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However, most of the preparations for this event were done by them. To be honest, there was little camaraderie among them, but it was also true that Kawataro and the others could not have carried out this plan on their own.
Toroko sat down next to Kawataro. Her head rests on his shoulder.
“…finally, isn’t it?” (Toroko)
“Oh, well, I guess.” (Kawataro)
“It’s heavy,” Kawataro jerked his shoulders, and Toroko resented it as she moved her head.
“Finally… I’ll be able to rid myself of the elders of the village’s regret. With this, I’ll be able to take the weight off my shoulders… I won’t have to babysit you guys anymore, either.” (Kawataro)
“… don’t say that. Spend more time with me.” (Toroko)
“I can’t. I can’t. You’re a lot stronger than I am now, and Akagai and the others don’t need anything for me to teach them.” (Kawataro)
The only people who know about the whole plan are the commander and Kawataro, and they only tell Toroko and the others what role they would play.
When everything goes well, Kawataro’s final duty is to let Toroko and the others escape. These very bright students will do well wherever they go.
For that reason, he must do everything in his power to finish “them” off without having their hands covered in blood. It would be an insurance policy to protect them in case of emergency.
Kawataro chuckled inwardly as he thought about what would happen to him after that.
“Finally, I can be alone. It’s so refreshing.” (Kawataro)
It all began eight years ago in the winter.
A man and his eight children, who had escaped the purge, began their journey of revenge.
Many times he tried to dissuade them. Still, they did not stop. All Kawataro could do was equip them with the strength to defend themselves and watch over them to make sure they did not take the final step.
Kawataro gently reached out and touched Toroko’s head.
He rubbed his hand over Toroko’s head, thinking how much she had grown.
“Finally, the ‘Cross Border Brigade’ will disappear from this world.” (Kawataro)
The stigma of the past will be wiped away. The souls of the dead will be put to peace.
Only then will the future open up – at least for these children.
~3rd Person Perspective~
Around the same time.
Kajita Hirose, a hunter belonging to the Daiba branch, is walking alone in the downtown area of the northwestern district.
He had a few drinks at a food stall earlier, but as expected, he couldn’t get drunk at all. [Poison resistance] it’s a tough thing to overcome.
“Geez……” (Hirose)
He is not drunk, but his steps are heavy. It’s all because of the pre-match meeting for the Grand Tournament a few hours ago–he’s also a competitor in the tournament.
“Why, of all people…” (Hirose)
It was about a week ago that Kajita was asked to join the tournament. The nomination came directly from a representative of their guild branch, who wanted someone around level 60 who was good at fighting against other hunters.
It was not a match against the Sugamo branch, but a special match between the nominees of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Metro Church.
The opponents were to be announced at the pre-match meeting. In other words, they were requested to participate in the tournament without knowing who their opponent would be.
The rewards were not bad, but he didn’t like the fact that he had practically no veto power. Well, it was a simple job, just to have one fight with some other hunter of a similar level, so Kajita decided to accept it with some dissatisfaction.
Nevertheless–
Today, the truth finally dawned on him.
The purpose of this special match was to “unveil the next generation of promising young talent” from both camps. When Kajita heard this, he did not feel bad, but at the same time, he also felt a sense of discomfort.
At level 60, Kajita had reached master rank before his peers and older colleagues. He was also proud of himself for being one of the fastest-rising members of the Daiba branch at the age of 31.
However—the higher he goes, the more he becomes aware. He learns about reality.
He is better than most, he is brilliant.
But he is not one of a handful of geniuses or monsters.
Even if he spent his whole life, he would never be able to reach the top rankers like “Eternal Summer” in the same branch.
There must be one or two people at the same level who are younger and more promising than him. But why was a humble existence like his chosen for this sunny stage?
Knowing that his opponent was the younger brother of that “Transcendent”, Kajita finally understood.
(In other words, I am…) (Hirose)
Kang Yoshitsune—that name is not as known as his brother.
If the rumors are true, he is definitely from the other side. He is a player who will eventually be on the same level as the top rankers.
(—so it means I am just a sacrifice?) (Hirose)
The Church knew in advance who their opponent would be. They were aware that no one at the same level could compete with them, and that is why a half-baked genius like Kajita was chosen. The reason why they didn’t choose from Akihabara headquarters is that they wanted to reduce the damage as much as possible in anticipation of a sure loss.
“Ah, already…” (Hirose)
I can’t do it, Kajita murmured.
When he saw the real thing with his own eyes earlier, he was convinced that they were the real thing. In other words, no matter how hard he tries, he has no chance of winning.
It’s not that he is disappointed to lose, but that he was in a different dimension and was not a target for competition.
However, being beaten up in front of 5,000 spectators is not a horrible thing. However, he doesn’t think the work is worth the reward.
Even if he tried, he would lose ten times out of ten. But now that it has been announced to the world, he can’t just walk away. He will never be able to step on Daiba’s grounds again.
“This is a pain in the ass…” (Hirose)
No matter how much he worries about it, there is only one option, and it is unpleasant.
He doesn’t like the deceptive tactics, the unspoken assessment that he is a sacrifice or any of it.
Heavy feet stagger away from the hustle and bustle, through narrow alleys, and into the less popular darkness.
That’s how he arrived at a vacant lot surrounded by buildings. Building materials are placed in the corner, so it must be a site planned to have something built on.
“…Hey, it’s about time. Come out.” (Hirose)
He had known for a long time that someone was following me. He couldn’t just take him back to the inn like this, so he decided to clean up the mess here.
He heard footsteps approaching. The man stopped just before a vacant lot. The outline of the man’s face is hidden in the shadows, but he can’t see his face.
“…I assume you are Mr. Hirose Kajita of the Daiba Branch, a contestant in the Grand Tournament.” (Man)
It was a man’s voice.
“Yeah, that’s right. And who are you? What do you want from me?” (Hirose)
“I want you to bet your spot in the special match against Kang Yoshitsune and stand down.” (Man)
“Huh? What are you talking about, are you crazy?” (Hirose)
In short, “If I win the match, let me fight in your match.” It was an impossible proposition. There was no way players and outsiders could decide such a thing on their own.
“The stronger player will go on the stage and excite the audience. …That’s what an exhibition is all about. It’s a show, right?” (Man)
Hehehe, Kajita laughs. The feeling that had been stuck in his mind becomes a little more pleasant.
“Hey, you want to say you’re better than me? I’ll beat you to a pulp, so show me your face after that.” (Hirose)
The man suddenly takes off his jacket and pulls something out of his pants pocket and puts it over his head. Kajita looks on quizzically, but as soon as the man steps out of the darkness, he is startled.
The man, whose muscular upper body is on display, is wearing a green ape–a goblin-like mask.
“My name is Goblin Mask… and I’m a masked wrestler passing by. Kiki!” (Man)
And then–July 24th.
The day of the Sugamo City Founding Festival, the eve of the festival, and the day of the match.
The longest day in Sugamo begins.
A/N: Finally, this time, the Grand Tournament will begin.
Please look forward to it.
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