Inazuma's famed Shogunate Tournament preliminaries were about to kick off.
Using the One System, Ten Thousand Minds Machine borrowed from the Tenryou and Yashiro Commissions, they screened candidates. Combat skills at LV5 or higher and age under 35 qualified for the preliminaries.
For fairness, participants could enter both sword and archery contests. Reisen Riou had planned to join for some fun and to hone his swordsmanship—he'd just hit LV7, birthing a Sword Heart—but the Yashiro and Tenryou Commissions caught him.
They kicked him out. A century-old youkai crashing a youth tournament? Shameless.
So, the Yashiro Commission roped him into grunt work—refereeing and setting up barriers.
These were high-level fighters. Samurai flung blade energy like it was nothing, and top archers' stray arrows were terrifyingly potent.
Spectating required sturdy barriers, or it was downright dangerous.
The preliminaries weren't much to watch. Big shots didn't bust out their best moves early.
Still, there were hints of skill. Some dispatched opponents with ease, their swordsmanship at least LV6. One guy's glare alone made his rival drop their sword and yield—clearly a swordmaster with a Sword Intent.
Reisen refereed the archery matches.
His title as Inazuma's top archer carried weight. Under his Bow Heart gaze, anyone below LV6 who could draw and shoot an arrow passed—proof of solid nerves.
Reisen grinned, watching two high-level archers duel, while lazily crafting barrier talismans.
"Hm? What're you doing here?" Reisen spotted a young samurai—Kombumaru.
"I want to challenge you," Kombumaru said.
"Alright. Catch one of my arrows, and you pass," Reisen said, smirking. "No holding back, though."
The preliminaries had two paths to advance: ten consecutive wins in the arena or challenging a referee and getting their approval. Kombumaru picked the latter.
Few chose referees—they were no pushovers. Most were swordmasters.
Archery referees, mostly tengu, had LV6+ skills, with Kagei Tengu at LV7. Yep, she was refereeing too.
On the arena, Reisen wove hand signs, raising a barrier. It was useless for him but made spectators feel safe.
As they stepped up, a crowd swarmed—someone challenging a referee was big news.
"That's Kombumaru. He just challenged a sword referee," someone said. "Who's this ref? Don't recognize him."
"I know him—Narukami's attendant recorder."
"A clerk?"
"Don't be fooled. He's Inazuma's top archer."
"Isn't he that ancient sage?" Sumeru scholars joined the buzz.
"That's Reisen Shrine's master!"
"No wonder he's a beast. He's a youkai."
…
"Ready, Kombumaru?" Reisen grinned.
"No bow?" Kombumaru asked.
"Not yet," Reisen chuckled.
"I'm ready," Kombumaru said, taking a deep breath.
"Let's go!" Reisen announced.
His eyes narrowed. Kombumaru, mid-step, froze.
In Reisen's unseen gaze, an arrow notched onto a bow.
To Kombumaru, it felt like being targeted. The air thickened, slowing his movements to a crawl.
He strained to look at Reisen.
A massive warbow materialized around Reisen, slowly drawing.
Kombumaru tried to draw his bow, but his hands shook uncontrollably.
"Don't die, little Kombumaru. This is the archery secret: Bow Heart," Reisen teased, his grin looming large.
A bowstring thrummed. Kombumaru clutched his chest, spitting blood, and collapsed.
But Reisen frowned.
"You pass. Kids these days are scary," he said, zapping Kombumaru with Electro to revive him. He dropped the barrier and hopped off the arena.
The crowd stared, dumbfounded.
"What just happened?"
"No clue."
Kombumaru staggered off the arena. Curious samurai swarmed him.
"What went down, Kombumaru?"
"Yeah, spill! We didn't get it."
"We saw you talk, move, then puke blood. The big shot said you passed and bailed."
Kombumaru touched the arrow mark on his chest. "I don't know how to explain. When he locked onto me, I felt pinned. I saw a bow form around him, then he shot… and I was done."
He took a breath. "I couldn't move. I just watched the arrow come."
Kagei Tengu approached, shooing the crowd. "Why push yourself, kid?" she scolded.
"Don't be harsh. He's not bad—dodged my lock at the last second," Reisen said, reappearing with a grin.
"Lord Reisen, what was that?" someone asked.