Chapter 28

A month earlier, while Tom was doing his usual training in the backyard…

Tom; Tsugi no mai, Hakyu…

Jerry; bro, I think you should take a little break. You're sweating like hell.

Then Tom came, sat down and took a bottle of water.

Tom; thanks by the way.

Jerry; have you ever considered reading your opponent before a fight?

Tom; huh?

Jerry; I mean, just taking a second to analyse your opponent just before you start the fight, from his physique to his weapon the truth is, a fight starts before the weapon is even drawn or the stance is made, it can be useful when determining whether to fight defensively or offensively. Also, be more confident in yourself, you're much stronger than you look, I can tell seeing you now compared to last time.

Tom; ok, hey bro, a few years back, your dream was to change the world, has that changed?

Jerry; listen, being a kid and coming of age are two different things to me, the truth is, if anyone suddenly had these powers, they would use them to become rich and famous you know. But the difference is, we're supposed to live our lives like nothing's changed, only that our lives have become slightly more convenient, however ever since we had them, they've caused us nothing but trouble, and honestly, if I could trade them in for our normal live back, I'd gladly do so. But to answer your question, I don't know, I'll just leave it to my future self to handle it.

Back in the present.

Chain, who was just waking up; what happened?

Tom; oh, good you're awake.

Chain; you! What did you do to me?

Tom; I believe it's obvious, you're tied up, and it's going to stay that way until you answer my questions.

Chain; YOU BASTARD!

Tom; hey, hey, hey… why don't you just calm down, and tell me what you know, and how do I get to Con?

Chain; as if I'd ever tell you.

Tom; well, that's a shame, see, when was just about to finish you off, I only stopped because, I thought you would be cooperative. Well, I guess we all make mistakes.

Then Tom brought out his sword and said, well then, I guess I'll just have to kill you and figure out the rest myself.

Chain, while grinning; you're bluffing, there's no way a boy like you would… AAAAHHH.

Tom; there, I just stabbed you in the bicep. The next one is between your tits, can you survive? Only one way to know.

Chain; PIECE OF SHIT!!!

Tom; and would you please stop screaming, it truly irritates me.

Alright, if you don't want to talk, I'll just make this quick.

Chain; Wait!

Just keep moving forward, take a right and enter the lobby. The only door you see is to the boss' chamber.

Tom; alright.

SLASH!

Chain, noticing she's been freed; about time.

Tom; don't ever let me see your face again. The next time I see you, your head will be detached.

Then Tom ran to the direction of Con's chamber.

Meanwhile…

Jerry; ok, so what did you say your name was again? Blade? What's up with that by the way?

Blade; we were named by our fighting style. I use blades, Chain uses chains and fist, you get the idea. Together, we are the boss' attack dogs.

Jerry; interesting.

Blade; alright, now, may you please untie me and return my clothing?

Jerry; yeah, whatever, as long as I never see you again, Lenard, untie the poor guy.

Lenard; alright then.

Meanwhile…

Fist; pathetic, so this is all your retainers [subordinates] are capable of?

Then he choke slammed both C and K to the ground simultaneously and said, I'm not impressed.

C, who was just about to pass out; please forgive us master, we weren't strong enough.

And there stood Jake, with a devastated look on his face.

A few minutes earlier…

K; we want to thank you again for all you've done for us master.

C; if it wasn't for you we don't know what we would do.

Jake; I told you guys already, it was just in good conscience *seriously, I don't deserve you guys, you're too good for me*

K; wait, look! Up ahead, there's someone just sitting there.

Fist; oh, you must be the intruders we were expecting. So you three are my opponents, I was expecting better, honestly, I couldn't care less.

K; how dare you speak so low of our master like that!

C; master please, let us defend your pride, I can't just stand by and watch some meathead insult you like that.

Jake; you know it's really not a big deal, but you can knock yourselves out, make me proud out there.

Back in the present.

Jake with a few tears in his eyes; Chōie, Kousuke…

The two brothers were on the floor seemingly dead

Fist; that was barely a warm up. Anyway, are you going to fight me or just keep standing there.

At that moment Jake jumped straight in front of him so fast it was like teleportation before sending him back with a punch to the chest then he rushes to deliver multiple punches to the upper body while Fist said, Yeah, this is more like it, now it's starting to feel like a fight. I guess I'll have to attack as well!

