Chapter 5
Be Honest
"Two things that have brought you here. Your skill and the bonds you've developed. But while you're both powerful Shinobi teams, this contest will determine which is the strongest. There's no guarantee you'll leave this competition unscathed. Are you prepared for that eventuality?" Fubuki asked them.
"You bet we are!" came a voice.
Sora turned and looked to see that it was the Mikagura sisters who had arrived, along with Kagura and Naraku. They too were participating in the tournament. He was surprised to see that the girl called Kagura was in the form of a child, while the other four looked mature in appearance.
"I knew you couldn't resist coming," she said proudly.
However, she soon learned that Asuka was there as well, shocking Yumi.
"Asuka?" Sora asked in surprise.
The Granddaughter of Hanzo saw Sora, but her eyes were filled with a grim determination, until Sephiroth appeared beside Fubuki.
"Another foolish child, uninvited, must remain in the stands where she truly belongs. However, she must watch from the stands, or else this tournament will end if she intervenes," he said.
"Asuka, don't worry. We'll save your friends, after we finish this tournament. In fact, this is starting to remind me of how I once participated in many tournaments at the Olympus Coliseum on Herc's world. Just the thought of duking it out with some of your friends and rivals does make me feel nervous, but a little uneasy," Sora assured her.
Soon, Senkou and Gekkou explained the rules of the matches, but since Sora was also an unexpected participant, they agreed to let him join in the fun. All the kunoichi were unsure of what they meant, but since they needed team captains, they were prepared for the tournament, but to ensure that their end of the bargain was held up, the students of Hanzo Academy would be set free from their bonds.
"You are correct. When the tournament ends, we will most certainly hold our end of the bargain," Aiden said to them.
"Naturally, our captain has to be Yumi," Shiki said, as they were now in their locker room.
"I agree as well. I may not be part of Gessen, Hanzo, Hebijo, the Crimson Squad, or a member of the Mikaguras, but still. We gotta win this for Asuka's friends, or else everything that we've fought for will all end, as well as have the entire tournament broadcasted on all wavelengths. Right now, we need to win this tournament, and the one left standing will most certainly be crowned the victor. We gotta make sure that we help them," explained Sora.
But then he turned to Yumi.
"Also, Yumi, I do like your new garments. They actually do suit you and your friends very well, and you're also like a real snow angel, just like Weiss," he added.
"Wait, why are you flattering me, Sora?" Yumi asked in confusion.
"Well, I thought that if I said something nice to you, then it'd probably help you be better prepared, as well as make you feel happier. But I guess I failed big time," replied Sora.
But to his surprise, Yumi smiled at him, then gently pecked his cheek, shocking her friends.
"Actually, it did, Sora. Thank you, but I'm actually curious as to who Weiss is," she said happily.
"We want to know too, Sora," added the others.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you everything about who Weiss is, since we do have a bit of time before the tournament starts. Now, let's see. It all started back when I first came to a world called Remnant, after Professor Ozpin asked me to attend an academy called Beacon, located in the Kingdom of Vale. It was before I learned that school was destroyed by an evil empress called Salem. I was excited to be part of this school, when I first met Ruby Rose, daughter of Taiyang and Summer Rose, and in a sense, she really did remind me of myself a whole lot, and we even met Jaune Arc, a young swordsman who was really underappreciated. Eventually, I met Yang Xiao Long, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and many more students at Beacon. After our initiation test, we became Team RWBYS, with Ruby as the leader of the team. However, there was a great deal of tension between both her and Weiss, and her heart was filled with ancient hatred for the faunus, people who have parts of an animal upon them, like Blake, Sun, Ilia, and many more. In Blake's case, she had cat ears, which she covered with a bow, but after removing it, she embraced who she is, and has now become a much wiser and stronger person, and a huntress. But, in order to help her overcome her trauma of being part of the White Fang, which has now disbanded after Adam fled for his life, only to be reformed back into what it once was, before it became a terrorist organization, we had to confront nightmarish versions of Weiss and Blake, and managed to destroy the grimm that had taken hold of their dreams. Professor Shion Zaiden, a hunter of nightmares, was tasked with capturing Grimm that could take over people in their dream worlds, so that we'd eventually destroy them. Because of her, we managed to help those who had been taken by those nightmares, but we promised that we'd all work together to make sure that it'd never happen again. That was even before I learned that Salem had created that kind of dark creature that could corrupt someone's dreams, and turn them into an unending nightmare. We were separate for a short while, but after coming back together, we learned about the relics, but due to the actions of the Empress of Grimm, she had made the people become clinically senile, mistrusting, and immoral. When we left the Ever After, we saw that Remnant had changed into a barren wasteland, with Grimm roaming across it, now that the land was ravaged and lifeless.
