The Rise of Shimotsuki Takeda: Honor, Strength, and Legacy

Below the arena, silence reigned. The nearly invincible Yajuro had been so easily defeated by Takeda, leaving the crowd in shock.

But soon, cheers erupted like waves, and everyone began chanting a single name.

"Shimotsuki Takeda!"

"Shimotsuki Takeda!!"

"Shimotsuki Takeda!"

The referee finally snapped out of his shock, glancing at the bloodied Yajuro lying on the ground. Taking a deep breath, he exclaimed with excitement:

"Unbelievable!"

"Our Shimotsuki family's young master has defeated the once-unbeatable Yajuro!"

"He will now become the new defender of the arena, awaiting the next challenger!"

He then carefully turned to Takeda.

"Young Master Takeda, will you now take the position of arena defender and await your next opponent?"

Takeda, surrounded by the roaring crowd, felt the electrifying atmosphere directed solely at him. It was an exhilarating moment.

"I will await anyone who dares challenge me," Takeda replied with a faint smile.

His voice wasn't loud, yet it echoed across the entire arena, further intensifying the fervor.

He then stepped forward and helped the bleeding Yajuro to his feet.

"Perhaps someone should tend to him," Takeda said.

Yajuro, weakened, suddenly opened his eyes and gripped Takeda's arm tightly, his gaze filled with indescribable emotions.

"You…!"

"Rest well," Takeda said, meeting Yajuro's eyes with a smile.

This simple statement made Yajuro close his eyes, deeply moved.

In an arena where life and death were decided, victory meant survival, and defeat meant death. Yet this man, who wielded overwhelming strength, had deliberately avoided Yajuro's vital spots in their final clash.

For Yajuro, this was both puzzling and heartwarming.

The referee hesitated briefly before calling for the arena's medics to attend to Yajuro. His gaze toward Takeda changed, now tinged with both reverence and admiration.

In this brutal battleground, honor and survival were paramount. The lives of the defeated were often disregarded, their deaths seen as inconsequential. Helping an opponent was rare; more often than not, fighters would deal a final blow to end their adversary's life.

As Yajuro was carried off, Takeda stood on the arena platform, ready for more challengers.

That day, Takeda fought 14 matches, winning every single one without a loss. Some opponents survived because of his mercy, while others met a grim end under his unrelenting blade.

These continuous battles seemed to accelerate Takeda's mastery of Ryuma's swordsmanship. He could clearly feel his own strength growing.

At dusk, Takeda left the arena and returned to Kabukicho.

Once again, he entered the same room, where the gentle Lan Little greeted him.

The young woman, as attentive as ever, poured him a cup of sake while soothing music eased his mind.

"My lord, you've just returned from battle, yet you seem to be in good spirits," Little Lan remarked softly after finishing her performance.

"Indeed, I am," Takeda replied with a smile.

The 14 battles had given him valuable combat experience. He had also become highly proficient in Iai Slash—a signature technique of Ryuma.

This technique, involving a lightning-fast draw, unleashed a power likened to a dragon emerging from the sea. Its immense force could deliver death in an instant.

When perfected, such a skill could rival Ryuma's legendary ability to slay dragons.

"Congratulations on your victory, my lord," Little Lan said with a shy smile.

Her keen perception allowed her to deduce his triumph from his cheerful demeanor.

Takeda Simply smiled.

He knew he needed to accumulate more experience and continue merging with Ryuma's swordsmanship, elevating his abilities to new heights.

His ultimate goal was to travel across the nation, challenging renowned samurai and swordmasters.

And finally, to defeat the man known as Kozuki Oden.

At the same time, in the mansion of the Hakumai daimyo.

Shimotsuki Yasuie listened to the armored samurai standing before him. His expression grew serious.

"So, my nephew has participated in the most dangerous arena battles?"

"Such courage and determination at his age!"

After a pause, a smile appeared in Yasuie's eyes.

"His strength is remarkable. To have defeated Yajuro!"

"Yajuro is already one of Hakumai's renowned swordmasters. His blade can cut through steel, and he even shows the potential to master Ryuo ."

"Defeating Yajuro without killing him shows Takeda's magnanimous heart. Such a person will undoubtedly attract like-minded allies in the future."

"His achievements will not pale in comparison to Kozuki Oden's."

Though Takeda was younger than Kozuki Oden, Yasuie believed that, based on his performance, Takeda was destined to become one of Wano Country's top samurai.

"Bring the Akisame from the ancestral hall," Yasuie ordered after a moment of silence.

"Lord Yasuie, do you mean…?" the samurai asked, puzzled.

"That blade belongs to him!"

"Only he is worthy of Ryuma's sword!"

Yasuie's eyes shone brightly as he laughed.

The samurai was awestruck. The Akisame, a national treasure of Wano Country, was not a blade anyone could claim. Such generosity was unheard of.