Someone like you who can't do anything shouldn't do anything.
That's all I ask of you.
She gives courage to all the kids here.
What can I do?
With my empty, worthless sword...
What? You already made a banner?
You're being hasty.
It's not even decided that I'll be in the Seven Star Battle Festival.
Yeah. When the selection matches are over, I'll go back there for a little while.
Alright then. Thanks for the call, mom.
How was the director? Did she sound good?
Yeah. She said everyone is as good as ever.
Yes.
Welcome. We've been waiting for you.
I'm sorry for asking you to come. Shizuku Kurogane.
Another One: The Uncrowned Sword King II
So what did the president want?
What?
Do you know that I'll be fighting Kurogane tomorrow?
Yes.
Those scumbags.
As you do, I think the federation's way of things is questionable,
but I have no choice but accept their decision.
I heard that his condition is pretty bad.
But I'm sure he'll be on the battlefield.
To give everything he has to beat me.
And I can't cut corners to face the opponent.
I'll have to fight him with my heart and soul.
That's why... I want to ask you something.
She wants you to suggest to Ikki that he withdraw from the battle...
What did you tell her?
I said I'll need some time to think about it.
Tell me, Alice. Should I stop Onii-sama?
Only you can find the answer to that.
You're the only person in your family Ikki opens up to.
And you also know how strong Toka Todo is with your experience.
If Kurogane withdraws from the fight tomorrow and I win, or even if he fights and I win...
Can I be proud of going to the national competition after such a battle?
Uta...
It's true this match is fixed by adults who want to fulfill their selfish desires,
but you just need to fight in a way that you can be proud of.
That's probably what that lowerclassman wants anyway.
Yeah. I guess no matter how it turns out, that's all I can do.
The day has finally come. It's the final day of the school's selection match!
It's crazy hot already this morning, as if the weather has taken on the heat of these exciting battles!
Today, there will be six matches in different locations, and the six winners of those battles
will receive the ticket to the Seven Star Battle Festival!
Needless to say, but all the contestants today are tough fighters who've won all 19 battles!
Among them is Stella Vermillion, aka the Crimson Princess!
Her opponent today is one of the school representatives from last year, Mizuki Ohinata, in her third year!
This is going to be a heated battle!
But the fight that is getting the most attention today is this one!
Between Toka Todo, one of the top four fighters
of last year's Seven Star Battle Festival, and Ikki Kurogane, an F-rank knight!
The battlefield is packed with spectators, who can't wait to see the battle of the century.
And this is very irregular, but the match will be broadcasted on TV as well!
The sound of the helicopter above us is adding to the excitement of this battlefield!
We have Nene Saikyo as commentator.
Sensei, do you think...?
I'll leave you to it.
And I, Tsukuyomi, am getting used to this treatment!
Oh my. Exposing him to the entire world.
So this is the condition the federation demanded in order for him to fight at school?
Yeah. And they set him up to fight Todo.
Akaza got me.
Now there's only one way for Kurogane to prove that he's right.
And that is to win the battle.
Oh, I finally found you.
Oh, hello.
Yikes! Wh-what are you doing here?
Hee hee hee. I'm here!
"I'm here?!" You stupid old bastard!
My favorite pupil has a bad mouth as always.
Well, that's what makes her cute, though.
C-cute... Stop grossing me out!
Nene. Why don't you just be honest to yourself and be happy?
Being praised by an old dry bastard like him isn't gonna make me happy!
Hee hee hee.
Torajiro Nango Sensei. Welcome.
Did you come to see Toka Todo?
Yes, she's one of my favorite pupils, too.
I could've waited till the Seven Star Battle Festival,
but her opponent is someone from Kurogane, so I had to.
Nango Sensei lived in the same era as the famous Ryoma Kurogane.
You two are lifelong adversaries.
Mr. Akaza...
Sly Akaza...
But you know, Nango Sensei.
Today's match might be canceled.
What?
To all the audience.
It's already time to start, but Ikki Kurogane hasn't arrived yet.
According to the selection match rules, if he doesn't show up in 15 minutes,
he will lose by default.
Mr. Akaza.
You promised that the federation would bring Kurogane by car.
There must've been a miscommunication.
