Only Senku, that incorrigible genius young man, would ever call a place The Kingdom of Science. Tsukasa could feel that the other guy was closer now than he had been before; he could sense the energy in the air, and for the first time in a while he was getting excited. He now had three friends of the young scientist as hostages, and traps had been set. Senku was smart in all things science, but Tsukasa was older, stronger, and a keen hunter. He had a way to lure in his prey, a way to trap that quarry, and now it was all just a matter of waiting. He also had a growing army waiting to attack on his word; his circles were full of trusted allies, but their loyalty really had not been tested yet. Tsukasa was praying for those who had been lost in the second raid on the primitive village; it bothered him that Hyoga didn't know their names, and he seemed not to really care.

The big man thought as he prayed. "Who are you serving now Senku? Who are you giving high fives too?" Those simple hand slaps energized him to hunt and provide to the best of his abilities. "Who are you amazing with all you thoughts and ideas? "

Tsukasa never fully trusted the masked man; it was hard to put any faith in someone who chose to cover most of their features. The big man smirked as he found the communication device buried in the dirt around Senku's grave; the time had finally come. The crazy kid had actually made a phone in his simple world; his musing was interrupted when a loud sound filled the air. He and Hyoga ran at full speed; they neared the miracle cave as another incredibly loud explosive sound filled the area. Both men could feel the force of the noise; it was incredible, then an impossibly loud roar sounded off, and then there was silence. Tsukasa and Hyoga swiftly scaled a tree and caught Ukyo as he yelled to the gathered Kingdom of Science. Hyoga stabbed and grabbed the younger man and dispatched him without a single pause; Tsukasa never wanted to hurt his own army, but he couldn't stop the other man as he threw the archer at Senku, Taiku, and Chrome. There was an explosive reaction between the nitric acid, Sulphur, and carbon. Senku lay on the ground for a moment, and then he started to stir, and rise.

Their reunion had not gone to plan, but when dealing with Senku nothing ever will. Senku had made it to the cave, and had brought a small army with him; he recognized the blond fighter he had knocked a tree over on over a year ago. He also saw a small land vehicle up ended by the pit traps he had set; he couldn't help but smile, the teen had built what could only be described as a tank. It looked a little odd he wondered what it was really made of; despite that the teen had orchestrated a raid that killed no one. There was silence all around as the captured members of his army shook with fright, and Senku's army stood in temporary shock.

He spoke first. "Hello Senku."

"Hey Tsukasa." Senku replied simply.

The two looked at one another as a breeze blew around them.

Tsukasa continued. "What a long, long battle it's been! Was it really a year ago?" he smirked a little. "It pains me to think; I'll have to finish you off again."

"Heh heh heh ouch man." Sensku did not miss a beat. "I climbed outta the pits of hell just to see you again." He wore a smirk as well. "With nothing but the thinnest thread of science!"

Everyone held their breath at the odd exchange going on between the two men; there was tension, but the two spoke like old friends. The only interruption came from Gen mimicking Lillian's voice, but this Tsukasa here Senku new the scheme was foiled.

Tsukasa looked at the broken communication device. "Yes, it was only by a razor's margin that this war was decided."

Hyoga was bored by all the talk; and Senku's calm confidence was getting on his nerves.

"SENKU, you and your people have lost." Hyoga yelled. "A proposal if you're willing…." He started in a calmer voice.

Senku's smile faded and he looked bored and annoyed as he interrupted the masked fighter. It was the same offer as before; Senku offers himself up as a sacrifice and everyone else would be allowed to live. Senku picked at his ear and filled in the rest of the sentence before Hyoga could finish.

"You took the words straight from my mouth…" He started his voice oozing with malice. "How considerate of you." He finished.

Taiju was going to have none of that, and he vocalized his displeasure, but Senku silenced his oldest friend with logic. This was not then, this was now, there was a Kingdom of people ready and willing to defend not only Senku, but each other. Kohaku leapt to action and was soon followed by Kinro and the others their katanas at the ready.

"They will die for nothing." Hyoga mocked. "In the end they really were mush brained primitives." He stated without care.

