8 The Showdown (Part I)

"Young man, you need to learn to keep your cool. Being too impatient won't win you any favor with the girls, right, Michitaka?"

Ever since he sat down, Kyosuke Masaki seemed like a different person, having switched into "chatty mode."

Among the circle of people, the notably taller Michitaka Sugawara scratched his head after being singled out. He was the one who had rushed to confess his feelings to a girl on the very first day of school, only to be rejected; the girl had been so startled she screamed, and the incident had since become a running joke among their friends.

"Boss, please, let's not bring that up!"

"Hahaha, Hojo-kun. You see, I love Tokyo. I didn’t join the Kendo Club to conquer the world. I just love this place and these people too much! I love Tokyo, and I love my companions—that’s why I joined.

We simply love motorcycles. What we enjoy is that singular moment of riding through the silver-lit streets, feeling as if the whole world belongs to us.

Haven't you ever yearned for it? To ride your bike freely through the city in the dead of night—Odaiba, Ginza, Asakusa, Kinshicho—following Route 246, from Futako-Tamagawa all the way to Shibuya.

With the engine wide open, flying free, letting the roar echo through the silent night.

That’s why I founded the 'Boso Tenshi' (Raging Angels) in the first place—I just wanted to zip through the quiet Tokyo night with my friends."

It is worth noting that in this world’s Japan, you can legally ride a motorcycle at the age of thirteen.

"King of Sonic Speed!"

"Boss, I’ll always follow in the taillights of your Guren ZII!"

"Tokyo’s Fastest! The Undefeated Legend!"

At Masaki’s words, the delinquents began to howl in excitement.

"Hahaha, regardless, let’s go for a ride tonight!" Hearing his companions' voices, Kyosuke Masaki laughed heartily. "How about it, Hojo-kun? After hearing all that, have your views on delinquents and biker gangs changed even a little?"

Listening to Masaki, Kyosuke Hojo felt as if he were already on a bike, a girl clinging tightly to him from behind, speeding under the psychedelic lights of Shibuya, pinning the throttle on the empty asphalt of Kanagawa.

It actually didn't seem so bad. But...

"Even so, I can take my girlfriend out for a ride without being in a biker gang," Hojo countered.

"Eh?" Masaki froze. He hadn't mentioned girls at all; wasn't riding more fun with the guys?

"But if you do that, you won't have so many companions by your side," he attempted to persuade him again.

"Wait a second. Are you saying that if I become the boss, I can command all these subordinates as I please?"

Hojo caught the main point. Although these people looked like a bunch of idiots, if he could have this many underlings, wouldn't his future school life be much easier?

*They’re companions, not subordinates!*

Though he desperately wanted to say that, seeing the boy finally show some interest in succeeding his position, Masaki looked around at his friends and gave Hojo a firm nod.

"Yes, that's exactly right."

*There’s such a good deal?* The lazy Kyosuke Hojo felt a surge of joy. Now he wouldn't even have to wait in line for lunch.

"Then let's do it. Not just you—the entire Tojo, whoever doesn't acknowledge me, you can all come at me together!"

Standing up, Hojo scanned the circle and pointed his bamboo sword at Masaki. He had to show these future "cute subordinates" his strength and beat them into submission.

His words immediately stirred discontent among the delinquents, and some began shouting, ready to charge.

"Hahaha, worthy of the man who managed to defeat me once. But hold on for now, boys. Wait until I’ve truly lost before you step in. I am a hero of Tojo; I don't need such underhanded tactics." Masaki stood up as well.

"Kisaki, pass me the bamboo sword I brought. It’s the one I’m used to; it’s harder than a standard one. That’s alright, right?" Hojo looked across at him.

"I plan to use a wooden sword, too. This bamboo one feels too restrictive for me. Yoshio! Where’s my wooden sword?"

"Coming, coming!"

Tsuzuki Yoshio, who had been missing until now, jogged over, holding a wooden sword fashioned like a *nodachi* as long as he was tall.

"This is my weapon. No matter who the enemy is, it’s always me and this blade. That’s fine, right?" Masaki replied with a smile, mirroring Hojo's words.

"Then let’s begin."

Hojo’s expression turned serious, his eyes sharp as he watched Masaki. He couldn't afford to be careless. Even though he had knocked Masaki’s sword away in a single strike earlier, both knew that practice didn't count. Masaki hadn't been serious, maintaining the mindset of a senior mentoring a junior, and he hadn't been using his weapon of choice.