When I went to pick him up, he had already left by himself.
But he's not a child, so he should be fine.
Unless he collapses on the way or something.
Oh, here's his student handbook that we confiscated.
You can have it back.
Are you frustrated, kid? About the fact that you're the weakest one?
If so, hold on to that feeling.
That's proof that you haven't yet given up...
...on yourself.
Was it really a good encounter?
That man was just laying out irresponsible words.
And you took them seriously, and chose to live beyond your ability.
Everyone has a territory where they belong depending on their ability.
But his words only brought you pain and solitude.
As a result, you ended up with this very light sword, the sword nobody wants.
How can someone like you who's not even wanted beat that Raikiri?
Don't you think it's enough? Don't be tied to the nonsense of a ghost.
Give yourself a break.
Welcome back, Onii-sama.
I don't want you to go.
I don't want you to fight her.
Shizuku...
Still, I just can't stop you.
At Kurogane's house, you never smiled for your own sake.
But when you were at this school, you were smiling like you were really enjoying the life here.
Kurogane!
Senpai!
My master!
Hey! Kurogane Senpai!
Kurogane, we all have faith in you.
You beat me, so you gotta show me again you got balls!
You're the samurai I respect. You can't stop here, right?!
You can score an ace, master!
Our next issue will have "Our hero Ikki Kurogane wins a victory!" on the front page, alright?!
Guys...
Onii-sama. You're not alone.
Your sword has encouraged many people here, and they all dream through you.
Ikki!
As we promised, I won the spot for the Seven Star Battle Festival!
Right. What was I doing wavering around?
I had the promise I made with Stella.
Let's go together!
To the height of chivalry!
It's from Renren. Mr. lowerclassman has arrived.
I see...
I gotta go, Uta.
Yes! Have fun, Toka.
Everyone in the stand, sorry for the wait!
We'll now begin the selection match for the Seven Star Battle Festival!
From East Gate, Toka "Raikiri" Todo is entering!
She's a shining star who's continued to walk the glorious path,
and now she's headed to the showdown!
On the other side from West Gate,
the Worst One, Ikki Kurogane!
A lone wolf, who was thrown into hell once,
is now standing on the battlefield to shine as a star!
Alice! How was your match?
I had good compatibility with the opponent.
So, how's Ikki doing?
Kurobo is exhausted.
I wonder what they did to him...
Maybe he stayed up too late or something.
I'm sorry, Kurogane. I know that you're wounded everywhere.
But I still can't help but get excited about this battle.
Because ever since I saw you for the first time,
I've been thinking...
...that I want to fight with you!
The same goes here. Now that I'm standing here,
I don't intend to show a shameful fight
of myself, to you, and to everyone who supported me.
So I'll swear now...
that with my strongest, I will beat your strongest!
A girl who stayed at the top, and a boy who climbed up from the bottom.
Their final battle will now begin!
Let's go ahead!
Itto Shura!
Wow! Kurogane already called Itto Shura!
A quick opening attack!
Onii-sama!
That's too reckless!
Stella?
Ikki must've decided to do that from the beginning.
That he won't use any tricks. If he wants to beat her...
...Then I'll slice you face on!
He'll come in straight on.
If I can avoid him once, then I'll win.
But... no way!
I can only make one descent swing.
If that's the case, I'll put everything I have into this one swing!
Close-range is my territory! Where else would I fight if I run away from there?
This is me showing my good faith for Todo, who came to fight with me.
And this is a challenge for myself!
And I'll face it straight on! With my unbeaten Raikiri!
I don't care anymore if this match was fixed!
I'm not fighting because I want to protect my number one status in school!
I'm fighting because I want to beat this noble knight with everything I have!
The Seventh Secret Sword, Raiko!
Raikiri!
I know from the beginning. That she's strong!
That I'm inferior to others!
But if I'm inferior, then I need to gather what I can!
If that's not enough, then squeeze everything out!
I don't even need a minute.
All I need is one second.
Sharpen my soul!
Run through... this extreme moment!
Game over!
Sh-she was shattered! That one exchange of swords, that one conflict of blows!
In that moment, Todo's Narukami and her Raikiri were shattered in pieces!
The winner who stands on the field is...
...the Worst One. No. Another One.
