Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

He single-handedly won all the preliminary rounds! No matter what kind of team they were, they were easily defeated in front of his and Xi's smile!

Many bureaucrats in the shogunate previously thought that it was because the opponents Tadalia had encountered were not strong enough and did not pay attention to it. However, today he is going to face the Akaki group, which has also been crushing all the way up. Arataki Ichito is a well-known thug on Narukami Island. He is a master of fighting and brawling, and even some hatamoto warriors may not be his match.

Many people were also hoping to see what level D'Artagnan was really at through him.

As a result, the Red Oni Group was also defeated and reduced to the last place, and it seems that the final "general" Arataki Ichito is still no match for Tartaglia.

"He's definitely a favorite to win." Ayato Kamisato looked at Tadalia on the stage, who was wielding two unsharpened katanas and launching attacks like waves, and smiled helplessly. "Alright, I admit it, my younger sister can't handle a strong opponent like that. But so what if the Hyakunin-Ikkyuu championship is taken by an outsider? This isn't the first time something like this has happened in history."

"You mean Coral Palace Ryuka, who captured the Jade Dragon Banner twenty years ago? Hmph, how can that be the same? No matter what, Coral Palace is still nominally the General's subject. Even if Coral Palace takes the Jade Dragon Banner, it's still a disgrace to our own side!"

"Are you saying you'd rather have the people of Haiji Island reach the summit than have foreigners reach it?"

"Of course! Don't you know who that Tartaglia is? He's from the diplomatic mission of the Winter Kingdom. To put it bluntly, he might even be a member of the Fools!" Shima Masao spat. "To have a foreigner become our Eastern Peerless Warrior would be a laughingstock among the Seven Kingdoms!"

"Oh? If we're talking about Haigi Island, then Inazuma isn't without rivals, but there's no need for him to." Ayato Kamisato pulled a cup of milk tea from his pocket, inserted a paper straw, and said with a smile.

The bureaucrats and military officers of the shogunate looked at Ayato Kamisato with a puzzled expression, but after a moment's thought, they understood what he meant.

Immediately, someone's face darkened. "Lord Commissioner! Watch your words!"

"Don't bring up exceptions. That hateful foreigner... Doesn't Lord Shakai know his situation? He's the executioner who humiliated our entire Narukami Island!"

Ayato Kamisato shrugged. "Do you even know how to distinguish between family matters and outsider matters?"

"..."

These civil and military officials were all somewhat annoyed, but they couldn't refute Ayato Kamisato's words. After a long while, someone snorted coldly, "Just wait and see. Our Inazuma generation isn't without its heroes, and the Northern Country Team isn't necessarily invincible. I also have high hopes for the Karasu Team. Although General Kujo Sara is a woman, her strength shouldn't be underestimated. Wasn't Arataki Ichito personally imprisoned by General Sara? Trust the Kujo family."

Ayato Kamisato smiled slightly but did not reply.

Despite everyone's discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of the various teams, everyone ignored the Fubuki Team, sent by the Kamisato family, even though Ayato Kamisato was there. The Fubuki Team, led by Ayaka Kamisato, had already qualified and was a strong team capable of officially participating in the Hyakunin-Ikkyuu uprising, while these people... weren't even mentioned.

Ayato Kamisato knew that this wasn't a disrespect towards the Kamisato family, but rather that no one believed a frail princess like Ayaka Kamisato could fight against warriors. Even if she had mastered some family martial arts, she was already quite outstanding as a lady of a prestigious family, but in a competition like the Hyakunin-Ikkuri, where the only goal was to be the "number one," such a team wasn't even worth studying.

However... that is indeed the case.

Sending his younger sister to participate in the competition and make a public appearance didn't go against Ayato's wishes, but since his sister was determined, it didn't matter. Ayaka's attempt to persuade the Thunder God by obtaining the Jade Dragon Flag was a naive idea that Ayato considered almost foolish, but he still didn't care.

Rather, it's more likely that Ayaka Kamisato's actions will win over the people more easily. By taking a short walk to explain her reasons for insisting on the competition, her noble and compassionate nature will be further enhanced.

—As for offering advice, it might offend the General… Anyway, my sister has no chance of winning.

What pairing? .jpg

Chapter 188 How can mortals recognize heroes of the world?

In the arena.

Araki Ichito, panting heavily, knelt on one knee in the southeast corner of the arena, his spiked club planted firmly on the ground. He gritted his teeth and glared at the young man opposite him: "What a disgrace to me! I've been beaten senseless by a skinny guy like you! Hey, buddy, how long have you been training?"

“Thirteen years.” D'Artagnan smiled broadly, stretching his arms as he held two swords in his hands.

