A Good Old Fashioned Fight
The two fighter both seemed to hear the bell in the same instant as they both turned around and adopted their favorite fighting stance within the same milli-seconds. Kraven stepped forward, with his spear sticking way out into the middle of the field to gauge distance, speed, as well as set-up up a good form defense as Mikoto would have to blast past the spear in order to get to Kraven's openings. It was a defense that could only be designed if the user had absolute face in their skills with a weapon and by that it meant simply that your opponent had to have a weapon and be very skilled with it in order to use such a stance.
"This isn't good," muttered Zesiro causing the rest of the crew to raise an eyebrow. "Mikoto has pretty poor experience when it comes to fighting against weapon-users…especially strict weapon users. Taisho and Kin both tried to use swords against him, but in the end were sucked into Mikoto's pace and wound up relying on their Devil Fruit abilities. Even against the vastly superior Renvont Mikoto lucked out because Renvont was out of ammo. Against an opponent who lives and dies by his weapon Mikoto has absolutely zero experience." The rest of the crew nodded, understanding that Zesiro meant that this would be a difficult fight, but they trusted Mikoto would be able to surmount the challenge of a weapon user in one go. However, as much as they did trust Mikoto they couldn't help, but get a slight feeling of danger creeping over their shoulders…something else was different about this fight. One more thing was different from this fight and Mikoto's usual fights. However, none of them could put their finger on it. And, of course, in the end it wouldn't matter…Mikoto would always fight like Mikoto.
Speaking of which, when it was said that they both adopted their favorite stance that could only be really said for Kraven as Mikoto didn't really have a 'stance'…he had a charge. He lowered his body, leaning in with all of his might and rushed in at speeds greater than anything before. It was the first time chances are many people actually noticed it, but Mikoto was indeed quite smaller than average. While Kraven on the other hand was quite bigger than average, against average-sized opponents chances are it wouldn't have mattered, but the gap seemed huge to the two warriors. Mikoto was flying so close to the ground that to Kraven it would seem impossible, while to Mikoto Kraven's chin seemed to stretch to the size. In any real martial arts bracketing the two would probably have been split into weight classes four or five apart. However, that thought didn't change the opinion of either warrior, in a real fight like this weight classes meant nothing. Winning was the only thing that mattered. And, of course, both fighters believed that that would be them. Mikoto's speed was already proving useful as he burst through the slight opening on the left of Kraven's spear and headed inwards to duke it out with his fists.
However, Kraven was ready for such a breakthrough, using the smallest movement possible, only barely moving one end of his spear a few millimeters he would force Mikoto back. Of course, to anyone who uses a spear they would know a few millimeters on one end transformed into a few feet on the other. The spear cut through the air with surprising speed, nearly equivalent to that of Mikoto. The spear moved as if it was rubber, flailing wildly as it came smashing into Mikoto's abdomen forcing him back more than a few feet. Mikoto gritted his teeth, trying to stay standing for a few more seconds, but it was useless. Kraven had learned something from that loss he had experienced all those years ago, speed, power…everything could be toppled with the proper technique. There was a countering technique to everything. If your opponent tried to come at you with overwhelming power than you alter your abilities to fit him, if they relied on speed you used a different set of techniques. And, of course, in preparation for this fight, Kraven had mastered every technique necessary. Mikoto's speed would be met with a nonstop barrage of techniques to specifically seal it…and the first one was Kraven's stance.
Kraven had already measured out Mikoto's speed using his spear. Based on how quickly Mikoto moved from the tip to the base he knew the time it would roughly take for Mikoto to travel it, with it he can design a whole new set of strategies based off of this speed to perfectly pick Mikoto apart. Of course just saying it was one thing the stance helped Kraven in other ways as well such as that deflecting technique he had just used. In order for Mikoto to hit max speed there needed to be a moment where both of his feet were off the ground just like in nearly all running techniques, there's a brief moment during the run that the person's feet are both off of the ground while they are switching places, if struck at this exact moment then they have no way to stay tethered to the ground and could be knocked aside with ease. Even a weak swing of Kraven's swing could work as long as he struck during this period.
Of course, compared to Kraven's stance which utilized technique, Mikoto was all about speed. Kraven could shift his stance to take advantage of his overwhelming power advantage or even to try and challenge Mikoto to speed, but Mikoto didn't have that. Mikoto knew in a fair fight he couldn't win relying on techniques…he couldn't win relying on power. Mikoto was the world's greatest one-trick pony. Speed was he needed. Mikoto's body blurred once more as he began rapidly jetting left, right, and back in a continuous pattern to try and confuse Kraven. Mikoto tensed his hand, should he risk a Rapid-Fire? Mikoto grinned as he increased his speed, of course he would! That was the way of the 'Kid Coyote' Mikoto D. Azgard! Mikoto leaned forward and dashed in with his speed, he'd hit first and send even the Shichibukai Kraven flying back on his butt! Mikoto stepped in quickly crossing the ground and nearing Kraven. Mikoto smiled, he was faster than Kraven he'd definitely hit!
