The Sword Deity in Tokyo

Chapter 147: Tokyo District Qualifiers

Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio

18th May, Saturday.

Along with the ringing sound of the alarm clock, Chiba Shiori woke up from slumber. She then looked at the time on her phone, and it was already seven o’ clock. With initial thoughts of lazing around, she jolted awake when she remembered what day it was.

She got up and glanced at Yuriko Kawachi, who was lying on the table. However, she did not try to disturb her.

After completing her morning routine, she went to the living room.

Chiba Akiko was shocked when she realized that her daughter was already out of bed at this hour, “Isn’t it the weekend? Why are you awake so early?”

“The Jade Dragon Flag Tokyo District Qualifiers is about to start. I want to watch the game.”

Chiba Akiko was shocked. She then looked at her daughter suspiciously and said, “Is your crush in the Kendo Association?”

Chiba Shiori was enjoying a glass of milk when the question was asked, so she nearly choked when she heard it. She finished drinking, grabbed a bun while shaking her head, and said, “No! I am just interested in Kendo. I’ll be going now.”

She ignored her mother’s words and walked toward Akihide High School.

When Chiba Shiori arrived at the school entrance, it was already half-past seven, and there was already a crowd at the entrance. It was packed because other than the IH Convention, the Jade Dragon Flag Competition was one of the most prestigious competitions in the field of national high school Kendo. Usually, the schools which had reached the targeted number of students would register for it, and even if they did not snatch the prize, the exposure was a good enough takeaway.

“Shiori, here!” Tamago called Chiba Shiori upon seeing her.

In the school, Chiba Shiori did not have a lot of friends. Tamago was considered one of her very few friends. However, Tamago was very different from Chiba Shiori, she was a social butterfly with tons of friends. Some close friends would approach her and ask if she felt insecure when she was hanging out with Chiba Shiori as her beauty was mesmerizing. After all, Tamago was a gorgeous girl too.

Tamago calmly explained that only with the most striking of flowers could she maintain a positive mindset to learn new things. Chiba Shiori was the top of the pile in both academics and appearance, but she was never arrogant. Therefore, Tamago treated her as a role model.

Moreover, the more Tamago interacted with Chiba Shiori, the more appealing she found her.

Followed by Tamago’s loud call, the crowd’s attention shifted to Chiba Shiori. The boys around them were blushing, especially the members of the Kendo Association. It was the opening of the district qualifiers, Chiba Shiori was definitely there to cheer them on.

“I hope I’m not too late.” Chiba Shiori smiled gently.

The teacher who was leading the group with the surname Morishita said, “No...” He looked at the time, “We’re still waiting for Yamashita and Nakada.”

Five minutes later, Yamashita and Nakada arrived at the school entrance. After some small talk, they departed to Tachibana Budo Gym, not by train but by a rented bus.

Tachibana Budo Gym was the third biggest budo gym in Tokyo, placing right behind Meiso Budo Gym and Tokyo Budo Gym.

At 8:20am in the morning, the students from Akihide High School arrived outside of Tachibana Budo Gym. The Japanese budo gyms were different from the gyms in foreign countries because they preserved their simplicity. It would’ve appeared as if it was from another era.

The budo gym was used for judo, kendo, karate, budo, dance, musical ensembles, and other practices of martial arts. More often than not, it was used to hold concerts, mixed martial arts competitions, large scale orientations for universities, and graduation ceremonies. At the same time, the budo gym became the sacred ground for concerts by Western and East Asian artists. They prided to be able to use the budo gym for a

concert and treated it as a new accomplishment to the depth of their art.

The students were pumped as it was the first time for many of them to go to Tachibana Budo Gym. Mr. Morishita quickly led the students through the east entrance. He then guided the members of the Kendo Association of Akihide High School toward the second floor with the help of Tamago to direct other students to a specific section of the gym to be seated while waiting for the competition to start.

Chiba Shiori found a seat, crowds surrounded her, it was a full-house. Clearly, they were all there to watch the competition.

Even though it was just the Jade Dragon Flag District Qualifiers, it was still an exciting one for the people in Tokyo. Tokyo had the most number of high schools, and it was also the most competitive area of all districts. According to Mr. Morishita, there were a total of 101 high schools registered to participate in this qualifying round. As for the other districts, the average number was around 45 schools.

By following the standard five-person team for the Men’s and Women’s Team for every school, it would make up to over 1,000 people. The substitute contestants were not even included yet. There would be students who were there to support their school teams. There were also plenty of youngsters who were interested in Kendo, with the event being held during the weekend. The gym was full of people.

Spectators were required to purchase entry tickets, but it was clear that there were definitely more than 10,000 people there. In fact, the number was increasing. Rumors said that it would be tough to get tickets at that point.

At 9am, the Tokyo District Qualifiers had officially started.

Since it wasn’t an official Jade Dragon Flag Competition, the Tokyo district was not qualified to have an opening ceremony. Even so, the management team from the Japanese Kendo Federation had invited an Eight Grade member from the Japanese Kendo Federation Council to give a speech and to explain the ground rules as well as the system of the Jade Dragon Flag Competition.

This year, the group category of the Jade Dragon Flag Competition would be an elimination game. It would be a single-point match. The team which manages to acquire one point would be the winner. There would also be another special rule, which is the deathmatch system.

In usual group competitions, there would be five positions in a team, namely Senpou, Jipou, Chuuken, Fukushou, and Taishou, in a team. Contrastingly, in a deathmatch, the system would be similar to ‘The King of Fighters’ video game. The winner is allowed to stand their ground until they are defeated. If the Senpou is strong enough, he or she can beat all five contestants of the opposing team alone.

On the other hand, the individual categories were based on three-point matches, and both males or females are allowed to join the game together.

In the past, individual competitions were matched based on gender. However, after deliberation, it was decided that gender would not play a hand in individual competitions.

It was half-past nine. All the high schools of the Tokyo district would select a male and female representative each to draw lots. First, they are required to draw for the location of the competition, then their orders. Tachibana Budo Gym was supposed to be used for the finals. Over a hundred high schools were participating in the game, it would be impossible to carry out all the competitions at the main arena.

Even though the group competition had ended, there were still individual competitions. That was why the qualifiers of the Tokyo district were usually held for a week or more.

The group competitions will end after four days, while the individual competitions will end in three days.

After all the schools had drawn their lots, the emcee would announce the competition location and their order. As for the individual competition, they would use a computerized randomizer.

“Akihide High School, Men’s Team, District A, No. 15. Women’s Team, District D, No.

8.” Chiba Shiori lifted her head and took a glance when she heard her school’s name being announced. The students beside her got excited, but she was speechless.

It was just drawing lots, was it worth the excitement?

A few minutes later...

“Sakura Kyu Private High School, Men’s Team, District A, No. 1. Women’s Team, District B, No. 14.”

Chiba Shiori sat upright with her eyes glowing bright. Her heart was beating fast as her spirits heightened.

District C of the competition was near the Northeast entrance. She turned to Tamago and said, “Tamago. Let’s go grab our seats in District A.”

“Sigh, I thought you would watch the Women’s Team competition... I didn’t expect that you would prefer the Men’s Team competition instead. Is your crush in the Kendo Association?”

Shiba Chiori was dumbfounded for a moment. When she snapped out of it, she realized that the Men’s Team of her school was at District A as well... With that in mind, she rolled her eyes at Tamago and did not say a word.

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