Chapter 54 - To and Fro

???: C'mon, use it.

Daymond immediately jumped back, Kuro going for a large swing. Daymond held the side of his head.

Simon: Did he get hit?

Shun: No way, he avoided it early enough.

Simon: Then what's up with him?

Shizu crossed her arms, Midori looking at her.

Shizu's thoughts: Did they return?

Daymond continued to jump back as Kuro jumped in time after time, making large and powerful swings in Daymond's direction. Daymond had eventually come to a stop, his back pressing against the wall. His gaze looked at Kuro, who slowly closed in.

Zachary: What's this? The head has been pushed back into a corner! How is this even possible?

Daymond's thoughts: I was too careless. I let my thoughts get the better of me.

Kuro: Die!

Kuro shot out a powerful right, Daymond immediately jumping to the side as Kuro's punch collided with the wall. Debris flew into where Kuro had been standing, cracks forming all over the wall. Daymond kept his fists up, watching a figure move out of the debris. His crazed smile was the first thing out.

Kuro: Running away? What good is that going to do for you? Come and fight me!

Daymond put on a faint smile once again, charging in at Kuro. Kuro smiled widely, running in as his left fist clenched. It soared into the air rapidly, missing contact entirely. Kuro couldn't believe his eyes, watching as his fist connected with what seemed like a ghost.

Kuro: What the-?

A heavy kick hit the side of his head, throwing Kuro to the ground. Daymond returned his foot to the ground. He raised his fists once more as Kuro jumped back to his feet.

Kuro: That was some fancy footwork you got going there. Finally decided to take me seriously?

Daymond: You're a durable type, aren't you?

Cero tapped on the table he, Tico, and Kammy sat at.

Tico: It looks like his attacks are barely doing anything.

Cero: He deducing his opponent. He had a slight moment of hesitation when his uppercut failed. But it seems he's come to a conclusion.

Kammy: What? That Kuro is really durable?

Cero: That's it. He's using his experience against me in this fight. He's lucky that Kuro isn't me, however.

Kammy's thoughts: Kuro seems like a monster in his own right… No losses to his name…

Kuro started stretching out in the ring, staring at Daymond while he did so.

Kuro: I must be having a tight muscle or something. Cause you haven't fallen yet. I heard you killed a man in a ring just like this. I wonder if I'll be able to get revenge for him. Not like I know that dipshit, so this is just my own fun!

Daymond's right eye closed, pain filling the side of his head. He moved his hand to feel the side of his head, but his left eye quickly reacted, doing a half-circle block as he pushed away Kuro's blow.

Kuro: You're fast. Welp, more fun killing you if you put up a fight.

Daymond moved in for a right hook, only for Kuro to grab it with his left. Kuro got in close to Daymond's face. Daymond's right eye finally opened, yet the left side of Kuro's face still seemed shadowed.

Kuro: I'll turn you into nothing but a corpse!

With a heavy force, Kuro pushed Daymond away, Daymond sliding across the ground. Daymond immediately raised his guard as Kuro ran in with a clothesline. Kuro left dust flying into the air in their wake. Daymond shifted his eyes to Kuro, who wore a crazed look on his face. Immediately shifting his weight, Kuro turned to throw a left at Daymond's side. Before his fist could connect, an elbow dug into his neck, Kuro reeling back as he held his neck.

Kuro: Th… That was cheap.

Daymond: I never intended to fight clean.

Kuro: That's alright with me. That just means I get to kill you harder!

Kuro ran at Daymond at full force, Daymond keeping his focus locked. In a split moment, Daymond's right shot out, slamming right into the center of Kuro's face. Instead of coming to a halt, Kuro continued to push forward, his wide smile opening.

Kuro: Is that all the current head's got?!

Daymond's eyes squinted before his other hand shot out, grabbing onto Kuro's face before pulling him in, slamming his knee into Kuro's gut. A gasp came from Kuro, only for Daymond to notice Kuro clenched tightly onto Daymond's sides. At that moment, Kuro picked up Daymond before slamming him to the ground. Daymond immediately placed his arms behind his head, feeling the ring floor slam into his back. Daymond let out a gasp as Kuro towered over him.

Kuro: I finally got you on the ground. Now I can slaughter!

Daymond watched as Kuro brought his fist high into the air before it quickly came crashing down. One clean hit came across Daymond's face, blood spurting from his mouth.

Magnus: What's going on?!

Simon: He had total control over the match a moment ago!

Yussuf: This isn't making any sense!

Moll: You were right. They really underestimated Kuro too quickly.

Shizu: Didn't I tell you idiots that this match wasn't going to be easy? But just because he lost a bit of blood doesn't mean he's lost.

Shun: S-She's right. The match is far from over.

Shun's thoughts: I say that, but Kuro seems to be fine despite all the punishment he's taken.

Kuro's fist continued to rain down on Daymond, Daymond raising his arms to block some of the blows. It felt as if he was being pounded by boulders. Each punch felt heavy.

???: Don't you want to win? Then use it.

Daymond gritted his teeth, both arms shooting out and grabbing onto Kuro's wrists.

Kuro: What's this?

Daymond stared at Kuro intently. Kuro met it with his own vicious smile.

Daymond: I'll beat you on my own.

Kuro was yanked down, Daymond slamming his head into Kuro's face. Blood spurted from Kuro's nose as Daymond's grasp released. Daymond immediately jumped to his feet, punching Kuro across the face with a swift left hook.

Kuro's thoughts: Oi oi! I thought he was supposed to be tired out by now. That info was fucking useless!

Alexander walked through the halls, his arms crossed behind his head. Joan opened one of her eyes, looking at Alexander's relaxed composure.

Joan: Are you sure that info was going to help him?

Alexander: Maybe it will, maybe it won't. We aren't part of a group, so I have no reason to hope for his victory. But if he does manage to take out the head, that'll make it easier for us in the long run.

Joan: I do hope you're correct.

Daymond held his hands out, Kuro now wearing an open mouth frown. His teeth gritted as he charged in for another attack. Daymond grabbed onto his arm before swiftly throwing Kuro to the ground. Kuro slammed into the ground heavily. Daymond immediately hit him with a soccer kick, sending Kuro rolling along the floor.

Zachary: Such domination! The head has finally turned the tables on Kuro, putting the match in his favor once again!

Zenzo: Some people thought it was over, but it looks like it was just the beginning!

Kuro stood back up, his expression a lot more sour as he stared at Daymond.

Kuro: You're supposed to be dead. So I'm going to slaughter you. You hear me!

Daymond: I couldn't tune you out, even if I wanted to. But you really did prove to me that this new generation of fighters might not give me a rush after all.

Kuro: You think this is over? Do I have a little surprise for you…

A large smile grew on Kuro's face as he stared at Daymond.