As the second round began, the opponent clearly wasn't planning to give Kazuma the initiative this time. They immediately launched an offensive.
After all, the other party's kendo skill level was at least 8. In pure technical terms, they far outclassed Kazuma.
The only difference was that Kazuma had actual combat bonuses.
Once they entered tsuba-zeriai (sword lock), it was indeed difficult for Kazuma to use Gatotsu. The opponent's choice to force this situation wasn't wrong.
Unfortunately for them, Kazuma had fought a life-or-death battle before and had also gained valuable experience sparring Daimon Gorō yesterday.
As Hiroshiro-sensei launched a high stance attack, Kazuma reacted just as he had against Daimon—sidestepping smoothly.
Hiroshiro's swing was noticeably slower than Daimon's had been—after all, Daimon had been powered up by a "memory flashback" buff at the time.
Kazuma easily dodged the strike aimed at his men, and immediately countered.
His bamboo sword struck Hiroshiro's armor cleanly—at the exact same angle as when he'd hit Daimon Gorō yesterday.
But this time, Kazuma wasn't struck on the shoulder in return.
Hiroshiro let out a pained cry.
For a brief moment, Kazuma even wondered if he'd accidentally hit an unarmored spot and committed a foul.
But the princess-haired girl referee raised her flag. "Point—Kiryu-kun!"
It had been a beautiful, clean strike on the dō. Since the dō was the largest valid target area, the call was correct.
Hiroshiro turned and shouted to the referee, "Wasn't that a foul?!"
"No, sensei," the girl replied calmly. "Everyone clearly saw it was a valid strike."
Kazuma overheard some of the kendo club members in the crowd whispering:
"That dodge just now was so cool."
"Yeah, that counter looked like something out of a samurai movie."
"Are you talking about that new one starring Uryū Shinbei?"
"Isn't he Chiyoko's older brother from middle school? Maybe we can ask her to set us up as pen pals?"
"Ew, you're thirsty again. What about that hottie you picked up in Shibuya?"
Kazuma glanced at the gossiping girls, compared their looks to Mikako's, and thought smugly: Sorry, I'm not just anyone's guy. I'm a man with standards.
Refocusing on Hiroshiro, Kazuma reminded himself that his goal wasn't just to beat the man—it was to expose him and make sure he couldn't stay at Etsukawa Girls' any longer.
A guy with no real skill trying to be a coach at a girls' school just to pick up students? Like hell I'm letting that slide! I mean… I can't allow such injustice to go unpunished!
Kazuma spoke up. "Hiroshiro-sensei, are you really a menkyo kaiden of Kasumi-ryū? Because that last swing… it was so slow I almost dozed off."
"You—you—you—what are you implying?!"
"Oh, nothing. I'd just like to see your menkyo kaiden certificate. You do have one, don't you?"
"Hmph! You have no right to demand that! I was appointed head coach by the school board itself!"
"But according to my sister, ever since you came here, Etsukawa hasn't made it to Nationals even once. Isn't that true?" Kazuma paused. "And judging by your performance just now, I can't help wondering if you really earned that menkyo kaiden."
"I mean, I'm just a good-for-nothing dojo heir without a menkyo kaiden, yet you can't even land a blow on me. That's pretty strange, don't you think?"
Hiroshiro's brow furrowed. "I haven't lost yet! It's one to one! If you want to talk big, win the match first!"
Hearing this, Kazuma immediately glanced up at Hiroshiro's status—half-expecting to see some kind of buff trigger.
But… nothing.
Huh? Sensei, after that grand declaration, I thought you were going to power up or something. Guess not?
Kazuma shrugged, returned to his starting position, and took a chūdan stance.
Hiroshiro faced him, raising his bamboo sword high into jōdan.
Kazuma double-checked his status again—still no sign of a "memory flashback" or any buff.
Weird. Does this guy really think he can win on skill alone?
The princess-haired girl raised her flag. "Third round—"
At that instant, Kazuma caught a subtle twitch in Hiroshiro's muscles.
—or rather, he didn't consciously see it. He simply felt it—his body reacted instinctively.
This heightened sensitivity to minute muscle movements, allowing for instant judgment and reaction, was probably what people called "mind's eye."
In essence, it was instinct honed through accumulated real combat experience.
For Kazuma, this manifested as his Real Combat skill providing a boost.
The moment Hiroshiro initiated his move, Kazuma slipped to the left, dodging the premature attack.
Just as Kazuma prepared to counter, Hiroshiro shouted, "Foul! He moved before the start!"
Kazuma frowned. He'd only dodged. If anyone committed a foul by attacking early, it was Hiroshiro.
Before the referee could speak, Kazuma cut in. "You're the one who jumped the start and attacked first, and now you're accusing me?"
Hiroshiro shamelessly doubled down. "I did not! Nanjo-san, you're the referee—make the call!"
Ah, so her name is Nanjo, Kazuma noted.
