Flat-Brim Samurai Chapter 23
Hiroto got up a few moments after dawn and found someone who was already awake ,"Hi Apollo, what are you doing up this early in the morning" ,"I'm letting Bandit out because he wanted to pee and play" Apollo said, slightly tired. Hiroto thought it was funny looking at him all begrudgingly playing with his friend. Cias was next to get up and HE was perfectly awake, ready to start the day with full energy ,"Hi guys" ,,""Hi Apollo"" Hiroto and Apollo said in unisine. They went to breakfast which was lavish, a reward for the things that they had to endure. The boys ate, over and over they were devouring plates of food like vacuum cleaners, and of course some of this had to do with the new muscle they've gained but it was still surprising.
After breakfast, Hiroto told them ,"I'm so proud of you boys, I seriously am, I can't believe the amount of progress that has happened since you two have come here. I know it's quite sudden but after this week I have one final challenge before I send you guys on your merry way back home, but of course you can come back here whenever you want. You two are going to fight me together, with your full power and I'm going to try to replicate someone who is just a little stronger than both of you combined so I can see where you guys are at." And with that their jaws dropped to the floor with Apollo stating ,"We… are supposed to "beat" you?" he said hesitantly, Cias saying ,"Yeah, I mean aren't you supposed to be really really strong, and what do you mean by you 'Trying to replicate someone a little stronger than both of you combined.'
Even though they were practically screaming at him all he said back was ,"We'll see then" and then walked away. And so the duo combined their heads together to think of a way to beat their master…
The day had come, the two of them stepped up to the dojo cement flooring where their fight was supposed to take place (Same place Apollo and Cias fought before) and they were wondering where their master had gone. ,"Didn't he say he was going to be here?" Cias said. The response to that answer was from the sky ,"I've been expecting you" THONK he came throttling to the ground. He was now right in front of them with only himself and a bow staff. Hiroto exclaimed ,"I will explain the rules so that everyone understands, to make me concede, you will need to do one of three things, either find some way to lock me up, make your weapons checkmate me or knock me out, we will start on opposing sides of the arena and face each other until I say start"
And so they all backed up, ready to face each other, Cias and Apollo obviously being a little nervous. All they could do now was focus on the movements and actions of the match to hopefully defeat their master. They stared at each other defiantly and waited for what seemed like ages. The stage set, the air around Hiroto did not seem like that of their master but of a scary stranger that wanted them dead.
… Hiroto shouted ,"HAJIME" but neither Cias nor Apollo were ready to move. Thus Hiroto lunged at them at breakneck speed, a blue flash one would say. They both dodged out of the way immediately and gasped, looking at each other they started their attack and thrusted at him at once. Although the battle strategy was a little plain it did have its intended purpose of Hiroto disengaging with them ,"Nice one Cias" Apollo shouted happily. But they still had to be vigilant as Hiroto engaged both of them at once, blocking and dealing blows with the bo staff that he had been maneuvering easily. He dodged and blocked their blows with minimal effort, and counterattacked with attacks of his own that caused Cias and Apollo to wince back in pain. ,"I hope you guys aren't tired after JUST THAT" Hiroto said plainly, grimacing the smile of a warrior.