Xulong Back Street

Yamato sat cross legged in the river, his eyes close and his attention lost in his mind. To make the construct of abstract things like gravity and air resistance, Yamato followed his master's advice and went for things that burn easily.

However he didn't like the idea of using paper or leaves as construct because even though they burn, they burn without substance. For his fatigue Yamato went for a plastic spoon so he could watch it literary melt away. For gravity it was a block of wood, so he could see it smoulder away in real time, this way it'd be more believable. After all if his gravity burn away in an instance he'd find it too unbelievable.

And lastly for air resistance he went with a dry sponge. He threw the three constructs representing somewhat vague laws into the fire one by one.

Yamato didn't know how, but taking in the constructs the green flame grew bigger. He studied it for a moment before opening his eyes. "Done," He said.

"Do you feel any different?" Katrina asked.

"No..." Yamato honestly felt no different from usual only a little light. He didn't float in the air as he was half expecting nor did he feel superhumanly strong.

Katrina suddenly kicked the ground and shot towards him with her palm outstretched. Yamato blinked in surprise; before now he could never see when she starts moving until she appears in front of him. But now he could track her movement.

He moved his hand in the path of her palm trying to intercept it, but Katrina changed the trajectory mid motion.

The palm struck him in the chest sending him flying. Yamato fell into the middle of the river with a mighty splash. The next moment he stood up with a sullen expression. Alas he was too naive, he could track her but that didn't change the outcome.

"Why the long face little disciple?" Katrina laughed. "You didn't think you could match your master with just a brief practice of breathing did you? Besides this is just my base speed, I can even go way faster,"

Hearing that Yamato felt even more depressed. Somehow the more he learned, the more the peak of martial art seem more untouchable. Well the peak of martial arts is beyond him at this time, defeating this woman will be enough to please him.

Katrina continued. "At this moment your flames can only a devour a small part of the laws and concepts. But in time and with practice your flame would be able to devour more of your burdens making you naturally faster,"

"How fast?"

"Faster than me if you are diligent enough,"

"I'll take you up on that," Yamato said pretending not to care.

After that Yamato practiced with his Master, using the breathing technique. He realized that the hardest part of the breathing technique is holding the flame in his mind alight while fighting at the same time. The flame needs concentration to keep burning yet if he focuses too much on it he'll be absent minded when blocking or sending attacks, making him lose faster than usual.

But Yamato was not discouraged because he knows he'll be very stronger once he masters this technique. Already because of his Master's training he wasn't just any ordinary Street Fighter that fight without any form or knowledge anymore. He is now in some sense an expert.

He thought he'll defeat Zack easily if he fights him now. That's how much he has grown over the past two months.

The next day after getting off work, Yamato reluctantly headed to the open market. The market gate is usually busy with people coming and going in and out of the market. But even from a distance he spotted the dark haired young woman in a yellow sun dress, white hat and sun glasses.

She clutched a handbag casually as if she wasn't afraid of it being snatched like the day before. Like yesterday there was no sign of that bodyguard with her. But Yamato supposed that's the idea. He's probably hiding in the shadows.

Yamato searched with his eyes but saw no sign of him though.

Taking a deep breath he walked towards the lady. Immediately she saw him, she glared at him and said, "You are late,"

"What time is it?" Yamato asked as polite as he could since he didn't know the time himself. He didn't check his phone on his way here all he knows is he'd headed here immediately he got off work so he didn't understand what she's talking about.

"It's 12;45. 15 minute late!" She said.

Yamato checked his phone and saw that she was right. "My boss didn't come to change shifts with me on time,"

"I don't care," Elizabeth said. "When a person makes an appointment he or she must keep it! I am deducting 150 notes from your pay,"

This noble woman has a temper, Yamato thought sullenly. "How much are you paying me anyway?"

"We didn't talk about that? The standard fee for a B star guide is one thousand for three days. I'll give you that amount, minus 150 of course,"

Making 850 notes, which is still a terrifying amount for a day's work, especially one as easy as showing rich people around. Yamato never knew that tourist guides make this much money. Making him envious.

"So where do you want to see?" He asked his client.

Elizabeth scrunched her nose. "I have already seen all those fancy places this city has to offer. So I am actually more interested in the slums,"

"Slums?"

"This Band E district. Its infamy has spread all over the Empire, they said there are a lot of Street Fights, gang wars and other crazy things. I want you to take me to the places these things are happening,"

Of course the lady was lying. Most people in the Empire just knows about Kreal city not its districts. She just needed a local to lead her into these dangerous places so she doesn't alert people she shouldn't alert.

