The heroes booked in a hotel on Marina Island to prepare for the Aces tournament. However, one individual is feeling the pressure. The night before the tournament, David was on his hotel balcony in his tennis gear, swinging his racket.

"...Oh man… I'm so nervous. This is my first official tournament since getting back in the game. I'm a little worried that I won't be able to keep up with the other competitors." David said. "Or maybe I'm just bitter about letting Grimoire get away back in Organica. Damn it! Why do I always go back to that? Maybe it's because...I feel my pride as a hunter has been tarnished by his escape. Speaking of which, that warning letter that was sent earlier. If she was serious about facing me, she didn't have to go that far. I guess it's her way of making sure that no one else interferes." he said as he started to shiver a bit. "I shouldn't be sweating so much this late at night… I'll end up catching a cold. I'm sure no one would want that." he said as he went back to his room. He went to his desk and got a pen as he started writing.

"I got your message. Admittedly, I'm still nervous about tomorrow, but you know that I don't have time for worrying now. There will be more space for our battle on the hotel rooftop. Meet me there tonight. I'll be waiting."

David finished writing, and went to take a shower. Once he was finished, he changed to his normal outfit as he pinned the note to his room's door as he made his way to the rooftop. Once he was there, he was leaning on the railing as he looked up at the night sky.

"Hey." Ace said as he walked up next to him. "Nervous?"

"Yeah. It's my first official tournament since my… Well, not sure if you can call it hiatus." David said.

"Maybe so. But after witnessing that tennis match during Furious Sports, you're gonna kick ass and take names, David. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Ace said as he lightly punched David's shoulder.

"Speaking of which, you should probably get back to your room. I get the feeling you shouldn't stick around for what happens next." David said.

"Right...be careful. I'll come running if something's wrong." Ace said as he warped back to his room.

"Ace… I appreciate your concern, but…" David said to himself. "This is one fight not worth involving yourself in." He said as he clutched his necklace.

"Ace? David?" A voice said as Kenshin arrived on the roof. "What are you two doing up here?"

"Ace was here a little while ago, but I sent him off. I'm guessing you felt it too, didn't you?" David asked.

"Yes...a presence I have not felt in years. It's of pure evil and hatred." Kenshin said.

"Ah...so you finally came...Kenshin of the Flux Family." a voice said as a figure in black with a demon mask stood on the railing.

"So it was you. Takeda." Kenshin said glaring at him.

"Named after the Tiger of Kai himself, huh? Historical connections aside, that seems to make sense." David said.

"Last I heard, you were imprisoned." Kenshin said.

"I escaped thanks to that foolish criminal. Thanks to him...I can finally fulfill my destiny." Takeda said.

"You want a rematch." Kenshin said.

"Not just I." Takeda said as Cheetah crawled out from behind the stairwell.

"Of course. Why am I not surprised?" David asked.

"It was a logical alliance. We both have beef with the two of you." Cheetah said.

"What makes you think I will even accept your challenge?" Kenshin asked.

"I thought you might say that. So I brought some...insurance." Takeda said pulling a rope where tied up was a strange lion like creature. "I've heard you've been looking for these things."

"Though there is one problem. As long as he's with you, you'll be considered enemies of the titans as well." David said. "But… We'll get into the details later. She and I already know what our beef is about. There's no need for words." He said as he got into stance.

"We won't fight here." Takeda said. "For me and Kenshin that is. I want to discuss the terms of our upcoming rematch. If I were to win...I get to kill you."

"Of course you would ask for that. Fine. But if I win...I want the creature...and the Akuma no Ryu." Kenshin said. "It belongs to the Takeda clan, your clan, the one you slaughtered just for that accursed sword."

"Very well. Our fight is set. Cheetah, you may handle your business now." Takeda said.

David took a deep breath and made a respect bow. "Begin!"

"Rar!" Cheetah growled as she lunged at David with her claws out.

"Arctic Style: Crystal Blitz!" David called as he dealt a flurry of icy kicks.

"Grrraaw!" she roared as she recovered and lunged once more.

"Freeze Lancer!" David called as he fired multiple crystals.

Cheetah crashed through the icicles and pinned David. "I'll tear your throat out with my bare hands!"

"I can't believe I have to resort to this…" David said. "(Zone Speed: The World!)"

Just as Cheetah was about to go for David's throat with her claws, time froze entirely around them.

David was able to pry open Cheetah's hand and deal some quick strikes by the time the limit was up. "(Time has begun to resume.)"

Time restarted as Cheetah felt the full effects of those strikes as she was sent flying into the railing of the building.

David was panting as he recovered, having used up a lot of energy in that move. "(What's wrong with me…? It's not like me to burn this much energy this quickly.)" David thought.

"So that one is able to stop time. Interesting." Takeda thought. "It seems it's obvious who the winner is in this fight. Thus, the loser must pay the price." He said drawing his sword.

Suddenly the others barreled into the door.