"That won't work, boy!" Kraven's attack came faster. The same repelling attack as before! Even with Mikoto's feet firmly planted for a punch, the difference in power and stature was too much Mikoto was thrown back again, skidding across the ground with a new welter mark on his side Mikoto grunted as he quickly jumped back to his feet. It was obvious that Kraven was aiming to break several ribs with that attack. Kraven smiled and took up the same stance as before, the long spear looming in between them. Mikoto paused for a second as he tried to figure out what happened. He knew he was faster than Kraven, so it made no sense that Kraven had hit first. No…it wasn't possible, Mikoto knew that in his top gear nobody could touch him. If that was the case Mikoto just wasn't at his top gear! So, he'd just get there now! Mikoto quickly began outpacing himself again, rapidly darting between left and right, forwards and backwards, it seemed like the entire field was Mikoto's playground. And Kraven was positioned right in the center of it! Mikoto rushed in again!
Mikoto dashed in, he passed by the spear tip just like he was planning and now it was time to finish Kraven off! Mikoto began looming his Rapid-Fire when he noticed it…Kraven's hands…in terms of speed Mikoto was indeed probably faster in all but one area…attack speed! As mentioned before if Kraven so much as moved the base of his spear a millimeter the tip of his spear moved a few feet. In other words the speed of Kraven's spear accelerated incredibly fast, the moment it took Kraven to move his spear a millimeter was the same amount of speed it took him to move it a few feet. In other words, it was faster than a person could throw a punch. Even then it was possible that Mikoto could land a punch before Kraven could attack if it wasn't for the secondary difference.
Range. As mentioned before there was a good difference in their height…with Mikoto getting the short end of the stick. It was too bad that arm reach was proportionate to height. Mikoto's smaller body gave him a smaller reach which was only made worse due to Kraven's weapon. His spear extended at least six feet from his body meaning Mikoto had a pitiful reach in comparison. By the time Mikoto had entered his range he had already been in Kraven's range for quite a few seconds. Meaning Kraven had already begun his counterattack by quite a few seconds. Mikoto wasn't just losing in the areas of power and technique, but range and possibly even attack speed as well. Thanks to Kraven's experience and training he had come to completely dwarf Mikoto in every aspect.
Mikoto stumbled backwards, gritting his teeth as he felt the skin beneath his clothing begin to swell. Kraven wasn't holding back with those swings even though he could. With Mikoto's lightweight body just a solid tap could probably blow him away to the side, but Kraven was swinging at full-power trying to break his body with each and every go. And that last attack probably would've done it if it wasn't for Mikoto jumping back just as he was hit, however, it wasn't something that could be explained with just words like instincts, luck, or technique…it was fear. After Mikoto's last attack he had jumped in with almost every intention of socking it to Kraven…almost. Two percent of Mikoto held back during that charge, screaming at him that it was dangerous. That two percent of Mikoto caught Kraven's swing, saw it coming and forced the other 98% of Mikoto to jump back. While it was a good thing that Mikoto jumped back what lead to him jumping back was a bad thing, the worst thing that could happen to a pirate. Fear of his opponent. In that split second it could be said that the fight was decided.
"So, what if Mikoto can't close in for the Rapid-Fire!" shouted Sage, "he has other weapons as well. He can use the After-Image to close the distance, can't he?" The entire crew seemed to perk up at this information, but they all quickly dismissed it.
"The After-Image may make Mikoto 'disappear', but it isn't instantaneous. Mikoto just stops and then super-accelerates to the side in a burst, however, in order for Mikoto to do that he needs the room to the move to the side and with that spear being held there at Kraven's waist Mikoto would have to duck under it and that would effectively halve the speed of the After-Image," explained Enma going into detail, "in other words that stance that Kraven had adopted completely seals Mikoto's greatest weapons." Of course, Mikot had other techniques that would help him bypass Kraven's 'wall', but the real problem would be utilizing those techniques.
Mikoto breathed deeply for some reason Kraven wasn't rushing him, but instead kept a solid guard at the distance. He would force Mikoto to charge in and he would continuously spear him with his weapon. Kraven had chosen a super-defensive stance in order to counteract Mikoto's only option, the hyper offensive. Mikoto lacked the stamina and strength to block attacks so his only option was to keep moving and keep hammering his opponent with all he got. Then again with Mikoto's personality there was no other option more enticing. Even if he could defend, he wouldn't…all offense, all the time…that was just the kind of guy Mikoto was. Mikoto leaned forward and slowly began to move in and out as he tried to up his speed, he'd break through Kraven's 'wall' now! Mikoto dashed forward, almost instantly hitting his top speed as he tore through the land. However, it didn't matter Kraven already had Mikoto's speed memorized he'd know when Mikoto would be at the area around the tip of his spear and he would know when Mikoto would be in deep enough for him to strike at him again. The only question was would Mikoto go left or right?
