"Yo, long time no see boys." A rather familiar voice was picked up by both of them. As they turned around and ignored the crowds and all the other people swarming around town a man that Eguru didn't really want to be reminded of was facing them. Like an angry dog Eguru let out a growl.
"What do you want?" Verzo remained quiet. "Well, Legrandeus sure isn't a place one would like to visit at the moment since there is a lot of chaos. So I thought it'd be a great idea to visit Akuta. I also heard about the festival and thought maybe I'd stumble upon you two."
He obviously looked down on them. His shoulders were muscular and his upper body stood out. It's almost like he made himself appear bigger just to provoke them. Fabio of course remembered Verzo's words from not too long ago.
"Didn't I say I'd kill you if you were to appear in front of us again, Fabio?" This time it was Verzo raising his voice and turning into a predator. The other man only laughed at him. "You don't really think you're able to go after me now are you? Don't you see that I'm far superior now? I became stronger the past months and what did you do?"
Then he noticed Verzo's stance and how he still looked like a crippled man. "You can't even stand properly and it looks like your full recovery may still take a while.. How very unfortunate." His mocking tone only made things worse and Verzo tried his best to remain calm. Looking at the man in front of him he knew there was no chance of winning if it came to a fight. It had to be avoided at all costs. "Yeah, very unfortunate indeed."
"Also...", he paused for a second, "are you going through a new phase of fashion right now or do you just want to be bullied? You can't tell me you actually like how you look like."
"None of your business", he replied sharply.
"You know how our saying goes, right? If other people tell you it ain't your business, make it yours.."
'What kind of weird saying is this? I thought he'd come up with something better than that...' Eguru hid his hands in his pockets.
Silence.
"Since none of you are talking I might just need to call the guards. Verzo, did you really think I wouldn't know? I am the one who made this your problem after all. You are wanted and if no one finds you within the next week there'll be a huge bounty on your head. Of course I could turn you in right now but what fun would that be? Also, do you perhaps want to know whom you killed?" A evil grin appeared on this man's face.
Verzo now revealed his anger and wanted to punch the shit out of Fabio but let it be. Instead, he clenched one of his fists and pierced the eyes of his foe. "You really don't have anything better to do you vermin? You can try to get the bounty if you want to but I'll give you a quick tip."
"Pfft, what kind of tip? Do you want to threaten me, someone way out of your leagu-" The sudden pressure Fabio felt was unbelievable. No one else was able to notice any of it but Eguru only had to glance at Verzo. Full of anger and the gaze of a panther looking down on its prey. Pure killing intent. Fabio struggled to not fall to the ground. "You... How the hell can you still be so strong? Are you using cheats or something?! That's abnor..mal!"
"Look who's out of his mind now", he approached Fabio and put his arm on his shoulder pressing down even more. He whispered something into his enemie's ears and walked back to Eguru. The eyes of Fabio weren't full of fear or despair. No. They were filled with hatred. He laughed arrogantly and stared Verzo dead in the eye. "You really thought your little presence would make me run away? I know this was an empty threat my guy. In your state, you won't even be able to compare to me."
Fabio sighed. "It's a shame, it really is. I'm better off gone until the bounty on your head is official... Even though you'll have time to prepare - it'll be useless." With an evil smirk and a wave he turned around and disappeared into the crowd of people. "Do you have something in mind?" Eguru asked as he noticed Verzo had this little shimmer on his face. He always has one when having something in his head.
"Yeah... Kind off. Give me a few more days. You on the other hand should focus on your training. I know you won't be able to help me in a fight with him or anyone else but use those days to strenghten your body. You may need it."
And so a whole week went by and the festival was almost over. Verzo's bounty already spread all over the internet and the guards were even searching houses and hotels now. "Pheww", Eguru just finished working out and wiped off his sweat with a towel. "I wonder how things will work out from now on..."