"Second's out!" The announcer yelled. Rosa got up from her chair and came onto the mat. Setsuna was highly confused as to what Rosa said.

I plan to steal your time.

She couldn't quite understand what she meant. Thinking about it wouldn't do her much good. She patiently watched the match, trying to see how Rosa plans to "steal" her time.

"Ready?! Begin!"

The referee signaled his hand to begin the second round. Umi stepped towards Rosa.

"You got me with the little paralysis punch, but the same trick won't work on me twice," Umi said shaking her left arm, showing the paralysis was fully gone. Rosa didn't respond at all. She looked at Umi's body, looking at every aspect of it.

"Not talking huh? Fine then!"

Umi rushed in and threw a slow front kick at Rosa. Rosa blocked the kick but it pushed her back several feet. Setsuna was a little surprised.

She clearly could've dodged that. What is she up to? How do you plan to steal my time?

Rosa cautiously inched her way towards Umi with her guard up.

"Afraid of my kicks aren't ya!? Well my punches are even worse!"

Umi punched repeatedly at Rosa's guard. Rosa gritted her teeth as each punch pushed her back.

Steady now. Just keep your hands up. Look closely at her heart.

With Umi repetitively punching, her defense was gone completely, but her attacks left Rosa with no opening for a counter.

"Is something wrong with Rosa," Izuna asked Asuka.

"There couldn't be. She was perfectly fine in the first round, now she's on the defensive, but why? She might lose out in raw power but Rosa has the advantage in speed and technique. She must have something in mind."

"Like what?"

"Something that'll make us not want to fight her..."

"C'mon Rosie, what happened to all that cockiness?! I'm in total control now!"

Umi used the back of her fist and slammed it in Rosa's temple.

"Uhhhh..."

Rosa was off balance and looked on the verge of collapsing.

"Time to go to sleep!"

Umi brought her fist back and threw all her strength at Rosa.

Her heart's open!

Umi brought her fist down ready to knock Rosa out. Rosa side stepped to the inside and dodged Umi's punch at the last minute. Rosa tightened her fist.

My fist isn't strong enough to dig deep in your solar plexus, but if hit correctly and with enough force...

She threw her punch while twisting her arm like a corkscrew.

"HAAAAA!"

BOOM! The punch echoed throughout the hall. It made its mark, right in Umi's chest.

"Not bad little girl," Umi said.

"It's over."

Rosa readied her foot to kick Umi square in her jaw. Umi however, couldn't respond.

What's going on? My body won't move! Is this another one of her paralysis punches?!

Bum bum, bum bum...

Umi could feel her own heart beat, as if everything she was hearing was cut off. Only the sound of her heart being punched rung through her ears.

C'mon c'mon! Move MOVE!

Blam! Rosa's foot connected with Umi's jaw. She fell back straight on the mat. The crowd was silent. Setsuna couldn't even grasped what had happened.

What, what was that punch? It looked like it hit Umi's heart. It was like she was stuck...in...time...

Setsuna didn't quite understand the whole thing, but Rosa's message got across.

"A Heart Break shot," Juna concurred.

"A what?" Han asked dumbfounded.

"It's a move that strikes at your opponent's heart, stunning them for a brief moment," Asuka explained.

"So that's why Umi just stood there," Izuna said curiously.

"That's a dangerous weapon Rosa has," Juna said.

"I wonder if Setsuna will reach Rosa before the others do," Han said with enthusiasm.

"If she doesn't, maybe one of us will have to take her out," Asuka said.

"Setsuna can't get mad at us if that happens. If they don't fight, then it wasn't meant for Sets to fight Rosa," Izuna concluded.

Rosa touched the side of her temple, her head still shaking from that blow to her temple.

It takes one to give one, but I pulled it off. My Heart Break Shot!

The ref came over to inspect Umi. Her body was laid out on the mat. He waved his hands and the match ended just like that. Applauds rang out the auditorium. Toguro was highly impressed.

Someone who works at a bakery and who can fight with that level of skill, it's rare. It's no debating how you were able to win the national tournament, Rosa Sinshu.

Rosa stepped off the mat. She approached Setsuna, her shocked expression haven't left her face.

"Is something the matter," Rosa asked.

"N, no. That punch, that's how you intend to steal my time?"

"The Heart Break Shot. If done correctly, you'll be physical immobilized for one second, plenty of time to knock you out."

Setsuna was at a loss for words. She touched her heart, not showing but was afraid of getting hit.

I'd have my heart covered the entire fight. I don't want to get hit by that punch. Wait, I shouldn't be having these thoughts. I've gotten stronger since then, sensei trained me for a full month, even teaching me Shoken. There's no need to worry.

"Has this punch implemented fear into you already," Rosa said closely looking at Setsuna.

Setsuna was able to calm down and regain her stature. She looked at Rosa and talked in the same calm tone she spoke to Asuka with.

"Please don't concern yourself about me. Just keep your end of the promise, and I'll do the same."

Her tone caught Rosa off guard. Setsuna walked back to Orange Star's side of the auditorium.

"Ok folks, this third match will be from the boys. From Kotaki High, we have Tenshiro Himura!"

