Chapter 326: The Winner [3] Tanaka’s expression showed deep concern as he watched his former student face a threat far more serious than any tournament opponent. Saika possessed years of additional training and real combat experience that went far beyond sanctioned matches. This confrontation could result in genuine tragedy if it weren’t handled carefully. On the platform, Saika’s eyes burned with cold fury as he faced Noah, his katana held in a ready stance that promised devastating violence. The real battle was about to begin, and the tournament rules that had protected both fighters were no longer relevant. -- 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮 Saika’s fury erupted like a volcano as he launched himself at Noah with murderous intent. His katana carved through the air in a devastating arc aimed directly at Noah’s neck. If it connected, the live steel blade was capable of killing. Years of championship experience and rigorous training under Master Hideaki poured into that single strike, every ounce of his considerable skill focused on avenging his fallen junior brother. But Noah’s dull tournament blade rose to meet the attack with casual precision, intercepting the katana’s path as if he had known exactly where it would be. Clink! The metallic clang of steel meeting steel rang across the silent arena, but Noah’s expression remained completely cold and unmoved by the ferocity of the assault. "You crippled him!" Saika roared, his voice cracking with rage as he immediately transitioned into a rapid combination of cuts and thrusts. "His career is destroyed because of you! I will destroy your body just like you had destroyed his!" Each strike carried lethal intent, the kind of attacks that had no place in sanctioned tournament combat. Saika’s blade work displayed the mastery that had made him a champion, flowing seamlessly from one technique to the next with the ease of someone who had spent thousands of hours perfecting his craft. His sword was unlike that of Noah’s tournament sword. It was sharp and capable of cutting through flesh with ease. Yet Noah blocked every attack with movements so minimal they appeared almost lazy. His dull blade found the perfect angle to deflect each incoming strike, redirecting Saika’s considerable momentum without apparent effort. His feet remained planted in the same position, his expression showing nothing but cool detachment as his opponent’s rage intensified with each failed attempt to land a blow. "Fight back, coward!" Saika screamed, his frustration mounting as he realised his attacks were having zero effect. "Show me your strength. Aren’t you meant to be all-powerful? You are nothing but a toad in a pond; you have no idea who you have provoked!" The three judges had descended from their elevated positions and rushed onto the platform, their faces showing alarm at the escalating situation. An uncontrolled fight between skilled swordsmen could result in serious injury or death, and they had a responsibility to prevent such outcomes. They had already failed with Kenzo; they couldn’t fail again with Saika or Noah. "Saika, stand down immediately!" the head judge commanded with authority. "This behaviour violates every principle of martial arts competition! You are not allowed to interfere." "We understand your anger, but attacking another competitor outside the match is grounds for a permanent ban!" another judge added, trying to appeal to whatever rationality remained beneath Saika’s rage. But Saika’s fury for his junior brother completely overrode any concern for consequences or reputation. He spun toward the approaching judges with his katana raised threateningly, his eyes wild with emotion that had pushed him beyond reason. "Stay back!" he snarled at them like a cornered animal. "This doesn’t concern you anymore. That monster destroyed my junior brother’s future, and I will have justice served by my own hands since your old bones couldn’t." The judges hesitated, recognising the dangerous state of someone who had abandoned rational thought in favour of pure vengeance. They weren’t surprised. Saika was known to be very aggressive, just like Kenzo was. They moved to surround him anyway, their own blades drawn to forcibly subdue him if necessary. "If any of you interfere, you will answer to Master Hideaki himself!" Saika shouted, invoking the name that carried absolute weight in the Sword Arts community. "My master will not only hold you personally responsible for allowing his student to be crippled while you stood by and did nothing. But he will also hold you responsible from stopping justice taking its course, are you sure you want both punishments?" The threat hit its mark with devastating effectiveness. All three judges froze in place, their expressions showing the internal conflict between duty and self-preservation. Master Hideaki’s reputation preceded him, and his retribution against those he held responsible for his students’ injuries was swift and merciless. Master Hideaki’s protection of his students wasn’t solely based on his favour for them. No, not at all. It was also based on ego, just like his students, Master Hideaki had a huge ego to back up his skill. He believed that whoever beat his students badly was clearly trying to tarnish his reputation and put a mark on his name. Since beating his student meant that his teaching was inadequate. This scenario didn’t happen many times, only twice with Saika. But both these incidents showed the retribution of Hideaki and those who beat his students. "We cannot allow this to continue," one judge said weakly, but his body language showed he had no intention of actually intervening. "Master Hideaki will understand the circumstances; Noah is talented enough to be recruited by him," another attempted, though his voice lacked conviction. "Will he?" Saika asked with cruel satisfaction at seeing their fear. "Will he accept that you watched his student suffer permanent injury and then prevented his senior brother from seeking rightful retribution? As for taking him as a student? Have your old bones gone insane...forget it. Test that theory if you dare." The judges exchanged helpless glances, trapped between their official responsibilities and the very real threat of making a powerful enemy whose influence could destroy their careers and possibly their safety.