The fanfare was elite, everyone was ready for the final match of the first round in the Shinobi Conference. Kei-Kei, having recovered, sat in the sidelines with the other winners ready to watch the fight that was to begin. The announcer turned on his mic and began.
Announcer: "EVERYONE!!! WE HAVE HERE THE FINAL MATCH OF ROUND 1!!! ARE YOU FEELING HYPED!?! On the right, we have Misuto Ha! A swordsman from the Village of the Shroud! A mist bound blade wielder!"
From the right entered Misuto Ha. On his black and purple gi was the mark of the Village of the Shroud. He had grey and black hair paired with white eyes. His skin was quite pale. Kei-Kei looked a bit intrigued. He had heard a lot of stories about the Village of the Shroud. Particularly one about his ancestor Kachito Mishimura and how he defended the village from Oni. Alongside an Inugami. However, that was all he recalled.
Misuto eventually arrived in the center of the arena, unsheathing his katana. The design was bland, or rather simple. No overly designed pattern. Just the blade and sheathe. He stood ready for his opponent to enter the arena.
Announcer: "Annnnnd now, we invite in Honō Udon from the left! The Flaming Katana! The Burning Blade! Filled with his fiery pride will he win!? Let's see!"
From the left side of the arena, heat shot forth. And out ran Honō Udon, his gi adorned with flaming colors. Vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. A jacket around his shoulders that was black with flame patterns along it. He tossed the jacket away and drew his katana, the blade held the same flaming patterns.
He was like the opposite of Misuto. He smirked at Misuto. His red hair blowing in the heated winds. His orange eyes flaring with his own ego. He had an air of superiority to him. He clearly had quite the image of himself.
Honō: "I hope you're ready. Cuz I never lose!"
Misuto: "Urg...it's individuals like you that make a mockery of swordfighting."
Honō's smirk widened. He assumed his full fighting position and began letting his Kami no Chikara surge. The heat of the arena began to increase the more of his Kami no Chikara built up. All until flames were born from it. He was capable of Flame Mimicry. The Udon Clan sacred art.
Kei-Kei recalled one of Shintawa's rants back in the orphanage about different clans. The Udon amongst them. They were apparently strict. Extremely so from what Kei-Kei recalled. So Honō was certainly not what he'd have expected. Honestly, from what Shintawa said all that time ago, Yuki Shimo seems like how the Udon were described.
Misuto pointed his blade towards Honō and let his Kami no Chikara pulse. The flow of his Kami no Chikara was abnormal. It would pulse in almost a rhythm instead of the normal flow Kami no Chikara normally took on. It would be still, then a burst of it would surge forth, rinse and repeat.
Honō raised his katana over his shoulder and spread his legs into a running form. The flames of his Kami no Chikara building around the blade and his body. Once fully charged, he burst quickly towards Misuto.
Honō: "Let's see how you like this! Udon Clan: Flame Tiger Charge!"
Misuto reacted calmly and directed a blow to Honō. With his left arm he put Kami no Chikara into it and pulled his fist into where Honō's face would end up. And just as Honō entered position, about to slash into Misuto, the Kami no Chikara into Misuto's arm pulsed immediately.
The sudden pulse brought so much Kami no Chikara into Misuto's fist so quickly that it was like a miniature explosion went off into Honō's cheek. Honō flew backwards, sliding against the floor of the arena. Once he got up, he rubbed his face and scowled.
Honō: "THAT'S A FUCKING CHEAP TRICK!!!"
Misuto: "Weren't you showboating like five seconds ago?"
Honō: "SHUT THE HELL UP!!! YOU'RE GONNA GET BEAT FOR THAT!!!"
The heat of Honō's flames amped up in intensity. His anger mounting after Misuto actually damaged him. He thought he'd incinerate the competition and win instantly. To actually be opposed frustrated his ego. He gripped his katana with extreme force, steam practically eminated from his grip.
Misuto assumed a defensive stance, noticing Honō's anger growing. Honō thrust his katana forward and a blast of fire shot at Misuto. Misuto avoided the flames, dodging them with deliberate footwork. Honō lunged forwards toward Misuto and their katanas clashed.
