Chapter 67: the winner is ...!

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In an instant, his velocity doubled, propelling him at an extraordinary speed. The sheer force of his passage caused adjacent vehicles to topple over. Closing in on Mr. Black, who had veered toward the concluding straight stretch leading to the finish line, Issei faced a crucial decision.

Rather than pursuing the conventional route, Issei veered onto a parallel elevated path. In a final, desperate maneuver to surpass Mr. Black, he catapulted from the higher road, flames engulfing his surroundings as he soared through the air. The intensity of his ascent shattered nearby glass windows, culminating as Issei landed ahead of Mr. Black.

Subsequently, Issei careened onto the unoccupied airport runway. His motorcycle's roar mirrored that of a ferocious dragon as he surged past the finish line. While it took a brief interval for him to decelerate and turn around, Issei was swiftly greeted by a cluster of spectators assembled at the end of the empty runway.

A mere heartbeat later, Mr. Black barreled across the finish line, nearly losing control of his motorcycle as he fought to skid to a halt. Abandoning his bike promptly, he advanced toward Issei with visible hostility, his footsteps resonating with a seething intensity.

"Congratulations, Red Dragon of Kuoh! That was-" the finish line announcer's words were abruptly truncated as Mr. Black launched him away with a display of inhuman strength.

"What the hell was that?!" Mr. Black's voice reverberated with rage, directed squarely at Issei.

"You lost, you jerk!" Issei retorted, instantly closing the gap between them.

Cellphones emerged from pockets, capturing the unfolding confrontation as Mr. Black seized Issei's jacket and hoisted him off the ground.

His tone laced with menace, Mr. Black growled, "You cheated! I know you did! No motorcycle can attain such speeds!"

Issei swiftly grasped Mr. Black's wrists, prying them apart before forcefully shoving the man back. "Mine can."

"You're stronger than your punk exterior suggests..." Mr. Black remarked solemnly.

Although obscured by his helmet, Issei sensed the loathing glare Mr. Black directed at him. The tense standoff was broken when a sternly-dressed older man approached, his voice commanding attention. "Enough, Mr. Black! The race is concluded. The Ryujin Family emerged victorious."

Reluctantly, Mr. Black retreated from Issei. Seconds later, he removed his helmet, casting an intense gaze upon Issei. "You're going to regret making an enemy out of me, Red Dragon of Kuoh."

Issei was taken aback upon seeing Mr. Black's features for the first time. The man sported a blend of black and blonde hair, coupled with heterochromatic eyes. His right eye gleamed gold, while his left bore a pitch-black hue.

"Crom Cruach..." Issei's utterance hung in the air as he observed Mr. Black's visage.

"What?!" Crom Cruach thundered in response, his fury palpable. "Where did you hear that name, kid?!"

"Where's Yasaka? And where are her associates?" Issei's demand was unwavering.

Crom Cruach studied Issei with a contemplative look. "Ah... so you're connected to her?"

"Not exactly... I was searching for her earlier. Her daughter informed me that you abducted her mother. Lead me to them," Issei's tone was resolute.

Crom Cruach's response was laden with a warning, "Think carefully, boy. If I take you there, survival is far from guaranteed."

'This is a precarious situation, Issei… Crom Cruach is not to be taken lightly. Unlike Tiamat, he poses a significant threat and won't hesitate to eliminate you,' Ddraig's cautionary voice echoed in Issei's mind.

"What's the issue between you two? The race has concluded! No fighting will be tolerated! The matter is settled honorably!" the apparent Yakuza leader interjected with gravity.

Crom Cruach dismissed the statement with a derisive snort, "I'm leaving. Hey, kid... let's handle this like men, away from the gaze of these feeble spectators and cowards. I'll guide you there, if you're game."

"Then let's go," Issei responded, positioning himself behind Crom Cruach on his motorcycle.

"Wait, where are you both headed?" the recovering announcer inquired, bemused.

Issei harbored no doubt that their unusual confrontation would become the talk of Kyoto. At least, the situation hadn't unfolded in Kuoh.

"H-Hyoudou-san, regarding your prize money-" one of the men began, attempting to detain Issei.

"Send it to my shop... I'll collect it there," Issei instructed before revving his motorcycle and pursuing the enigmatic black dragon.

Beyond Kyoto, Unknown Location

After trailing Crom Cruach for a considerable stretch, Issei and his newfound adversary found themselves outside an unfamiliar compound.

Briskly, Crom Cruach emitted a piercing whistle, commanding, "Gather, you worthless humans!"

Within moments, a sizable assembly of humans, accompanied by Kuroka, emerged from the compound. Issei's surprise amplified when he laid eyes upon Yasaka, her gaze seemingly hollow and distant, as if ensnared by some form of mental manipulation.

"Back already, Crom? And who's this?" a silver-blonde-haired man inquired.

Crom Cruach brushed the question aside, pivoting to face Issei with a demeanor of undisguised curiosity. "So, you're the dragon Kuroka encountered earlier? Issei Hyoudou? Funny, I've never heard of you. Is that even your real name?"

"Yeah, it is," Issei replied with an unwavering expression.

Kuroka swiftly recognized Issei and chuckled, "Well, well, who would've guessed we'd meet again so soon!"

"Wait, this guy's the dragon you encountered, Kuroka?" an individual inquired.

"You're quite the fool, Crom Cruach. Why did you lead him to us?" Kuroka shook her head disapprovingly.

Issei turned his attention back to Crom Cruach, his tone serious, "Who are these individuals?"

Disembarking from his motorcycle, Issei removed his helmet and locked eyes with Kuroka, his glare exuding animosity, before addressing Crom Cruach once more.

Crom Cruach scrutinized Issei, his gaze sweeping over him before he shrugged nonchalantly, "The real question is, who are you? I'm acquainted with every prominent dragon worldwide. You must wield considerable power, considering you recognize me and aren't trembling in fear."

"Does it truly matter who I am? I'm just another dragon, much like you," Issei sighed, a hint of weariness in his voice.

"Not like me... there are no other dragons akin to me," Crom Cruach hissed.

"Why did you abduct the leader of the Youkai? What's your group's purpose?" Issei questioned Crom Cruach gravely.

Crom Cruach shifted his gaze to one of the humans present and ordered, "Explain, weaklings."

Subsequently, a bespectacled blond man with a sword at his side stepped forward and addressed Issei, "We are the Hero Faction, members of the Khaos Brigade. We seized Yasaka, the Youkai leader of Kyoto, due to her capacity to access the Dragon Gate. Our intent is to eventually summon Great Red, with her assistance."