CH-4 The Duel (ARC-1)

Begin!

As the words came out of Monomoto sensie's mouth the wind became a lot faster for Kyouku but the wind was not the only thing that became faster Monomoto's movement also became fast his non interested face suddenly changed the look to now a more calculative one.

Monomoto kicked the grass forward and his speed was something else but Kyouku was able to see his movements not perfectly but enough to get a feint idea where Monomoto's hit is gone land he moved his sword to the direction with now a thought of pride that he can at least defend himself.

Minamoto's sword made a hit. Kyouku's pride shattered instantly when the swords made contact. The sheer strength Monomoto put in his strike was enough to make Kyouku loose his balance and stance. For which he was soon punished by a strike on the leg. Kyouku felt the heat of sun becoming colder and suddenly the chirping of birds became stop. He felt lost with feelings and thoughts starting to cloud his mind.

Soon these thoughts stopped with another strike to his hand. No this not the time. I need to live in this words not be a slave again he looked at Monomoto move his sword in a sudden motion. Kyouku quickly figured out that he was planning on hitting his neck and ending this duel. He knew that defending with the sword would be worthless and the only option he was left with was dodge the incoming strike.

He dragged his body in a forty five degree motion against the grass because of the grass resisting his motion he was not able to move his body enough to the position he wanted but it was enough to dodge the incoming strike. Monomoto who wanted to end the duel soon seeing the recklessness at the beginning of the fight and after he saw Kyouku tooking the two consecutive strikes a sudden movement shocked him.

Taking advantage of the sudden shock Kyouku took his sword and moved it to land a hit on Monomoto's upper abdomen. Monomoto quick to know the sudden attack moved his sword to protect his body and changed from the offensive to defensive stance. Kyouku noticing the sudden change in stance took time to get back and put some distance between them.

Monomoto change back his defensive stance to offensive and though Kyouku's sudden change in the fight was quite amazing he probably has great determination and endurance as expected of lord Tsuginkuni's son. I need to stop underestimating him and make it a little tough for him I will not let him hit me again. He used his legs to propel him on the soft ground and shot forward and tried to hit him on the shoulder but instead of defending he dodged towards the right side and tried to hit him on the back.

The back attack was unsuccessful and he was attacked again he moved his body back and noticed the ground was more wet this side and the wall was near. A plan quickly assembled in his mind. Another attack was followed he dodged again and continued to move his body back again the wet ground resulted in thicker mud which started to restrict his movement slowly by slowly but he did not stop moving back.

Monomoto seeing Kyouku's movements was a little shocked he thought he is going back and back in the thick mud towards the wall his movements are getting restricted and the wall is near so he will have no room to dodge and then he will have to face me one on one. Maybe he is not so smart in the mind and his energy is also getting wasted by the continuous dodging. I think it is time to end this duel.

Seeing Monomoto advancing forward Kyouku thought he has fallen in my trap he moved back seeing Monomoto coming at him in the mud he waited when Monomoto had let loose his strike instead of moving back he ducked down and dodged the incoming attack and then mustered all the strength he could to jump up while moving his sword toward the neck of Monomoto. Kyouku put all the the effort he could in that one hit at the neck the attack connected and Monomoto retreated back while holding his neck which turned reddish blue now.

Over! You performed well Kid I was not prepared for that counter strike of yours It hit really hard but you should not have put all of your chances of winning on that strike. It was pretty reckless If it was a real battle I could have hit you in the head after the strike as your back was completely open said Monomoto.

Aren't we lucky that we were using practice wooden swords instead of perfect katana chuckled Monomoto.

It's over. I did it I am not going to be disowned and die like slave. What was that sentence change and chuckle you scum you think you are funny trying to lift the mood up yelled in his mind Kyouku.

Thanks for the advice Sensei I will always remember it said Kyouko to Monomoto.