"Just a moment. Michitaka, clear the area."

Masaki took the wooden sword and shouted.

Receiving the order, Michitaka Sugawara stood up and kicked the people next to him. "Hey, get everyone who isn't from the Kendo Club or the Boso Tenshi out of here."

Although the existence of the Boso Tenshi was known to everyone in Tojo, including the principal, they still adhered to the unspoken rules of the delinquents: keep ordinary people out of it.

The delinquents sifted through the freshmen wanting to join and the upperclassmen just there for the spectacle, politely ushering them out of the club room.

During this time, Tetta Kisaki briefly explained the rules of delinquent fighting to Hojo. Simply put: no strikes to the eyes or groin, and no intent to kill. It was just a brawl.

It sounded a bit naive, but it was a line delinquents never crossed. Once crossed, they were no longer delinquents, but true yakuza. This was the iron rule of this world.

Once the outsiders were gone, the delinquents surrounded them again. But this time, they were standing, creating an immense sense of pressure. Anyone timid might have surrendered just from being glared at by so many fierce eyes.

"Leader of the Boso Tenshi, Kyosuke Masaki, reporting for duty!" Masaki assumed a high stance (*jodan-no-kamae*) and let out a roar.

"Hokushin Itto-ryu, Kyosuke Hojo, reporting for duty!" Hojo took a middle stance (*chudan-no-kamae*) and announced his school.

Hojo’s declaration caused quite a stir. Ancient martial arts schools guarded their names fiercely; without reaching the level of *menkyo* (license) or higher, one was never permitted to identify as a disciple of a school in public.

Therefore, anyone who dared to announce their school name was surely an exceptional talent in kendo, not to mention that the Hokushin Itto-ryu was a renowned name.

The members of the Kendo Club began to worry for their boss, wondering if the "Hero of Tojo" could really prevail against a *menkyo* of the Hokushin Itto-ryu.

Fortunately, they didn't know that Hojo only held the *menkyo* rank because it was the highest one available at the time; otherwise, they would have been even more worried.

Masaki, however, remained unfazed. With a shout, he charged at Hojo with unstoppable momentum, delivering a downward strike.

Hojo keenly sensed that this blow was not something he could easily parry, so he stepped back to evade it.

Masaki’s powerful strike slammed into the floor, causing the wooden planks to cave in. If it had been anyone else who neglected *zanshin* (remaining mind/readiness) and left no energy in reserve, they would have been vulnerable to a counter-attack the moment they swung.

But because his wooden sword was exceptionally long, his range was much greater, forcing his opponent to retreat far enough to avoid it—which allowed him to commit to such an attack.

However, he was facing Kyosuke Hojo. The moment the wooden sword descended, Hojo thrust his bamboo sword forward.

Masaki hurriedly raised his wooden sword, trying to use an upward strike to force Hojo back—a move that had always worked in the past.

To his surprise, this tried-and-true technique failed against Hojo!

He didn't know he was facing Kyosuke Hojo, the true disciple known as the "Hokushin Hand-Cutter."

With a single backward step, Hojo dodged the upward strike. By the time Masaki had managed to reset into a high stance, Hojo had already lunged forward fiercely. His bamboo sword sliced through the air and came crashing down with all his might onto Masaki’s right hand.

*Kiri-otoshi!* Another *kiri-otoshi*!

"Boss!"

"How is this possible!? The Boss lost in a single move?"

"The Boss’s invincible strike was countered so easily? Is this the power of a Hokushin Itto-ryu *menkyo*?"

"That kid is a monster!"

...

The subordinates' chatter didn't affect Masaki, but his right hand was already losing its grip on the sword.

*What kind of monster is this kid?* Fast speed was one thing, but his strength was terrifyingly high. And of course, the most frightening part was his kendo skill. Was he the son of the head of the Hokushin Itto-ryu? Even if he had started learning kendo the moment he learned to walk, this level of skill was absurd.

Watching Hojo, who didn't take the opportunity to attack further, Masaki reflected on why he had just lost.

The natural footwork, the clean and decisive sword techniques without a hint of hesitation, the ability to read the opponent's moves before they happened—Masaki couldn't imagine a single way he could win.