"YES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GET READY FOR A NEW ENCOUNTER. TODAY, WE HAVE A NEW PERSON, AND THIS PERSON HAS SURPRISED US ALL." Makoto was waiting for his opponent. How many times had he fought here by now? Since he was brought here, he had become the shining star of the arena. Ken desperately waited for him, but he never came. Makoto didn't cut his rapidly growing hair; he returned to his old style, shaping his hair like when he was a child. He had accepted his fate; he would remain a warrior here. At least, if there was one thing he appreciated, life here was much better than the lands they came from with Ken.
"ON ONE SIDE, THE STAR OF MANY, MAKOTO." Makoto saw the distant door opening. As the approaching person's figure became clearer, Makoto understood Masaru's gift. Larry was coming towards him. A smile formed inside the mask. "It's time for me to get some answers."
"Hello, old friend." Larry waved his hand to greet Makoto. "On the other side, the presidential candidate Larry." The majority of the audience was on Makoto's side. "AND LET THE SHOW BEGIN."
"I'm sorry for the bad outcome of our reunion, Makoto. Hehehee." Makoto looked at the sky and removed her mask. Everyone witnessed a first as Makoto took off his mask. Makoto dropped the mask on the ground and crushed it with his boot, creating excitement among the spectators. "I have some questions for you." Makoto locked eyes with Larry.
"Hey hey, let's leave the past behind." Makoto took two knives from his belt and threw them at Larry's shoulder. While Larry groaned in pain, trying to stop the bleeding from the knives stuck in his shoulders, Makoto pulled Larry towards him. With the sudden removal of the knives from Larry's shoulders, he tumbled to the ground and Makoto started pressing his heel on Larry's wound. "First, tell me, how are you still alive?"
"Ahggh, whether I say it or not, the result seems the same, hehehee, there's no point in saying it." Makoto climbed on top of Larry, grabbing him by the collar. His eyes were burning with flames, but Larry, unaffected by Masaru's lingering effect, remained unimpressed.
"I'm giving you a chance, Larry, answer." Larry started moving his fingers. "You succumb to your emotions, Makoto, and it will lead to your defeat." Larry closed his fist. Makoto's hands suddenly raised into the air, but Larry had underestimated. Along with Makoto's raised arms, Larry's arms were torn apart and sliced into pieces. "AAHHHGGGGHHHH." Makoto smiled beneath the splattered blood on her face. "You're simple, Larry." The entire audience was shocked; it was the first time Makoto had been so brutal.
Larry could no longer use the strings. Makoto easily turned back to interrogating him. "Now, Larry, do you understand why you failed so miserably?" Larry writhed in pain. "You're simple, thinking you'll be strong by being with the strong, Makoto." Makoto grabbed Larry's collar again, lifting him.
"We gave you life; you lived because of us, but you betrayed us, Larry. I understand your reason; you never belonged with us. You were a stranger among us, and at the first chance you got, you left us halfway, because neither were you important to us, nor were we to you." Tears started forming in Larry's eyes. "Do you know, I found that person, hehehee, but even he betrayed me."
"You found what you deserved, Larry."
"Yeah, I found what I deserved."
"Now-"
"Ah, okay, old friend. Do you remember when you found me first-"
"Ah, I understand." Makoto let go of Larry and stood up. "Please clean those marks on your face, scum. We know you're not keeping them alive for us."
"You're not going to kill me?"
"No, I left the killing business here." Makoto silently left the stage, and everyone was looking at the battlefield in silence. "EEEEEE AND THE WINNER IS MAKOTO." It was quiet; this was a strange encounter.