Meanwhile, Homura explained that she had been caught off guard by Sephiroth, even though Sora protected her from Asuka's vicious onslaught, due to how she wasn't acting like her normal self, but then noticed in her eyes the sight of someone who lost herself to despair, but she knew that the true Asuka still lived on, and was not erased by the darkness, and that there was still time for her to come back to her senses, but they would be by her side together. However, Haruka informed them that they would not join the tournament, as they would also undertake a mission of their own making, which was to save Asuka's companions from Senkou and Gekkou's grip. The other members of Team Crimson agreed, and they all set off on their important mission to help the girls out of their bind. Back in the arena, the first round of the tournament had now begun. They would be playing a far more dangerous version of the sport dodgeball, and that if it went up in smoke, the players would lose, and their garments, reduced to nothing. Despite this, Sora did come prepared with his blindfold, as he still had to be respectful around girls, but also warned them not to have it be removed. He did train with Matt Murdock, the Daredevil himself, so he knew that perversion was not his style. Yumi and Renka decided to be the team captains.
"We'd better get ready, you guys. The round's about to start," Sora told them.
And he was right, because the arena had now changed, and everyone stepped into it. Both teams engaged each other in a fierce bout with each other, but Murakumo, not wanting to see Shiki get blasted, as well as letting her mask fly off her, took the blow for her friend, while Sora caught it with his own hand, thanks to the utilization of his other senses, then tossed it back to her side.
"Thank you," she said to him, despite being unable to participate.
Sadly, she was out of the match, as it continued on unabated, and when Kagura warned Yumi about Fubuki. However, clever Yumi was prepared with an ice clone, and sent the ball right back at her and Naraku, who tried to bring her down. The match ended, when Renka inadvertently took the blow for her. Team Gessen had won, but Renka was mildly annoyed at their defeat.
"Listen, you did your best, Renka. Still, like I said. This blindfold is more than enough to ensure that I don't lose focus in this tournament. After all, I always come prepared with these. Black coats that used to be worn by two of the Lost Masters, and Organization XIII. But be grateful that despite this defeat, you learn to be better, as well as get ready for whatever may come next," Sora told her kindly, after passing the coat to both her and Murakumo.
The others had to agree with him, but Kagura still warned them about Fubuki. Nodding towards her, Sora lifted the blindfold away from one of his eyes, and glared at the dark-haired young woman, even as they were told to be cautious. Now the next round had begun between Teams Mikagura and Hebijo, as they would now be participating in their cavalry match. They all watched the combatants clashing with each other, while Yumi took this time to shower, even as Sora stood away from them, leaning against the wall with his eyes shut, and his arms folded over his chest. The battle was quite intense, despite the banter going on between them, but then Kagura landed near Fubuki, instantly disqualifying her team. That meant that Hebijo had won the match. However, unknown to them, Suzune had been watching, and suspected that Gessen and Hebijo would begin their battle. Unfortunately, she soon received bad news from the council, suspecting that they had gone MIA as the yoma hordes slowly began to seep out of the portal. She still continued to investigate, despite learning that Homura and her companions had arrived, as well as agreeing to help her out in their common cause. Soon Gessen and Hebijo's teams were now face to face, and the match would be pole toppling. Still, Sora kept his blindfold on for this match. The rules were simple. The first to reach the flag and take it, would be named the victor, but the one to fall into the same chemically infused water would have their clothes becoming transparent, much like in the mock Peach Beach Splash battle Sora had won.
"Oh, great. One little slip up, and it's all over," he quipped.
Miyabi named herself captain, but this time, Yumi chose Yozakura to be her team's captain, and the match began.
(Okay folks, for this battle, go and play Crush 40's Big Mouth for this round, but eventually Sora will come to view Miyabi as another of his rivals)
"[Verse 1]
Little past midnight
Standing by the moonlight
Watching the world take a shot at me
Why'd you lie to me?
