Hitsu couldn't believe his own eyes. Moments ago his chances of beating the giant shadow were slipping out of his hands. Now before him stood his guild master, the strongest man he knew. The giant shadow was gone in a single second thanks to a single punch from Takeshi. The battle was over, the shadow was dead, Hitsu had survived, and Takeshi had won.
"Master?" Hitsu said in shock.
"You already asked kid," Takeshi responded, "and nothing changed since last time."
Hitsu's shock quickly turned to happiness as he quickly scrambled off of Juno. Pain told him to stay still but he easily ignored it as it covered his body. Hitsu stumbled as he ran to greet Takeshi after the biggest battle of his life.
"Master!" Hitsu said excited, "I can't believe you're here! You got here just in time! That giant shadow came from the ground an-"
The moment Hitsu was within Takeshi's reach a rock-solid chop greeted his head. Hitsu fell to the ground and held his head in his hands as he forgot all his other injuries in favor of his newest one.
"Why?" Hitsu shouted in pain as he rolled around on the ground beneath Takeshi's feet.
Takeshi grabbed Hitsu's shoulder roughly and forced him to his feet. He stared at Hitsu's with angry eyes as he spoke.
"I could feel a power very similar to yours build up twice," Takeshi explained, "the second time it was released gradually." Takeshi's angry eyes refused to leave Hitsu's fearful ones. "The first time it was released all at once and some interesting fireworks filled the sky... You tried to kill yourself... Didn't you?"
Hitsu shamefully lowered his gaze.
"Yes..." He replied quietly.
"Why?" Takeshi said angrily.
"I thought that if I died I would be the only causality... That it would be the best way to win."
"And?"
"I was wrong..."
"Good," Takeshi said as he released his grasp.
Hitsu stumbled back but his gaze remained on the ground below.
"Now," Takeshi said as he held his hand out in front of himself, "one other thing."
Hitsu flinched as he expected another chop.
THUD
Not feeling any pain, Hitsu looked up to see Takeshi's hand had collided with his own head. While alcohol increased Takeshi's defense it also increased his attack. The chop to his own head caused a small stream of blood to begin to trickle down his forehead.
"Master!" Hitsu said in surprise, "What did you do that for?"
"Because I wasn't here," Takeshi responded, "I deserve to be hit."
Hitsu didn't know how to respond, he had never seen Takeshi act this way before.
"Even though I wasn't here and you were all on your own you refused to back down," Takeshi said. "Most people in your situation would have cracked under the pressure. Some would have crumbled once their life was at risk, but not you. It feels like just yesterday you were that little boy who wanted to be a hero." Takeshi took a drink from the bottle in his hand before he let out a small chuckle. "A lot of people could have died if you didn't step up. I don't say this very often but... Good job kid."
Hitsu couldn't speak as he felt the tears welling up in his eyes. This was the greatest praise he had ever received from Takeshi, the man who Hitsu had never seen smile, the biggest obstacle in his way of achieving his dream. Although Takeshi wasn't smiling it was a victory for Hitsu and a step towards achieving his dream. Tears streamed down Hitsu's face as he smiled joyfully.
"Thank you, Master," Hitsu replied.
As Hitsu used his sleeve to wipe the tears from his eyes Takeshi noticed that a small group of people had gathered behind him. He turned to see four kids standing together, some looked more injured than others as they help hold each other upright. Out of the four Takeshi recognized only one.
"Hey Nox," Takeshi said, "good to see you didn't run off while I was gone."
"I wouldn't dare," Nox replied happily, "It's good to see you again Master Takeshi."
"This is him?" Sel asked surprised.
"A drunk hobo with long hair..." Enai said repeating Hitsu's earlier description.
"Honestly it was a good description," Jinsuke said.
Takeshi's eyes studied the group carefully before he slowly turned back to Hitsu.
"Hey Hitsu," Takeshi said menacingly, "who are these kids?"
Hitsu's face quickly became filled with fear as he realized his fate.
"Ummmmm... New members?" He replied quietly.
"Speak up kid," Takeshi said as he radiated a terrifying aura, "What was that?"
"New members?" Hitsu said slightly louder.
THUD
Almost immediately after the words left his mouth Hitsu was on the ground courtesy of a chop from Takeshi.
Sel, Enai, and Jinsuke stared on in shock at the events that had just unfolded while Nox looked unfazed.
"Don't worry," Nox said calmly, "He'll be fine."
Takeshi took a deep breath before calmly turning to face them.
"You three want to be heroes?" Takeshi asked.
"Yes," Jinsuke responded.
"Yes sir," Enai answered.
"Yes, please," Sel replied.
"Hmmmmmm," Takeshi said as he thought carefully.
"They did help fight the giant shadow," Nox added.
Takeshi let out a sigh. "Alright fine," he replied, "pass my trial tomorrow and you can officially become heroes."
"Really?" The three excitedly.
"Yes," Takeshi responded annoyed, "don't make me repeat myself."
Takeshi turned and started to walk towards Hitsu.
"We got a big day tomorrow," Takeshi said, "three trials, cleanup, patrol, and a mountain of paperwork. Get your friends and let's go, I'm hungry after all that traveling."
"Yes sir," Hitsu responded as he pushed himself onto his hands and knees.
Takeshi continued past Hitsu and soon his friends were by his side.
"Are you okay?" Enai asked concerned.
"Yeah," Hitsu responded as he held his head, "I'll be fine... You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up in a minute."
"You guys go," Nox said, "I'll make sure he doesn't fall and hit his head again."
Just like that, Hitsu and Nox were alone. As Nox watched Jinsuke, Sel, and Enai talk among themselves as they walked Hitsu spoke.
"I'm sorry," Hitsu apologized.
"What for?" Nox said without looking away. She knew Hitsu's head hung as he looked down at the ground ashamed.
"I tried to break our promise," Hitsu said in a guilty tone, "I lied right to your face."
"Promises mean a lot to you," Nox said, "Don't they?"
"Yes," Hitsu replied, "I've never broken a promise before."
"It's a good thing you didn't break ours then," Nox said.
Hitsu looked up to see Nox's hand extend down towards him, offering to help him to his feet.
"You're still alive," Nox continued, "So as far as I'm concerned you kept our promise."
Nox's smiling face filled Hitsu with joy, it was like a reward for all his hard work. Slowly, Hitsu reached out and took Nox's hand allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Hey, you two," Sel shouted, "Hurry it up!"
Hitsu and Nox looked to see everyone had stopped and been waiting for them. With the exception of Takeshi, smiles covered their faces, even Juno looked happy.
Nox looked back to Hitsu. "We have a lot of dreams to achieve," she said with a smile, "Are you ready?"
Hitsu looked back and smiled. "Yeah..."
"...let's go."
...
End of Episode 50