I became the Lord of the Eternal World in Tokyo.

So, all they sent was a box of lemon tea?

Young Master, you look down on them too much.

……

"Holy crap, a bottle of 'special offer' Coke is selling for 1800 yen! Just reach into my wallet and grab it!"

"Selling it for 1800 yen, do you have 1800 pieces of driftwood?"

In front of the largest dojo in Shizuoka City, Uesugi Tetsuya, wearing a mask and sunglasses, couldn't help but complain with Tamamo about the outrageous price of the drinks.

Today the sky is cloudless and the sun is hot and bright.

It just so happens that it was also the day of the Shizuoka Prefecture division seeding tournament finals.

Naturally, the small shop in front of the dojo held the sole monopoly on pricing power.

Don't want to buy?

Of course you can—then just walk to a convenience store about 1.2 kilometers away to buy it.

Together with Tamamo, they grumbled as they entered the special stadium, which had been temporarily converted into a viewing area. Uesugi Tetsu followed the empty VIP passage to the best viewing area.

There were quite a lot of spectators in the venue, as evidenced by the fact that the regular passageways were completely blocked.

However, most people didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about watching the game—after all, in the internet age, spiritual practice has been widespread for some time now.

Even ordinary people can see the difference between local and central governments.

Especially the video that went viral a couple of days ago, "Uesugi Tetsu soloing Hojo."

Having witnessed clashes between masters, one naturally loses much interest in relatively ordinary battles.

Uesugi Tetsu looked up at the referees and notary-like figures higher up—god-level figures from different factions supervising each other to prevent any favoritism or corruption.

"However, the faces of these demon-level figures are all unfamiliar."

Moreover, there were actually six people in total.

A regional final of a seeding tournament attracted six god-like players.

This would have been unthinkable in the past.

It seems that the supernatural beings that emerged from the aftermath of the recent wave are real, and not just fabrications to fool the forces of the mortal world.

After scanning the room several times, Uesugi Tetsu heard the teacher, who was already seated in the front row, speak calmly.

"Young Uesugi, what are your thoughts on this match?"

“Yagyu-kun will definitely win.” Uesugi Tetsu shrugged. “Otherwise, why would you tell me not to hold back?”

The teacher was taken aback by this answer and shook his head: "You kid, you haven't seen your opponent yet..."

"This is called having confidence in you, Lord Saionji, and Mr. Yagyu."

As Uesugi Tetsu was speaking, he noticed his phone vibrate.

He opened it and found that it was an Excel spreadsheet sent by Nanjo Manami.

[Nanjo Manami: The seedings for the 23 wards of Tokyo have been finalized. Don't forget to check them before the official meeting; you need to have a general understanding of the situation.]

Chapter 245 The finals are over, the regional champions are revealed! The Qiansha Brand Little Bull and Horse team, the preliminary list, is packed with strong contenders!

[Tsuki-suna-chan: Yes, ma'am.jpg]

Without saying a word, Uesugi Tetsu sent a salute emoji, then closed the screen after clicking to accept the file.

—You can look at this list anytime, even on the bus back to Arakawa Ward.

But the regional finals of the seeding battle are about to begin, and Yagyu-kun will be playing soon.

Which is more important is probably self-evident to Uesugi Tetsuya.

"I'm coming!"

Tamamo nudged Uesugi Tetsuya with her elbow, making him turn his gaze around.

As a rhythmic and stressful sound rang out, the lights in the entire arena suddenly dimmed, except for the path leading to the central ring, which was illuminated by a dim, cold white light.

The first to take the stage is Yagyu Akira's opponent.

The narrator's slightly hoarse, deep voice echoed throughout the venue through the expensive sound system.

"With a roar that shatters the enemy's courage, and with that nodachi in his hand, he will shatter all obstacles! Who can stop him from claiming the title of 'Shizuoka Prefecture Leader'!"

"Let's first welcome our contestant—Kawakami Ryoto, from the Nodachi Jigen-ryu school!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the passage on the right was illuminated by dazzling white lights, creating a starlight path leading to the center of the arena.

Suddenly, a loud cheer came from directly opposite Uesugi Tetsuya and Tamamo. Most of the cheerers were wearing the same kimono, probably fellow disciples from the same dojo.

"To be honest, the atmosphere here is pretty good."

Under Uesugi Tetsu's gaze, the heavy automatic door slowly opened.

A young man emerged from the darkness behind the door, carrying a nearly six-foot-long nodachi on his back, his fists clenched, his cheeks flushed, clearly unable to contain his excitement.

—The Nodachi Self-Manifestation Style, also known as the "Medicine Pill Self-Manifestation Style," is also called the "Demon Howl Style" on the modern internet.

Unlike the Natural Rishin-ryu or Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, which emphasize techniques, footwork, and the study of various sword techniques, this ancient swordsmanship school focuses on a bold and unrestrained style.

To put it bluntly, it means it has great strength, high stats, and can charge forward without thinking.

First, he raises his nodachi, which is at least 1.5 meters long, then roars and charges forward. If an enemy stands in his way, he cleaves off one head; if there are ten enemies, he cleaves off ten heads.

Its main selling point is its impressive momentum.

However... this boy named "Kawakami Ryoto" doesn't look like a savage at all.

Tamamo, standing nearby, gave a surprised "oh."

"So it was Kawakami who made it to the finals."

Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow: "You know him?"

"I met him once during a mission with Yagyu. He's a nice guy, just a bit naive."

Tamamo stroked his chin, striking a pose like a high monk: "I thought he would be eliminated in the quarterfinals."

She crouched down, opened her phone and scrolled through it, then suddenly realized, "So it turns out that Liu Sheng and three other players I was optimistic about were grouped together, making it a death zone."

