[At the central ring, Soba, Billy, and Jack are left with two opponents]
[SOBA]
What do we do now?
We're three and they're two.
[JACK, pointing at the much larger of the two]
Don't you see that guy?!
He's like a human mountain!
I say we count him as two people, you know?
[BILLY, chuckles at Jack's remark]
You know Jack, that idea isn't half bad.
Let's fight him.
[JACK, looks at billy in shock]
H- him?!
Well…
Y'know I'm not too strong…
Us two are more like one and a half people.
[BILLY]
Enough excuses.
We're gonna get him.
[SOBA, watching at the two banter]
So what about me?
[BILLY]
Oh!
I forgot you were here, Soba.
I guess you can take the other one on.
[BILLY, points at the other challenger]
[SOBA]
Ok…
Did you say you forgot about-
[BILLY]
Aaaand we're gonna go fight the other guy…
Let's go Jack!
[SOBA]
HEY WAIT!
[The two speed walk away to fight the large man]
[OTHER CHALLENGER]
So you too huh?
[SOBA, looks back at his opponent]
What do you mean "you too"?
[OTHER CHALLENGER]
You also get casted away like some background character…
Don't you?
[SOBA, speechless]
I…
It's only the second arc of the manga…
But I guess so?
It's more like I feel like I'm more boring than the rest of the guys.
[OTHER CHALLENGER, nods in understanding]
I feel you, man…
How about we keep chatting over a drink
[SOBA]
Uh… sure
[The two walk over to a vending machine outside]
[SOBA]
So what's your name?
[TADASHI, while buying two sodas]
I'm Taira Tadashi.
[SOBA, getting the other soda]
A pleasure…
[The two awkwardly share a drink]
[TADASHI, unsheaths his sword]
So how about we fight now?
[SOBA, gets into a fighting stance]
Very well.
I won't go easy.
[TADASHI, charging in]
I was hoping you wouldn't!
[SOBA, ducks under Tadashi's attack]
[TADASHI, falls on his face]
[SOBA, worried]
Oh gosh…
Sorry about that
[SOBA, helps Tadashi up]
[TADASHI]
Gee, thanks!
[SOBA, quickly punches him in the face as he gets up]
[TADASHI, gets sent flying towards a tree]
[SOBA, giggles to himself]
[TADASHI, getting back up]
What the heck man?!
Not. Cool.
[TADASHI, acting serious now]
Now I actually have to fight seriously.
[TADASHI, disappears in a flash, reappearing behind Soba]
[SOBA, looks back at him]
[SOBA, quickly turns around and stops Tadashi's blade with his hand]
[SOBA, hands tremble as he struggles to keep the blade away]
[They stand still, locked from doing anything else]
[TADASHI]
LET GO OF MY BLADE!
[SOBA, still struggling]
NO!
[TADASHI]
I DOUBT YOU EVEN KNOW WHY YOU'RE FIGHTING ME!
JUST GIVE UP!
[SOBA]
YOU'RE A YAKUZA MEMBER, AND YOU ALSO ASKED ME TO FIGHT!
PLUS…
YOU'RE THE ONES TARGETING GORO AND JACK!
[TADASHI, laughs]
So that's why you're fighting?
To protect your friend?
Nothing for yourself?
[SOBA]
YES!
Goro is the closest connection I have to my father.
And Bokki is getting paid to help Jack.
MEANING I HAVE TO HELP TOO!
[SOBA, snaps the blade]
[SOBA, palm strikes Tadashi's gut while he's still airborne]
[SOBA]
NAMELESS PALM!
[TADASHI, coughs up blood all over Soba's face]
[SOBA, steps back and gets back into a fighting stance]
[TADASHI, recovers from the blow]
You think snapping my blade will stop me?
I still have my back up.
[TADASHI, pulls out a tanta from his ass, literally]
[SOBA, gazes in shock]
THAT HAD TO COME OUT YOUR ASS!
[TADASHI]
No, no…
Not at all…
[TADASHI, charges at Soba]
[The two trade blows, both taking hits from either opponent]
[The two back away tired out]
[TADASHI, beat up and struggling to stay up]
How about we stop here?
You must be tired.
[SOBA, all slashed up and gasping for air]
The fighters of the Yaki family… don't tire out!
M- my father was once the champion of the tournament that was meant to take place today…
And as I am in his domain now…
I wont give up!
So, I'll defeat you!
HERE AND N- NOW!
[SOBA, charges up a punch and punches the air]
[Small cracks form around the air where he punched]
[TADASHI, confused]
So that was your attempt?
You didn't even punch me!
[TADASHI, starts laughing]
[TADASHI,gets punched in the face by the air Soba struck before]
[TADASHI]
HA HA HA-
GAH!!!!
[TADASHI, gets flung across the courtyard, skidding along until crashing into a bench and into the bushes]
[SOBA, struggling to stand]
Y- Yaki-ken…
Vacuum fist.
[SOBA, shifts slowly to where Tadashi landed]
[SOBA, plops down next to Tadashi]
[TADASHI, musters a slight chuckle]
That was a good fight.
[SOBA, looking up]
Yeah…
[TADASHI]
To being boring?
[SOBA, nods]
To being boring.
[The two pass out]