Chapter 105: The First Spokesperson Goes Live

“I—I’m a bit nervous. Maybe we should just go back,” she stammered.

The arena was packed with people, a sea of black heads stretching as far as the eye could see.

This was the Yamato Martial Arts Tournament. It had captured the attention of the entire nation, and even the world was watching closely.

After all, this was the first martial arts tournament to be held since the Earth Home Organization had announced its own upcoming event. None of the countries had much experience, so with someone taking the lead, the rest were content to observe and see what they could learn.

“What are you afraid of? You’ve already mastered the secret techniques I taught you. Honestly, even just one of those moves is enough for you to win the city-level award. How could you pass up a chance like this? Don’t forget, we haven’t had meat in three days.” The middle-aged man gazed at Saeko Meiji with a look of deep regret.

Saeko puffed up her cheeks, glaring at him. “It’s your fault for eating so much. You ate all my money away.”

“That’s why we need to earn more. Passing on the way of martial arts to you is worth its weight in gold. Go on, I believe in you.” He clenched his fist in encouragement.

Saeko felt stifled, casting an aggrieved glance at the man. I’m just a middle schooler. Why do I have to shoulder this kind of pressure?

Forced along, she soon found herself inside the arena, signing up, drawing her number, and, to her dismay, she was slotted near the front.

After all, this was a marked martial arts tournament. Who would dare take the stage without knowing at least a couple of moves? It would be an embarrassment broadcast to the whole world.

So on the first day, there weren’t many participants.

Quickly, her turn came.

Pushed forward by the middle-aged man, Saeko’s hands trembled as she faced the enormous crowd watching her intently.

But the audience was supportive—the applause rolled in like a wave.

With perfect manners, Saeko bowed in all four directions, clutching her wooden sword, looking for all the world like a pitiful little duckling.

Her opponent was a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, tall and broad-shouldered, towering over her, gazing down with undisguised disdain.

“I, Toru Shiraha, never hit girls. But unfortunately, you stand in the way of my rise to fame, so I have no choice but to apologize in advance,” he declared, brimming with confidence.

Saeko glanced at him nervously, then looked toward the middle-aged man below the stage.

He pumped his fist in a gesture that meant “okay.”

Taking a deep breath, Saeko bowed again and introduced herself: “Number sixteen, Saeko Meiji. Pleased to meet you.”

“Twelve, Toru Shiraha, twenty-ninth-generation student of the One-Sword Style,” the boy replied, gripping his sword with a steely gaze.

Saeko shrank back, voice small. “Isn’t there any protective gear for this match?”

He grinned. “This is a real martial arts tournament, not some showy performance. Those who rely on theatrics wouldn’t dare set foot here.”

Saeko’s face fell, growing gloomier by the second.

I’m doomed.

I’m definitely going to get beaten up.

Oh no, oh no.

As she was lost in thought, the boy shouted, “Take this—Slash!”

Startled, Saeko’s body moved on instinct. She dodged at a forty-five-degree angle, spinning rapidly, and in a flash, she appeared behind the boy. With a swift backhand, her wooden sword struck him directly on the neck.

With a sharp crack, the boy collapsed onto the ground, eyes rolling back, unconscious.

Saeko blinked in confusion.

What just happened?

Did—did I win?

The audience and everyone watching on TV were stunned, eyes wide open.

This was true martial arts!

Only a true martial artist could move like that—a maneuver no ordinary person could replicate. That spinning backhand, so fluid and fierce, would have felled even a grown man, let alone a teenage boy.

This girl was undoubtedly a genuine heir to the martial tradition.

Immediately, people clamored to make contact with her.

But the authorities had already sent agents to keep everyone at bay. No outsiders were permitted near her.

After all, the reason for holding this tournament was to draw out true martial arts prodigies, to lead the nation’s resurgence in this new era.

Now that a true disciple had emerged, could true masters be far behind?

Cheers erupted throughout the arena as Saeko stepped down, still in a daze.

“See? I wasn’t lying. The three invincible techniques I taught you really are extraordinary,” the middle-aged man said, beaming.

“But I couldn’t do that before…” Saeko protested.

“Remember the full-body massage I gave you last night? You’ve absorbed twenty percent of my power. At this point, you could be called the nation’s number one beautiful swordswoman—no one could argue,” he replied with utter seriousness.

Saeko’s face turned scarlet.

Last night had been so—so embarrassing. How could he mention that? I can’t even bear to think about it.

Such a wicked old man.

The tournament continued.

By the end of the day, Saeko hadn’t had a second match, but her name was already being spoken around the globe. In her own country, countless fans had already dubbed her their goddess.

By the third day, all contestants had competed. Thirty-four young men and women had passed the preliminary round and advanced to the qualification matches.

These were head-to-head battles, scored for advancement. The highest scorer would be crowned city champion, with a prize of ten million yen.

After several days of intense, last-minute training from the middle-aged man, Saeko finally began to gain confidence—nothing like her first appearance.

This time, he even prepared a striking, anime-style dress for her, highlighting her elegant figure and sending the crowd wild.

Her chest was a little flat, but for a beautiful young swordswoman, that only fit the character.

Sure enough, when Saeko took the stage, the audience’s buzz exploded into a frenzy. It was as if Asuna herself had stepped out of a comic and onto the real-world stage.

Flushed with shyness at the cheers, Saeko looked to the middle-aged man, her eyes shimmering.

This old man had completely changed her life—a wicked old man, indeed.

“And now, the match you’ve all been waiting for: our most popular female contestant, Saeko Meiji, versus the karate prodigy, Aiko Fujiwara!”

With the host’s announcement, the two girls stepped into the ring.

At the sight of Aiko Fujiwara, the middle-aged man couldn’t help but take a closer look.

This girl, too, was an excellent candidate for martial arts—a natural talent. Unfortunately, karate had already claimed her. No matter how much he invested, he couldn’t guarantee she’d give him her full loyalty.

So he’d chosen Saeko Meiji, a blank slate.

But perhaps it was just as well. This match would allow Saeko to ascend, becoming the most outstanding swordswoman in the nation, if not the world.

The nation’s future representative was set.

With Zhang Kai—the middle-aged man—watching with a smile, and with tens of thousands in the arena and countless more glued to their screens, the match began.

Aiko Fujiwara’s gaze was sharp as a blade. Clad in her martial artist’s uniform, she let out a sharp battle cry and charged, her presence overwhelming.

Yet Saeko merely lowered her body, then suddenly shot forward. In that instant, it seemed as if there were a dozen Saeko Meijis on the stage, flickering around Aiko like afterimages. She flashed past Aiko in a lightning blur, landed in a crouch, and slid her wooden sword smoothly into its sheath as the afterimages faded.

The move was dazzling.

Zhang Kai couldn’t help but grin.

This little girl had learned to put on a show.