*After a few days of resting in Kurashiki, Nitsuj and Yume are now in Fukuyama taking in the sights and enjoying the Rose Festival*
(Yume): So our plan is to hangout in Fukuyama for the day until our train for Osaka arrives tonight.
(Nitsuj): Yep, I’ve always wanted to visit Osaka. It’s a tourist hotspot and a place for fun.
*As Nitsuj and Yume wonder through the festival Yume sees a stand selling hair ornaments with roses on it*
(Nitsuj): Excuse me, I would like to buy one of your hair ornaments.
*Nitsuj purchases the one Yume wants and puts it on her head as she smiles happily*
(Nitsuj): Don’t go acting all cute on me. I saw you eying that ornament for a while. You looked like a kid practically pleading for it.
(Yume): It was money well spent wasn’t it, you got me to smile didn’t you?
(Nitsuj): Yes, yes. Still though I’m running low on money, I’ll have to withdraw from the bank soon. I only bought enough to cover myself for this trip. I didn’t think I’d be traveling with a fox.
(Yume): If money is an issue than why don’t you just enter that martial arts tournament over there and win some.
*Yume points to a poster talking about a martial arts tournament happening later that day. Thinking it’ll be fun and a good way to earn money Nitsuj decides to go and sign-up*
(Nitsuj): Excuse me, I’d like to sign up for the martial arts tournament.
(Attendant): Sure go right ahead. You do know there’s a fee to enter right. 2260 yen.
(Nitsuj): Damn 20 dollars to enter? I was under the impression it was a free tournament.
(Attendant): Oh this is a way to get more participates to join the tournament. Along with the prizes we’re also doing a side pot. Win the tournament and 80% of the pot is yours.
(Nitsuj): Alright can’t argue with that logic. I’m in.
*Nitsuj fills out the paper work and is told when to come back for the tournament. After that he and Yume enjoy the festival some more and even dance a little until the appointed time comes*
(Nitsuj): Well, this is it, wish me luck.
(Yume): I’ll be in the front row cheering on. And don’t worry I won’t be using my powers to help you.
*Nitsuj enters the tent with the other 127 competitors where they’re told the rules and draw lottery numbers to see who they’ll be facing in the first round*
(Announcer): Welcome one and all to the annual Rose Festival martial arts tournament where we see who the strongest martial artist is in the Fukuyama area. Let’s get things start with our first competitors. Introducing first from Shimonoseki the man they call Ken Yamaso!
*The crowd cheers*
(Announcer): And his opponent Fukuyama’s very own and very talented Sanada Shiromizu. Second year college student and captain of the martial arts club at the Fukuyama University.
*The fight begins between Ken and Sanada who both display excellent skills but in the end Sanada outmatches him and wins the fight*
(Announcer): And the winner is Sanada.
*Crowd cheers*
(Nitsuj): Impressive. He might just be the favorite to win.
*After many rounds its finally time for Nitsuj’s match*
(Announcer): Moving on to match number 78 we have Youji Akagitsune from Miyajima vs a man calling himself Nitsuj a tourist from the west.
(Nitsuj): Call me the Warrior of the Stars. *Inner Monologue* Kidding aside I better take this fight seriously. These guys aren’t like those street thugs I fought the other day they’re skilled martial artists who take their fighting seriously*Inner Monologue ends*.
(Referee): Fight!
*Nitsuj and Youji clash in the center of the ring where Nitsuj uses his quick foot work to get behind Youji and take him out with a leg sweep followed by a crushing blow to the head*
(Referee): Winner! Nitsuj!
*Crowd cheers*
(Announcer): Incredible! He took him out as fast as lightning. This tourist may go far in this tournament.
*As the matches continue Nitsuj continues to win each match in a quick fashion on his side of the tournament branch while Sanada continues to excite the crowd and win match after match on his side of the tournament branch*
(Announcer): We have finally reached the final folks. It’s come down to two men. The first being Sanada the crowd favorite and the other being the black sheep Nitsuj who has made quick work of all of his opponents winning all of his matches in under 3 minutes but will his quick and nimble foot work be able to take down Sanada?
(Sanada): Congratulations on making it this far. I watched your matches, you’re very good.
(Nitsuj): Thanks. Your matches were great as well. Let’s give these people a match to remember.
