A.N: Okay, real talk for a second. I was so worried I wouldn't be able to get anything done after this whole quarantine thing went down. You know, when you're trapped home with nothing to do, you'd think this would make me more protective...then you remember that I still have a job to do besides this and I have to share my wifi with everyone else who still has to work and do school-related stuff. Yikes...long month, guys. Long month.
But, at least I got chapter 20 done. Enjoy!
Chapter 20
Acts of Aggression
Block A Speeds Towards Its End
Tsukihito Amanuma, formerly known as the Gamemaster of the Sensui Seven, collapsed to the ground. A pink mist surrounded him. Amanuma honestly had no idea how it happened. One minute, he was trying to hunt down people to trap in his games. The next, some girl who looked like some kind of kunoichi came rushing in, slashed at him with some weird swords, and then found himself surrounded by some sweet-smelling smoke.
When Amanuma had taken a single whiff of that smoke, he began swaying on his feet, feeling very sleepy. And with that, Amanuma collapsed and drifted off to dream land, snoring cutely. Rin, of the IGO, and Toriko's fiance, pulled her mask over her face, knowing that she was safe from her own fragrances. "What the heck was a little kid doing here?" She wondered out loud. "They should just be staying home…"
Rin then found herself swooning at the thought of hers and Toriko's kids. "Ah, I'll bet the boy will have Toriko's strong features, and the girl will be as pretty as me." She said giddily. "We'll name the boy Toriko Jr. and the girl Rin Jr., it's going to be great!"
Toriko watched his fiance's behavior in disbelief while Sunny face-palmed at his little sister's whack fantasies. Ever since Toriko had agreed to marry her, her crazy fantasies had somehow gotten even worse. It was...frankly starting to irritate Sunny. Especially when he had to consider that Toriko and him were going to be in-laws soon.
Rin eventually broke out of her fantasies. "Okay, those play-by-play announcers had talked about how there were only 72 people left last time. With this kid taken out of the picture, that means there's probably only 71 people left." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, I seriously feel overmatched in this whole thing. I'm actually pretty happy with how things have gone."
Elsewhere, a winged man kept an impassive look on his face as he pinned two women to the labyrinth walls, slamming their heads against said walls, making them slump down unconscious. Chelsea, the former member of Night Raid, groaned as her lollipop fell from her lips. Damn, I really wanted to wish myself back to life to spend more time with those idiots. Sorry Tatsumi...hope you're...happy with the tiny tittied Tsundere. She lamented.
Riruka Dokugamine wanted to scream in frustration, but found herself close to blacking out instead. She had tried so hard to 'permit' this winged guy into her Dollhouse. He was a cutie after all. No, not just a cutie. He was a hunk, on Ichigo's level of attractiveness. And he had wings like an angel. Bonus! But instead, this guy launched feathers from his own wings and pinned her to the wall, incapacitating her in a near instant. "No! No! No!" Riruka screamed in frustration. "This...this wasn't how it was supposed to go!"
Keigo Takami, also known as Hawks, the number 2 Pro Hero, looked at Riruka in surprise. "You're seriously still conscious?" He was genuinely surprised at this. "You are a lot stronger than you look."
"Don't underestimate a Fullbringer." Riruka grinned at Hawks.
Hawks gave Riruka a goofy smile. "'Don't underestimate a Fullbringer' you say?" He said to her. "I see, I see, that is very good to know. I try to end things quickly because I really can't stand tedious stuff, so knowing the people I need to go all out and end quickly is going to be very helpful information in the long run."
Hawks then removed a feather from his wings and brandished it like a katana. "These feathers make up my Quirk, Fierce Wings." He explained. "It's why you can't move, they're stronger than the average feathers."
Riruka grunted, struggling against her binds. Hawks sighed. "I told you kid, don't struggle. There's nothing you can do against my Fierce Wings. I don't know what kind of power you've actually got, but frankly, I don't care to find out. I'm not really here to give the people watching this a good show."
"I'm here to win a few fights, and go home with my wish. It's that simple." Hawks explained. "I really don't have time for all that tedious stuff."
Hawks then raised the feather over his head. "Besides, there's really no way for me to be popular like this, hitting a defenseless little girl. So, I'll just make this nice and quick." And with that, Hawks bonked Riruka on the head with the flat end of his feather.
