A duel
(An: I got a lot of complaints about the previous chapter so I listened and extended the fight scene in this chapter. Normally I wouldn't but we reached the top 15 in monthly power rankings something I never expected to happen so here you go.)
Just like in the manga the Mountain King had gathered 3,000 mountain people to descend the mountain on horseback in order to support Ei Sei. As I gazed across our host moving down the mountain you couldn't help but feel the motivation and drive that everyone here carried.
"Pull the on the reins Shin" Heki frantically shouted as he chased Shin who was being tossed around in the air by his horse who was galloping down the mountain.
"He really is the protagonist" I muttered under my breath as I looked at how he had singlehandedly changed the atmosphere of most of the army when they saw his display.
After a few more hours of traveling we reached the base of the mountain where Duke Mu's pavilion was located. As we arrived I noticed that the soldiers under Sho Bun Kun had swelled from around 50 to over 300. Once we had stopped and people dismounted I made my way over to Bajiou who was talking to his fellow mountain people.
"I challenge you to a duel" I stated causing many looks of disbelief to appear on the faces of the mountain people who couldn't comprehend a flatlander someone they view as inferior challenging their second strongest warrrior. Bajiou on the other hand looked at me seriously and contemplated for a few moments' before nodding his head and replying "very well swordsman" while looking very serious about our duel.
'I wonder if he sensed something' I think knowing that mountain people have stronger than average senses especially someone as talented as Bajiou.
A few minutes later we reconvened in the clearing outside the pavilion where a large audience had formed. Over a thousand people were watching and they had formed a circle around 15 meters in diameter (about 50 ft) which would serve as our makeshift arena. There were still two very defined sides though indicating that the two groups still didn't see each other as comrades which is to be expected considering most of them didn't speak the same language and they recently met. The King had already met up With Sho Bun Kun and they were standing together with Yo Tan Wa and her advisors on the deck of the pavilion waiting for the match to start. After taking a few moments to pump myself up I move past the masses and step into the circle which elicits a series of whispers from the crowd who size me up. While calming myself as much as possible in order to appear calm I wait for Bajiou who did not disappoint showing up a few moments later causing the mountain people in attendance to erupt in a sea of cheers. Neither of us makes any comments as we get into position.
We continue to size each other up with me bringing my right hand to my katana and lowering my stance and with him drawing his two curved sabers crossing them in front of his chest. A period of eerie calm descends on the audience as we stare at each other only for it to be broken by a the both us suddenly dashing towards each other at the same time almost as if we had an unspoken agreement beforehand. 'He's quick' I think while sprinting towards him. As we are about to make contact I finally draw my sword while lowering myself even further before quickly swinging my sword making him switch from slashing downwards to crossing his swords to block not anticipating my speed. Our weapons clash with me gaining the edge due to him changing his position at the last second. I hear a collected gasp from the mountain people side not expecting me to gain advantage on the first blow. Deciding to quickly follow through I move upwards quickly before jumping a few feet into the air where I prepare to slash downwards in order to keep him on the defensive. Bajiou clearly not content with what happened quickly collects himself and moves to block with his left sword while quickly swinging his right sword horizontally hoping to catch me off guard.
'Let's give him a surprise' I muse before finishing my downward slash connecting with his left sword causing a resounding *clang* to echo before contracting all of the muscles in my abdominal twisting myself horizontally to dodge his second blade which whizzes past not connecting with anything.
Bajiou finding himself in an odd position again backs away with me letting him in order to reorganize considering I never used a move like that before or something even remotely like it. By this point we both acknowledge our opponent as fearsome. Him because he got the backhand of both exchanges and me because I didn't expect him to push me like that. We both move back towards each other more slowly this time since we have a general gauge of the others abilities or least that is what Bajiou probably thinks considering he hasn't learned about my sun breathing yet.
As we approach each other our eyes make contact and after a brief but intense exchange of glares we charge each other once more. Bajiou swings both his swords' from the outside moving inward leaving himself vulnerable to an attack if I decide to abandon defense. Bajiou betted correctly as I take a step back and bring mw katana in front of me blocking his attack. Our swords grind against each other for a moment more before he disengages just to bring his swords in front of his chest and lower his stance before jumping right back in now much faster than before and randomly swinging his swords. I continue to deflect his attacks while constantly being pushed back. As we approach my side of the circle I decide to make a counter attack and quickly spin sideways avoiding his attacks and simultaneously showing off the amazing acrobatic ability that Yoriichi had achieved. As I straighten out I swing my sword horizontally aiming towards his neck only for him to dodge by ducking before shooting towards me with a leg knocking me backwards as I wasn't expecting it causing the mountain men to loudly cheer.
'Time to get a little more serious' I though before dashing at him more quickly than before planning to make full use of Yoriichi's combat instinct from this point forward. It shows as my upwards swing knocks him back. Not letting him recover I launch a barrage of attacks many of which manage to draw blood from all over his body. My series of attacks last for well over 5 minutes using almost all of Yoriichi's superhuman abilities.
Many of the audience members watch this with slack jaws as most of them can't even spot my sword while its swinging much less anticipate where it is going to land next. Finally taking a break to assess the damage I allow Bajiou to backoff. He has 27 cuts on his body that blood are leaking from none of them deep but leaking blood nonetheless. Seeing that he wasn't charging forward I take a quick glance towards the pavilion where most of the important figures were observing the fight from. Many of them looked shocked as well with Ei Sei looking at me more seriously than before, Yo Tan Wa having a playful smile on her face and Shin also looking serious for once something that only happens when he finds or observes something of importance.
I turn back towards Bajiou who still hasn't moved and asks if he wants to call it here " Bajiou you fought well should we call it here" in a respectful tone.
He finally looks up at me and I see clarity return to his eyes before he nods in my direction and exits the field most likely to get medical attention. As soon as Bajiou leaves the crowd erupts into cheers as it wasn't everyday that they got to see such a great fight and the mountain people respected strength above all.
As I exited the makeshift arena I was congratulated everywhere I passed by the audience members who now all had a greater respect in their eyes when the saw me. Despite this I know the battle was closer than it looked. 'It would seem that further training is required' I think as I walk. 'I definitely crushed Bajiou but I had to make use of all of my body's raw physical strength and flexibility to do it'. 'All of my skills still need to be refined and I need to practice Sun Breathing more before I use it in an intense fight like this'.
As I reach the pavilion I push all of those thoughts aside and focus on what is in front of me.
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Thank you to everyone who read this and left a powerstone, review or comment or just read it.
Also I said it earlier but congratulations we made it to the top 15. If we make it to the top 10 I will release two bonus chapters.
This chapter covered manga chapter 24
(1561 words)