100 Chapter 94: Get Moving!
Hey guys, I know. I'm aware that the flashback arc was a mistake...
I totally understand, and I totally own it.
This has been my biggest downfall so far in my career, and I won't repeat the same mistake twice!
So, that's why I've carefully altered the next arc to make up for this unfortunate turn of events, and I assure you...
...I will fill you guys up to the brim...
...
...
...with my cooking!
So, for who knows how many times I asked you this...
Let me cook!
No, let him cook!
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"We're heading to the forest. I need to get my men before they return," Raymond declared, his voice firm as he scanned their surroundings.
Machi nodded in understanding, her gaze briefly flickering to Sakujiro's severed arm, now held firmly in Raymond's grasp.
With a swift movement, Raymond scooped up Sakujiro, cradling him securely.
"Alright," Machi agreed, falling into step beside Raymond.
As they traversed the streets, their movements were almost too swift for the eye to follow.
Machi's curiosity nagged at her, and she turned to Raymond, her expression serious, "Are you... from the Kurta Clan?"
"Hmm?"
Raymond glanced at Machi before he looked forward once again.
He shook his head, "I'm not. My eyes should be a part of my Hatsu..."
"Should be? You haven't completed your Hatsu yet?"
Machi looked at him slightly, relieved since he was not part of the Kurta Clan. However, these words confused her as she couldn't understand what Raymond said.
"...Yeah," He responded as their figure made their way out to the forest.
However, just as they were about to enter the forest...
"Urghh..."
Sakujiro who was being held in Raymond's arms, let out a pained groan as he slowly opened his eyes.
"..."
Realizing he was being carried by Raymond, who had knocked him out moments ago, a heavy silence fell over them.
Sakujiro glanced at Raymond's glowing crimson eyes, realizing they were outside the city.
With a frown, he immediately channeled his Nen, causing the temperature to drop suddenly.
Without warning, his right arm shot toward Raymond's face, but Raymond seemed to have anticipated this as he dodged.
He released Sakujiro before leaping back to create distance.
Machi frowned, standing in between the two men who stared at each other in tense silence.
"Why did you get me out of there?"
Sakujiro slowly opened up his mouth, his voice tinged with coldness.
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious..."
Raymond responded with nonchalance, but Sakujiro's expression remained emotionless as he replied, "...I'd rather die losing."
"You're wrong..."
Raymond shook his head, disagreeing with Sakujiro's indifference towards his own life.
He knew there was a deeper story behind Sakujiro's eyes which were devoid of emotions, but he knew it wasn't his place to pry.
"...You know nothing about me. You're just an outsider with questionable intentions..."
Sakujiro frowned as he observed his left arm, now in Raymond's possession, while materializing a dagger with his Hatsu.
Machi observed the tense exchange in silence.
She recognized Sakujiro's stubbornness and Raymond's determination, realizing she couldn't easily sway either of them.
"What are you gonna do then? Continuing your fight? You can't even see his attack, you'll only get yourself killed..."
Raymond stated stoically.
He was now on the same team whether they liked it or not since Watanabe would come looking for him as well.
He couldn't afford to have a skilled fighter like Sakujiro to die a meaningless death.
"If I died trying, so be it. Those motherfuckers had to pay..." Sakujiro's voice dripped with venomous determination.
Hearing Sakujiro's resolute tone, Raymond frowned as he asked, "Look, which one would you like more? You dying? Or them?"
"..."
Sakujiro fell silent, his grip on his dagger tightening until it cracked, his expression conflicted.
"You want them dead, of course..." Raymond continued, shaking his head. "Trust me, I can give you what you so desire...."
Sakujiro scoffed, mocking Raymond's proposition. "You? Your Nen might be massive, but it's unstable when your eyes are activated. And you don't even have your Hatsu ready, don't you?"
Raymond remained unfazed by Sakujiro's skepticism.
He knew his capabilities were under scrutiny, but he also knew the truth.
His Nen property, Aura Annihilator, would activate the moment he activated his eyes.
It was a terrifying and formidable ability, albeit difficult to control with his immense amount of Nen.
"It's up to you to believe me. However, she can reattach your arm. Even if you don't believe me, why not come with us and get your arm attached again?"
Raymond suggested with his tone seemed earnest.
Sakujiro turned to look at Machi, who appeared equally surprised by Raymond's words.
"...How did you know of that?"
Machi's voice quivered, a sense of alarm creeping into her tone.
"..."
Sakujiro contemplated Raymond's words.
While he still burned with the desire for revenge against Watanabe, the prospect of regaining his arm was tantalizing.
If he couldn't win with two arms, what chance did he have with only one?
"Seems like you've decided," Raymond remarked, brushing off Machi's question, which left her looking at him with a mix of surprise, shock, and wariness.
"Let's go, this is your arm..."
He tossed Sakujiro's arm to him, and Sakujiro caught it effortlessly.
Raymond's form blurred into motion as he headed toward the forest.
"..."
Machi hesitated for a moment, still processing Raymond's unexpected knowledge of her Hatsu, before she followed closely behind.
Sakujiro wasted no time trailing after them, his mind filled with questions and uncertainties.
As they arrived in the forest, Raymond spread his perception as he then told Machi to reattach Sakujiro's arm as he went deeper to find Luke and the others.
Is he telling the truth?" Sakujiro questioned, his gaze fixed on Machi as Raymond departed.
Machi let out a sigh before nodding solemnly. "Yes, he is. Give me your hand..."
Her expression turned serious as she focused her aura, creating a bright light between her hands as she channeled her Nen.
Pulling out her sewing needle, Machi swiftly began to sew up Sakujiro's severed arm with skillful precision.
As Sakujiro observed the procedure, a hint of amazement flickered across his features.
However, his focus soon shifted to something else.
"...You dare to steal that purse?" he questioned, his gaze fixed on the heart-shaped purse hanging from Machi's side, his expression clouded with disapproval.
Before Machi could respond, the rustling of leaves drew their attention. Several figures emerged from the depths of the forest.
"...So, we're going to fight?"
Luke's voice cut through the tension as Raymond, and he slowly approached Sakujiro and Machi.
"I have yet to decide, but we now have an enemy..." Raymond replied, his tone measured.
"Hmm, that's a bit hard..."
"What happened?" Raymond inquired, his gaze shifting to Luke.
Luke scratched his head awkwardly, his expression troubled, "I need to get some stuff if we truly have to fight..."
"How long will it take?"
Raymond's brow furrowed at Luke's response.
Luke briefly considered before answering, "Hmm, only about a day or two..."
"Do it in a day," Raymond commanded firmly.
"...Alright, I'll go now, then," Luke agreed reluctantly, a heavy sigh escaping him.
"Take them with you. I should be fine on my own..." Raymond added, gesturing toward their men.
Everyone nodded in understanding before they departed, leaving Raymond alone with Sakujiro and Machi to contemplate their next moves.
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