senpai."

"Bring it on! Let me see your mettle—see if you truly have what it takes to lead the Tojo faction forward."

*You want to see my mettle? Don't you realize how hard I've been holding back?*

Thinking this, Kyosuke held his bamboo sword horizontally at his waist in a *waki-gamae* stance and lunged forward. The roles had reversed; now it was Masaki who adopted a middle-guard defensive stance.

Facing Kyosuke’s downward strike, Masaki hurriedly raised his wooden sword to parry. The bamboo and wooden swords collided with a violent crash, and Masaki's weapon nearly slipped from his grip.

Kyosuke poured all his strength into the bamboo sword, forcing Masaki to retreat step by step. He knew that holding the sword with his left hand would leave Masaki lacking in power, and a little pressure would inevitably reveal a flaw.

Sure enough, Masaki soon reached his limit. He was not left-handed to begin with, and his right hand was completely useless.

*No, I can't keep retreating!*

Feeling the immense force coming through the bamboo sword, Masaki knew that if he backed up any further, his left hand would give out. Enduring the piercing pain, he forced his right hand to exert pressure, slightly deflecting Kyosuke’s blade. With a roar, Masaki lunged forward to strike.

But Kyosuke was prepared. He pulled back the right foot he had stepped forward with, tilted his upper body slightly, and raised his bamboo sword above his head.

*He dodged it?*

Masaki's thrust missed its mark. He raised his wooden sword, intending to launch a follow-up combo while Kyosuke was retreating.

"Ha!"

With a loud shout, Kyosuke, who had already anticipated every move Masaki would make, struck.

His daily practice had not been in vain. If Masaki had a hundred different ways to respond, Kyosuke had a thousand ways to execute a *kirioshi* (cutting-down) strike. With a blow fueled by his entire body’s strength, he slammed his blade down onto Masaki’s left hand, which was just rising into a high-guard position.

*Kirioshi*. Once again, *kirioshi*. The familiar scene played out exactly as before.

Masaki could no longer hold his sword. It clattered to the ground, and a pin-drop silence fell over the scene.

***

The members of the Bosozoku Angels could not believe what they were seeing. Their leader, the man who had led the Tojo heroes to dominate the Bunkyo ward, had been defeated three times in a row by a first-year middle school brat!

Was this some kind of surreal comedy? The delinquents rubbed their eyes, but nothing changed; the wooden sword lying on the ground was real.

Were the Bosozoku Angels really about to welcome a new master? Was this monster going to rule over the Tojo Kendo club?

Looking at the boy on the field—clad in a blue Kendo uniform, standing tall, and possessing a face handsome enough to debut as an idol—the members of the Bosozoku Angels felt a storm of confusion in their hearts.

Kyosuke did not press his advantage, and Masaki made no move to pick up his sword.

"A defeat without any room for doubt."

With a look of relief on his face, Masaki stood at attention and bowed to Kyosuke.

"Thank you for the guidance."

"Thank you for the guidance," Kyosuke replied with a bow of his own.

Although this was a fight between delinquents, both men had acted as if they were in a formal Kendo tournament, albeit with far more dangerous weapons. This was partly because they were not true enemies, but primarily because of the massive gap in their ability.

Kyosuke’s strength was so vastly superior that he could afford to be graceful and hold back repeatedly. Had they been evenly matched, Kyosuke would have surely beaten his opponent into the dirt the moment he landed that first strike on the right hand.

"Listen up! I announce that from this day forward, Kyosuke Hojo is the second-generation leader of the Bosozoku Angels!"

Due to the unique nature of the Tojo High School Kendo club, every succession of leadership was a significant event. Masaki scanned the crowd and roared the announcement to his companions. Then, without waiting for his subordinates to react, he turned to Kyosuke.

"Now, tell me—are you willing to inherit the Bosozoku Angels and lead everyone in racing through the streets?"

Masaki put every ounce of his strength into each word, his eyes fixed fiercely on Kyosuke.

"I am!" Kyosuke’s expression was calm, his voice carrying a steady conviction that compelled belief.

"Will the Bosozoku Angels remain the same group that leads Tojo in dominating the entire high school Kendo scene in Bunkyo ward?"

"Of course!"

"Yoshio! Where is our flag?"

"Boss, hasn't that guy Onizuka been keeping the flag?" Although he was already teary-eyed from Masaki's words, Tsuzuki Yoshio answered immediately.

"Where is he? I haven't seen him since earlier."

"He went out for a ride with Danma Ryuji this afternoon. He took the flag with him, mounted on his bike."

"That idiot! Call him and tell him to get back here. How can we have a handover ceremony without the flag?"

***

"Understood, I'll call him right away."

"Kyosuke, wait a moment. Let me introduce you to the members of the group," Masaki said with a smile.

"Senpai, shouldn't you go take care of your right hand first?" Kyosuke had pulled his strike during the last blow to the left hand, ensuring no real damage was done.

"It’s just a minor scratch. I'll deal with it later. You believe me, don't you? I could still ride my bike along the Tokyo Loop right now."

"I believe you, I believe you."

In truth, Kyosuke found it too cruel to force someone to hand over their subordinates one by one right after defeating them and seizing the organization they had built from the ground up. He wanted to take it slow.

"Michitaka, come here," Masaki beckoned.

"This guy is Sugawara Michitaka. He's in the high school division like me, and he's an officer of the Bosozoku Angels."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kyosuke Hojo," Kyosuke said politely.

"Boss, I don't acknowledge him. If you insist on handing the Bosozoku Angels over to him, I'm quitting. I only want to follow you!" Sugawara hung his head, looking as aggrieved as a two-hundred-pound child.

"Are you even going to disobey the boss's orders now?"

"A Bosozoku Angels without you isn't the Bosozoku Angels at all."

"You bastard!" Masaki let out a boss-level tongue-click of frustration.

"Masaki-senpai, may I say a few words?" Kyosuke stopped Masaki, who was about to continue his reprimand.

"Of course. Even if the ceremony isn't finished, you are already the leader of the Bosozoku Angels." Masaki answered readily, curious about what Kyosuke intended to do.

"Thank you."

Kyosuke offered his thanks, then looked at the people surrounding them, all of whom were radiating an air of sorrow.

"Tell me, you all share his sentiment, don't you?"

No one spoke; it was a silent resistance.

Kyosuke raised his bamboo sword and swung it horizontally, pointing it at the crowd.

"Then come at me. Sugawara Michitaka, Tsuzuki Yoshio, it doesn't matter. Anyone who refuses to accept my rule, come at me all at once! I will beat every single one of you into submission."

Just as he had at the very beginning, Kyosuke declared war on the entire Bosozoku Angels.