readytorunbook Chapter 752 - 752
Chapter 752 - 752
Azure flames blazed fiercely around Kurogane Ikki's body.He unleashed all his physical strength, magical power, and every ounce of potential he possessed in an instant, pouring everything into the next strike!
The Ultimate Secret Sword: Shadow Chaser!
This was the most powerful slash he currently possessed!
And precisely because it was overwhelmingly powerful, it required several preconditions to be met.
First, he had to enter the "One Strike Slayer" state, compressing all his physical and magical energy into a single strike—leaving no room for retreat, where failure meant utter defeat.
Second, he had to perform the ultimate charging of an iai strike, accumulating his momentum to its absolute limit.
Third, he needed his opponent to charge toward him voluntarily. If the opponent chose to evade or retreat, the technique would fail completely!
It was precisely because the activation conditions were so stringent that Kurogane Ikki had proactively suggested a one-strike duel.
In a normal battle, this move would be nearly impossible to trigger. But under these circumstances, Eiji would undoubtedly unleash his strongest technique and charge straight at him, aiming to cut him down with an overwhelming slash.
Moreover, given Eiji's personality, he wouldn't interrupt the charging of the iai strike prematurely. Instead, he would allow Ikki's power to accumulate to its peak, ensuring both sides clashed with their ultimate strikes.
This strategy eliminated all unfavorable factors, perfectly satisfying all three conditions!
It was the only possible path to victory!
Kurogane Ikki held his breath.
His conviction burned, his emotions surged, and his will sang in exultation.
The so-called "Shadow Chaser" was born from absolute trust in the sword, surpassing all limits—an absolute strike so fast it could outpace even one's own shadow!
Unlike other techniques in the Secret Sword series, this move was created by Kurogane Ikki after breaking through to Demon Swordsman, thus containing the formidable gravitational pull unique to Demon Swordsmen.
The moment the blade shot forward, even histories that never existed could be drawn forth through the Demon Swordsman's gravity—which operated beyond fate itself—and their outcomes firmly welded into this world of converging causality.
In other words, it engraved the causality of victory into a single strike!
Once this slash was unleashed, even if he were utterly defeated in the original timeline, this causality would forcibly converge the outcome, allowing him to overturn fate and snatch victory from defeat!
This was the ultimate form of the concept of "cutting," achieved by a mere human!
A single strike guaranteed victory!
This was "Shadow Chaser"!
Because it didn't interfere with the opponent but manipulated the world itself, it could not be nullified.
"Hey, how did that kid master the power of a Demon Swordsman so quickly?"
In the spectator stands, Saikyo Nene was so shocked she nearly dropped her fan.
"That strike is far stronger than when he defeated Stella yesterday! Little Eiji might lose!"
She glared furiously at the two beside her, her aura even locking onto the Black Knight not far away.
This was completely abnormal!
Kurogane Ikki had only broken through to Demon Swordsman yesterday, yet he'd already grasped its essence today?
Facing that slash, even she—the fearless Yasha Princess—felt an involuntary tremor of fear. How could Eiji, who hadn't yet stepped into the realm of Demon Swordsmen, possibly handle such a terrifying strike?
It wasn't that he might lose—he was definitely going to lose!
Those who know the secrets of the Demon King and are willing to help are only a handful.
Who could have done it?
"I taught him."
Nangou Torajirou's weathered voice was unusually somber.
"You old fool, why are you siding with an outsider? Can't you stand to see our junior succeed?"
Saikyo Nene shouted angrily.
"Nonsense! It's precisely because I want to see him succeed that I sought out the Kurogane boy!"
Nangou Torajirou fumed, his beard bristling with irritation.
"For him, sufficient pressure is necessary to force his will to ignite. Ultimately, it's because you recklessly told him about that realm, sparking his desire to pursue it. Otherwise, we wouldn't need such trouble!"
"I...!"
Saikyo Nene's face flushed crimson with rage, leaving her speechless.
But the old man wasn't wrong.
If she hadn't been so careless with her words back then, their junior might have already broken through to the Demon King realm.
However, having only reached the Demon King realm herself a few years ago, her knowledge paled in comparison to the old man's. How could she have known that even a hint of revelation could hinder a breakthrough?
"Enough, both of you stop arguing."
A cool voice interjected between the two.
They turned to see the silver-haired beauty leaning against the railing, massaging her temples as if annoyed by their bickering.
"Just keep watching. The outcome may not be as dire as you fear."
Her demeanor remained calm, showing no trace of worry or urgency.
Master and disciple exchanged a glance, with Saikyo Nene sulkily looking away.
Then, in unison, they fixed their tense gazes on the battlefield.
Kurogane Ikki had completed his buildup.
Immense power, mana, and conviction converged into the blade in his hand, causing the ordinary black steel to radiate a startling aura of magical flames.
He was certain—with this single strike, he would win!
Fueled by this invincible belief, he drew the sword at his waist—
Simultaneously.
The youth opposite him stood with feet firmly planted, raising the exquisite blade that shimmered with silvery, rippling light to a perfect middle stance.
It was an impeccably standard starting posture.
Facing the overwhelming slash from Kurogane Ikki, Eiji's lips curled into a smile.
It was an extraordinarily brilliant smile.
So dazzling it could captivate the soul, ensnaring one in his trap in the blink of an eye, leading to eternal ruin and downfall.
He wasn't deliberately using charm; it was merely a natural reaction to his exhilaration.
Kurogane Ikki remained unaffected, his blade imbued with an unshakable faith.
"A strike that forcibly converges the outcome of victory—impressive indeed!"
Genuine admiration spilled from his lips.
Yet, the confident smile on his face grew even more pronounced.
"But to say it will definitely defeat me? That's not certain!"
In an instant.
A transformation occurred.
Without any visible action, Eiji's presence became elusive, as if he had transcended the very world before them.
"That is...!"
Saikyo Nene gasped sharply.
"The Demon King realm!"
Nangou Torajirou's expression shifted abruptly.
"Hmph."
The silver-haired beauty let out a soft snort, a faint, satisfied smile flickering in her eyes.
...
"It was you!"
The day before the finals, in another stadium within the city.
As his intuition warned him, Eiji instantly detected the silver flash of the ambush. While turning to block the strike, he caught sight of his enemy's figure.
A cascade of silver hair, rippling like tassels under the moonlight.
Her pure white attire resembled a Valkyrie from Norse mythology, sweeping away the foes of the gods.
Gripping twin swords shaped like crosses, her aura swirled like a storm, leaving deep sword marks across the ground, walls, railings, seats, and countless other surfaces.