Chapter 9: Volume One, Chapter Six: My First Duel

   Damn it! I can't believe that those bastards from before were actually after me! Couldn't they've just called a loss a loss and moved on?!

Akane came to us in a frantic, almost inconsolable state. She quickly told us about what happened with her and Yoko. Of course, we all rushed off to where they were holding Yoko hostage.

"Ah! You're here early, aren't ya?"

The one regarding us must be Saito, the leader of The Yellow-Jackets. Gege told us about them along the way. They're a gang of twenty delinquents who make rounds about the West Hill district causing mischief.

"Damn right we are! Give me my sister back before I kick your ass!"

Naoya bellows furiously at them, veins bulging in his forehead. 

"I don't take kindly to people bullying my little sister."

Akai didn't speak as aggressively as Naoya, but the anger in his voice was quite clear. 

"Well, come on then! We'll make bean paste outta you assholes!"

Both sides were at each others throats, ready to start a brawl. But..

"Come now, everyone. Let's take it easy, okay?"

Saito raises his hands up gently, ushering us to calm down. 

"Take it easy?", I repeat, " You must be joking. After pulling something like this?"

I'm already angry, but Saito's laid-back attitude is pushing me even further. 

"Just listen for a moment Aniki. I have a more civilised way of settling this planned."

"If this is civilised, I really rather not see your view of what chaotic would be."

Two of Saito's gang members bring out Yoko. Thankfully, she looks unharmed, and surprisingly relaxed.

"Aniki, Naoya-nii. I'm fine, they didn't hurt me at all."

Saito turns to us, smiling. 

"Ready to listen now? I suggest a duel between you and I, Aniki."

"What?"

Our side speaks in unison, taken aback by Saito's idea. A duel, eh?

"If you win, I'll let your cousin go and my boys and I will take our business elsewhere. If I win, you'll still get your girl, but you'll have to leave this district and never return. Deal?"

"Like hell-", Takai begins. 

"I accept."

"EH?!"

I'm going to take on Saito's challenge, it's for Yoko's sake after all. 

"Oi, Daisuke are you sure about this?"

Gege asks me this with a worried look.

"Don't worry, mate. I've got this."

Or, I think I do at least. 

    The area was cleared to give Saito and I room for our bout. This place is an abandoned construction lot, so I may have difficulty swinging my sword in some places. 

"So, Yoshi was right. Ya are a swordsman! Man, I'm getting excited!"

This Saito bloke is obviously a battle-freak. Beautiful. That's just what I need.

"Here I come, Aniki!"

Like a raging bull, Saito charges at me with a full head of steam. I set myself, and prepare for his attack. 

"Yellow-Jacket Jab!"

Saito throws a flurry of flicker jabs at me, which I evade quickly. He switches to a left hook that I weave out of the way of. Now that he's open, it's time to strike. I swing at his body, but he jumps back and avoids my counter-attack. He's quick.

"Impressive!", Saito grins refreshingly, " It's been a while since I had someone dodge my Yellow-Jacket Jab."

"Well, it's slower than a fastball, so I could see it coming rather easily." , I retort. 

Saito chuckles lightly at my remark, and charges me once again. Though at this point, no one can land a hit on each other. Our stalemate comes to a halt after it takes us into the unfinished building. 

"I haven't this much fun in a good while, Aniki!"

"Oi, don't call me that.", I rebuke him swiftly. 

Saito puts his hands up defensively. 

"Hey now. What am supposed to do when I don't even know your name?"

Well, that is true. 

"Pardon my bad manners. My name is Daisuke."

Saito strikes a pose. What is he doing?

"Well, Daisuke! Since you've proven to be a worthy fighter, I'll show ya my ultimate technique!"

Ultimate technique? That sounds aweso- I mean stupid. Nonetheless I set myself in position to counter him.

Saito's muscles bulge in his arm as he bends his knees. He's lowering his centre of gravity.... 

"Hundred Pound Cannon!"

Like a bullet Saito bears down on me with incredible speed, I'm caught off-guard, but avoid I it just in the nick of time! 

*CRASH*

Holy hell! The sod blew a hole in the bloody building! Akai may have some competition!

"Don't let your guard down, Daisuke!"

Saito launches his technique again, but this time I have to block. Saito's fist connects with my wooden sword, it's force knocking me back outside of the building. Luckily for me, I remember what Uncle Halman told me about using mana to re-inforce objects. Or else my trusty European style wooden sword would be nothing but kindling right now. 

"Let's keep it going! Daisuke!"

Jesus, the bastard is enjoying himself. I sure am happy for him.  But this time I'm prepared for his attack. This time he throws a wild right hook that I parry with the hilt of my sword. Now I'll show you one of my moves.

