Chapter 60 - Raijin

Theodore clenched his fists as he raised them up, Yussuf's breathing already noticeably irregular.

Yussuf's thoughts: Man, that throw hurts. Theodore really is the monster people make him out to be. His fighting style is different from regular martial arts, though… I feel like Daymond mentioned this to us before.

Yussuf ran in, dust kicking up into the air as he thrusted his sword, the blow bouncing off of Theodore's gauntlets. Theodore immediately went for a punch directly to the gut, only for Yussuf to spin away.

Theodore's thoughts: His speed is improving. Impressive.

Yussuf smiled, the pain still shooting through his body. He raised his blade into the air, bringing it down on Theodore's shoulder. Yussuf's body fills with glee as his blade connects, thinking for a split moment that blood spurted upward. An instant pain filled his side as he was sent flying. Theodore's right fist was fully extended.

Theodore's thoughts: Phantasm.

Ziyad rubbed his chin, turning to Theresa.

Ziyad: It seems he's using it to completely outplay his opponent.

Theresa: Of course, the Imperium Rule is a fighting style that can respond to nearly any attack.

…

Theodore's fighting style is known as the Imperium Rule. It is a style that is only taught down to members of the royal family of the Virtus Imperium. Each ruler was taught this style. Its main attribute is its extremely versatile techniques. Used as a symbol of power and nobility, the Imperium Rule is used to protect one's nation, with Theodore making an eventual change to allow it to be used for competitive use. Now with the style being freely used by Theodore in matches, he furthered the martial arts further than any previous family member. His additions of durable gauntlets and shin guards increased the power that multiple moves would have normally, as well as increasing the user's own durability.

Moves such as Phantasm is one that uses the split moment of when a fighter is focused on their attack, only for the user to avoid it at the very last second. This creates an illusion in the mind of the opponent that their hit had connected, only for the user to have moved freely before their opponent would recognize it as so.

…

Yussuf writhed in pain, rolling on the ground before pushing himself up once again. His smile was gone, his breathing more irregular than before. Theodore's arms dropped to his side as he looked at Yussuf. Yussuf gripped tightly onto his sword until Theodore gestured to him.

Theodore: Do you wish to continue to fight? I do not wish to seriously harm you. This tournament is nothing more than sport, is it not?

Yussuf gritted his teeth, looking up at Theodore with pain in his eyes. Theodore lowered his arms, Yussuf pointing his blade at Theodore.

Yussuf: Sport? Sport! There's nothing sportful about this! I plan to win, you hear me! I will win!

Theodore's eyes opened wide, Yussuf moving like a blur past him before whipping back around behind him. Theodore felt warmth on his left side, looking at the cut Yussuf had inflicted.

Theodore's thoughts: His speed has increased. He's pushing himself harder than before.

Yussuf: I want to win!

Yussuf dashed at Theodore once again, thrusting his sword arm rapidly at Theodore. He held his sheath tightly in his left hand, enough for the sheath to begin to crack. Theodore pushed each attack away with his shin guards, staring intensely at Yussuf's movements.

Simon: Hey, I've never seen him move this fast before.

Magnus: Shun, do you know anything about this?

Shun: I do. This is the speed that we're supposed to be able to reach, cause that old man sure can. Yussuf was never able to do it without pushing himself to the absolute brink. I think that king's comment really pushed him over the edge. He's finally trying.

Moll: You say that, but he seems more sloppy than before.

Yussuf threw his sheath away, gripping onto the hilt of his sword, pushing Theodore's arm away.

Yussuf: I'll show you my Raijin Style!

Yussuf thrusted his blade forward, Theodore slamming his forearm down to knock the blade away. Yussuf quickly spun around, changing the direction of his blade to aim at Theodore's neck. The audience stared in shock as the blade moved closer and closer to Theodore's neck. The sound of metal hitting metal filled the ring once more, Yussuf's face full of shock as Theodore's gauntlet stood between his neck and the blade. Theodore kicked Yussuf away, Yussuf keeping his grip on his blade as he looked up at Theodore. Blood dripped from his face, Yussuf's face full of exasperation. Pain began to well up in his body, moving at speeds he was unaccustomed to.

Theodore: You are willingly putting your life on the line. Are you sure you wish to continue?

Yussuf's eyes glanced at the single cut on Theodore's bicep. He put on a mad smile before moving like a blur once again. Theodore let out a sigh before meeting Yussuf with a straight right. Yussuf jumped into the air, spinning before slashing Theodore in the back. Theodore pulled his arm back, immediately whipping around and knocking Yussuf away with a backhand. Yussuf tumbled on the ground, still holding his sword in his right hand. Theodore put a hand on his back before bringing it to his sights. He looked at the blood that coated his fingers, looking at Yussuf who struggled to push himself back up. Theresa put a hand over her mouth, Daniel blinking wildly as he saw the blood on Theodore's hand.

Daniel: Papa!

Theresa: Oh dear, it seems an attack from the back has landed.

Ziyad: Judging from Theodore's reaction, it seems the cut itself wasn't deep. Only deep enough to draw blood. But that doesn't ignore the fact that Yussuf's attack was unorthodox.

Theresa: You really are skilled in noticing those details, Ziyad.

Ziyad: I have worked by Theodore's side since he was born. And with my experience on the battlefield, I can tell what could affect him and what wouldn't.

…

Why exactly was Yussuf able to reach such speeds? The answer lies within the principles of the Raijin Style. The Raijin Style has six main principles. A master of the style would be able to incorporate all of them to defeat nearly any opponent. The main principle that Yussuf was using here is known as the Yokai Pace, a usage of speed and irregular footwork to work around an opponent. Even against larger opponents, Yokai Pace is capable of inflicting large amounts of damage.

…

Theodore: Your style… You called it the Raijin Style before, yes?

Yussuf breathed heavily, blood dripping from the sides of his mouth, his eyes slowly moving as he met Theodore's.

Yussuf: ...yes…

Theodore: That somehow sounds familiar. Yet your attack just now was rather unorthodox. If you can continue to fight, then I'll meet you seriously. I can truly see the determination you hold within your skills.

…

Off in a secluded home, a man laid on a couch, a hand over his eyes as he let out a deep sigh. Another man ran into the room, holding a note in his hand.

Man: Mr. Kanta, the matches have been decided!

Hiroto: Yeah yeah, I'm aware. I got the news from a good friend of mine.

Man: That man that Yusuke is meant to fight, isn't that…

Hiroto: Yeah, it's the son of the previous king of the Virtus Imperium. Well, he's the king now, so no reason to refer to him as only the son.

Man: Does young Yusuke stand a chance?

Hiroto: Let's see… I had a run-in with the previous king. He was certainly strong, but a man that left himself open. But from what I heard about this current king, Yussuf's chances don't seem so good. I'd put Yusuke's chances of winning at… fifteen percent.

Man: That low?!

Hiroto: Those Virtus kings are no jokes. Yusuke has a chance, but if he doesn't pick up the slack, that king won't be going down. I hope Shun helped him, or else things aren't going to be pretty.

Man: Do you have faith in young Yusuke?

Hiroto: If he can get over his own weakness, I'll have faith in him. But he's the only one that can decide that for himself. He is my student, after all. But to think two different generations of Raijin wielders would face off against two different Imperium kings. This can be rather interesting.