The two locked eyes and Misuto attempted to punch Honō like last time. However, Honō moved his head as the pulse came through, avoiding the damage. He then punched Misuto, slightly burning the right side of Misuto's face. Misuto immediately recovered and dropkicked Honōs gut.
The Flaming Katana spat up saliva from the kick and clenched his gut. He groaned in pain, Honō being in extreme pain from the experience. Misuto then hit him in the nose with the blunt part of his katanas handle. Honō went back slightly, before focusing Kami no Chikara into the wounds to numb his pain.
His eyes held an extreme rage in them, causing more and more Kami no Chikara to burst forth. The flames reached their maximum, shifting to a blue hue. Misuto stepped back, sweating from the heat of the flames. On the sidelines, even those watching were brought to a sweat.
Kei-Kei was wiping his brow constantly, Gādo was fanning himself, and Yuki merely stood there unfazed despite the sweat. Even the previous losers aswell as Keyati and Dasizai felt it in the stands. Nami and Gasuto were sitting next to each other in copious bandages that were wetting with perspiration. Dasizai had to strip off his coat and Keyati looked pissed...as usual.
Misuto felt the full heat, looked into the flames. Honō stood in the middle of the fire. He locked eyes with Misuto once again, he threw his katana at Misuto. Misuto dodged to the side, however Honō shot several fire blasts. Misuto managed to dodge all of them.
Misuto: "Stop having a temper tantrum!"
Honō: "SHUT THE FU-"
Mist covered the arena, obscuring Honōs sight. Honō looked around, seeing nothing but mist on all sides. And then, he felt a chop on the back of the neck, making him go limp. And once the mist cleared, Misuto was stood above him.
Honō: "THAT'S AN EVEN DIRTIER TRICK!!!"
Misuto: "Says the guy who tried to sear me like Tataki."
Honō regained control of his limbs and rose to swing his blade. Misuto blocked. Again and again Honōs slashes were blocked by Misuto. In his palm Honō attempted to blast flame into Misuto, then in a cloud of mist, Misuto appeared behind him. He pinned Honōs arms behind his torso.
Honō channeled flames into his palms and shot it behind him, causing Misuto to dodge again. Honō swung wildly, adding flames to some attacks randomly. His rage was peaked from his short temper and fragile ego. Each swing causing Misuto to step backwards. And just as he was about to swing again, Misuto made an error. His foot unknowingly slide out of bounds...
Announcer: "Misuto Ha is disqualified!"
Honō: "WHA- HUH!?! BUT THAT'S NOT HOW I WANTED TO WIN!!!"
Misuto looked pissed that such a thing happened, and so abruptly too. He sighed and began to walk out of the arena. Honō looked on in anger, clearly beneath the surface, there was some type of honor to him. And he begrudgingly sheathed his katana and walked out, muttering profanities.
Announcer: "And with that, we move on to the SEMI-FINALS!!!"
In the sidelines, the other Victor's each had different thoughts on the outcome. Kei-Kei thought to himself that was a lame conclusion. Gādo thought it was a waste of time for such an outcome. And Yuki only thought abput how stupid Misuto was to allow himself to do such a thing.
They all left to head to a room to recoup before the Semi-Finals. In the room, the last to join was Honō. He was still pissed and sat on a bench in the room. The four looked at each other briefly before Kei-Kei spoke up.
Kei-Kei: "Uh...I'm Kei-Kei Mishimura-"
Gādo: "We know. Nice fight against Bāsuto. Even if you got lucky."
Yuki sat in silence, grunting slightly in response to Kei-Kei's voice. Honō then put hands over his face and groaned. Still very clearly distraught he didn't actually win through anything but carelessness from Misuto.
Honō: "THAT WAS SO LAME-"
Yuki: "Silence. Nobody cares that your vein ego was harmed, Udon."
Honō looked at Yuki and angrily got in his face, trying to intimidate him. Yuki simply looked into his eyes, no emotion as usual. That was before he simply punched Honō backwards. He stood up and began to walk out. Gādo sighed and walked out aswell. Kei-Kei waited a moment before deciding to kill time by talking to Shintawa, leaving.
Soon would dawn the Semi-Finals, and more fights within the Shinobi Conference were to transpire.