Tsukasa stepped back from the other man; his dislike for Hyoga rising, and he knew now what a mistake it had been resurrecting the spear wielder. There was still the cave to regain, so Tsukasa fought against the warriors of the Kingdom of Science he mixed it up with Kinro who fought valiantly like a lion. Hyoga took on Kohaku who was being aided by Taiju mainly but the other warriors were trying to get their licks in too. The pair had to work fast; there was no telling what Senku would devise with what simple things were in the cave and surrounding area. Taiju charged Tsukasa, but then stopped as something flew in the sky above them; everyone paused to watch the paper airplane.

"Heh Heh Heh, Listen Tsukasa!" He called out from the mouth of the cave. "The question's not Strength or Science?" he talked as the flying paper headed for a tree branch. "Both Strength and Science will triumph. Compared to gum powder, this is over a hundred times as powerful." The scientist did not miss a beat. "Do you know the Greek word for strength?" There was a little tip noise as the two surfaces met. " Dynamite."

Tsukasa watched as it hit the limb, and then there was a massive explosion. They barely recovered as Senku let loose another one, and it too exploded over everyone's head. Chrome, Gen and Senku each had a paper airplane ready to take to the air, and even Ukyo offered up and arrow for a more precise shot. Above them the first tree hit was burning magnificently; Tsukasa was Hyoga drop his mask to stare lustfully at it. Tsukasa knew though like Taiju and Ukyo, that Senku really did not want anyone hurt anyone friend or foe.

Tsukasa put his thoughts into words. "Yes there is no evading your new weapon." He sighed a little. "However, others would surely get caught in the blasts. How many would die?" The pieces were slowly coming together. "You don't abandon others so easily Senku, nor would you sacrifice yourself like that."

"Oh boy, guess neither of us can make a move, Huh?" Senku said partially sarcastic, but there was also a little clue in the way he said it. "A regular stalemate."

Tsukasa knew now that this was all by design; Senku had taken the turning tide and though of a way to spin it around back in his favor. What was the younger man thinking? Was all this really for easy access to the nitric acid? Tsukasa knew some science from school but Senku's knowledge was way above that; surely if he really wanted to he could make his own miracle fluid, or even just find another old cave. Tsukasa listened as Gen and Senku talked about the past and how Tsukasa had made tons of money doing fights and variety shows.

Gen was thinking too. "All that money….What was it for?" Gen then realized. "Who was it for?"

"She's alive isn't she, Tsukasa." Senku said. "Your sister…" he clarified.

Tsukasa stood motionless; his little sister Mirai had been declared brain dead by Doctors when he was thirteen. All he had wanted to do was get pretty shells for her so she could be a mermaid, but that old drunk had nearly beaten him to death over nothing. When regained consciousness and had been patched up, he returned to her bedside, but he was too late. She was on life support, and for all scientific purposes she was dead. He had failed her, and couldn't bear taking her off the only things giving her semblance of life. So he fought and fought; appeared on shows, and did everything he could to keep her on those machines.

"We might be able to help her." Senku broke into his thoughts. "Through the healing properties of de-petrification process." He said holding up a jar of the solution.

He let some drops fall on a petrified swallow and after some cracking noises the revived bird flew off singing a song. Tsukasa didn't want to get his hopes up, but the scientist seemed so sure of himself.

There had to be a catch; something, some sort of downfall to what he was offering.

Tsukasa relented. "State the terms of your deal."

"What we can offer you, is a chance to revive your sister." Senku started. "and in return you agree to a ceasefire." He simply stated.

Tsukasa spoke up. "How can you prove that this isn't just nonsense?"

Senku looked at the stone fragments at his feet; he really did feel it could be done, but this was bigger than Yuzuriha's foot, and more complicated than his broken neck and death. He did not know what Tsukasa's sister was stricken with, and what its' true nature and form. What he did know was that he needed to help the older man; the now twenty year old was hurting and needed hope.

"All I can give you is my word." He started. "I don't lie about science. Isn't that enough?" He offered.

The sun placed golden rays on Tsukasa's up turned face, and he felt the warmth, but also he felt hope spring eternal in his hardened heart.