Riruka's eyes bugged out, feeling like she had just been bonked by a slab of iron. Her head slumped forward as she lost consciousness. Hawks sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, no way to be popular when you're hitting people who can't fight back."
"That's two more." Hawks frowned. "I'd rather end the rest of this block quickly, that way I can rest up and plan out my next fight."
"The numbers are continuing to drop, Daisuke." Kaji excitedly noted.
"Indeed, however, we should offer a quick correction." Daisuke spoke up. "We had claimed last time there were 72 people left. In reality, there were 73. The current number is at 70.
Meanwhile, Neito Monoma weakly reached out to Shikamaru Nara, who was currently choking the young man to unconsciousness with his Shadow Strangle Jutsu. "Just be glad I'm not killing you, kid." Shikamaru said in a surprisingly cold tone of voice. "As a shinobi, I'm more used to death than you realize."
"Just...gotta...touch you...then...I'll know…" Monoma managed to choke out, even with the shadow hands around his neck.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Monoma's words. "Not really into that kind of stuff. Kind of a drag to be honest." Shikamaru said.
Can't end like this! Monoma was freaking out inwardly. I'm supposed to go straight to the top! Take center stage! I can't...be beaten...by Class 1-A.
Monoma then lost all strength in his legs. His eyes rolled backwards as he blacked out and collapsed. Shikamaru frowned slightly. "I don't know what your deal was...but something about you was seriously dangerous." He acknowledged. "Whatever your power was...I'm glad you weren't able to use it against me for whatever reason. Otherwise, I can't help but feel like I would've been doomed against you."
Elsewhere, Dio Brando called his Stand to end his particular opponent, who seemed to turn even whiter at the sheer killing intent the immortal vampire was broadcasting towards him. Welfin, the Chimera Ant, was shaking with fear as The World neared him. It was moving so fast like it was stopping time. Boy, it would certainly be awful if that was The World's Stand Power.
"Such a weak beast you are." Dio taunted. "Now take this!"
"Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda Muda!" The World cried out, assaulting Welfin repeatedly with rapid fire punches before sending the Chimera Ant flying into the air.
Dio laughed as Welfin hit the ground, his body splayed out with a look of terror on his face. "Stupid wolf creature. You bring shame to apex predators with your weakness, compared to I, Dio. Now stew over your failure to accomplish anything of note. While I, Dio, advance to the elimination rounds victoriously."
Elsewhere, inside of a pocket dimension created by a Fullbring, Ikaruga, the leader of Trinity Raven, chuckled darkly as she slashed her sword outwards, swinging the magic katana known as the Mugetsu-Ryu. "Yasha's Empty Flash!" She yelled, seemingly slashing at nothing.
Yukio Hans Vorarlberna, another Fullbringer, much like Riruka. Looked at Ikaruga in confusion, trying to figure out what she was trying to pull. She's slashing from a distance, so she's trying to send some sort of flying slash at me like Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho. Pft, I've got all these monsters after her thanks to Invaders Must Die. If she is trying to fire off a flying slash at me like a Getsuga, they'll protect me.
Just in case, I should probably scan for the slashes. Yukio brought up a scanner over his eye. He immediately gaped in confusion. Wait...nothing?
Whatever Ikaruga had slashed...there was nothing there. His monsters were not in danger. He was not in danger as well. Ikaruga smirked. "I've got you, young man." She said. "Now, scatter like the wind, young man."
Yukio suddenly saw the slashes...one second too late. He felt the slashes rip through his body. Yukio yelled in pain before collapsing onto his stomach. The monsters froze at Yukio's injuries. Ikaruga chuckled. "Yasha's Empty Flash, a dangerous Sword Magic spell employed by yours truly. I can control when the slashes actually appear and make their mark. I don't know what you were hoping to accomplish, but you would never have seen an assassin's attack coming."
Ikaruga continued to taunt the young Fullbginer. "Did you really think I would hold back just because you were a mere child?" She asked curiously. "I am an assassin, one who brings death to all. And I'm well aware that since you're here at this tournament, you are no ordinary child. I knew that even before you trapped me in this pocket dimension."
"Speaking of which." Ikaruga slashed at the air once more, cutting open an exit from Yukio's Invaders Must Die. "I will be leaving now. Enjoy getting your medical treatment, little one. I, however, will be heading to the Elimination Rounds. Farewell. Your festival ends here. Farewell, little one."