Then Fist swung his fist to Jake, but he dodged it.

Jake; *that was a close one, if it had hit me, I'd probably be dead. *

Then Jake ran back then charged towards Fist to gain some momentum before delivering a right hook to the face.

Fist; nice punch there, it almost scratched me.

Jake who was absolutely shocked; *huh, what the hell is he still standing? What's with this guy, it's like he's not even human.

Then Fist grabbed Jake by the arms and lifted him up saying, now then, it time to end this.

Then he punched Jake so hard he flew to a wall and cracked it.

Fist; you know kid, I like how you fight, however, it's flawed and needs refinement. But even so, you could have beaten me, if only you had resolve, something driving your fist. Me, hmh, before I met the boss, I was a nobody, just a random thug who got beaten up so much I felt like killing myself, till the boss found me, gave me strength and a reason to live, I live only to fight the for the boss, but one day, just for the hell of it, I want to fight him to.

Jake, while losing consciousness; *I guess this is it, I just got beaten up badly and usually, this is where I'm supposed to get a convenient flashback that's gona help me, and here it is. Right on time…*

6 years earlier, Jake's mom's funeral…

Kazuma (Jake's dad); Son, know this, life is precious, make as many friends as you need to, I won't be around much but, I hope one day you would understand.

Jake (narrating); I remember that day, it was the last time my dad had an actual conversation with me, it was also the same day that…

Jerry; hey dude, so sorry your mom died. Miss Ai was a very kind lady. I'm gona miss her.

Then Jake turned his head to Jerry with a dead expression on his face asking, what do you want?

Jerry; hm, honestly, what I want, is to get outa here.

Tom; well, good luck with that.

Jerry; listen, I know how you feel right now, I lost my mom a while back. But that doesn't mean it's the end right?

Then Jake looked at Jerry for a moment.

Jerry; that's the spirit!

Then Jerry grabbed Jake's hand and took him to an arcade.

Jake (narrating); yup, I remember, 1st we argued about which game to play 1st, then eventually I ended up starting 1st, at first, I was losing, but eventually I beat him by a mile.

Jerry to Lenard; you see, there was this one time Jake was depressed about his mom, and I had to let him win just to make him feel better.

Lenard; oh, that's nice.

Jake; then a few days after that we went swimming, partying and did all sorts of cool stuff. Then came that faithful night at the restaurant…

Jerry; wow, this takoyaki is delicious! You should try it!

Jake; sure, anyway, I need to tell you something…

Jerry; what is it?

Jake; remember when we first met?

Jerry; yeah, you just came to my house cuz our dads had that one meeting, but nothing really happened.

Jake; I actually found you goofy and annoying.

Jerry; and I found you cold, dead, boring, unsociable, emo…

Jake; OK I GET IT! I WAS A DOUNER!

Jerry; yeah you were.

Jake; anyway, after the funeral, I was truly glad you took me to the arcade, I had lots of good times there. And we've been seeing each other for a month now, so I was hoping, can you never stop being my friend.

Jerry; huh,

Then Jerry burst into laughter and said, oh really, that's what this was about! Seriously! Man, you truly are hopeless without me aren't ya? Anyway, that was still going to happen no matter what ok?

But let's make this official. Before we do this, you need to promise that no matter what, you won't be depressed ever again got it? No excuses! Are you hearing me you piece of shit?

Then Jerry placed his hand on the table…

Jake; fine then, you asshole.

Then Jake grabbed Jerry's hand.

Jake; that's right I goda get up, if Jerry saw me like this, he'll get mad, but would never let me here the end of it. In that case I goda get up and end this!

Next chapter coming soon!

Takeshi; Boss, you ordered for me?

Con; yes, I'm going to make this very brief, you're relieved of your duty.

Takeshi; but boss I…

Then con drove his spike shaped are into Takeshi's gut, raised him up, looked at him and smiled menacingly.

Takeshi; Damn, you…

Then Takeshi's body began to crack slowly,

Takeshi; Flash point.

Then Takeshi's body exploded blood, guts and all.

Con; I was getting tired of him anyway… Now, has he gone to get it?

Guard; yes sir, your son is already on his way to the axe, by the time the moon is up, you will be all powerful.

Con; good. Zurui, make sure you take care of that thing I gave you.

Zurui; yes sir, your power, I will use it to fulfil your will, and I'll make sure nothing gets in my way.