Ikki Kurogane!
Hagun Academy
Wh-what was that? Did Toka Todo use discretion?!
No. Toka used her power to the limit. There's no doubt.
But that boy...
He expanded his limit at the very last moment.
Wh-what?
With Itto Shura, he wasn't going to beat Raikiri.
That's why he used everything he had in one swing, instead of one minute.
He's not just a demon. Something men fall into.
That is something more extreme than extreme...
Something that overwhelms human-- the devil.
We should probably name it Itto Rasetsu.
Note: Demons known as "maneaters" in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.
He's just like him.
Impossible. I won't allow it! I won't!
Ku-chan, aren't you going to do anything about that one? I have a feeling he's up to something bad.
Whatever he does, it's too late.
Ikki Kurogane just slashed all the unreasonable things with one sword.
No one can ever deny him anymore.
Not yet...
I can't collapse yet.
There's something I need to tell her...
I won't allow it! I won't!
You're a failed knight!
You can't carry the name of Kurogane--
Get out of my way!
Ikki!
Stella...
You did good. Ikki.
Yeah.
But... challenging her straight on in this condition...
How stupid are you?
I know. Sorry for making you worry.
But I'm stupid too.
I love you so much because of the way you are.
Oh, this warmth...
This warmth is what saved me...
I have something I want to say to you.
What?
Stella.
Will you be my family?
Huh?
Yes. Let me be your bride.
Wh-wh-what?! In the middle of a live TV broadcast,
he proposed to her!
Incoming
Talking
This is Kurogane.
Hello, Mr. Kurogane. It's been a while.
Emperor of Vermillion?
Look what your son has done. This is big news in my nation too.
I see. As chief of the International Federation of Magical Knights, I apologize...
No need. But let me just say let's not get our kids involved in adults' schemes.
Any parents would want that for their children.
Aren't you the same way, Itsuki?
As such, since the Emperor of Vermillion clearly expressed his discomfort,
all the fuss is completely gone.
In addition, that oily old scumbag was ousted.
But I guess you know more about that, right, Shizuku?
So how's Kurogane-senpai? Is he feeling better?
Yes. He's back to normal now.
Third-year, B-rank, Kanata Totokubara.
Third-year, C-rank, Kikyo Hagure.
Third-year, D-rank, Botan Hagure.
First-year, D-rank, Nagi Arisuin.
First-year, A-rank, Stella Vermillion.
First-year, F-rank, Ikki Kurogane.
I officially announce that these six people are our representatives for the Seven Star Battle Festival!
Now we will entrust our school flag.
The president of the student council, Toka Todo. Come forward.
Yes.
First, I'd like to announce the leader for this year.
The leader is... Ikki Kurogane.
What? Wh-Why me?
I think everyone here knows the reason.
Good idea!
You're our leader!
Kurogane, show us good fights!
Now, come over here, and receive the flag, Kurogane.
Y-yes.
I feel extremely proud right now.
I'm glad I got to fight with you.
Todo... The pleasure is mine.
Because you were the opponent, I was able to exceed myself.
But Kurogane. Winning is the same as taking on.
It's about taking on the hopes of those who lost.
So take us with you and this flag, to the top of the Seven Stars.
I promise.
You're cool!
Don't you lose, Another One!
Stella.
Yes?
I used to think that I didn't care about what people thought of me,
as long as I know how good I am.
But being acknowledged by others feels so good.
Yeah, especially when it's by someone you like.
By the way, Stella?
What is it, Ikki?
About what I said the other day, about me wanting you to be my family?
Butt incoming!
Excuse me.
Sh-Shizuku?
Alice?
We have two more years till graduation.
Until then, I'll teach you the things you need to know as a bride of the Kurogane.
First, you can't get any closer than one meter to Onii-sama until you get married.
--What? What are you talking about?
--W-well, calm down, everyone. --What? What are you talking about?
--W-well, calm down, everyone.
--How can I be calm?! --How can I be calm?!
--Right. I'm sorry. --No kissing, or any other contact until the day of the first night. That's Kurogane's rule.
You just made that up, didn't you?!
It doesn't matter when I made it. A rule is a rule.
Then kissing thirty times a day! That's Vermillion's rule!