We're this crazy generation
Glue it, screw it down
Filthy separation
Try and knock me down
[Pre-Chorus]
All my life (All my life)
Robbed me of a take to blow my mind
Who's to try (Who's to try)
Another inch closer, you're a real tough guy
[Chorus]
Keep your big mouth shut
Go ahead, keep it up, if you want another
Then keep that big mouth running on
Keep your big mouth shut
Woah, woah, woah, woah
Shut it!
Woah, woah, woah, woah
If you know what's good for you
Keep your big mouth shut
Keep your big mouth shut
[Verse 2]
Standing toe to toe
Let me know when you wanna go
Hit you with the daylight
Face down, goodnight
Oh, lesson so well learned
I should have left you there and let you burn
Well, I'm a man on a mission
Try and knock me down
[Pre-Chorus]
All my life (All my life)
Robbed me of a take to blow my mind
Who's to try (Who's to try)
Another inch closer, you're a real tough guy
[Chorus]
Keep your big mouth shut
Go ahead, keep it up, if you want another
Then keep that big mouth running on
Keep your big mouth shut
Woah, woah, woah, woah
Shut it!
Woah, woah, woah, woah
If you know what's good for you
Keep your big mouth shut!
[Solo]
[Bridge]
Do it once, do it twice
You're the fool in paradise
Run and hide
When that mouth keeps running on and on!
[Chorus]
Keep your big mouth shut
Go ahead, keep it up, if you want another
Then keep that big mouth running on
Keep your big mouth shut
Woah, woah, woah, woah
Shut it!
Woah, woah, woah, woah
If you know what's good for you
Keep your big mouth shut!
Keep your big mouth shut!
[Outro]
Shut it!"
Even as the match continued, Homura and the others had found the Hanzo Girls, but she quickly warned them not to make any rash moves, as Rin discovered that there was indeed a yoma lying in wait in the shadows. However, from above, Yumi had been planning ahead, and Yozakura took the advantage to capture the flag with one of her gauntlets, thus naming their team the winners, while Miyabi told her companions to follow what Sora had told Renka and the others who were sitting in the stands.
"This tournament is over! And as per the terms of our agreement, you will release mine and Asuka's friends at once," Sora called to Senkou and Gekkou.
"You seem to have misunderstood," remarked Senkou.
"One, this was just the qualifying round. You still have another match to complete," added Gekkou.
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"You will fight the three of us in the final round of the Shinovi Masters," Fubuki explained as she approached them.
Sora growled in frustration, even after removing his blindfold now that the Hebijo girls had left them.
"Only someone who's really unfair would say that. You will release them, or we will be forced to make you comply!" he snapped.
"Sora, please, calm yourself," Yumi said, resting her hand on his shoulder.
"If I were in your position, Sora, then I would listen to Yumi right about now," Fubuki added in agreement.
But Senkou and Gekkou told them to use one of the teachings of the late Kurokage, leading to Yumi asking why they knew so much about her, only to learn that they had followed his old ways, from before he changed his ways, but they still believed that all evil would be expunged, as they felt that this was the justice they needed.
"Stand down, Yumi, I'll fight these three on your behalf," Asuka said, stepping into the arena.
"Not on your own, you won't, Asuka. I know what they did to you, and our friends. We'll take them together," interjected Sora.
"Oh, so you wish to help her get revenge on us, after we bested her the first time?" Senkou asked him.
"It's true you may have beaten Asuka before, but that was because I was too distracted with Yumi to help find the cat ears she bought for the Christmas party, which you ruined thanks to your deluded ambitions. But now that Asuka's here with us, we're not gonna lose to you. So I hope you guys are prepared for us," he remarked in Asuka's stead.
"Do you believe that you have what it takes to defeat them? Or do you still feel that this truth you've been told will continue to lead you down the path of vengeance?" Sephiroth asked as he stepped out of the shadows.
"Save it, Sephiroth! Even though Asuka's hurt, we will still defeat you, because our hearts are one," he snapped at the One-Winged Angel.
However, Yumi took them aside, and asked if they remembered their happy moment back then, and to ensure that justice could never truly die that easily, and the sword and shield would always have a place in the world, no matter what. Finally, Asuka relented, and agreed to let her join forces with her and Sora.
"Asuka, Yumi, let's show 'em what we're made of, and prove that what you've said will never become reality," he said to the two girls, as they reentered the arena.
"Consider it done, Sora, but be careful," Asuka replied.
"I agree," added Yumi.