Shoto smiles wide with Katsuo's katana inches from his neck.
Shoto: Your blade is dull.
Shoto kicks Katsuo in the legs which causes an opening of escape. Katsuo gets up and faces Shoto.
Katsuo: You Huangs really think you're better than us don't you?
Shoto: Don't forget who has more territory in the east.
Shoto draws his ninjato, and clashes with Katsuo's blade. Their immense power seeps through their respected weapons. Their refusal to submit to the other results in somewhat of a stalemate. They both hop backwards. Silence fills the room with many people having left the pub at this point in the night and the owner hiding behind the bar top.
Shoto and Katsuo exchange glares and stand still until Shoto throws multiple shurikens toward Katsuo. Katsuo dodges most of them until one comes straight towards his right leg. Dante sends an ice shield to instantly freeze it along with a few misfires to save civilians.
Katsuo: (frowns) How many times do I have to tell you to respect my honor when I fight?!
Dante: Sorry 'bout that ol' friend but there are also civilians here that are put in danger due to disputes between two parties of another nation. Wouldn't it be honorable to take things elsewhere.
Katsuo: (turns to Shoto) He's right. Let's fight outside of the town.
Shoto: Fine by me, but you are only delaying your inevitable defeat.
Katsuo: We'll see about that.
Shoto and Katsuo walk outside towards a nearby field with plenty of snow left from the night prior.
Shoto: (shows off a few swordplay tricks) I am eager to coat my blade with Akano blood.
Katsuo: (draws his katana) You can have some of my blood, I will take your head instead!
Shoto and Katsuo clash once more. Multiple attacks deflected and parried between them coming from every direction. Katsuo leans into Shoto with his katana.
Katsuo: Show me the tiger already. I've heard of your power.
Shoto: I don't need to use that kind of strength against the likes of you!
Shoto and Katsuo strike at each other one by one.
Katsuo: Fine, then I will unleash the dragons and force the beast out of you!
Katsuo parries Shoto's attack and goes on the offensive. He pulls out his second katana and harnesses his inherited item power to extend his blades to the shape of two metallic dragons. They lock on to their target and alternate between each other's strikes.
Shoto: These attacks are nothing!
Katsuo then frowns and manipulates the two dragons to rapidly strike Shoto faster and faster with each attempt. Shoto is overwhelmed by the dragon's stance change. He yells and starts to transform.
Shoto: I can't believe I have to resort to this.
Shoto is fully transformed into a tiger resembling the regal stone statues from his home in Huang Palace.
Katsuo: Now, this is finally getting interesting!
Shoto lunges toward Katsuo with his ninjato now wielded by his large mouth. Shoto knocks down Katsuo and pounces on top of him, not giving him an inch. Shoto's body starts to revert to stone and gets heavier by the second. Katsuo's armor starts to crack as his body is crushed by his mythical opponent. The pseudo dragons retract to katana blades.
Katsuo: You weren't kidding about this power, Shoto.
Shoto: Now you acknowledge the Huang clan's superior strength!
Brief Silence.
Katsuo: Not quite.
Katsuo desperately turns his katanas towards the ground just enough so that he extends them once again. The ground is suddenly pierced with different bending angles of the same two blades. One of the blades cuts through Shoto's right leg until it is sliced off by the other dragon blade's strike.
Shoto quickly reverts to his human form and grasps his leg in agony.
Shoto: (screaming) Ahh you bastard! How could this have happened?! What shame I have brought to my clan.
Katsuo: Your cockiness is what dulled your blade.
Shoto: (intense tone) Enough of the lecturing, just end it. I at least deserve a warrior's death.
Katsuo stares at Shoto for a minute and contemplates his enemy's fate.
Shoto: (shouts) Hurry up and kill me damnit!
Katsuo starts to walk away.
Shoto: Hey! Come back! What honor and respect do you possess in leaving me like this!
Katsuo stops right before passing Dante.
Dante: Thanks for sparing him, I know it must've been hard not to.
Katsuo: Just get him out of my sight before I change my mind.
Dante: Can do!
Dante rushes to freeze Shoto's wound in order to stop the bleeding. He then waves over a few people to help him carry the defeated man to the hospital.
Scene fades.
Dante and Katsuo fist bump each other and say goodbye to the bartender and the rest of the town. Dante flicks a few coins, which successfully lands on the bar top as thanks for their troubles.
Dante: Appreciate the hospitality everyone, especially for us numbskulls. Until next time!
Dante and Katsuo climb on their horses and ride off into the sunset.