[-] I quickly thrust the spear at Jiu Hua, its tip slicing through the air.
[-] But then, in a sudden flash, Jiu Hua darts aside as gracefully as a falling leaf. The tip of my spear narrowly misses her clothing and plunges into the wooden table behind her.
[player] ...Uh oh, I used too much force and now it's stuck!
[Jiu Hua] Strategies can be deceptive, haha.
[Hibiki Himekawa] And that, folks, is one of Jiu Hua's secret techniques – "Elusiveness." She lures her opponent with unpredictable moves, then seizes her victory. It may look easy, but it's actually a subtle and sophisticated skill!
[-] With a flick of her wrist, Jiu Hua easily frees the spear and tosses it back to me with a beaming smile.
[Jiu Hua] One star for power, zero for precision. Again!
[-] Before I can catch my breath, she's already begun her second attack.
[Jiu Hua] Prove to me... that you're qualified to stand here.
[-] Her flash of silver chills the air around us. I fumble for my spear to block it, feeling utterly helpless.
[player] ...Hey, I never said I was qualified in the first place! You guys just didn't listen to me!
[-] Before I can fully comprehend what's happening, my legs instinctively retreat backward. I try to evade Jiu Hua's attack, but she's just too fast, barely giving me even a moment to breathe.
[Kaavi] You don't need divination to see that this isn't going to end well.
[Yuzu] Argh... I feel a little bad for PLAYER.
[Hibiki Himekawa] Haha! Just what you'd expect from Jiu Hua's second secret technique, "Flash and Dash"! She vanishes like smoke in the wind, but strikes with the force of a thunderbolt!
[player] Hibiki, your commentary is evolving faster than Jiu Hua moves her spear... Who are you secretly learning from?
[Jiu Hua] Huh? If your mind is still wandering, then it looks like I need to take it up a notch!
[-] A violent tremor reverberates from my hand as Jiu Hua sends my spear flying.
[-] Seeing how bad things are looking for me, the enthusiastic crowd can't sit back any longer.
[Kaavi] PLAYER, you need a weapon. I'll sell you my umbrella for only 50,000 Coppers.
[player] It's a clear autumn day, why do you have an umbrella on you?!
[Kaavi] The weather forecast predicted rain.
[Ransei] Master! I went and found the perfect weapon for you! If you use this mop properly, nothing will stop you from unleashing "Secret Technique: Nine-Dragon Heavenly Brush"!
[player] Secret Technique: Nine-Dragon Heavenly Brush... What on earth is that?!
[Ransei] All you need to do is embrace the essence of the universe, use your two hands to hold up the heavens, balance your body's three vital energy circulators, and then...
[player] In human language, please!
[Ichihime] Master! Master! I found something good in the kitchen, nyaa! You won't be able to win on an empty stomach, take this, nyaa!
[player] I wish this were an eating competition... I'd have you compete instead.
[???] Hey! Since you're Kazuha's precious only student... dang it... I'll let you borrow my sword!
[player] A Nishiba-ryu training uniform? You're Hokuraku's disciple, aren't you? What are you doing here instead of the dojo?!
[Nishiba-ryu Disciple] D-Dang it! Not only did you steal the esteemed first disciple's seat, but now you want to deprive us of our right to go out to eat?!
[player] ...That's not what I meant.
[player] Never mind, this duel is the most important thing right now. I need to pick a new weapon!
[-] I choose you –
