48 Devastating Defeat

Standing there with his guard up, he shook his head. 'I shouldn't be questioning how, but focus on this battle.'

His face became calm as he concentrated on locating his adversary.

'I know the strengths and weaknesses of my skill, so I'll be using those to my advantage.'

He closed his eyes and semi-activated his skill. On the outside, it seemed he just stood there with his guard down.

In the crowd, others were chattering. "Did he give up? He is against the master of imitation, a genius warrior who is known for being able to copy another's skill with a single glance."

"He must've. There's no way he could beat him. The master of imitation can even use the skill at a much higher level, the longer he uses it." A burly man who sat behind him uttered.

A woman whose arm was wrapped around the burly man's arm with her hand resting against his shoulder said, "Yeah, he must be scared. The winner of this tournament has already been decided ever since Master Tokiwa entered. Right, honey?"

She gave a seductive look as she revealed her cleavage to the eyes of the man.

"Yes-s." He stuttered, blushing as he looked deep inside the woman's cleavage.

"Good. We can play later. Until then, let's watch the match." The blushed woman said, acting shy.

He couldn't hold himself back as a large bulge formed from in his pants. His face was red with a bright blush as he fondled the woman's breasts with his arm wrapped around her back.

"Be patient, I'll make sure we have fun later."

"I'm just getting you ready." The man said, a sense of happiness and lust in his words.

Turning back to the match, the woman thought as her complexion turned seductively sadistic. 'Men are so easy to seduce. They are like mice. As long as you show them their treats, they'll come pouncing for it. Men are so foolish.'

Back on the battlefield, Yori remained stationed in place with Tokiwa nowhere to be seen.

'Time to end this.'

Tokiwa closed in swiftly and went for an attack.

Clang—! Two swords clashed against each other, seeming to have equal strength.

"As I thought. You are very proficient with this skill." Tokiwa said, a relieved sigh escaping his mouth.

As Tokiwa's figure was about to disappear, a kick landed slamming into his stomach. It sent him flying back.

"Man, that hurts, ptui." He spat out blood and wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Quit underestimating me." A voice came from behind. Sensing danger, Tokiwa bent his body forward, avoiding Yori's sword by a hair's breadth. He then kicked out, and his foot slammed into the side of Yori's head, sending him tumbling back to the edge of the ring.

"This has been fun, but I've already surpassed your proficiency in the skill. Let's end this." He appeared at the rear of Yori, slashing his sword.

Clang—! Yori blocked, as he kicked out.

As their battle continued, a change could gradually be seen. Before, the match was on equal footing with them at a stalemate, but that was beginning to change as Yori began to be repressed, barely holding on.

Soon, Yori couldn't take it anymore—his spiritual energy was beginning to run low along with his stamina. He was sweating buckets with ragged breaths.

Slashing his sword, it blocked Tokiwa's attack but was flung out of his hand, landing outside of the ring as he placed his hands against his knees.

"Huff-huff-huff!"

"Just give up. You've already lost your sword and you are already on the verge of death." Tokiwa expressed himself calmly. "You can't fight anymore!"

"I—I can still fight." Yori said. His eyes were filled to the brim with willpower to fight, even as his eyelids wanted to slam shut and take a break.

"Everyone!" The judge called out, gaining the attention of everyone. "As the judge of this tournament, I declare that Yori Nosuri is unfit to continue fighting any further! Minamoto no Tokiwa is the winner!"

Hearing the judge's declaration, Yori fell onto his knees—he was devastated at how easily he had lost, especially against someone who used his own skills. Inside, he felt a mountain-full of humiliation.

"You've given me great skills. I thank you for the battle!" Tokiwa bowed towards Yori, a hidden smile forming across his face.

Leaving the ring, Tokiwa returned to the public resting area. As he was about to pass by Ayla, he stopped and glanced at her, a sadistic grin flashing across his face.

'Ayla, I wonder what skills you'll grant me in our battle. Maybe you'll be the one who'll allow me to obtain absolute power.' He then walked to his spot in the public resting area and sat, closing his eyes and resting his head against the wall like Ayla had done.

In the ring, two attendants arrived and took away Yori, who was still devastated, along with repairing the ring as it was damaged in the previous fight.

Once they left the ring, the judge announced, "The seventh match, Minamoto no Mitsusue versus Katō Tsune!"

Two women left the public resting area, one donning a white kimono with beautiful blue embroidery and the other sporting a blue and two golden tachi's hung on her waist. The other donned a black kimono with beautiful yellow embroidery—she had two chained sickles hung on the back of her waist.

Both of them had black hair, with Mitsusue's being braided. Her eyes are a pretty azure blue, while Tsune had her hair in a yellow ponytail with pretty sapphire eyes.

Standing on the ring, they both stood opposite each other.

"Match—begin!"