Previously Unknown: The boy, on the verge of defeat, summoned his last reserves to narrowly evade Commander Daiki's devastating attack, with Hisashi's concern and Matsumoto's assistance. The two warriors engaged in a high-stakes battle, culminating in a powerful clash that reverberated through the castle. Hisashi marveled at the intense fight, while Matsumoto remained composed, pondering the enigma of Tokyo.
(Continuing)
*Back To The Ongoing Battle Between The Boy And Commander Daiki…*
The boy and the commander grunted and strained, locked in a fierce struggle. It was hard to determine the victor as they went back and forth, but after a few seconds, the climax arrived, followed by a deafening explosion.
"That was insane, but who won?" Hisashi asked anxiously, waiting for the dust to clear.
As the dust settled, the silhouette of a large figure emerged. "There's a silhouette of a large person; that could only mean..." Hisashi trailed off, disheartened by the outcome.
"As expected, it's… Commander Daiki," he sighed, accepting the result as the dust cleared. The commander stood tall, his club was shattered leaving only the handle on the floor.
"Well, it was fun while it lasted. At least the boy made the commander go all out," Hisashi consoled himself.
"No boy, look closer, what do you see?" Matsumoto asked Hisashi while pointing at the commander.
Hisashi's gaze intensified as he observed the unfolding scene. "Wait a moment," he began, peering closer. "Commander Daiki, he's... he's..." Hisashi's voice rose with surprise. "He's knocked out!" he exclaimed, his amazement evident. "Unbelievable, what a true warrior. Knocked out but still on his feet," he marveled, initially impressed. However, his tone shifted as the unconscious form of Commander Daiki collapsed to the ground. "Well, there goes the excitement. What a letdown," he sighed in disappointment.
But then, something else in the scene grabbed Hisashi's attention. "Do you see it now, young one?" Matsumoto asked, directing his gaze toward the spot where the commander had been. To their astonishment, someone else now stood over Commander Daiki, none other than the boy himself.
"Ahhhhhhhh, Haha! He did it! He defeated Commander Daiki!" Hisashi erupted with joy. The boy, heavily panting, stood triumphant, barely clinging to consciousness.
"He did it! That was amazing!" Hisashi exclaimed, awe-struck by the boy's remarkable feat.
However, the boy's strength had been drained to the limit, and he was on the verge of collapsing. Just in the nick of time, Matsumoto caught him as he began to fall. "Ma-tsu-mo-to-sen… Sei," the boy mumbled, his voice fading as he slipped into unconsciousness.
"You did well, boy. You did exceptionally well," Matsumoto praised a hint of pride in his voice.
Hisashi quickly turned their attention to the next step of their mission. "Alright, Matsumoto-sensei. Now that you have the boy, we should head higher in the palace. Knowing Akishima, he's the type to make a beeline for the leader. I assume that's what this boy was trying to achieve, creating a path to Yuji. That's why we should hurry," he explained, his voice filled with urgency.
Hisashi delved into the details. "I've heard there are three ranks among Yuji's hierachy. Since this boy just defeated one of them, that means there are only two more left," he continued.
Matsumoto sought more information. "Do you have any knowledge about the other two, similar to what you knew about this one?" he inquired, pointing to the commander.
Hisashi shook his head. "No, I don't. The thing is, the only reason I know this much is that Commander Daiki used to boast about himself and the other ranks; however, he never told us their names, rather he addresses them as Rain and Reaper. Akishima and I would often come to the palace to challenge Yuji, but we never made it past the front entrance. We visited so many times that we even set traps and surveillance all around that area, hoping that one day we'd break through. And now, that day has finally come," Hisashi explained, reflecting on their past efforts.
"Alright, I understand, young man," Matsumoto acknowledged, ready to proceed to the next level with Hisashi.
But then, an unexpected interruption occurred. "Agh, wait," Commander Daiki wheezed, mustering his last bits of strength as he clutched Matsumoto's right foot.
Surprised, Hisashi exclaimed, "What the? How are you still conscious?!" staring at the commander with a disgusted and horrified face.
The heavily injured commander, coughing up blood, responded defiantly, "N-No matter what, I-I won't let you people," his voice strained, "I won't let you… Escape!... YOU HEAR ME!!!" His scream, despite his horrific state, resonated with such force that it shook the entire palace, cracking its walls.
This deafening sound, that shook fear into everyone present, was none other than a warrior's voice. A Battle Cry.
*Meanwhile, In The Throne Room On The Palace's Highest Floor…*
A mysterious man, smoking a cigarette, by the king's side recognized the voice. "Huh, that voice," he remarked.
The King responded with a slight smirk on his face. "Things are getting interesting." he chuckles, his hand on his cheek as his elbow rested on the throne's arm, his face covered in an eerie abyss, and his mouth being the only thing visible with the same cheeky smirk.
*Back On The First Floor…*
Hisashi's group confronted the relentless commander. Now a couple metres away from the commander.
The commander stood bloodied and battered but resolute. "No matter what! I won't let you people ruin MASTER YUJI'S DREAM!" the commander shouted as he got to his feet. "You people could never understand the kind of man Master Yuji is," he continued, entering a bull-like stance. "You don't know anything about him. His kindness, his dream," he emphasized, transitioning into a bull-like stance. "That's why, even if I die… I Will Not Let Any Of You Pass This Floor!!" With each word, he bulked up in size, shocking Matsumoto and leaving Hisashi bewildered.
Matsumoto recognized this transformation and explained, "That transformation, it's."
Hisashi, curious, asked, "What is it?" Tilting his head to Matsumoto beside him.
Matsumoto, with a serious expression, revealed, "It's an Ancient Martial Arts Technique that allows a person to store up muscles and use them at will. It's called… Guriko!"
"Gu-ri-ko?" Hisashi was confused and curious.
"Yes, however now isn't the time to be talking about that," Matsumoto exclaimed.
"Right now we have an irritated bull preparing to charge at us," Matsumoto continues.
"Ahhh! MASTER YUJI!!" The commander called.
*In the Throne Room…*
The commander's voice echoed, reaching Master Yuji. Startled, Yuji listened as the commander expressed gratitude for their time together and the impending events.
"Master Yuji!!" the commander's voice resounded. "I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!! YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING!!"
Yuji remained silent as the commander continued, "I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR MEETING SOMEONE LIKE YOU AND BEING YOUR COMMANDER!!"
"WE BOTH KNOW WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN THESE NEXT FEW MOMENTS!!" the commander shouted, his voice echoing to the Throne Room, "BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY!! THANK YOU! FOR EVERYTHING!!!!"
(To Be Continued)