And, of course, Mikoto being Mikoto he chose neither. He shifted downwards, transforming into his full beast form and running right underneath Kraven's spear. Even if Kraven chose to strike downwards with his spear it was now possible for Mikoto to dodge to the left or the right! Mikoto could actually use his speed to his advantage again! Or so would've happened had Mikoto been fighting a normal opponent. Just like Kraven Mikoto knew his own speed limits, so it surprised Mikoto to run straight into Kraven at full force, no, more than full force…something else had interrupted with Mikoto's base instincts of when he be close enough to transform and land a punch…Kraven had moved forward.
Kraven wasn't as fast as Mikoto, but his speed was enough to put a permanent damper on Mikoto's plans. If Mikoto bypassed the tip of the spear without being thrown aside Kraven would step forward and force Mikoto from mid-range punches to super-close range punches. At super close rang speed meant nothing, the two things that reigned supreme were stamina…and power! Mikoto's two worst attributes. It took Mikoto one second to figure out what had happened, it took him .7 seconds to slam on the brakes, and another .5 seconds to kick himself back into full gear going backwards. It took Kraven just one second to fire his shot. A quick powerful, twisting punch that shuddered directly into Mikoto's frail body, sending him flying back…again.
Mikoto shuddered into the ground, rolling to the side as he tried to stay calm. He had tried three charges and all of them had failed. If he went from the sides of the spear Kraven would just swing it, going from below it resulted in that step forward. Or would it? If Mikoto tried that technique again in going below Kraven's spear could he count on Kraven stepping forward again? Or would Kraven stay where he was…or could he even step back? No matter what Mikoto did Kraven had a counter…no matter how Mikoto dove in Kraven had a defense…Mikoto couldn't surpass Kraven at this rate…no matter how he bolted in, he got countered. Mikoto sighed briefly. Its true…no matter how he went in, he got countered…so in a way Mikoto couldn't just break through the center like before. However, didn't the gift of speed give him a different way through?
Mikoto jumped back and kicked it up a notch and bolted forward, this time completely ignoring the frot and moving straight to Kraven's side and from there his back. It may be cheap, but so was still stealing someone's flag and then trying to capture their nakama! Mikoto would not allow Kraven to get away with it, Mikoto closed in from behind like a real predator. Throwing away his usual fighting style and going for the win, Mikoto rushed in, perfect speed, perfect timing! His fist tightened, there was no way Kraven could keep up with Mikoto…of course, there was a slight hole in that way of thinking as well…Kraven was never able to keep up with Mikoto he just sealed Mikoto's techniques. And he did the same thing here.
"Didn't I tell you? That won't work!" Mikoto was thrown backwards once more, despite out speeding Kraven and placing himself right behind him, there was still no opening. There wasn't even the slightest hole in Kraven's defense, he knew Mikoto's speed, his limit everything…Mikoto's speed and timing were perfect and Kraven knew exactly where the predator would be striking from which is why he had the perfect counter measure already in place. Mikoto grabbed his gut and felt the swelling pain once more. Kraven's counter measure was with his spear once more, a super-fast shuttling technique with it. Rather than thrusting forward or swinging to the side, Kraven used his hands to shuttle the spear backwards, thrusting it into Mikoto's gut even when Mikoto was behind him. Kraven turned around, facing Mikoto down once more a cruel smile flashing across his face.
"I'm telling you this once more boy," Kraven grunted as he looked down on Mikoto from his spot. Mikoto was on the ground basically at Kraven's feet with a hand looped around his chest, trying to hold back the pain. He could still feel it, every moment that passed a new wave of pain crossed his face. Consecutive strikes to his chest and sides…that was the only thing that Kraven was managing, but nonetheless Mikoto was already feeling extreme pain. It was here that Mikoto considered the possibility…that it was all an act.
Kraven could've won that last event, after all his men outnumbered Mikoto's crew five to three. It was possible that Zesiro and the rest of them won through sheer force of will, but if you look at it that way…then all of this made sense. Kraven had plotted it through to this extent. He knew Mikoto would win, pick Goro, and challenge him to a fight…which meant Kraven could not only steal four of Mikoto's crewmates, but also pound Mikoto into the dust. If that was true, then…then Mikoto was no match for Kraven. A perfectly executed plan which lead into the most painful trap.
The End of the Events
Ta-Da. Another chapter. I guess you guys figured out I wasn't going to be doing any more double updates you wouldn't review any more, huh? Oh, well...I'll-I'll manage...*sob*
Anyways, the fight kicks off and quickly begins to draw to a close! It seems like Kraven is managing to push Mikoto back and back again further into a wall.