Is this woman okay in the head? Hearing her words Yamato felt dazed. You couldn't blame him, what's there to see in this shitty Band E? Not to talk of gang wars, where would he find Street Fighters in the middle of fighting on such short notice? Street Fights are not that common that you are sure to see one everyday. Though admittedly you might find one if you go looking for it.

Also gang wars are not things that can be tracked, there just kind of happen. Thinking of that Yamato could only sigh and said, "Wait for me here, I'll right back,"

Elizabeth frowned. "Where are you going?"

"To ask around about where I can find a street fight,"

"Then I'll come with you, I want to see how the street of Kreal city works first hand,"

Yamato frowned. "Are you sure? These places are too dangerous for.."

"For what?"

"For a wealthy person like you. Some people won't care about your identity and will try to extort you,"

"Then that's all the more reason I must go! Besides I have Saldo protecting me in the Shadows,"

"Right," Yamato muttered. He looked around dubiously but saw no sign of the supposed hidden bodyguard. Did he have some magic trick that could turn him invisible? But in reality it is either the man's strength and technique far surpass Yamato's understanding or he isn't really here.

"Fine," after some thought, in the end Yamato couldn't disobey this noble woman. After all she was paying quite well. "Can you walk long distances?"

"I have legs right? Do you think I am some flower vase?"

Yamato glanced at her high heels vaguely thinking that he heard somewhere that women find it hard to walk for prolong periods of time on high heels. "Then please follow me,"

"That's more like it. You can be polite when you want it huh? Though you are still a slum brat," Elizabeth mused with some wonder.

Yamato was irritated and wanted to say something but he bit it down and ignored her.

As they walked through Band E district Elizabeth kept staring at everything in calculated interest. It was odd that what he found to be normal was a novelty to her; the buildings covered in graffiti, the tattooed men and women, the hologram billboards that glitches on and off.

The last one made her ask why they did not fix it but Yamato just shrugged and told her that it might be they didn't want to spare the money. Here Elizabeth played the role of spoilt rich girl well and pretended she couldn't wrap her mind around that.

Band E district has five official zones itself. First is the Main street that encompasses Band E highschool, middle school, hospital and police station. The second zone called Dragon area has the Dragon Park and the suburbs. The third zone is Downtown area where Yamato's home is located at the border it shares with the Main Street. Fourth is Xulong Back Street. And the Harbour district, which has a lot of factories, is the fifth zone of Band E.

Of the five zones of Band E, Xulong street is the most chaotic. Here there are a lot of nightclubs and gambling houses, gaming centers and tattoo parlors. In these establishments the drug business thrives. In the night with some bodyguards it is okay, but during the day... It was not a place a rich person should step in, as its habitats are greedy fools.

Yet here was Yamato leading such a rich noble lady into a Xulong Back Street. She followed like an innocent lamb entering into the tiger's den. Not showing any worry on her face as if she has no sense of danger.

However it was not a problem since Yamato is here. Since he dare brought her along into this place he is confident he could handle anything.

As he and Elizabeth walked through the street every kind of person looked at them. It was not surprising as Elizabeth exuded the air of wealth from her cloths, jewelry or bearing. Yamato could see the greedy light many people's eyes, so each time he saw such a person he glared at them in challenge. That's enough to make most backed down, those that didn't were hindered by the reaction of others.

Yamato led Elizabeth into a bar called Emerald Smoke. This place was choke full of lots of shady looking guys drinking and playing billiard on a good day. Today too the place was filled up well enough even though it was afternoon. That's something because at night it was even more impressive.

The smell of cigarette and cheap bear hung in the air. And non distinct chatter of the lively place filled ones ears.

All eyes turned to Yamato and Elizabeth when they walked in. Some of the rough looking guys even whistled and jeered at this rich young lady. Elizabeth glared at them in response. From their gazes she expected to be attacked at any moment but the men just looked and made no move.

She secretly sighed in relieve, while outside she appeared innocent she was currently enduring the urge to show these fools their place.

Yamato didn't know just as he had considered Elizabeth had lied about having a bodyguard in the shadows. Not to talk of anything else she didn't need bodyguards; in fact she could take care of herself quite alright and even if he fights her he'll probably not be able to win.

But at this moment she couldn't actually show her strength or her cover would be blown. That's why she employed him so he could shield her, this way she doesn't have to fight by herself and could continue looking like a harmless naive tourist.

Seeing non of these tough looking men daring to cause trouble, Elizabeth was impressed.

'This little guy surprisingly has a strong aura to scare away these men,' she thought.

But just when Elizabeth thought no one would dare make a move, two brawny men suddenly stepped in front of she and Yamato. From their bearing it was obvious that they wanted trouble.

[[[]]

Author's note; Thanks for the support..