Hokushin Itto-ryu is a very unique school of kendo because it believes that kendo is not just a technique, but an art, something with a deeper level of beauty, rather than just bloodshed and violence. Therefore, Hokushin Itto-ryu places great emphasis on the beauty of movement and the swings, almost to the point of having a dance-like quality.
Therefore, when Duanmu Ci was watching the duel between Terashima Moriyoshi and his disciple Wei Yue, he was watching it almost as an appreciation of art, rather than as a fight.
Coincidentally, Duanmu Ci is also someone who highly values aesthetics.
Terashima Moriyoshi strode forward quickly, his practice sword tracing a subtle arc in the air before landing precisely in front of Duanmu Ci's neck, about to strike his throat!
Duanmu Ci stepped back slightly with his right foot, raised his sword to parry, and after blocking the attack, he half-spun to his right, sliding his sword off his opponent's blade, and then slashed horizontally at his opponent's abdomen. Terashima Moriyoshi, with his superb skills, immediately withdrew his sword and returned to his defensive position after realizing the situation was not going well, then moved sideways to ensure his safety.
This was the first round of their confrontation, and the balance of power was initially established, though each of them was aware of it in their own minds.
Terashima Moriyoshi was slightly startled. With just this one strike, he had already roughly discerned Duanmu Ci's true strength; he was indeed a formidable opponent. Putting aside everything else, even Wei Yue, whom he regarded as a genius, was definitely no match for this young man. No wonder his students held him in such high regard.
Duanmu Ci felt a slight chill run down his spine, realizing that Wei Yue's mentor was indeed not someone to be underestimated. He had never encountered an opponent of this caliber in modern times. Duanmu Ci also estimated that Terashima Moriyoshi's swordsmanship was so exceptional that even in the Edo period, a time renowned for its swordsmen, he would undoubtedly be a figure worthy of being remembered in the history of swordsmanship!
The two men glanced at each other along the sword tips. One was as imposing as a mountain, while the other was as calm as water. Both were men of imposing stature, so no sparks flew between them. They simply raised their swords in tacit agreement and charged forward.
If Terashima Moriyoshi's sword is like a monk sweeping flowers at Senso-ji Temple, then Duanmu Ci's sword is like a spectator on Mount Fuji watching cherry blossoms fall in the moonlight. One is gentle yet possesses a sharpness that sweeps away everything, while the other is so precise that it can catch a single cherry blossom among thousands of petals.
The two were fighting there, and although they were doing martial arts related to swords, it looked like two dancers dancing to each other, or like "martial artists" performing routines on TV.
"It's truly a feast for the eyes," Wei Yue sighed inwardly.
The students were watching with great interest, but the teacher's experience wasn't necessarily so pleasant. Terashima Moriyoshi was increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed, because he realized that his opponent's control over timing was absolutely exquisite. He could precisely anticipate every strike and execute every move with perfect precision; his opponent's sword could almost touch his own tip with the tip of his own!
If Ishida Mitsunari had been able to seize the opportunity with such precision during the Battle of Sekigahara, the world would likely be very different today, and at the very least, Tokugawa Ieyasu would never have had the chance to hold power over the country.
Terashima Moriyoshi had an almost eerie feeling, as if the young man opposite him could control time!
This feeling is actually quite accurate.
Perhaps it was a side effect of immortality, but Duanmu Ci discovered long ago that he seemed to be able to subtly sense time. It might only be a blink of an eye, but that blink of an eye could change a lot. So Terashima Moriyoshi often felt that his sword had clearly struck his opponent, but it always mysteriously missed.
This feeling is truly indescribable.
Duanmu Ci also frequently uses this "sense of time" while driving, possessing top-notch driving skills. He once won a championship in an international competition using an alias...
After his seemingly sure-win attack failed once again, Terashima Moriyoshi had no choice but to sheathe his sword and declare a truce, saying, "Truly, heroes emerge from among the young. I, Terashima Moriyoshi, am convinced."
Duanmu Ci also sheathed his sword, saying, "Senior, you flatter me."
Terashima Moriyoshi put the practice sword back on the sword rack, then waved his hand, "I didn't let you win, I did my best."
To be honest, that eerie sense of emptiness and the inexplicable illusion of time gave Terashima Moriyoshi an almost "frustrated" feeling. It was like a gamer who thought he had unleashed a winning move, only to suddenly find that his opponent had somehow moved to another direction, as if he had experienced an illusion.
I'm so tired...
...
...
P.S.: It's not a superpower!
The school's SYB course is finally over, I wish I could grant everyone a general amnesty...
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