The air was filled with energy as Burning Gundam took on the Soaring
Gundam. Young Keiji tried his best to throw in the moves he'd been taught,
but Domon came at him too fast for him to rely on learned skill. His
instincts, sloppy and youthful, were all that guided him. His father was
trying his best not to laugh.
Hiroji sat on the ground a good distance away, a water bottle in one
hand, a wooden sword in the other. He had always been good at crafting and
repairing weaponry, even making a sort of business of it. Back home, he was
known to be the greatest repairman around. His far greatest achievement was
this katana, cut and molded just as perfectly as his uncle's own prized
weapon.
The youth groaned as a fresh pain shot up his shin and into his knee.
"Augh! Stupid Tylenol! It never works." Sighing, he flopped down
completely, grass spraying up from under his head. There, he stared up at
the clouds, listening to the sounds of the battle taking place about ½ a
mile away. "I should have never jumped off that cliff. Now I can't even
train. By the time I am back on my feet, Keiji will be up to my level."
"What makes you think you can't train?" a voice asked.
Hiroji sat up and looked over his shoulder just as Schwarz stepped
out of the shadows. "Hey, aren't you the guy who pulled me out of the
water?"
The masked man nodded. "The name's Schwarz Bruder."
Hiroji smirked and crossed his arms. "I thought so. So, Mr. Bruder, I
can tell you're a fighter as well. And your mask tells me.oh say.you're
from Neo Germany?"
"Smart youth. That's correct." Schwarz walked over to him and stood
off to the side, also folding his arms. They turned their focus to the
continuing fight.
"Yeesh, Keiji needs to work on his defense a little." Hiroji murmured
as Burning Gundam nearly tore off Soaring Gundam's arm.
"Who is this young Keiji?" Schwarz asked, peering down at the youth
sitting in the grass.
Hiroji pointed to Burning Gundam. "Keiji's my cousin; Domon's son."
A chuckle escaped the Neo German and he closed his eyes. My notion
was correct. Domon, you sly dog.
Once the fight was over and the Gundams knelt in conclusion, Hiroji
looked back up at his newfound friend. "So anyway, you had some advice for
me?"
"You don't need that leg to train." Schwarz said. "A Gundam is
capable of fighting with a limb completely torn off, so I believe that you
can manage."
Hiroji blinked but then smirked. "So you're telling me to go against
my aunt's wishes then?"
Schwarz scoffed and turned away. "You didn't hear this from me, kid.
But yes, in short, that's what I'm trying to tell you. You'll need all the
training you can get."
"I hope that wasn't supposed to be an insult, friend."
"You know it wasn't supposed to be, Hiroji Kasshu." Schwarz headed
back into the woods, vanishing just as quickly as he appeared. "When you're
able to make good use of this advice I bestow upon you, then I will be
there for a good match."
Hiroji cocked his head and shrugged. "That was weird. But he's
right." He planted his sword into the ground and got up, using the weapon
as a crutch. "I can train after all."
"What are you doing on your feet, Hiroji Kasshu?" Domon asked
sarcastically as he came up the hill with Keiji on one shoulder.
The youth grinned and threw a punch into the air. "I just met this
guy who inspired me a bit."
Domon blinked. "And just what was his name?"
"Schwarz Bruder. Of Neo Germany." Hiroji snickered. "And I can tell
that you're not the only really strong one around these parts anymore."
"Makes sense," his uncle replied, placing his son down on the ground.
"He was the one who taught me to control Burning Gundam's Hyper Mode."
Hiroji gasped. "No way, he did that?"
Domon nodded. "Sure did. That and a couple of other things." He
reached down and ruffled his hair jokingly. "Looks like he's taken you as
his next pupil."
Hiroji laughed. Man, I can't wait till I fight this guy!
