Scheming

Leon almost didn't feel the man trying to push him down but for the sake of appearances, Leon slowly started to give. The mole of a man grinned seeing his victory in the near future, " Stupid kid how much of that did you steal, how does it feel to know that all your hard work is going to go to me for a measly twenty dollars. "

Gritting his teeth Leon 'strained' to keep his hand from going lower, ' Oh I'm going to enjoy this. ' With a roar, Leon started to push back with a sudden burst of strength, the moleman's brow furrowed as he found himself on the opposite side.

After a drawn-out battle, Leon finally won slammed the back of the man's fist onto the table with a resounding thud. Everyone cheered as they still had a chance to win, Leon was glad as he was wearing a mask as he couldn't stop a smile from forming on his face. Clutching his bruise fist the man quickly stood up melding into the crowd, " Next!! " Leon grinned as his next victim sat in front of him, ' The poor fool. '

In the first hour, Leon won about five hundred dollars from ten opponents. Some smart ass thought that by forcing a match again and again he would eventually tire and he would win. All he ended up accomplishing was emptying his wallet, after his first ten victims things really started to heat up.

Word started to spread about a kid trouncing full-grown adults in arm wrestling matches, it wasn't only shoppers that were attracted food stands started to pop up inside and around the crowd which was also part of his plan. By the twentieth fight, Leon was still undefeated and currently facing his twenty-first opponent.

The sight was comical a man who looked like a bodybuilder strained against Leon, people could barely see Leon's hand as it was tiny compared to the giant's. ' I actually feel some pressure on this one, my hands getting tired though. '

Ending the fight Leon subdued his opponent much to the crowd's pleasure, " Is there anyone at all who would try and win against me. " Leon looked around and was a little dejected about no one coming forward when the crowd parted revealing the strangest man Leon had ever seen.

The man had a horse-face with two protruding front teeth. His long black hair was tied into a ponytail. He had the kanji numeral for "9" (九) tattooed on his left shoulder. He wore a yukata of various shades of purple with three flowers painted on the lower half, a belt with two ponytails at the back, and multiple black bands on his arms.

He also had two katanas strapped to his waist, the hilts were wrapped in white bandages and the sheaths are brown in color. Leon was wary of this fellow, he carried himself the same way his father did. Still, the man was still weaker than his father but that was still more than enough to lose to him. Picking up the twenty dollars the man threw down Leon pocketed the bills not taking his eyes off the man.

" My name is Saccho Kobyakawa, may I know yours " Leon waited before he answered Saccho's question, " My name is Leon Zoldyck, it would be eye-opening to see the distance between us. " Saccho face lost it's calm before he smiled a little, " You would learn more if you used your main hand. "

Nodding Leon switched over to his left hand, holding up his right one Leon held up his first two fingers for a few seconds before he dropped them. Clasping hands Leon counted to three to start the match, immediately Leon knew he had no chance of winning.

The horseman in front of him was a mountain of strength still, Leon wouldn't give up easily. Leon's veins bulged as his arm flexed ripping his shirt at the seams, the tabled groaned before the table split down the middle. Not missing a beat Leon and Saccho continued their match on the ground both laying on their stomachs.

Trying to hold out Leon suppressed the pain coming from his crushed hand as he continued to push against Saccho, after a minute Leon felt the vice around his hand tighten as an irresistible force slammed his fist into the ground cracking the paved stone.

Everyone was silent before the crowd erupted in cheers as some won their bets and other lost fortunes, sighing Leon stood up, " Thank you for letting me learn. " Saccho also stood meeting Leon's eyes, " One day you will be stronger than me, here take this.

" Leon took the thin book from Saccho it's cover was made out of brown leather that was cracked with age, " Your body type is suited for swordsmanship. I entrust you with my manual, I know you will not disappoint. " Bowing Leon couldn't believe his luck, turning around Saccho walked back into the crowd, " If you want to fight again graduate from the hunter's exam. "

Leon stood as he promised to himself that they would fight again, coming out of his reverie Leon turned to face the crowd " I'm sorry to say but I must depart, I thank you all for being such a wonderful audience. " Quickly grabbing the chest Leon disappeared his body flickering like a mirage that was never there.

Leon watched from a nearby alley as people tried to look for him, sighing Leon took off his hood wincing as he forgot about his partially crushed hand. His fingers were bent and twisted at different angles and bone showed in some places, scoffing Leon walked further into the alley coming to a small alcove where two men Tom and Jerry stood.

Leon had found the two as workers for hire, Tom was a bouncer while Jerry was just a man looking for money. While the arm wrestling could earn him maybe a thousand dollars people would become uninterested before he hit the 8000 mark, but with any type of game came two major aspects betting and food.

He paid Jerry 200 dollars and 10 percent of the winnings to bet the maximum amount on him unless he signaled with his first two fingers which he would then bet all on his opponent. As for Tom, the bouncer he would 'kindly' ask the stalls for protection money or things would get messy, and only for 300 dollars.

" Alright, I upheld my part of the bargain now it's your turn. "