CHAPTER 513: CHAPTER 349: NATIONAL PRELIMINARY DRAW CEREMONY

During the preliminaries, Uesugi Sakura originally thought that the outside world wouldn’t pay much attention to this match.

But when he saw the large sports hall packed to the brim, he realized he had underestimated the level of interest Sword Dao commanded from the public.

This preliminary competition follows the standard knockout system.

It’s a five-person team match, with 16 teams participating, divided into four groups, ABCD, with four teams in each group, advancing through successive rounds.

"Coffee, want some? Or this bottle of green tea."

Miyata Kazuhiko was a group reporter for the newspaper. As usual, he came to the sports hall this year to complete interviews and surveys, record notes, and write articles.

Besides the live broadcast by TV stations, they were the frontline of conveying the event’s news to the outside world.

"Coffee, please. I stayed up late last night writing the first draft, feeling a bit sleepy."

The one who chatted with him was his group colleague, Ebitani Shichihiko. Though they had different interview subjects, their work was interconnected, and within the group, they would discuss, edit, delete, and proofread their drafts before reporting progress to the executive editor at the regular meeting.

"Overtime isn’t a good thing." Ebitani Shichihiko said with a laugh, twisting open the green tea bottle cap.

Miyata Kazuhiko shook his head, not picking up the conversation.

Working longer hours means more chances of advancement; employees who work 10 extra hours a week have a greater chance of being promoted to management because they are more trusted by the company.

And the group’s work emphasized team spirit and teamwork, with a unique cultural atmosphere: even if you’ve finished your work, you have to stay to accompany your colleagues through their overtime.

He had just gotten married, and his wife was seven months pregnant at home.

The child was about to be born, and with the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, he had no choice but to strive upward.

In contrast to him.

Ebitani Shichihiko belonged to the category of seemingly hardworking employees.

Commonly known as "slacking off."

These people slow down their work pace as much as possible, dragging work until the evening.

This way, to colleagues and leaders, it looks like he’s constantly working hard.

His performance qualifies and meets standards, and his efforts appear genuine, making it difficult for the company to dismiss him.

But because the real situation is "slacking off," his performance remains stagnant, lacking any distinct features, so there’s no room for advancement.

The two were friends, occasionally grabbing a drink at an izakaya after finishing work on hectic days.

"How do you feel about this year?" Ebitani Shichihiko sipped his green tea, glancing toward the venue where they were preparing the drawing ceremony.

"Hmm~ it’ll still be the same few teams advancing as every year." Miyata Kazuhiko placed the coffee can aside, writing as he lowered his head, "I think for spectators, individual matches are more engaging than team competitions."

"Aren’t duels between different styles interesting?" Ebitani Shichihiko somewhat disagreed with his friend’s view.

"To those of us who understand, it’s more engaging, but for outside spectators and readers, they prefer seeing different personalities—after all, many styles are already well-known, and we can only focus the coverage on one person. Interviews for individual matches are simpler, and the contrasts are clearer."

Miyata Kazuhiko paused his pen, placing it back in his shirt pocket.

Then he glanced at the names recorded in his hand.

In previous competitions, Fujimaki Chidori from the One-Mind One-Sword Style had been marked with special attention by him.

Even after two years, he remembered the young man’s performance on the field.

"Is there nothing special this year? In that case... we’ll have to write an article focused on Fujimaki’s attempt for a third consecutive championship."

"There’s actually something."

"What is it?"

Ebitani Shichihiko looked at the teams drawing lots in the venue: "Apparently, Fujimaki Chidori is no longer part of the Bushin Hall’s team."

Miyata Kazuhiko suddenly looked up at the gesture of his green tea drinking: "What do you mean?"

"Just as the words imply."

"Are you saying..." Miyata Kazuhiko closed his notebook, "he’s gone? But he was a top disciple, a representative figure for the younger generation."

"Precisely the literal meaning; it’s not hard to understand, is it."

Miyata Kazuhiko felt a bit angry: "Shichihiko, do you know the value of this information? You’re only telling me now."

"Ha—don’t be angry, it’s just a rumor I overheard."

"Even rumors have value; we must strive to find traces of truth if they have selling points."

"A few days ago, I even asked a disciple from Bushin Hall, and there was nothing like this. I didn’t find it necessary to mention such over-the-top rumors, seeing as you’re already busy with overtime every day."

"Are you sure there’s nothing?" Miyata Kazuhiko realized he was expressing concern, and his mood softened a bit.

"I’m sure; I asked just the day before yesterday."

Miyata Kazuhiko suddenly thought of something, took out his phone, and navigated to a few frequently visited websites.

And on that webpage was exactly what Ebitani Shichihiko had just mentioned.

"Look at this."

"What?"

Ebitani Shichihiko looked at the phone Miyata Kazuhiko held up, seeing the bold and emphasized text on the page.

It almost matched what he had just said.

"That’s impossible, I specifically went to ask!"

Miyata Kazuhiko spoke calmly, "Given that, how do you explain this other newspaper publishing the news first?"

Ebitani Shichihiko took Miyata Kazuhiko’s phone and examined it closely:

"The site’s listing it as a rumor; they didn’t even verify it, only writing two paragraphs, and it’s only circulating online, not appearing in newspapers."

Miyata Kazuhiko sighed: "But what if it’s true? Even if it’s only circulating online, it could bring attention to our paper; after all, aren’t we in this line of work to report these rumors and hearsay to grab attention?"