CHAPTER 223: THE NATURAL HOT SPRING

Despite his chatty personality, the young man clearly possessed genuine martial training.

I’ll match his pace and intensity, Noah decided silently. No need to reveal too much since other participants are watching, and I just want to enjoy the moment.

They moved to the centre of the practice area, nodding respectfully to each other in before settling into their opening stances.

The gathered spectators positioned themselves at comfortable distances, some leaning against nearby structures while others stood with crossed arms, all waiting to assess the skill levels of these apparently naive newcomers.

Clack!

Their wooden swords met in the first tentative exchange, neither fighter committing to full power as they tested each other’s reflexes and defensive capabilities.

Tap, tap, clack!

Ichigo’s technique was solid but conventional—classical kendo forms executed with competence. His movements showed years of dedicated training under traditional instruction, though nothing that would mark him as exceptional among this level of competition.

Swish! Clack!

Noah responded with equally measured attacks, deliberately keeping his enhanced attributes and magical augmentation completely suppressed. He wanted to experience normal human-level sparring rather than overwhelming his sparring partner with his power.

Clack! Tap! Swish!

Their exchange continued with steady rhythm, both fighters clearly holding back significant power while focusing on technique and timing rather than decisive strikes.

The observing participants initially watched with moderate interest, expecting to witness either impressive skill that would mark new threats or obvious weaknesses they could exploit in future matches.

Instead, they saw precisely what they’d predicted—competent but unremarkable sparring between practitioners who seemed more interested in enjoying themselves than seriously preparing for competition.

Tap! Clack! Swish!

"Nice form!" Ichigo called out cheerfully between exchanges, genuinely appreciating Noah’s defensive work.

"You too," Noah replied with equal warmth, finding himself relaxing into the friendly atmosphere despite the competitive environment surrounding them.

Clack! Tap! Clack!

After several minutes of observing what appeared to be casual, low-intensity practice, most spectators began losing interest. This wasn’t the intense, revealing combat they’d hoped to witness.

"Nothing to see here," one veteran muttered, turning away from the sparring match. "Just beginners playing around."

"Waste of time," agreed another, following his companion toward a different practice area where more serious training was occurring.

Swish! Clack! Tap!

The majority of observers gradually dispersed, returning to their own preparation routines or seeking more informative displays of skill from other participants.

However, a few competitors remained, their eyes glinting with different recognition as they continued studying the supposedly casual sparring session.

Clack! Swish! Tap!

Another observer, a middle-aged man with numerous competition scars, noticed subtle details that escaped casual attention. The blonde one’s technique is more refined than he’s showing. And the other one... his positioning is almost too perfect.

Tap! Clack! Swish!

These perceptive watchers recognised that both fighters weren’t so simple.

Clack! Tap! Swish!

After watching for several more minutes and noting the consistent level of restraint both fighters maintained, even these astute observers eventually departed.

Whatever they’re hiding will be revealed tomorrow, the scarred veteran decided. No point wasting more time on speculation.

The man with calculating eyes gave them one final appraising look before following the others. Interesting...it will be fun to break him. He thought with a wide smirk on his face.

Swish! Clack! Tap!

Soon, Noah and Ichigo found themselves alone in the practice area, the last observers having concluded their surveillance and departed for other activities.

"Well, that was fun!" Ichigo declared with satisfaction, lowering his wooden sword as they concluded their session. "You’re really good—I could tell you were holding back quite a bit."

Noah smiled at his perceptive observation. "Same to you. Your technique is more advanced than you were showing."

"Guilty as charged," Ichigo grinned sheepishly. "No point showing everything before the real tournament begins, right?"

...

After concluding their sparring session, Noah and Ichigo decided to take advantage of one of the resort’s most appealing amenities—the natural hot springs that had been seamlessly integrated into the traditional facility design.

"Perfect timing for the onsen," Ichigo declared with obvious enthusiasm as they made their way toward the bathing area. "Nothing beats hot mineral water for muscle recovery after practice."

The hot spring facility maintained authentic Japanese customs, requiring proper washing before entering the communal pools. Noah appreciated the attention to cultural detail as they followed the traditional preparation rituals.

Steam rose from the naturally heated pools, creating an almost mystical atmosphere enhanced by carefully placed stones and traditional landscaping that made the indoor space feel like a secluded mountain retreat.

As they settled into the perfectly heated mineral water, Noah felt his muscles immediately begin relaxing from the day’s activities. The therapeutic properties of the natural spring provided genuine relief that went beyond simple warmth.

However, their peaceful soaking was interrupted by the presence of another contestant already occupying a corner of the main pool.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with pale skin that seemed almost translucent in the steamy environment. His black hair was slicked back wetly, and when he smiled at their entrance, it was too wide, lasting a fraction too long.

"Ah, fellow competitors," the man said with pleasure, his voice carrying a smooth quality that somehow managed to sound both friendly and unsettling. "How delightful to share this wonderful facility with such dedicated swordsmen like yourselves."

His movements through the water were unnaturally fluid, like a serpent gliding through its natural element.

"I’m Ichigo, nice to meet you!" Ichigo responded with his usual openness, apparently unbothered by any subtle strangeness.

"How wonderful," the pale man replied, his smile widening further. "You may call me... Kenzo. Such a pleasure to encounter someone so... refreshingly enthusiastic about tomorrow’s competition."

Noah decided not to engage with Kenzo, instead focusing on relaxing and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the mineral-rich water. Something about the man’s presence irked him.

"Are you excited about tomorrow?" Ichigo asked Kenzo with genuine curiosity.

Kenzo paused for a second before responding with that same unnaturaly wide smille. "Oh, tremendously excited,"