Yukio glared at Ikaruga as the woman exited his Invaders Must Die. "Damn, I blundered…" he lamented to himself. "Sorry everyone...guess you've all got to go back...to relying on me and my freaking money...you damn...freeloaders…"
With that, Yukio lost consciousness and Invaders Must Die began to break down. 67 competitors left. 3 more contestants to eliminate before Block A came to an end…
Meanwhile, Rikido Sato, also known as the Sweets Hero: Sugarman, chugged down as much sugar as he could muster before glaring at his foe: a green-skinned, demonic looking being with wicked-looking wings. For reference, Sato had placed ten 10 gram packs of sugar onto his utility belt. Meaning in the span of a minute, Rikido Sato had consumed 100 grams of sugar to give him what he felt was the power he needed to take this guy down.
Tambourine, one of the sons of the Demon King, King Piccolo, folded his arms. "Isn't that 'sugar'? As in that disgusting, fattening substance that you humans love so much?"
"Maybe it is...but it's what gives me POWER!" Sato yelled as his muscles expanded.
"Oho? Well, at least you're providing some sort of entertainment." Tambourine shrugged.
"This is my Quirk: Sugar Rush!" Sato declared. "By consuming sugar, I can convert it into strength!"
Sato rushed Tambourine and began assaulting the demonic Namekian with a flurry of punches. "RAH!" Sato roared as he attempted to pummel the monster into submission.
Tambourine frowned slightly. This kid actually did hit pretty hard with how much sugar he had just consumed. "What the hell?" Tambourine complained. "Why are humans so much stronger in other worlds? They're supposed to be the weakest species, are they not, oh great Father?"
Sato ignored Tambourine's monologuing and continued to assault the demonic Namekian. Tambourine then gasped when one punch actually forced him to take a step back. At that moment, the proud son of King Piccolo snapped.
"You fly!" He screamed, blasting Sato backwards with a kiai.
From the stands, Izuku Midoriya gasped, fearing for Sato's safety. "He's gotta get out of there!" He yelled. "Sato, run!"
Elsewhere, Krillin shook at the sight of the monster that had killed him. Android 18 tugged on her husband's arm. "Krillin?"
"Daddy?" Marron tugged on her father's shirt.
Krillin shook his head. "That...thing...he's as dangerous as always." He noted. "That kid...he's gotta get out of there before Tambourine beats him within an inch of his life."
Piccolo scowled at the sight of his son/brother. Piccolo was the reincarnation and final son of King Piccolo...it was complicated, to say the least. Gohan smiled at his mentor's expression. "That's a good look, Piccolo." He complimented. "It's a great reminder you're our friend now."
Piccolo just nodded as he continued to stare disapprovingly at Tambourine's behavior. Yeah, he was not like that anymore. He was better than that.
Krillin, meanwhile, patted his daughter on the head. "Sorry, sweetie. Daddy's fine." He promised.
Sato looked at Tambourine in shock and terror. "What...the hell?" He muttered in disbelief. "What in the world is this guy?"
Tambourine gazed down at his body, noticing a few bruise marks from Sato's punches. "Human bastard!" He hissed. "Who do you think you are, striking at one of the superior species?"
Just as quickly, Tambourine regained his composure and smirked. "Well, I suppose you would love to pat yourself on the back after that, yes? Back in the day, I slaughtered scores of martial artists to make sure there was not a single person alive who could use a certain technique to seal away my glorious father, King Piccolo. And they were all helpless before me."
"But if all you can do is punch me really fast and really hard...well, I'm afraid that's as far as you're going to get. Because anything you can do, I can do better." Tambourine promised. "Allow me to show you what punching really hard and really fast looks like...when I do it!"
Tambourine was upon Sato in an instant, punching him repeatedly. He was punching the hero-in-training so fast that it was like he was throwing a hundred punches at once. Sato was reduced to a bloody mess in a near instant.
"No, Sato!" Ochaco Uraraka screamed for her classmate.
"Farewell!" Tambourine yelled before delivering one final punch that flattened Sato in an instant. The mighty Sugarman laid motionless. Tambourine had beaten him into unconsciousness about halfway into the attack.
"Sato…" Eijirou Kirishima stared at Sato's body, horrified at Tambourine's brutality.
