Help Has Arrived

As Sakutarō backed away, he slammed into a wall behind him. Panicked, he withdrew his sword in preparation for whatever was to come.

Fuji pulled out a knife from behind his waist. He held it in front of him and pretended to throw it at Sakutarō. Once Sakutarō flinched, Fuji laughed uncontrollably, falling back into his chair.

In an attempt to prove he wasn't a coward for flinching, Sakutarō shouted out, "Why didn't you throw it?! Are you not man enough?"

Fuji came to a sudden silence, propelling himself up.

"Don't ask for what you can't handle, kid." Fuji remarked, "I want to take my time with you."

He once again held out the knife in front him, this time lining up the shot with intent. Aiming at Sakutarō's shoulder, he threw the knife. Sakutarō, reacting on instinct, turned his body ninety degrees, causing the knife to hit the wall behind him.

"That first shot was charity. This one won't miss." Fuji removed a second knife from behind his waist.

This time, without lining it up, Fuji sprung his arm backward and then forward, firing the knife at Sakutarō. Unable to react this time, Sakutarō tensed his body as he waited for the impact.

"So, is this what you do in your spare time?" Before the knife was able to penetrate Sakutarō's body, Makoto had made it just in time to catch it.

Relieved, Sakutarō looked at the door and saw Kotoba, who gave him a confident nod.

Makoto threw the knife back at Fuji.

"Try again." Makoto demanded.

"Look who it is. The has-been." Fuji stated, chuckling.

"Fuji..." Chikyu hesitantly said, "it's time for us to go."

"Shut up, Chikyu. I can take him. He's no longer the warrior he used to be."

"I'm waiting." Makoto said, staring into Fuji's soul.

Fuji threw the knife at Makoto wildly. In one swift motion, Makoto knocked it away to the side.

"Try again." Makoto commanded, taking a few slow steps forward.

Fuji pulled out a third knife, and Makoto unveiled his katana. Upon throwing the third knife, Makoto struck it to the floor.

Upon impact, he lunged forward, swinging his katana up towards Fuji. In that split second, Fuji also withdrew his sword, blocking Makoto's strike.

They both stood still, blades remaining connected, as they tried to force each other back.

"I can't use my Tokihanatsu here. But you... you will need yours to beat me." Fuji stated, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"You think I'm a fool. I won't give you any information to report back to Raidon." Makoto's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his Katana.

Fuji eased his pressure, and they both jumped back.

Makoto looked at the end of Fuji's sword, noticing the Deadly Seven mark. The sight of it made his blood boil.

"You're a disgrace to the Deadly Seven." Makoto commented, his voice filled with contempt.

"We are stronger than the original seven." Fuji responded as he smirked.

"The Deadly Seven was not founded on strength. We were united through having the same goal, which was to serve the people of Japan and keep justice throughout the land."

Fuji laughed, a harsh, grating sound.

"As interesting as your life story is, I'm still waiting to go." Chikyu interrupted sarcastically.

"Be quiet, Chikyu. Let me handle this." Fuji snarled, his eyes never leaving Makoto's.

Chikyu sighed, shaking his head. "You always let your ego get in the way, Fuji."

Makoto took advantage of the brief distraction, lunging forward once again to strike. Fuji barely managed to parry the blow, stumbling back slightly.

"You talk too much, Fuji," Makoto said, his voice low and harsh. "Let's see if you can back it up."

Fuji growled, his eyes burning with anger as he lunged back at Makoto. They exchanged lighting fast blows, the intensity of their fight increasing with every strike.

Makoto's movements, as always, were fluid and precise. Having noticed that Fuji's style were brutal and forceful, he remembered what Daisuke had told him. The worry of eventually being overpowered clouded over him.

From what Chikyu, Sakutarō and Kotoba could see, the two were evenly matched. However, due to neither one of them using the power of their Summons, Makoto's experience began to claw its way through.

"You see, Fuji," Makoto said between strikes, "strength alone isn't enough. It's the will to protect, the discipline, and the unity that makes a true warrior."

Fuji roared in frustration, putting all his strength into a downward strike. Makoto sidestepped, slashing at Fuji's side. Fuji howled in pain but managed to block Makoto's follow-up attack.

Chikyu watched in silence, showing no sign of concern. He knew Fuji's temper would be his downfall.

Makoto pressed the attack, trying to make his strikes faster and harder.

Fuji, realising he was struggling to keep up, began making mistakes as he let his anger take control.

"You've already lost, Fuji," Makoto said coldly. "You just don't know it yet."

As Makoto stepped in to deliver what he thought would be the final blow, he slipped on one of Fuji's knives.

Taking the opportunity, Fuji disarmed Makoto, sending his sword flying. Makoto fell on his back, the look of defeat in his eyes.

"Hurry up and finish it," Chikyu spat, glaring down at Makoto.

Fuji shook his head. "No. I want more than a limb."

Makoto turned to Sakutarō.

"Take Kotoba and leave. Tell Daisuke that I leave the village under his care." Makoto then turned to Fuji and Chikyu, "the next time you come here, you won't be so lucky."

Sakutarō ran towards the door. As he pushed it open, he ran into someone.

"Easy there. Don't you look where you're going?" The man Sakutarō ran into walked inside.

"Makoto, get up." The man commanded.

Makoto rose to his feet and stood beside the man.

"Who are you supposed to be?" Fuji asked.

"Daisuke."