(Referee): Fight!
*Nitsuj and Sanada exchange a fist bump with each other out of sportsmanship and begin fighting each other. Despite Nitsuj’s best effort to win the match quickly realizing he doesn’t have the same amount of endurance as Sanada he falls short but continues to fight and keep up the pace against Sanada. They exchange many blows with each other but neither man goes down*
(Nitsuj): Damn it Sanada. You are tough to beat.
(Sanada): Not gonna lie. I’m starting to enjoy myself here.
(Nitsuj): Yeah it is pretty fun. *Inner monologue* Man, I’ve almost reached my limit. If I don’t take this guy out soon I’ll lose for sure *Inner monologue end*.
(Sanada): I know what you’re thinking. I’ve gotta take this guy out soon, right? You always made sure to win your matches quickly because in truth you don’t have the endurance to last long matches like these.
(Nitsuj): *Inner monologue* Crap, he figured it out. Now what do I do? How do I beat this guy now?
(???): You don’t always have to beat your opponent into a pulp to win. You just have to make sure you out think them.
(Nitsuj): That’s right. I don’t have to beat him up to win. I just have to out think him to win *Inner monolog ends*.
*Nitsuj drops his fists and head*
(Announcer): What’s this? Has Nitsuj decided to throw in the towel?
*Nitsuj then lifts his head with a smile on his face and slowly walks up to Sanada completely confused at what’s going on but at the same time can sense no ill-intent from Nitsuj at all. When Nitsuj finally bumps into him he unleashes his bloodlust by throwing a punch which Sanada dodges but Nitsuj’s bloodlust was so frightening that Sanada couldn’t see Nitsuj’s next move coming which was pushing Sanada out of the ring*
(Referee): Ring out! Winner Nitsuj!
*The crowd cheers both in shock and excitement*
(Announcer): I don’t believe it! The crowd favorite Sanada has been beaten. I don’t know what Nitsuj did but it seems to have captured Sanada completely off guard.
(Sanada): That was amazing. I couldn’t move my body at all. You instilled fear in me and took advantage of that fear to eliminate me from the ring. Ingenious.
(Nitsuj): I figured I couldn’t beat you in my current state. If it’s any consolation you were the better fighter. I still have a lot to learn.
(Sanada): And I as well.
*Nitsuj helps Sanada up and they both shake hands out of respect for each other. Nitsuj is awarded a trophy and presented with his prize money. He then takes his leave where he’s greeted by Yume*
(Yume): Way to go champ!
*Yume hugs Nitsuj*
(Referee): That was some move you did back there kid.
(Nitsuj): Oh hey you’re the ref from the tournament. Thanks for all your hard work.
(Referee): Don’t mention it. Thanks for putting on a good match. I gotta be honest I was sure you were gonna lose but pulled off that move at the end. It even gave me the chills. By the way that fighting style of yours, I’ve seen it somewhere before from a man in my youth. Does the name Kenji Fenikusu mean anything to you?
(Nitsuj): Afraid not. I’ve never heard that name before in my life. Sorry.
(Referee): It’s alright. Must’ve just been my imagination. Have a good night and congratulations on winning again.
*Nitsuj takes his leave with Yume as the referee takes his leave as well. Nitsuj and Yume arrive at the train station for their train to Osaka. Yume has materialized herself into Nitsuj’s phone so Nitsuj only has to pay for one ticket. Once their train arrives Nitsuj boards the train and goes into his cabin where he plans to go to sleep. As he lies in his bed trying to fall asleep Yume speaks*
(Yume): Hey Nitsuj?
(Nitsuj): Yes, Yume?
(Yume): If you don’t mind me asking why did you lie to that man back there about knowing this Kenji fellow? I saw that look in your eyes. You really do know him don’t you?
(Nitsuj): Yeah, I know him. He was my master, taught me everything I needed to know about martial arts and swordsmanship. I’m not sure why myself but once my training was done he told me that if anyone asks if I knew him I should just say no or pretend not to know who he is.
(Yume): Sounds like a rather mysterious man if you ask me.
(Nitsuj): He was, but at the same time he was a good and honorable man that I respected.
(Yume): Well he raised a fine student. You were really cool today.
(Nitsuj): Thanks Yume. Goodnight.
(Yume): Goodnight Nitsuj.
To be continued