Inazuma originally came to cooperate with the lady's work, but he didn't want to miss the Hyakunin Ikkyu, a grand competition that was said to be held once every five years! After a brief handover of his work, he randomly grabbed a few members of the Fatui to sign up. Of course, those Fatui members didn't need to participate; they could just watch.

Very few people in Inazuma know that he is the eleventh executor of the Fools, codenamed "Prince".

Possessing both the Water-type Divine Eye and the Lightning-type Evil Eye, he originally wouldn't have joined such a martial arts tournament. Admittedly, he is quite warlike, but his opponents often have to keep him on his toes. Mortals who haven't become "Gengods" are no match for him, and he wasn't originally the target audience for this kind of competition.

But one advantage of the Hundred People's Rebellion is that it is based in Inazuma.

Since the Eye Hunting Order hasn't been lifted yet, no one in Inazuma dares to use the Eye of God. The fights are nominally free, but in essence, they are martial arts exchanges.

Without the ability to use the Eye of God, the gap between mortals and Primordial Gods is greatly narrowed. This is what excites Tartaglia. He knows very well that there are many powerful individuals among mortals, some even whose strength is comparable to that of Primordial Gods.

This was a paradise for Tadalia to hone his martial arts skills!

"Thirteen years? Ah, shorter than mine?" Araki Ichito casually spat out the blood foam in his mouth, grinned, "I've really wasted my life. It's one thing to be no match for that flying tengu, but I can't even beat a human. Damn it, I don't know why you all look so thin, yet you're so strong! Let's go again!"

"Again? You're getting tired of this," Dadalia said casually.

"Let's settle this one last time! Come, watch me! The Ghost King's Parade!"

Arata Ichito's arms instantly bulged with muscles and veins, red steam rising from their skin—this was the final, desperate struggle, a complete activation of his demon bloodline. He had been fighting the young master in the arena for over ten minutes and was almost exhausted. After these last few dozen seconds of this desperate battle, he would be completely finished. He had to finish off the young master now! His spiked club came crashing down like a falling meteor!

D'Artagnan maintained his smile. He didn't try to withstand the attack head-on; in a contest of strength, he was actually no match for Arataki Ichito, and besides, his dual swords weren't suited for direct combat. His response was to simply jump!

This leap put him more than three meters into the air!

As he leaped over Arata Ichito's back, he unleashed a flurry of attacks with both swords!

With his speed, Tartaglia was always able to attack places that Arataki Ichito couldn't reach.

But Arataki Ichito was on guard this time. He had already been slashed in more than one place by Datalia. Without turning his body, he thrust his spiked club backward fiercely!

On Earth, this move would be called Su Qin carrying his sword!

As the metal clashed, the spiked club managed to block both blows, but Arataki Ichito cried out in pain as the iron spikes on his club pierced his shoulder under the heavy blows.

However, he held back, yelling as he grabbed D'Artagnan's blade! Although it wasn't sharpened, the grip still drew blood, but with a point of leverage, Arataki Ichito swung his spiked club, which had been stuck upside down, half a circle, and slammed it down on D'Artagnan again!

“That’s interesting, buddy.” D’Artagnan chuckled easily even in the face of danger, then his eyes turned serious as he launched a sudden counterattack!

At this moment, he was being dragged by the katana and his body was still in mid-air. So he simply placed one knee on Arataki Ichito's abdomen, and at the same time, he threw away the katana with his other hand and slammed it down hard on Arataki Ichito's back with his elbow!

A combined attack from above and below!

"Better to take ten punches than one elbow, better to take ten kicks than one headbutt—the two most dangerous joints in the human body are about to be struck!" Gasps of surprise erupted from the audience!

The allies below the arena were almost immediately ready to rush in and rescue their opponents, even some of the generals had already left their positions. This was no joke; it could be a matter of life and death!

"Ugh!"

With a loud shout, Araki Ichito rallied his courage and gritted his teeth, his chest and back muscles bulging as he forcefully withstood the young master's deadly attack!

Amidst the dazzling display of skill, Arataki Kazuto crushed his opponent's katana with a single blow, then sent Tartaglia flying with a shoulder slam, before launching another ferocious attack!

fight!

Admiration flickered in D'Artagnan's eyes. The force of that sword-destroying attack had indeed put him in an awkward position. Arataki Ichito was acting like a madman, swinging his spiked club with tremendous force. D'Artagnan, now only having a single sword left, had no chance of blocking it head-on. If he continued to dodge, a single sword that could only thrust would hardly be able to cause any damage to Arataki Ichito in this state.

“Now you should have been forced to use your full strength,” D'Artagnan laughed. “It seems that’s it, then there’s nothing more to continue.”

