Chapter "The Legacy Will Be Carried"

Hisashi fled, leaving Subaru standing alone, his face a mask of frustration and concern. The boys erupted into laughter, their jeers filling the air.

"Looks like that kid made a smart move," one of them remarked, his laughter ringing out as the others joined in.

“Damn, that coward,” Subaru seethed silently, his anger palpable. “I’m already battered and exhausted; taking them on now would be too risky. I need to retreat.” With a grim expression, he began to walk back, the boys' laughter trailing behind him as they continued to close in.

Subaru’s steps quickened as he retreated, his urgency mounting with each stride. Eventually, he pivoted and broke into a sprint, fleeing from the scene.

“Huh, you think you can just run away from me?” one of the boys yelled. Despite Subaru’s fear and determination propelling him forward, a bat suddenly flew through the air, striking him in the neck. He staggered in pain before collapsing face-first onto the ground, clearly injured.

The boys closed in from behind as Subaru crawled desperately forward. One of them grabbed Subaru by the hair, yanking him upright. Subaru stood there, facing the boys, his face smeared with blood. The boy held him by his hair, forcing him to meet their gazes, while the others watched with malicious grins.

“We will kill you Subaru,” the boy declared, striking him with a devastating punch to the nose. Subaru staggered backward before collapsing onto the ground, blood streaming from his broken nose.

The boy, a menacing grin on his face, began approaching Subaru, cracking his knuckles ominously. Subaru, lying on the ground, looked up at him with a mix of anger and fear.

With a cruel smile, the boy swung his fist at Subaru, shouting, "Die, Subaru!" As the punch hurtled toward Subaru’s face, his eyes widened in terror. Suddenly, a rod swung in from the side, striking the boy squarely in the face. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he staggered backward, collapsing to the ground, unconscious and bleeding.

The other boys stood frozen in shock, their expressions a mix of disbelief and fear. Subaru remained seated on the ground, his eyes wide with astonishment. Standing between Subaru and the boys was Hisashi, gripping a bloodied rod with a fierce glare. Hisashi's eyes blazed with unbridled fury as he stared down the boys, who now looked both stunned and apprehensive. The tension in the air was palpable.

“What the hell did you do to him?” one of the boys shouted, his fury palpable.

“Back off, or you’ll suffer the same fate,” Hisashi declared boldly, gripping the rod tightly.

“You’re going to pay for this!” another boy yelled, and with their anger palpable, he and the rest of the group began advancing on Hisashi, each step filled with menacing intent.

Hisashi took his stance, gripping the rod firmly. “Subaru, stay behind me. This is my fight,” he declared.

Subaru, rising from behind Hisashi, his face set with determination, assumed a fighting stance beside him. “I’m not staying back,” Subaru countered fiercely. “It’s us against all.” He shouted with resolve, “We fight together!”

The boys began sprinting toward them, but Hisashi and Subaru stood resolute, their expressions steely and focused as they watched the group of boys advance them…..

Heavy, labored breaths echoed through the park as Hisashi and Subaru lay battered and beaten on the ground, staring up at the sky. Both were bloodied and bruised, with cuts on their foreheads and blood trickling from their mouths. Their eyes barely fluttered open, revealing their exhaustion and pain.

“You fool,” Subaru managed to whisper, his voice strained. “Why did you come back after running away?”

Hisashi, breathing heavily, replied with a hint of defiance in his voice. “What are you talking about? I didn’t run away. I went to get the rod so we’d have a fighting chance against them.”

“Why fight them when they weren’t your enemy?” Subaru asked again, his voice weak.

“Of course, to protect you,” Hisashi replied. Subaru’s eyes widened in surprise, and he turned his head to look at Hisashi, who lay beside him.

“Why protect me?” Subaru asked, clearly stunned.

“Can’t let them hurt my rival,” Hisashi said firmly.

“Rival?” Subaru asked, his voice filled with surprise.

“Yes,” Hisashi replied, a determined glint in his eye. “You admire Kurata Hazake, and I admire Ryouma Matsumoto. They were rivals, so naturally, that makes us rivals as well.”

Subaru listened intently, his eyes wide with astonishment. With great effort, Hisashi managed to rise to his feet, wincing in pain. He turned to Subaru and extended his hand. Subaru grasped it firmly, pulling himself up with Hisashi's support. Both now stood facing each other, their hands clasped in a firm handshake, a silent bond formed in their shared struggle.

“One day, I’ll defeat you cleanly,” Hisashi declared. “Until then, I’ll protect you just so I can have the chance to beat you myself.”

With a smirk, Subaru said, “Then, let’s grow together, become stronger together. Let’s fight for the glory of the almighty and give the world another epic showdown—a new glimpse of Ryouma versus Kurata.” His smirk broadened as he continued, “And on that day, you’ll see just how strong I truly am.”

Hisashi smirked, shaking his head with determination. “I’ll be the one to show you just how great I am,” he declared boldly.

Both locked in a determined stare down, smirks playing on their lips, Their hands remained clasped tightly. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air around them grew heavy and oppressive, making it difficult for them to breathe. Their eyes widened in shock as they both sensed the sudden, intense change in the environment.

Suddenly, Subaru's eyes widened as he noticed the shadow of Ryouma Matsumoto emerging behind Hisashi. Ryouma's eyes glowed with an intense light, and his long white hair floated ethereally in the air. The sheer presence of his shadow was overpowering, making it almost impossible for Subaru to lift his gaze. The air grew heavier, and Subaru's breaths came in ragged gasps, unable to move his eyes away from Hisashi.

Suddenly, Hisashi's eyes widened further as he noticed the shadow of Kurata Hazake materializing behind Subaru. Kurata's eyes blazed a fierce red, and his long black hair floated ominously in the air. The oppressive intensity of Kurata's shadow made it nearly impossible for Hisashi to look up. Struggling to breathe, Hisashi's gaze remained locked with Subaru’s, the overwhelming presence of Kurata's shadow leaving him stunned and breathless.

The shadows of Ryouma Matsumoto and Kurata Hazake loomed over them, their unwavering stares at each other and formidable presences creating an almost tangible pressure in the air. The intensity of their combined force filled the atmosphere with a heavy, unyielding weight, making it difficult for both Hisashi and Subaru to breathe or look away.

“The Legacy Will Be Carried, For When Legends Retire, New Legends Rise To Take Their Place.”