(Base of operations, night time)
I was having trouble sleeping, it was 1 in the morning and yet I stil remember the punch urameshi used to knock me out, it was frustrating!
I know I have an overpowered character template, I'm supposed to be a powerful leader, yet I got knocked down.
"Well I can't dwell on this forever, maybe a walk will clear my mind." I say as I roll myself out of bed and into the Toji outfit I got on sale from the shop, and I silently walk out, making sure I didn't wake up everyone in the process.
I decide to walk the usual training route Karla and I use for morning training. As I walked I see a few drunk office workers who were apparently celebrating a coworkers promotion, 'at least someone is happy.' I think to myself as I stop and find myself at the convenience store.
As I'm contemplating whether to go in I didn't see Gamagori coming around a corner until I feel a hand on my shoulder and notice him looking at me with a stern, yet understanding look.
"You look like you need someone to talk to, come with me." Gamagori says as I follow and I find myself taking a seat behind the cash register as he pours some tea from a thermos into a cup before handing it to me.
"So what's on your mind?" He asked as I take a sip and sigh, " well I feel like our first club gathering was a complete disaster." I say as Gamagori nods and I continue, "I ended up losing to my friend by a punch, and while I'm wanting to be a strong leader, I feel frustrated because I lost!"
(And the spark towards battle mania has begun to sprout I see-thelostswordsman)
I don't know why I'm saying all this to Gamagori, I'm not a battle maniac, I shouldn't even care that I lost, yet I'm baring my soul to him! I look over at Gamagori and I see… a gentle yet understanding smile. "Look yoriichi, I get it. Your eyes were the same as mine when I was in my first year in middle school." He begins and I listen.
"Believe it or not but before I became a disciplined member of the student council, I was a battle maniac, and even before that I was like you, someone who practiced boxing for fun, but it was when I won a fist fight against the middle school bully that I started to change." He explains as I listen with shock, I always thought he was a pure delinquent during his middle school years.
"When I first tasted victory, I wanted more. You see my middle school was also a den of delinquents, and during my time in middle school, I beat them all and they started to followed me and soon we were taking out other gangs in other schools… But that all changed when I met the student council president, I challenged her for her territory…and I got humbled! One strike was all it took." Gamagori says as I listen intently, I wondered where he was going with all this.
"I layer there on the ground frustrated, I lost to someone half my size, she didn't even use her fists! But instead of looking down on me, she held out her hand and lifted me back up. She said it's okay to lose, because nobody ever got stronger without losing in the process, and now…I'm the man who disciplines everyone and became respected and feared." He finishes before taking a sip of tea.
"Why? Why tell me all this? I'm just not wishing to be left behind." I say as he looks over at the window, "well even if you get left behind, at least there's one person who's there for you." Gamagori says cryptically as he points at the door.
I look over and I see Karla opening the door, "so this is where you were Yoriichi, I couldn't find you in the house so I followed your scent. So what were you guys talking about?" Karla says as we both look at each other before explaining the whole story from the top as she listened.
And as we finished she looks at me for a few seconds before hugging me, "of course we won't leave you behind you big dumdum! If you really wanted to not be left behind I'd be more than happy to teach you hand to hand combat! I won't show you the Kure clan techniques, but I think I can help." She says encouragingly as I feel a tear roll down my eyes, I don't know why, but I didn't want this…moment to end, yet like all things they must end for something to begin.
"Thanks Karla, maybe we can start tomorrow, but for now I think it's time to head home." I say as she just nods and I see Gamagori tearing up, but it was more approval than anything, we both buy some beast energy drinks and head home.
As we were walking home sipping our energy drinks Karla taps my shoulder and I look over at her, "you know…what Gamagori said about nobody gets stronger without losing, what he said is true, even Raian always lost to grandpa when they did their sparring matches, yet he never gave up. Now he's the strongest Kure of his generation, so don't give up on me, on us, and most certainly on yourself."
As I hear her say this I start to understand why battle maniacs respect each other, even when they lose they never gave up on on their goal, nor themselves, they just keep working hard and became who they are now.
I honestly didn't know my late night walk would lead me to understand what it means to be a leader, but also to be a true fighter.
———————————————————————————————————
Well folks I hope you enjoy this chapter, I decided to give Yoriichi his character development arc/chapter and while he won't be a full battle maniac, he won't give up.
so be prepared to give suggestions on what he can learn to improve, because by the end of this mission he will win with his head held high.
And with that I'm out, peace😁✌️