"Boulder..."

I hold my sword above my head... 

"Splitter!"

And bring it down on Saito with all my might. He blocks it with his left forearm, but I continue to add until he leaps away from me. 

"Owww..."

Shite. My hand is bleeding, I definitely used too much force. I don't think I'll be able to continue like this. 

"Incredible, my arm's gone numb." Saito laughs excitedly, "You're just as much of a freak as I am, Daisuke!"

Don't call me a freak, you jerk. I'm going to have to finish this now. I can't fight anymore with my hand like this.

"Oi, Saito. My Oba finishes up dinner at seven, you get me?"

He flashes a grins at me. 

"So, this'll be the final charge, eh? Alright."

Saito runs right at me preparing for his final attack.

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"Hundred Pound....."

"Boulder...."

"Cannon!"

"Splitter!"

During my follow-through, the pain from my hand causes me to falter. I'm wide open! I try to catch Saito's punch, but it's force knocks my hand aside and connects squarely with my gut.

"Gah...!"

I don't know how far back I flew, but it had to be at least four metres. Holy crap, it feels like my vertebrae had been forcibly ejected from my body. The pain in my hand feels almost soothing compared to what I'm feeling right now. I cough up blood as I try to get up.

"Govvy!"

"Daisuke!"

"Aniki!"

"Senpai!"

I believe that I hear everyone calling out to me, but my head is swimming, so I'm not sure. 

"YEAH! GET HIM BOSS!"

"WOOOO!"

"SEND THAT OUTSIDER PACKIN'!"

Saito looms over me, his earlier excitement gone, despite the cheering from his gang.

"Your hand's is bandaged and bleeding. Is that why you couldn't finish your attack."

I don't reply, I simply let my silence answer.

"It's unfortunate. But this duel is over, Daisuke. You have my respect"

Huhuhu.

"Yeah, this duel is over. Paralyze!"

Saito body goes rigid. Once again, I must thank Uncle Halman. I only learned to things from him before leaving home, but they've come in handy now.

"What?! But Yoshi told me that you were holding onto him when ya used your magic!"

Saito is visibly shocked by this turn of events.

"The loud-mouthed, mohawk prat is right. I was holding him."

I reply through raggedy breathing, as I get up onto my feet. 

"But what he doesn't know is that it takes just a touch, like my hand touching your fist, for the spell to go into affect. Then, I have forty seconds to activate it before it gets nullified."

Ignoring the pain in my hand, I tightly grip my sword as I raise it overhead. I'm going to finish this for sure! 

"Boulder..."

"W-wait-"

"Splitter!!!"

*WHAM*

Without hesitation, I bring my sword down on Saito's head. His eyes roll into the back of his head, and he falls over. 

"Looks like I win.."

I fall back on my rump, completely exhausted. 

"Govvy!"

Everyone comes running over to me 

"You did it! Amazing!"

This is most excited I've seen Gege in a while. 

"Way to go, buddy!", Takai remarks, rest his hand on my shoulder. 

"Senpai, are you okay?"

"Yeah." , I nod, "Especially now that it's over."

"Who said it's over?!"

The Yellow-Jackets round on us, obviously spoiling for a fight. 

"Go to hell! Govvy won the duel, so return my sis and fuck off!"

"Yeah, do you jerks wanna go?!"

Naoya and Takai are now adding fuel to the fire. Great, it seems like things aren't over yet.

"That's enough.."

Eh? Saito's already regained consciousness? 

"But, Boss!"

"I lost, Yoshi. And you know that the rules of a duel are absolute."

Begrudgingly, Saito's gang releases Yoko, who comes bounding over to me, and embraces me tightly. Ow, ow, ow, ow...

While being carried off by his men, Saito regards me.

"Congrats, Daisuke, ya beat me. But don't worry, I'll be but for a re-match soon."

Yeah, don't ever come back please. 

"Are you okay, Aniki? I'm so sorry!", Yoko says tearfully, " It's my fault that you got hurt so badly."

"Don't worry about it, Yoko. I'm just doing what an older cousin should, right?"

"Aniki.."

Yoko hugs me even tighter than before. It's really starting to hurt now, please stop. 

"I'll allow it just this once! You hear me!", Akane claims, "Just once!"

"Come on, little sister. Let them-"

Akai is quickly cut off by Yoko.

"Allow? I can hug my Aniki anytime I please, Ms.Chikara."

"Not while I'm around you can!", Akane vehemently denies.

Wonderful, they're at it again.  

"Should we stop them?", Gege asks flatly. 

"Nah, just let them go on until they get tired." , Naoya replies.

"Good idea.", I concur.

Good gosh, what a wild few days this has been. I hope this just a weird phase, I'm not interested in all of this action. 

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