"Tsukikage."
The black-clad ninja stopped behind his employer and inclined his head. "Sir?" They were currently on their way to fetch Akaba Reira to prepare him for his duel against Shinji Weber. It didn't sit well with him. Such a young child should not be allowed to participate in the tournament.
Akaba Reiji turned around to face him, hands moving to adjust his glasses over the bridge of his nose. "Now that we know what happens to the losers of the Friendship Cup, I need you to do me a favor."
Tsukikage didn't say anything, only nodded his head so that Reiji would continue. "I have no intention of letting Reira participate in this duel, but it will be his choice. I will test his will when we reach his room. Should he choose to participate, then I have no choice but to allow him to duel. However, if he decides not to follow my orders, you are to take his place."
"Understood. And if that is the case, what should I do about the match?" It wasn't that he was itching to duel again, but he felt like they weren't making much progress with gathering allies.
Frowning, Reiji rubbed his chin thoughtfully, keeping his eyes trained on the ninja in front of him. "If what the Council told us is true, the losers go underground to do forced labor. Gongenzaka has lost, I can guarantee we will lose another..." He began pacing, his plans so far were steadily going downhill. He need to improvise for the moment. "Throw the match. I can rely on you to help the others escape the underground, correct?"
Bowing to him, Tsukikage nodded. "Of course, sir."
No questions asked.
See your mission to the very end.
Don't allow your emotions to interfere in your task.
He repeated the Fuuma Clan's doctrine in his head as he placed the helmet on his head. The crowd outside the garage was still fired up from the previous match. 'Throw the match, rescue the others.' He wasn't fond of the idea of losing. His near-loss at the hands of the Obelisk Force had woken the need to survive, the need to win within him.
That day...he lost Hikage. A painful reminder that both of them were being treated like disposable chess pieces. It was their job, he was supposed to be fully prepared for this. But why should it have to be that way? Quickly, he squashed the idea in his head. Now wasn't the time for that. He needed to lose to save the others. He knew he was capable of doing even that.
Swinging his legs over the motorcycle the Council had provided him, he waited for the doors to open so he could face his opponent. Tapping the contraption meant to hold his cards in place, he removed his deck and picked through his cards until he pulled out his Twilight Ninja. Holding it up, he smiled underneath his mask. "Watch over me, anija."