"Hey, what the hell is going on in here?!" Ty said.

"David, are you alright?" Ace asked as he ran over and kneeled down to him.

"Why did you come? I said you shouldn't be involved in this." David said.

"I know, and I'm sorry. As soon as I heard sounds of fighting from here I told the others. I'm sorry, David." Ace said.

"Anyway, don't worry about me. Worry about Kenshin." David said.

"Right." Ace said before he and Tsuki noticed the lion creature. "Is that…?"

"Corona!" Tsuki called out.

"Seems we're attracting too much attention." Takeda said grabbing Corona and Cheetah. "We'll settle this later, Kenshin." he said jumping off the building.

"Takeda!" Kenshin said chasing after him.

"Hey, we need him!" Hope said. "Give him back!"

"Get back here!" Tsuki said giving chase as well.

When they reached the edge, they saw no trace of the three.

"He's gone. Of course he would leave." Kenshin said scowling.

"I'm sorry if we interfered Kenshin, but we promise you will get him." Aya said.

"Do not promise." Kenshin said. "I know Takeda very well. He won't leave this world until we have our agreed on duel."

"And it's pretty much our fault for making him leave." Hope said.

"And because of that, we lost our chance of saving my brother." Tsuki said.

"Actually, it was good you came when you did. He was about to execute Cheetah." Kenshin said.

"But why? Isn't she his ally?" Saki asked.

"Geez… First Wonder Woman, now Takeda. She just can't catch a break." David said.

"I noticed that when you and Takeda fought, I sensed a dark presence in him." Philia said.

"We didn't fight yet. But that presence was likely his sword, the Akuma no Ryu." Kenshin said.

"The Demonic Dragon Sword. They say its edge is so sharp, that it can cut through anything with a single slice… even the air itself." Hope said.

"What a terrible sword...Its power was unlike anything I've ever felt." Medusa said.

"..." David was deep in thought about something.

"Something on your mind, David?" Connor asked.

"I have this idea, but it sounds totally insane." David said.

"What is it?" Spade asked.

"Well, with Illuma's group leaving soon, our alliance is going to have a huge gap. And as long as Takeda has Corona, he and his allies will be considered enemies of the Titans. This may sound crazy, but as things are, if we are to complete our objective, we'll have no choice but to ally with him. Unfortunately, we can't run negotiations until Takeda gets a satisfactory fight from Kenshin." David said.

"I like that, but maybe we don't need Takeda. What if we just asked his Allies?" Ty said.

"If we can even find them." David said.

"There are two possibilities since this is Takeda. If he did have other allies, he either killed them or left them somewhere to die." Kenshin said.

"I'm hoping it's the latter. If I know samurai, they're men of honor, and they don't want people to interfere in their fights." David said.

"Speaking of which, you should get some sleep. The tournament is tomorrow, and you need to be well rested." Sectonia said.

"I understand, Sectonia. See you guys tomorrow then." David said as he went back to his hotel room.

"Yeah. And Kenshin, my apologies if I sound blunt, but in my opinion, Takeda is more of a tyrant than a samurai." Aya said.

"He's always been like that for as long as I have known him." Kenshin said.

"But what caused him to be like this?" Saaya asked.

"A duel to decide land between our families. In that fight, I defeated him and refused to take his life. Doing so is a stain for any warrior. He wants to rise above me, to become a warlord himself." Kenshin said. "So he took the sword from his family and killed his entire clan in order to be left with no emotional attachments."

"How horrible, to think he would do something like that. It almost sounds similar to what happened between me and Saki back then." Aya said.

"It also sounds similar to Victor in his Fractured Dimension." Jude said. "He was furious that our other selves from his dimension would use Elle as a bargaining chip to preserve his dimension, so...he killed all of his former allies, including me, my friends, his father and brother, and even all of you."

"Just so he could gain power, right?" Al asked.

"All he wanted was a peaceful life with his family. He was just going about it the wrong way." Sectonia said.

"Do you think that's what Takeda is trying to do? He's trying to become a warlord but is going down that path the wrong way. Right Kenshin?" Saaya asked. "I just can't help but feel bad for him. I know he's the enemy, but still… I want to help him."

"I'm afraid this journey is one only Takeda can take on his own. But that matters not to me. I will claim both the god creature and the Akuma no Ryu." Kenshin said.

"Saaya, I can understand the message you're trying to make, but Kenshin is right. Whether or not he's willing to atone for his actions, is ultimately his decision alone." Sectonia said.

"I understand. I'm sorry, Kenshin." Saaya said as she gave Kenshin a hug.

"Kenshin...I'm counting on you to win my brother, Corona, back. Alright?" Tsuki said.

"That is my intention.' Kenshin said. "But as David said, it's time to head to sleep. He needs energy for tomorrow."

"Good point. Tomorrow is a big day." Zelos said.

"Ladies and Gentlemen…. Tomorrow the Aces Tournament begins." Ty said.