Nanjo glanced at Kazuma, hesitated, then bit her lip and said firmly, "Sensei, it was you who attacked early."
"What?! Nanjo-san! I appointed you club captain!" Hiroshiro roared. "I'm a menkyo kaiden of Kasumi-ryū! Why would I need to jump the start against a mere high schooler? He fouled in the first round too! Of course he did again! And the second round—he must have—"
"You initiated the second round too," Kazuma reminded him. "You've attacked first in every round except the first. Isn't it a bit much to accuse me of preemptive strikes now?"
Hiroshiro turned and pointed at Kazuma. "You! How did you even get into this school?! You're an outsider—a boy! What are you doing in a girls' kendo hall? This is illegal trespass! Nanjo, call the school security!"
Kazuma was stunned. "You're the one who brought me in! The guard at the gate—wasn't it… Higashiyama-san? He can vouch for me. So can the other students."
Chiyoko whispered, "It's Higashiyama-san."
Hiroshiro sneered. "You can't even get the guard's name right! See? Nanjo, call security!"
But Nanjo replied sternly, "Sensei, perhaps you should first explain why you lost so easily. If you think about it, ever since I earned my rank at Akutagawa-sensei's dojo, you've avoided sparring with me or giving me hands-on instruction. That's odd, considering you used to love standing behind me and correcting my form."
For the first time, Kazuma looked at Nanjo properly.
She was a textbook Yamato nadeshiko beauty—her princess hairstyle suited her perfectly.
And her figure... well, now Kazuma understood why Hiroshiro had liked those "hands-on corrections."
Then Kazuma noticed Nanjo's skill level—Jigen-ryū 8. A formidable swordswoman.
Instantly, Kazuma's interest was piqued. If his hunch was correct, sparring with her would grant kendo experience points.
Once this coach situation is sorted out, I'm definitely challenging her.
Meanwhile, Hiroshiro was still making excuses. "I just wasn't serious! If I really tried—"
"Is that so?" Nanjo cut him off, then turned to Kazuma. "In that case, would you be willing to face our head coach in a best-of-three match?"
Kazuma grinned. "Gladly. By the way, Nanjo-san—this Akutagawa dojo you mentioned… is it the one that teaches Jigen-ryū?"
In truth, Kazuma had no idea about the dojo. He'd only seen Nanjo's skill level.
But by combining that tidbit into a question, he sounded like an insider.
Nanjo smiled. "That's correct. Akutagawa-sensei is indeed a menkyo kaiden of Jigen-ryū."
"In that case, once I'm done sparring with Hiroshiro-sensei, would I be honored to witness some of Jigen-ryū's exquisite techniques?"
Nanjo chuckled. "If you're not running late by then, Kiryu-kun, I'd be happy to spar with you."
That reminded Kazuma—he had school!
He quickly glanced at the dojo's wall clock—and realized if he didn't leave now, Daimon would have him running laps again.
"Ah… I'm afraid I need to get back for morning practice." Kazuma scratched his head apologetically.
"I see. Then there's no helping it. Hiroshiro-sensei, I'll be reporting today's events to the student council."
In 1980, student councils still held considerable sway over school authorities—a legacy of Japan's turbulent student activism era. Over time, this evolved into modern student self-governance systems.
Nanjo continued, "If the student council intervenes, the board will have to re-examine your menkyo kaiden credentials. I'll also seek Akutagawa-sensei's help in verifying them."
Hiroshiro paled. "Wait! Weren't we going to have another match?!"
Nanjo gave a cold smile. "Is that necessary? Just so you know, many of us girls have had enough of you. We've just been too polite to say so."
Kazuma stepped up and patted Hiroshiro's shoulder. "You can always explain everything to the student council. Maybe they'll believe you? After all, just because someone holds a menkyo kaiden doesn't guarantee they're stronger than someone without one. The teacher isn't always superior to the student. But if your menkyo kaiden is fake… well, that's another matter."
Chiyoko looked at him, puzzled. "Big Bro… when did you start spouting so many proverbs?"
"Recently," Kazuma replied wearily. No point explaining. Just get used to your cultured older brother. Anyway—time to go!
He handed the bamboo sword back to Chiyoko, quickly stripped off his armor, dumped everything onto her, grabbed his schoolbag, and was about to leave when Nanjo caught up.
"Which school are you from? Will you be competing in this year's district prelims?"
Kazuma slung his bag over his shoulder with a practiced flourish and turned. "Kitakatsushi High. Kiryu Kazuma. I'll be anchoring the team in the group matches."
"Eh? Big Bro, you're the captain?" Chiyoko gasped.
Kazuma winked at her and strode off in style.
Behind him, he heard the excited chatter of kendo girls swarming Chiyoko with questions.
Kazuma was secretly delighted.
Now this… this is how a transmigrator's life should be. Cool, yet refreshingly mundane.
(End of Chapter)