But there was nothing they could do. Sato was beaten and eliminated as a result. And with that, 66 contestants remained. That meant, there were only two more eliminations to be had before Block A officially came to an end. Just two more eliminations, and it would all be over.
True as that may be...it was already over for most contestants. All but four. The final battles would decide who would move forward and whose journey ends now. And in the end, it appeared that those fated to partake in these final battles...were those with the bloodline that fate had chosen to be constantly.
Indeed, for the two men known as 'JoJo', their challenges had only just begun…
Joseph Joestar had been swinging his temporary bat around, still gauging its weight. Said bat had been his trophy from his fight with Hei Xiong, AKA Junior, which seemed so long ago now. "Such an odd contraption...I still haven't figured out how it turns into a bazooka though." Joseph admitted with a frown before chuckling giddily. "Still, at least that means I don't have to make any adjustments to give this bat any more gadgets."
"Here you are, swinging a weapon from our world and you still don't know how to use it?" A woman's voice spoke up in disapproval. "Seems a bit messed up to me."
Joseph's instincts flared up and he found himself avoiding two crescent-shaped blades with a ring-shaped center along with gun barrels. "That was a close shave!" Joseph yelled.
A short-haired brunette scowled. "Damn, you're faster than you look." She muttered.
Joseph looked over at the woman. Then he looked at her weapons. "Oh great," he groaned, "another crazy opponent with weird looking weapons."
Joseph then grinned. "Oh, who am I kidding? Those things look cool. Perhaps I'll snatch them for myself and then see if I'm allowed to use them for my tricks in this tournament."
The woman scowled. "You talk like you're already advancing. Don't you think you're getting a little too cocky, Meathead?"
"Meathead?!" Joseph sounded indignant at this. "Look, I know I'm pretty big and muscly, but that's from genetics and training. I can't help like...50% of this body!"
"Well, whatever," Joseph frowned, "I'm not going to bother trying to talk you down, since you're the one who ambushed me. I'll just kick your ass and then advance onto the Elimination Rounds. Hope you're fine with that."
"I'm not, actually, because that spot belongs to me, Vernal of the Branwen Tribe." Vernal introduced herself before grinning. "And kick my ass? Weren't you ever taught not to hit girls?"
"If he is my grandson, he better have been taught that." Jonathan Joestar muttered from the stands.
Joseph smirked. "You're going to try and pull that card, Missy?" He sounded shocked. "You really don't get to play that card when you're the one who ambushed me."
"See, I happen to believe in real gender equality." Joseph admitted. "If you're allowed to strike at a man like me. I should be allowed to fight back. No ifs, ands or buts about it."
Jonathan was turned into a blubbering mess at Joseph's declaration. So ungentlemanly…
Meanwhile, Jotaro Kujo groaned slightly at the sight of his opponent. A man in white with what appeared to be a plague doctor's mask. "Good grief," Jotaro said, "you know, even if this weren't a tournament, I'd frankly assume you were an enemy based on principle. Aren't the bad guys supposed to hide out? Because there is nothing inconspicuous about your getup, pal."
Hari Kurono, also known as Chronostasis (Chrono for short) of the Shie Hassaikai, chuckled at Jotaro's queries. "I do hide out in the shadows...it's just that the Yakuza need some way of telling that we are on the same team. Hence the masks."
"But, you're right, something tells me we'd be enemies regardless of the tournament. You don't really seem like the kind of guy who'd like the Yakuza." Chrono acknowledged.
"Oh good, something we can agree on." Jotaro said sarcastically. "Well, at least since we're on the same page...when I pound your mask and your face into dust, I won't feel bad at all.
"Scary," Chrono taunted, "but...can you back it up, kid? A lot of tough kids like you tried to join the Yakuza. At best, we sent them home with bruised and bloodied egos. At worst...we just killed them."
Jotaro scowled. "That was probably the worst thing you could tell me, punk."
"Ooh, very scary." Chrono clearly did not look intimidated. "Let's see if I can survive before time runs out. Or rather, let's see if I can serve you a nice helping of humble pie...you wannabe delinquent!"
A.N: And now, we've got our final matches in Block A. A double JoJo whammy with Joseph Joestar taking on the girl who's only character feature was being a decoy and a plot point. And Jotaro Kujo taking on someone who actually has something in common with him. Next time, those battles! Stay safe and healthy everyone!
