Losing to the away side on they home ground is one of the most embarrassing lose. And not getting payback for that lose is even more embarrassing.
So to avoid such humiliation they have to make sure that the three of them beat their respective opponent, including the Nero, Tamia and Faizan in this tournament.
"Eating Hina's food sure is delicious!" Reiji says, along side him is Kazuki and Lia as them three walk down the Town district.
"Wait-what?!" Kazuki looks at him in a confused manner. He adds, "When did you start calling her that?!"
"Not long. She insisted that I call her." All smiles on his face.
Lia inwardly chuckles at the bright smiles on Reiji's face.
"Okay! And thank you!" Bowing his head down.
"Why?" Reiji ask.
"Well, it's because I haven't seen Hina she never speaks with anyone else excluding me, after our dad past away!" He stands upright continuing, "Hearing you say that makes me feel grateful to you for finally making her open up to you!"
For the first time since knowing Kazuki, this is the very first time he sees his eyes light up with joy.
On the other hand Lia has questions on whether Hinate opened up to Reiji because she likes him or she felt a connection between them.
***
Just like any other time the security guard leads them to the training grounds and like always all their classmates are gathered.
However, something feels off. Unlike before where the other students look down at him. This time It seems like they are looking at him with respect.
"Kazuki, stop staring in the front and check out behind you." Reiji whispers to him.
And all the expectation that he had all flush down the drain. Considering that all the eyes are gluing to the black well designed cloak with a golden bear design on the back.
This person they are staring at is Koruto. Luckily Kaito zaps them back from staring.
"Good day to you all Rank 1's." Kaito says,
standing at the arena. "Some of you might remember me while some not. Not that it matters, after all am now going to be the admin of the this exam and the last one. What that means is I will be overseeing you as a referee as well as a judge. Now without wasting any more time, I think it will be best to explain to you all the rules."
"Like any other tournament rules this one's no different. The winner can only be chosen if they knockout or surrounder their opponent. Killing is prohibited however there is a loophole." He smiles adding. "If both parties wish to use their weapons the can do so."
With him finishing a whiteboard rolls up in the arena. Two brackets is drawn on with numbers written on the outermost branches of the diagram, in the slots for the first round.
"If you recall yesterday you wrote down numbers on a piece of paper that you submitted to your teachers who sent their class president to give me." Tamia smiles.
"Well as admin I randomly chosen to put those numbers on the tournament bracket. So if you're curious to know who's going to fight here it is." He points at the first numbers that are on the left side of the white board.
"Wow, that was a long explanation." He sighs adding, "With all that said I think it's time to begin. Number 11 and 16 step up to the arena."
Just as the students begin to speculate who number 11 and 16 are. Kazuki and Koruto walk up, climb the stairs and stand face to face.
Even if they could not speculate the students are shocked that someone like Koruto is starting first.
Kaito swings his hand in between them like a whip, then leaps back away.
"I would surround if I was you." Koruto says further adding, "If you consider yourself a ninja you should tell that you don't stand a chance against me."
The spectators and Kazuki wonder what is he saying.
"Don't look at me so confused. If you proceed with fighting me - you will have only a 20% chance of putting up a fight."
Kazuki holds his mouth for a few seconds thinking of a answer. And suddenly a image of his dad appears in his mind.
"First I will not quite fighting cause my opponent is stronger than me. Second, no matter my chances are I will do anything beyond my power to win."
Nero, Faizan and Koruto can sense that Kazuki means what he says. A silence falls upon them with each glaring at each as if they are waiting for some sort of signal to tell them to fight.
*Whoosh*
Kazuki dashes straight to Koruto like an arrow flying towards it's target.
In his moment of running he does the Rin and Hei hand sign. Close to it's target the arrow unfortunately miss by an inch.
However the target will not stay still and it counters with a devastating kick on the core of the arrow sending the arrow back to it's position.
Thankfully his cloak of Hei protects him from receiving the full blunt of Koruto's kick.
"Seems like my training did not go to waste!" Holding his stomach.
Kazuki once again heads to Koruto throwing even more punch like arrows to him. Notice that they are ineffective he squarts down dropping Koruto with a sliding kick.
An inch close to the ground, Koruto swerves his punch on the ground, spinning around like a jump rope before landing on his two feet.
Looking upon Kazuki's joy that he almost made him fall to the ground, he can not help but grin.
"Are you smiling to fake your pain?! I sure wouldn't. It looked painful how you slide your hand on the ground so you do not fall down!"
He grins once again adding, "Don't worry about me. This pain is nothing compared to your growth."
"I do not really get you! You tell me to quit and now compliment me! But, thanks."
Kazuki does the Rin, Hei, Toh, Kai and runs towards Koruto. Koruto continues to stand, only raising his guard when Kazuki is close to him.
Unlike before Koruto can notice Kazuki's speed and punches have increased. Each punch brushes against his hair and all he can do is side step.
He soon notices a gap in the barge of punches Kazuki is throwing. Koruto takes his shot, however thanks to Kazuki's Kai hand sign he sees the punch coming.
Blocking it, he swiftly counters and Koruto does the same.
On the other hand Faizan thinks how much Kazuki has improved since they last fought. Compared to the last time when he had not known how to use Sei, to how he is now able to apply 4 different types of Sei hand signs.
He came to know that Kazuki had not known Sei on the third day the teacher taught them. Seeing his improvement he wishes he can fight him once again.
"Damn." Reiji scratching his head.
"Damn right Prince!" Lia continues, "The fight is good right?"
"Yea, but not that. Look at Kazuki."
Lia zooms on to Kazuki. Without needed explanation she understands Reiji's worry.
Since his been only training Sei for about a month, it is understandable he will not be able to circulate Sei for a long amount of time and master all of it's hand sign let alone 4 of them.
And now that lack of experience was soon or later going to show in a form of fatigue. Unlucky for him Koruto has caught on.
Like any other human if handed an opportunity he takes it. Delivering two strong jabs to his liver and stomach.
The force spread throughout Kazuki's body like a ripple of wave.
"Th-this hurt." Kazuki thinks. Even so he can not stop not now. That's because the words his father once said to him keeps him from letting the pain stop him.
He extends his hand, grabbing onto Koruto's cloak. And he…
*Bang*
Straight to the jaw, sending him flying to the edge of the arena. Though he is able to hold his footing so he does not fall.
"Impressive." Holding a hold of his jaw.
"Thank You dad." Mummering to himself.
"What?"
"Don't worry, just speaking to myself."
"Okay." He smiles adding, "Guess I was right. You should have quite seeing that this is the only strike that I was able to feel. Meaning you never stood a chance against me. Though I like your spirit."
Just like how the spectators were before (quite) they remain the same, but this time their silence express their understanding that these two boys have gained respect for each other.
"Now am ready to finish this." Grinning.
TBC.
NEXT CHAPTER: PRELUDE 13