This means that Kawakami, who comes from the Nodachi Jigen-ryu school, is lucky.

Uesugi Tetsu felt that was not the case.

Under the keen observation of the discerning eye, Uesugi Tetsu believed that although Kawakami-kun was not particularly powerful, he was still a level above Akiyama Mei, who had gone to the City of Chaos with him.

In other words, they barely reached the level of the Hojo clan's white and black preparations on paper.

But data is data; the real outcome is not determined by such things alone.

Once Kawakami reached the center of the ring, the commentator's voice rang out again.

"His blade is like a raging fire, his heart like ice frozen for eternity! Can nothing shake his will?!"

"Next, let's welcome—Yagyu Atsushi, a contestant from the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school!"

Under the bright red light, with his hand gently resting on the hilt of his sword and his face calm, Yagyu Chi walked steadily forward onto the arena.

He didn't even see Tamamo and Uesugi Tetsu, who were waving to him from the stands.

Having taken in the condition of the two, Uesugi Tetsuya made a judgment.

"I'm afraid, Yagyu-kun is going to win."

"Huh?" Tamamo was stunned. "The fight hasn't even started yet, how do you know the outcome, Uesugi-sama? Is this some kind of blind monk's prediction?"

Uesugi Tetsuya was speechless for a moment. Tamamo surfed the internet every day, and her mouth was full of cheesy jokes.

"It's very simple, just look at their mindset."

He held up his finger: "Kawakami was very excited, his hands were even trembling."

"—And what about Yagyu-kun? He didn't even notice our presence, which means he had already entered a state of flow, or zone, before he even entered the arena."

"Yagyu-kun wants to win more than anyone else."

Uesugi Tetsu calmly asserted, "Given that the two are roughly equal in strength, I think the outcome is self-evident."

Tamamo blinked and chuckled.

"So it turns out that Yagyu wasn't pretending not to see us and acting like a master after all."

Uesugi Tetsu rolled his eyes and stopped talking.

Inside the venue, all the lights came on again after the entrance was over, but the brightness on the ring was still much higher than the surrounding area, making it easier for everyone to see.

After Yagyu Akira and Kawakami Ryoto exchanged fists, the commentator roared with passion.

—After that, the commentary could only be heard on online platforms.

"I hereby declare the Eastern Region Seeding Tournament - Shizuoka Prefecture Division Match - Now Begins!"

The entire venue fell silent suddenly, and the sound of Yagyu Akira drawing his sword could be clearly heard.

……

Tamamo held her breath and concentrated.

She discovered that after the match started, the situation on the field was exactly as Uesugi Tetsu had described.

Kawakami Ryoto initially gained the upper hand due to his school of martial arts, but he quickly became exhausted from his excessive and aggressive sword attacks.

Next, after reading his opponent's movements, Yagyu Akira would slowly exert pressure, gradually widening the encirclement and forcing Kawakami Ryoto into a predicament where he couldn't even swing his sword.

The outcome of the match was decided halfway through.

However, Yagyu Chi remained steady and methodical, and did not reveal a single flaw until his opponent was knocked unconscious.

The Eastern Region Seeding Tournament final in Shizuoka Prefecture ended in the seventeenth minute.

"Yay! Yagyu really won!" Tamamo cheered, raising her hand after the referee announced the victory. "The Uesugi monk's prediction was really right!"

On the arena, Yagyu Akira, his face covered in blood, bowed slightly to Kawakami Ryoto, who was lying on the ground, and then sheathed his sword after letting out a long sigh.

However, Yagyu Akira's expression remained calm, showing no sign of the joy one should have felt after receiving the title of "Top Scholar of Shizuoka Prefecture".

It was as if he hadn't won at all.

Uesugi Tetsu looked around and found that only a small number of his fellow practitioners or disciples who also practiced swordsmanship and kendo were cheering after the referee announced the winner.

They thoroughly enjoyed watching the details and maneuvers of the two men's exchange, and had even recorded many of them, planning to return and continue their research.

Uesugi Tetsuya also secretly learned a few tricks from it.

Even the disciples who were also disciples of the Nodachi Jigenryu style showed expressions of admiration.

However, most ordinary viewers sighed and found it extremely boring.

Aside from Kawakami's initial roar and sprint, which was somewhat interesting, the rest of the match was almost entirely just a silent clash of swords.

—Swing your sword? I can do that in Sekiro too!

"This style of play is practical but not very entertaining."

As Uesugi Tetsu thought this, he looked at Yagyu Akira's determined eyes, silently picked up the heavy trophy, and bathed in the golden rain.

At this point, an audience member complained, "What Shizuoka Prefecture final? They're making such a big deal out of it. If you ask me, we'd be better off watching a blockbuster movie..."

Someone else chimed in, "By the way, if that 'Uesugi Tetsu,' whose moves are both so cool and stylish, were to come, he could easily defeat both of them together!"

The audience erupted in excitement at the mere mention of Uesugi Tetsuya's name.

Since those who can come here are at least ordinary people who have some interest in swordsmanship and the extraordinary, they have most likely watched the wildly popular Uesugi Tetsuya edits.

The people below chimed in, saying that if Uesugi Tetsuya came, they could easily win the match and it would definitely be exciting, making the afternoon incredibly worthwhile.

"I don't think so."

Amidst the murmurs, Uesugi Tetsu calmly said, "We'll only know who wins and who loses after they've actually fought."

His voice was clear and bright, reaching the ears of everyone below.

The audience members who were having a heated discussion below were all taken aback.

A young audience member looked up, saw the black mask and sunglasses, and raised an eyebrow: "Who else could you be but you, buddy? You dare to question even Uesugi Tetsuya, who's on par with the geniuses of those legendary big families?"