The Fighter Elder Shoma following was Kenzaki Kintaro, the Silver Blade of the Jado Kingdom. He was called the strongest swordsman in Elite level. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"He feels very strong." Kintaro said.

"He’s certainly not as strong as you, Master Kenzaki." Elder Shoma whispered.

"Go. You should join the others." Kintaro said.

"Certainly, Master Kenzaki."

Elder Shoma left with his students. Officially, Steel Blade Sect didn’t join the Jado Kingdom yet. They were not supported by the Court and not recognized as an official sect. Elder Shoma was looking to cling on Kenzaki and pulled his entire sect to glory.

The staff quickly finished the arrangement. The fights in the Awaken Arena were stopped. Now it was the time for the Elite to shy.

Carter wasn’t the first one that fought. There were many before him. Swordsmen, Fighter. Even certain Fighter that used other type of obscure weapons.

Carter didn’t find anything memorable. Instead, he spent his time talking with Tenmaru about what Tenmaru could improve in the fight he had.

Eventually, the name of the silver-haired man was called.

"Ginro Musashi!" The referee shouted.

"It’s your turn, Master!" Tenmaru said.

Carter nodded and stood up. He walked up to the arena in a very ordinary way.

His opponent, however, jumped up on the arena in a very spectacular manner. Most of the Elite Fighter and Swordsmen did the same.

This Chuuchi Tournament felt less and less like a battle of masters and more like who could impress the officials more.

Some of the participants shook their heads.

"He didn’t even show his moves! He won’t be accepted into Jado Court."

"Good riddance! That guy looks like someone just killed his cat all day. Can’t he smile a little bit."

Shokichi stayed silent amongst the noise. He rubbed his chin in serious thoughts. That silver-haired man didn’t show much of an aura. But for some reasons, he had a hunch that Musashi was the strongest here.

Shokichi sneakily glanced toward Kintaro, ’He might be even stronger than the Silver Blade.’

"Ginro Musashi versus Ashida Reiji."

Carter’s opponent was also a swordsman. He looked pretty strong and composed.

Musashi did a martial gesture and bowed. A tradition that not a lot of people in Jado bothered doing anymore.

Reiji smirked and bowed back. He found it a bit amusing.

"Begins!" The referee shouted.

"Po!" Reiji shouted. He was a proper swordsman that knew how to use the swordsman’s signature Sacred Word.

His energy changed and Carter noticed it immediately.

Rin was very similar to Adrenaline. Energy burned into power.

Po was different. The energy channeled into the blade and focused more in reflex and precision.

Reiji squinted his eyes. "Aren’t you going to use your Sacred Word?"

"I need no such thing." Carter went into his stance. "Tiger Style!"

A projection of an orange tiger appeared behind him. All the audience stood up in surprise.

"What is that?!"

"A new technique? No... It must be a new Sacred Word."

"Who is he?"

Kenzaki Kintaro was even more interested in Carter. He was the only one that didn’t say anything.

Reiji was shocked but he kept his concentration. "Doesn’t matter what kind of trick you’re using. You will still lose to me.

Hiken - Spiral Thrust!"

Reiji approached Carter in a very respectable speed. His speed was even comparable to the Eldritch Knight... when he was an Awaken using Adrenaline.

A self-spinning vortex of energy wrapped around Reiji’s blade.

Carter didn’t even step back. Instead, he marched forward.

"Tiger Style - Ferocious Bite!"

The image of the tiger overlapped onto him. His palm reached forward the blade. The palm formed the shape that was similar to a tiger jaw.

Even without using Adrenaline, Carter was very quick. He bit into the blade of Reiji and broke it in two. Everything happened so fast that Reiji didn’t even understand what was happening.

"How?!" Reiji widened his eyes.

"Boar Style - Savage Charge!"

Carter bolted forward. The image of a boar overlapped onto his body. He sent Reiji flying, causing him to roll a few times on the ground.

The match was over within ten seconds as Reiji was pushed out of the arena.

"I..." Reiji struggled to get up. Carter held back but Reiji still felt like his entire organ had been flipped upside down.

"The winner is Ginro Musashi!" The referee shouted.

Carter disappeared from his location and reappeared in front of Reiji.

Reiji jerked back in fear. He was worrying that the silver-haired man might be blinded because of the battle and hurt him.

The audience thought the same. But instead, the silver-haired man reached his hand out.

"Good fight." Carter said.

Reiji grabbed the man’s hand and got himself back up. The silver-haired man’s patted Reiji’s shoulder.

"Keep training. You have great potential."

A question mark visibly formed on Reiji’s forehead. He had never lost to another Fighter and being comforted by that same person.

Carter returned to his seat beside Tenmaru. His honorable behavior was considered bizarre in this dog eats dog Jado Kingdom.

"That was quick, Master." Tenmaru whispered.

"If you can end the fight quickly, do it. The more you show, the more your enemy will learn about you." Carter said.

Tenmaru nodded repeatedly. He took out a small notebook and dotted it down. He would name this notebook Master’s Musashi Teachings.

Kenzaki Kintaro stood up and clapped his hands. "A magnificent performance, Ginro Musashi. I look forward to your next match."

Carter did not reply.

The Tournament continued until all the Elite had fought each other. Elite Fighters were much less than Awaken so they didn’t need to waste too much time there.

Carter and Tenmaru went to the nearby tavern to fill themselves up. When they returned to the pagoda, Kenzaki Kintaro was there.

"That is..." Tenmaru widened his eyes.

"Go fetch our guest some tea, Tenmaru." Carter said.

Tenmaru nodded and went away.

Kintaro was sitting at the stone table under the banyan tree. He was waiting for Carter.

"What do I owe the Silver Blade the pleasure for?"