Facing the oncoming Arataki Ichito, he slightly bent his knees, gripped the hilt of his sword in a forceful stance, and silently said, "Extreme Evil Technique: Water-Slicing and Rain-Slicing."

Concentrating all his strength in this moment! Tartaglia charged towards Arataki Ichito! His blunt sword unleashed countless streaks of light, cutting through even the raging storm ahead!

One strike! The impact caused blood to flow from Araki Ichito's palm!

Two cuts, three cuts, four cuts... a hundred cuts!

The raging barrage of sword strikes completely knocked Arataki Ichito's spiked club away. The blunt blade rained down on his defenses like a whirlwind, whipping him mercilessly. Arataki Ichito's life force was shattered. He roared, trying to break free of the encirclement, but each blow forced him to retreat step by step, blood spurting from his body!

"I give up! I give up!" someone shouted helplessly from the audience.

D'Artagnan immediately stopped. By this time, Arataki Ichito's body was almost completely battered, his face bruised, swollen, and covered in blood. If it weren't for the Oni race's formidable physical prowess, an ordinary person would have been beaten to a pulp.

The doctors in charge of the rescue immediately stepped forward and carried the unconscious Arataki Ichito onto a stretcher. The shrine maidens with Yin-Yang magic immediately began to treat his external injuries.

Each uprising of a hundred people was a busy time for doctors and priestesses. Fortunately, most of the injuries were external, and with timely treatment, they were generally not a big problem.

Most of the others fought rather... modestly, but in the battle between Tartaglia and Arataki, both possessed extraordinary physical abilities. Some doctors actually suspected they were users of the Eye of God, but... it doesn't matter, is Tartaglia the only user of the Eye of God?

The one who ordered them to surrender was the second-in-command of the Arataki faction, a green-haired girl wearing a mask and ninja-like attire. Tadalia remembered her name as Kuki Shinobu.

This girl was the vanguard of the Red Oni Group, but Tartaglia didn't sense much strength from her and easily blasted her away with two kicks.

"Are you alright? I held back at the end." Dadalia said with a smile. "Don't hate me, Miss. Everyone comes to the arena to win. Your boss is also a martial artist, so he can understand me. Martial artists should fight to their heart's content."

“No, it’s alright. Boss should have lost long ago. There are so many talented people in Inazuma. How could it be his turn to be a social outcast?” Hisaki Shinobu said calmly. “It’s better for you to deal with him now than to lose in front of thousands of people at the castle tower during the official competition.”

"So many talented people...?" D'Artagnan asked curiously. "I was the last to qualify, and I watched the other fifteen teams. Hmm, it seems there aren't any opponents to be afraid of. Oh, I don't mean to be sarcastic, but the people of Inazuma are indeed somewhat lacking in martial spirit compared to the people of Winter Country."

Jiuqi glanced at him sideways and sneered, "How can a mortal like you recognize the heroes of the world?"

D'Artagnan scratched his head, looked around, and shrugged: "Maybe I'm just ignorant? But among the young people of Inazuma's generation, well, there really aren't any who can fight, are there?"

His smile was incredibly irritating, and upon hearing this, the audience members who were about to leave suddenly became agitated!

Most of them didn't like Tadalia. Think about it, a foreigner, a handsome guy, a pretty boy, is the favorite to win the biggest competition in your country. How could you, as a male viewer, possibly like him?

Now he's even spouting wild claims.

What was that called again? I criticized him for having all the "national righteousness" stuff!

Chapter 189 Returning to Inari

"What nonsense! You haven't met the geniuses of Narukami Island yet!"

"General Kujo could kill you with one hand!"

"Do you look down on people?"

"Don't think we don't know who you are. Everyone in the Winter Solstice diplomatic mission knows you're from the Fools! What's so great about a Fool defeating a few ordinary people!"

Angered voices rose and fell, after all, the young master was an outsider. Most people had probably disliked him for a long time, and his inappropriate and arrogant remarks immediately stirred up public outrage.

However, D'Artagnan didn't care about Inatsume's opinion. In fact, he never cared about the fans who admired him and cheered him on from the beginning, so he naturally didn't care about the hostility of a few people now.

He's just here to enjoy the fight, and if he's interested, he might bully these country bumpkins a bit.

Therefore, he was even more curious about what Hisaki Shinobu had said.

"I haven't hidden the fact that I'm a diplomat from the Fools. I've long heard that the Hyakunin-Ikkuri is a grand martial arts event, and I came all the way south specifically to participate in it, to exchange skills and insights with the genius warriors of Inazuma." He didn't hide anything, and he told all the audience members what Kuki Shinobu had said. "But that's about the level... However, a country that can't use the Eye of God is indeed lacking in overall quality. We have to admit that. A country that can't face its own shortcomings is weak."