As I stand on the opposite end of the field from Mito, I can't help but think about how far we've come. Mito used to despise me, but we became good friends as we faced hardship after hardship. Now we have to fight each other with purpose, which will be difficult. I don't want to hurt Mito, but I do want to find out which of us is stronger. Although I must admit, this is one fight that I'm not confident I can win.
"What's the matter? Losing your nerve, Adachi?"
Mito looks at me with his regular smirk, and I come to a realization. Not going all out in this fight would be disrespectful and belittle Mito's abilities.
Shiki, who is the referee for this match, chirps in.
"Remember! No going for instant kills! Kina's Dodona concoction can heal any injuries you receive, but only if you're alive! Now, for that matter, no weapons! So, Mito, toss aside your knives, and Adachi should remove his boots!"
We both do as he says, and I can't help but feel relieved. I was looking forward to testing out the charge technique in today's match, but if I'm not going to be cut, I'll happily wait a while.
"Ready?"
Both Mito and I nod our heads without breaking eye contact with each other. The one to land the first blow may decide this bout.
"On go! 3...2...1... GO!"
I explode from my location, straight towards Mito, but he doesn't move an inch. Before I reach him, I change direction and begin circling him. If I were facing any ordinary opponent, I wouldn't have stopped my rush, but Mito's lack of movement leaves me uneasy. I have a feeling that, if I had continued, I would have lost the match in an instant.
Then, as I'm circling, time seems to slow down. Finally, Mito moves for the first time, and he's... swinging his arm?
What's he going to do? I'm so far outside his range! As his arm swings, it appears to be getting larger... no. It's getting closer!
The moment before his fist hits me mid-air, I up my weight to drop beneath it. As I hit the ground, I look up at where I just was. His arm is extended several times its original length, and I'm left in shock. I might have been knocked out immediately if his fist had hit me.
"Tsk. Damn. Cats out of the bag, I suppose."
Mito extends his other arm at an alarming speed in a whipping motion. I bound backward to a safe distance as his arm smacks the ground where I just stood.
"So that's how you're going to use your new treasure, huh? Simple but effective!"
"Yeah, it's the only way I can manage so far without breaking any bones. Instead, I extend them cleanly! I'm glad you like it!"
I hadn't thought about it previously, but Mito's treasure can be used in many ways. I wonder how many ways I can use mine! I have an idea.
I rush straight at Mito, allowing him to throw his fist uncontested. The moment his fist hits my chest, I up my weight, locking me in place. The punch does close to no damage to me, and I grab hold of his arm. However, before I can react, he retracts his arm, pulling himself towards me at high speeds. With his free arm, he hits me right in the head with everything he has. I'm not only forced to release his arm, but I failed to protect myself in time. The damage I've just sustained is unimaginable as I stagger and struggle to focus my eyes. This match is all but over.
In my concussed state, Mito wails on me continuously until Shiki is forced to call the match. The difference in our experience is clear, and I am utterly defeated. I didn't land a single blow in our first real fight.
"Good fight, Adachi. For just starting recently, you can really take a punch."
"Heh. Like I've said, I've had worse."
"Oh? Maybe I should change that."
"Please don't."
The two of us laugh, and Kina runs over with one of her super-powered Dodona concoctions. When I drink it, I realize just how odd the feeling is for the first time. I can feel my skin melding together and my injuries disappearing. This euphoric feeling of pain dissipating could be addictive. Best to be careful with this stuff. Despite my doubts about the substance, Kina looks at me in awe as my cuts disappear. This must be her first time seeing her work in action. Before she can comment on it, Mito speaks.
"Kina, how many Dodona seeds does it take to make this thing?"
"Around five."
Mito pauses, and I can almost see the numbers going through his head before he begins to vocalize his thoughts.
"90 thousand cuts per seed, five seeds... That's almost a half million cuts worth! Cough it up right now!"
Mito jokingly begins to strangle me, and I can't help but laugh. He just beat me into a pulp, but I can't be angry. Mito is the first friend I ever made that was my age. Tomorrow we depart on a two-year journey together, the three of us, and I've lost all sense of apprehensiveness about it. I'm excited!