4. The Start of a War

Kanoru-10 years

Kanoru stood in anticipation, eyes fixed on the center of the arena. Two fighters clashed before him, their match nearing its end. Once they finished, it would be his turn. 

The fighting competition was held by the lord for 10- to 12-year-old residents of his territory. A fighter's ranking in the competition would determine their position under the lord's service. 

Kanoru's goal in this world was simple—survive as long as possible. But joining the lord's service worked against that goal, as it meant he would have to fight. But he had to enter because a mortal in the ancient world is difficult to live, and even if he does not fight, it will come to him, and if he reaches the Divine Samurai rank, then the worry of not being able to live long enough will go away. 

So, He had to entered the competition only for the resources granted to retainers, which would aid him on his path as a samurai then only his chance to advance to Divine Samurai Rank will increase. 

He had only 20 years to reach the rank of Divine Samurai—after turning 30, the chance of advancement dropped by 90%. Without reaching Divine Samurai, he could expect to live 40 to 60 years at most. In contrast, no Divine Samurai had ever died of old age or illness before 100. Many fell in battle, but the oldest living Divine Samurai in the land was still alive at 128. 

Kanoru's thoughts shattered as he noticed the fight had ended. Before the announcer could call him, he stepped toward the arena. 

Halfway there, he heard his name alongside his opponent's.

Kanoru drew his wooden sword, stepped into the arena, and waited for his opponent. 

Takashi climbed up after him and smirked. "Matshuda, this time I will win." 

Kanoru simply smiled. "Takashi, we will see." 

The referee asked if they were ready. Both nodded. 

"Begin!" 

Takashi charged, steam rising from his body. Kanoru's own body released steam as well, and he met Takashi's charge head-on. Their swords clashed—Takashi was pushed back. Kanoru followed up with a swift strike, disarming Takashi and pointing his sword at his neck. 

Takashi raised his hands. "I admit defeat." 

Kanoru gave a small nod and turned to walk off the arena. 

Behind him, Takashi called out, "Matshuda, you opened the second gate!" 

Kanoru ignored the question and returned to his spot. Standing there, he thought, only the lord's son will be difficult to defeat—otherwise, I will breeze through the competition. 

Like him, only the lord's third son, Mori Takenaka, had opened the second gate and reached Lower-Rank Samurai. The rest were still Apprentice Samurai.

Kanoru's fights went exactly as he expected, defeating one opponent after another in just two strikes. There was no need for sword skill—only overwhelming power. When the difference in strength is twice as much, skill becomes meaningless. 

But the situation changed in the last fight of the day. 

His opponent stood before him, surrounded by a green energy, his skin turning red, steam rising from his body. This only happened when someone forcefully opened a gate. He had opened the second gate before fully controlling the energy released by the first gate. 

Kanoru raised his sword, meeting his opponent's attack. He handled each strike with ease. If he continued like this, he would win. His opponent couldn't sustain this state for long—his body wouldn't hold up. 

But Kanoru didn't plan to end the fight that way. Winning by endurance wouldn't raise his standing in the lord's eyes. 

So, he shifted tactics. He started attacking back, searching for the perfect opportunity to finish the fight.

In the stands, where crowds had gathered to watch the fight, the spectators seated below erupted in excitement as Madato Tasuo fought Kanoru on equal footing. These were commoners with no samurai lineage, and their knowledge of samurai combat was limited. Seeing Madato holding his own, they believed he had a chance to win. 

In the upper stands, Meriko, carried by her father, frowned as she heard the cheers for her brother's opponent. Until now, Kanoru had ended all his fights in under a minute, but this match had already lasted longer, with the opponent seemingly keeping up. 

With concern on her small face, Meriko asked, "Is Brother going to lose, Father?" 

Her father answered firmly, "No." 

At that moment, Kanoru shifted his approach, launching a relentless offensive. Every sword strike landed, leaving no opportunity for his opponent to counter. 

Meriko, seeing this, clapped excitedly. "Brother is dancing!" 

Even at seven years old, she still believed her brother's swordplay was a form of dance. After four years of trying to correct her, her father had long since given up. 

Laughter echoed from the pavilion above them, drawing their attention. Lord Mori stepped to the railing. 

"Kanoru's sword strikes do look like a dance," the lord observed. 

Her father immediately bowed. "Lord." Meriko followed his example. 

Beside the lord, a woman clad in armor approached. She was Nogaro Kaomisa, one of the few higher-ranked samurai who had not yet claimed an unoccupied area to establish a town. Many higher-ranked samurai sought to do so, but it was dangerous. The unclaimed lands were infested with blood beasts, requiring higher-ranked samurai, supported by many middle and lower-ranked samurai, to subdue them. 

Kaomisa watched the fight closely and remarked, "His technique looks like a dance because he's using his full strength to support each movement, making every strike flow into the next, each one stronger than the last. Tasuo is going to lose." 

Her words proved true. 

Kanoru's final strike landed at the side of Tasuo's neck, knocking him unconscious.

Kaomisa said, "I want Kanoru to join my team. Lord, give him to me." 

Kanoru's father's eyes widened in shock. Kaomisa led the most elite cavalry unit in the territory, primarily tasked with hunting blood beasts in the wild, unclaimed lands. If Kanoru joined her team, he would never lack resources for his future growth. 

Lord Mori responded, "We can discuss this later." Then, turning to Kanoru's father, he said, "My only daughter wants to learn how to make sweets. How about your wife teach her?" 

Kanoru's father was stunned. "This is an honor for my wife. I will inform her after the competition and have her visit your house to discuss it." 

Lord Mori shook his head. "No need for her to come. The day after the competition, I will send my daughter to your house to learn." 

Kanoru's father immediately bowed. "Yes, my lord." 

At that moment, Meriko shouted, "Father, Brother is leaving!" 

Lord Mori said, "You may go." 

As they departed, Kaomisa remarked, "You're using the same plan as your father when he sent you to learn from mine." 

Lord Mori only smiled. 

Kaomisa smirked. "But in the end, that plan didn't work—we didn't get married." 

Lord Mori chuckled. "Really? I find that hard to believe, considering you stayed to serve me even after being promoted to Higher-Ranked Samurai."

The next morning, the stands around the arena were decorated with colorful flags. Today was not only the final competition for the 10-12 age group but also a competition between middle-rank samurai. 

At one end of the arena stood Kanoru, while at the other stood Mori Takenaka. Kanoru took a deep breath, preparing for the fight. A referee stepped into the arena and announced, "The final competition between Matshuda Kanoru and Mori Takenaka!" 

Hearing this, Kanoru walked toward the arena. In terms of strength, he was at a disadvantage—Takenaka was two years older, making him physically stronger despite them being in the same rank. "This fight will test my sword skills," Kanoru thought. 

As they entered the arena, they stared at each other in silence. 

The referee called, "Start!" 

Steam began rising from both of their bodies as the fight commenced. Kanoru attempted his sword technique, but Takenaka blocked him. The fight dragged on, their wooden swords striking against each other, leaving bruises on both of them. As time passed, Kanoru found his opening—he kicked Takenaka out of the arena. 

The moment Takenaka landed on the ground, a blood-covered man burst into the arena, shouting, "Urgent news! The Niwais have invaded! Urgent news! The Niwais have invaded!" 

He repeated himself before collapsing from his horse. A heavy silence spread through the entire arena, and people began to leave—Kanoru among them.