13DaL: Sigh…I'm so getting an F…

Chapter 51:

Midori Kinasaki landed in a crouch.

She slid across the floor with the squeal of her sneakers attempting to grip the linoleum floor. Before she could gain her footing, Tsuruuko came out of nowhere with her sword over her head just as Midori picked up the holster by her side and lifted it above her head.

The attack was blocked with so much force Midori's hair flew back in the air the hit had caused.

"We meet again, Miss Kinasaki," Tsuruuko murmured taking a step back.

Midori stood up and dusted herself down.

"As you know, this is the first round…and if I defeat you, I qualify…since you're a B-rank martial artist," the small child confidently . "And I assure you, this time," she grinned with bloodlust. "I will not lose."

Midori didn't deign respond.

In that moment, the doors of the liner opened as throngs of civilians cried and wailed.

"What's going on?"

"Mommy, what's happening?"

"I'm so scared—"

"They were actually civilians?" Midori stared questioningly at Tsuruuko who nodded with great conviction.

"It would be suspicious if only martial artists were aboard this liner…so Laughing Fist thought it would be a good idea if a few civilians were added to remove that paranoia by the authorities. They really are clamping down on us these days," Tsuruuko smiled, placing a hand on her hip. "A few losses, but completely necessary."

The silver haired girl's face was hidden as she bit her lip.

"What's that look for?" Tsuruuko laughed. "It's not like—" she hesitated as Midori's ki flared. Her grip tightened on her sword.

Midori surged forward without warning and Tsuruuko barely parried the attack, leaning backwards before regaining her balance.

What was that so suddenly? Tsuruuko raised her sword, unsure. That strength she summons out of nowhere? Where does it COME from?

"Sacrificing lives for your own selfish desires," Midori said. Her pupils contracted angrily. "Endangering children, women and families because you want to accomplish something as trivial as this," the blade in her hand quivered. Tsuruuko blinked again.

"Wha—"

"People like you," Midori snarled. "Make me SICK!" she swung both with force and precision. Tsuruuko dodged and turned to the side just as Midori followed her and slashed the air between them.

"I can't lose again!" Tsuruuko pushed the blade off her own and ran towards Midori.

The silver haired girl raised her sword in one hand, like an extension of her arm. She surged forward and Tsuruuko panicked.

"Kya!" Tsuruuko cried, her sword and hand nearly separated by the blade of Midori's.

Tsuruuko narrowed her eyes seriously. She anticipated Midori's next attack and she was right, luckily. She kicked Midori in the stomach. She jumped up and shoved Midori's head back with the sole of her foot.

Midori fell backwards across the floor.

Blood trialled the distance from where Tsuruuko stood to where Midori recuperated. Striking her blade into the floor and using it to stumble up she wiped her mouth.

There was quiet between Honoka and Kenichi Shirahama.

No hesitation, just silence.

Honoka raised her hands and her feet felt like they would explode from the amount of pressure she was placing on them . It felt like she was doing everything in her power to just stay upright.

Why hasn't he attacked? Honoka screamed inwardly. The suspense was killing her. What's he waiting for?

Honoko took a step forwards.

An opening! Kenichi ran towards her and grabbed her shoulder, He curled a leg around both of hers and she was sent plummeting.

Shit! Honoka quickly grabbed his fingers and twisted them in a reversal attempt. He's really fast!

Honoka was beginning to doubt if this was such a good idea.

"Ah, what, these are actual civilians!" Ma Kensei widened his eyes behind his hat.

"It appears to be so," Elder hummed. "How distasteful, really, to involve civilians."

"This place is much…too dangerous…for them."

"And a ship for a first round. What happened to good old ring action instead of picking your opponent at random? No better than a street fight," Akisame grumbled, putting all his chips on the casino table.

"It must be so disorganised outside," Sakaki agreed. He placed his cards down proudly. "Five," he announced.

"Well, I suppose we complain about Honoka but it's been a while since we've really done anything," Ma Kensei murmured.

"Like a family," Miu stood aside, looking out at the disorder outside then back at the masters sitting at the table in the empty casino.

"Hmm, it's time," Akisame placed his cards on the table.

Royal Flush again.

There was a collective groan.

Ren Aihara climbed up the steps of the dark corridor.

Behind him lay an assortion of unconscious bodies as his legs pumped him up the stairs.

His eyes were unreadable as his fingers were clenched into fists then popped out again as a reflex action.

At the end of the corridor was a black door.

He stared at it before placing a hand on it.

It exploded outwards, spilling into the well lit room.

Ren walked in.

His eyes registered the expensive paintings, sculptures and furniture. The room was large and seemed steadier, compared to constant rocking of the ship on deck.

However, the only thing that did rock was a light, attached to the ceiling by a chain, rusted by age.

It swung like a pendulum in a clock. Back and forth. Back and forth.

"That's it, m'boy!" Jin Aihara urged as Ren's hands waved back and forth, channelling ki into and out of his body.

Ren Aihara smiled happily. "I finally got it!" he cheered. His childish face lit up as Jin ruffled his son's hair.

Renka Ma punched his face. "Took you long enough!" she scolded.

"Ow! OW! What was that for you crazy neko girl?"

"Who you calling neko? Ma style Senkyuu!" Renka's short leg kicked Ren's jaw.

"Well," Jin chuckled. "I must leave you now," he placed gloves on his fists.

Ren looked over his shoulder. "But daaad, you promised to teach me another new move today."

"Ahahaha," the man laughed. "I'm sorry my child, but I have business that popped up."

Two burly men appeared at the door.

Ren pouted sadly.

"Stop that!" Renka hit the back of his head. "You can hang out with me and papa today!"

"Ah, okay!" Ren brightened immediately. "Let's go!"

They took each other's hands and ran across the lawn.

"Ah, I forgot my bag!" Ren removed his hand from Renka's.

"Hurry! Hurry!" Renka said impatiently.

But before he could go far. He spotted two new faces. One of them was a girl, the other a boy. They were close together, dishevelled with a tall man holding one shoulder of each with his meaty hands.

They both looked down at the ground.

The girl had freckles and black hair with the most hypnotic green eyes he had ever seen. Her companion was taller and looked prouder under the mass of gunk and black hair. Dried blood trickled down the side of his bust lip.

He looked up.

Ren's eyes contracted.

A boy his age looked up from his crossed legs. He smiled politely, most of his previous demeanour as a child regained. His green eyes danced.

He uncrossed his legs.

"You found me," he laughed lightly.

Ren's eyes flashed with anger.

The black haired girl glanced at the chaos below her.

She felt superior, watching the tiny ants that were people scrambling all around the ship.

The wind behind her howled.

"You have permission to take action, repeat, you have permission to take action—"

She tapped her earpiece. "Roger," she grinned. "Operation Bleach is ago."

Tatsumiya shifted her weight to one side and raised a hand to pull her glasses over her face. She flashed a grin that glistened in the sun as her canines shone.

She nose-dived down from the highest point of the ship.