Kendo Club.
For students who didn't attend elite schools and hadn't systematically learned Kendo from a young age, joining the Kendo Club was often driven by pure passion.
But this pursuit relies on more than just interest. Kendo depends on two things: 1. Diligence and hard work... and that's still not enough! It also requires the accumulation of time.
Talent! A natural aptitude for the sword!
Clearly, very few members of the Kendo Club possessed both these qualities, and even the exceptional ones weren't particularly outstanding in either.
When Yusei and Utaha arrived at the Kendo Club and saw the matches on the platform, that was his thought.
What looked like an intense, thrilling duel to outsiders felt utterly insipid to him.
Yusei hadn't systematically learned swordsmanship either, but relying on the Sharingan's copying ability, he had already mastered several techniques of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu.
He naturally wouldn't use Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu in this Kendo Tournament, but the movements copied into his very bones still showed through inadvertently.
Coupled with the Sharingan's incredibly powerful insight, he genuinely found these people very weak.
Clack!
The sound of bamboo swords clashing echoed in the arena, with a referee nearby counting valid strikes for both sides.
Below the platform, Yusei had already opened his phone, browsing for suitable manga publishers.
The current market was dominated by the three giants: Kodansha, Shogakukan, and Shueisha. Of course, there were other publishers, but they certainly couldn't match the influence and resources of these three.
Yusei was thinking of picking one of these three at random, as he was confident he could succeed with any of them.
As for his first work, he had already decided. To become famous quickly and make a lot of money, it naturally had to be a masterpiece… Attack on Titan.
First and foremost, this work stood out in terms of theme.
In a manga world filled with Isekai and magic, nobles and knights, Ninjas and high schoolers with superpowers...
A story about titans and humans, set in a seemingly medieval era, naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Then, its plot unfolded… the hatred, confusion, truth, etc., between humans and titans, offering thrilling action alongside a sense of mystery.
But Yusei felt the most attractive aspect was the setting's background. In the broader context, a unique and brilliantly plotted story naturally became a hit.
The dynamic between hunter and prey especially got the audience's blood pumping, making its status as a masterpiece well-deserved.
Utaha beside him, of course, had no idea that Yusei's mind was full of thoughts about future baby formula money. She was still embarrassed and annoyed about him seeing her drool in her sleep earlier.
Now, seeing Yusei on his phone, ignoring the club members' matches on stage as if he looked down on them, she couldn't resist poking his side.
This spot is one of the most vulnerable areas on the human body. Yusei, poked there, almost dropped his phone.
"What are you doing?" Yusei looked somewhat displeased at Utaha beside him.
'Really, doesn't she know I'm considering which publisher can help me make money fast?'
'Don't you understand the cost of daily necessities? Who's going to pay for the future house, car, and baby formula? Do you think formula is cheap? If I don't start saving in high school, before even dating, when will I save?'
Utaha, of course, didn't know Yusei's internal grumbling, but she was still secretly embarrassed and annoyed about the noon incident.
Hearing Yusei's displeased tone now, she immediately let out a slight hum and said indifferently, "Aren't you here for the Kendo Club's selection? It's almost your turn. Shouldn't you be watching their moves and strategies now? Or do you really want to get beaten up later?"
"It will be a beating, but I'll be the one doing it." Yusei curled his lip, 'Was my past image really that bad? Does everyone think I'll get beaten up?'
'Didn't I beat someone up last time?'
Yusei complained inwardly. Just then, the match on the platform ended, and Takeo was already calling out.
"Next group, Kazami Yusei versus... Mimori Taiji." Saying this, an awkward expression appeared on Takeo's face.
He looked back at the person in charge of the draw, who also shrugged helplessly.
'President, didn't you say to use a computer random draw for fairness?'
Takeo wanted to separate them, but Yusei and Taiji were already in the last group, while the others were all team battle participants.
Hearing Takeo's announcement, Yusei was also momentarily stunned, then revealed a smile… a very sunny one.