Tenshiro walked along the mat. Gohan and Ento stared at Tenshiro. Ento's started cracking his knuckles.

Boy I hope I get to fight him!

Gohan started getting ready.

I knew I couldn't avoid you. No way around it then.

"From Tokyo High!"

Yes Yes YES!

"Guess it'll have to wait," Gohan said under his breath. Ento done a little stretching and was walking towards the mat.

"Jurobi Yuko!"

No No NO!

Ento went back to his side disappointed. Tenshiro looked over and laughed.

Don't worry kid, we'll fight soon. I'ma end this quick.

Both fighters came to the center. Jurobi was a short stocky kid with barely any muscle at all.

"Ready?! Begin!"

The fight was underway. Jurobi walked up to Tenshiro and bowed to him.

"Let's, ummm, let's have a good match," he said nervously.

Tenshiro didn't say anything. He put his hands up.

"You ready kid?"

"Ye, yeah."

"C'mon Tenshi! You can do it!"

Amy was in the Kotaki High stands cheering and yelling loud for Tenshiro. Tenshiro turned around and flashed her a smile.

"Oh he really makes my heart flutter," Amy said daydreaming.

"Can it would ya? He's just an Icon wannabe," a student boy said.

"For your information Natsu, he isn't trying to be like anyone. He's just that great."

"I hope he loses in the first round. That'll make my day," Natsu said laughing.

Amy's cheeks began to puff out. She started cheering again.

"Tenshi don't listen to those jerks! Win this tournament and prove them wrong!"

"This won't take long! Just sit back and watch the magic happen," Tenshiro said turning his back on Jurobi again.

Normally I wouldn't attack a person from behind, but this guy is acting a little too cocky. Well, the bell has rung. Here I come!

Jurobi ran towards Tenshiro with his fist clenched.

"Tenshi watch out!"

Amy was pointing at Jurobi.

"Watch out for what?"

Tenshiro turned around and seen a jumping Jurobi with a fist flying inches towards Tenshiro's face. Natsu stood up excited.

"Get your ass kicked wannabe!" Natsu yelled at the top of his lungs. BLAM! Jurobi's head snapped upward as he was punched out of the air and onto the mat.

"WHAT?!" Natsu was holding his head in disbelief.

"See, I told you! Yeah Tenshi," Amy screamed. Everyone else was quiet. They didn't see how it ended, or Tenshiro throw a punch, but how the K.O. was received was unknown. The ref waved his hands.

"Wow, a one punch K.O! This Inter High is heating up fast!"

The boys were whispering to each other, in awe of that performance.

"How did he even touch him?"

"He's just that quick."

"I sure don't wanna fight that guy..."

"I think I might pull out of this tournament."

Ento put his hand over his mouth, quietly pondering.

Jurobi's punch was too close for Tenshiro to counter that fast. He must've hit him with that same punch he hit me with at the bakery. Most people didn't see it, but he moved his hand and motioned it to Jurobi's chin. All of a sudden, he was the one of the floor. How did that happen?

A clap was heard in the auditorium. Everyone looked around and seen it was from Toguro. He smiled at Tenshiro.

"A nice display of speed Mr. Himura. Everyone needs to keep an eye out for you."

Tenshiro wasn't amused at all with his sarcastic tone. He walked over to the judges and banged his hands on the table.

"You find this real funny don't you four eyes."

Toguro pushed up his glasses.

"Not at all. Why are getting such a vigorous attitude with me?"

"Do you seriously think I won't hop over this table and beat the living hell outta you?"

"Well you can try, but..."

Toguro banged his hands on the table even harder, a wild look in his eyes.

Don't test me Himura I am not like the rest! I promise you that'll be the worst mistake of your life!"

The tension in the auditorium was so tense. The atmosphere itself was chilling and frightening. Tenshiro smirked and walked back.

"That's what I wanted to see. It seems you do have a spine."

He went back to his side and relaxed with his hands behind his head. The announcer spoke.

"Well uh, we shall continue with the next match. From Orange Star, we have Gohan Yatakashi!"

Gohan's ears perked up at the sound of his name. He got up and walked on the mat.

"From Fakato Academy, we have Kentaro Momushi!"

Gohan, Asuka, Dawn, Setsuna, Ayame, and most of Orange Star was shocked. Kentaro quietly stepped on the mat, looking ahead at the boy he once bullied. Gohan was at a loss for words. Out of everybody here, he would've never expected Kentaro to be his opponent. He couldn't even make eye contact with him.

"C'mon team! Let's hear it for Gohan! GO GOHAN!"

Chi Chi yelled at the top of her lungs. The cheer squad regained their composure and started cheering for Gohan.

"So this is the guy who made you bled Asuka," Izuna asked.

"Ye, yeah..."

"Seeing him now, it's amazing that Gohan was able to take him down. Now I'm really curious."

Setsuna bit her nail.

This creep caused Gohan so much suffering. Take him down Gohan!

"Ready?! Begin!"

Things will be different this time around. I'm not the same as before, you see. I can tell you aren't either. -Kentaro Momushi