This is a non-profit fanfiction of Buddyfight. Buddyfight is the product of Bushiroad. Plz support the official release.
Also, warning for potential references, OCs, potential spoilers from the canon series & the chance you will acquire a disease that will either make you ship two under-aged kids together or just cause you to yawn repeatedly.
"My humble name is Kagome Himiko, the O-Miko of the Shirushiboshi," said Kagome as she bowed with grace.
"Kagome Himiko… the high priestess from that cult!?" muttered Tasuku.
"Though many referred it as a kyoudan (cult)… we, the Shirushiboshi, humbly regarded ourselves as a ryoudan (brigade)-"
"Kagome!" a call echoed from the frost-covered entrance.
Everyone present turned towards it, especially Kagome, who stepped forward to the center stage to confirm her suspicions. And sure enough, her eyes spotted Zanya Kisaragi by the entrance, panting & looking down at her.
"Why the surprise? He's your husbando, isn't he? Of course, he'll come to rescue-GAH!" And in a blink of an eye, the teasing Byakko was frozen solid in a cuboid.
"Watch your mouth, dumb cat," mumbled Fuyuki, holding the glowing paper talisman that froze him.
"Kagome, what on earth is going on?" Zanya hurried down the stairs.
"Zanya!" uttered Gao.
"Gao!? Why are you here?" responded Zanya. It was then he saw the unconscious Noboru right by his side. "W-What's wrong with Kudo?" He asked.
Very soon, another voice erupted from the very same door. "Anijaaa…" It's Zanya's little brother! And by his side is surely his ninja Buddy.
Zanya gritted his teeth in frustration. The situation here is already a cluster of confusion! Following his instinct, he hurriedly down to newly-made cliff on the platform & turned his attention to the girl below.
"What the heck's going on, Kagome!? Explain!" Zanya yelled, completely agitated.
"It's none of your business, Zanya! Go home!" The O-Miko replied.
"Is this related to that grandfather of yours?" The boy shouted, shocking the girl.
"Ooo… As expected from Zanya-kun, still sharp as ever, I see-GAH!" uttered the frozen tiger before getting flattened by another cube of ice.
After smashing the tiger, Fuyuki quickly returned to audience seat above. "You will not interfere," mumbled the teen before swinging the paper talisman in his hand.
Almost instantly, ice burst out from the floor & enveloped Zanya up to the neck.
"Z-Zanya!" uttered Gao.
The immobilized boy struggled & grumbled but soon found out that the ice will eventually encased his head if he doesn't stay still.
"Aniija!" the approaching voice shouted.
And to his horror, Akatsuki & Tsukikage then came rushing out of the door. Frost immediately burst out of the floor & soon, the two were immediately frozen into a wall that completely blocked the exit.
"Wha- What on earth!?" shouted the little brother as Tsukikage 'Nins' in dismay.
Gao & Bal were both shocked by the act. "What are you doing-bal!?" shouted the little dragon, leaping forward with his hammer-sword.
But it is futile & with two more talismans, Gao & Bal ended up in Zanya's state.
"Gao-kun!?" Tasuku reacted with horror.
"Fuyuki! What's the meaning of this?" an unpleased Kagome called out to the white Onmyouji.
"It is for our noble cause, Kagome-sama!" Her eyes then widened, as if being reminded. "By using these peasants as hostages, we can have that Sovereign over there surrender his Crest willingly,"
Kagome lowered her head. Her hands gripped tightly before letting go & turning back. "Very well… it is my mission, after all," she murmured under her voice. "Tasuku Ryuenji-dono, I demand that you surrender your Crest to me!"
"Like we would to villains like you," Tasuku's Buddy shouted.
"Jack's right! Even if we knew-"
"I see… so you are newly appointed," The boy then gasped. "Worry not. The Crest can only taught you a bit at a time. But of course, that doesn't mean you don't have to surrender it,"
"What do you mean?" Tasuku asked.
"I demand that you wager your Crest in a Buddyfight & lose on purpose!" Kagome exclaimed.
"On purpose!? That's absurd-"
"UNACCEPTABLEEEEE!" an echo suddenly rocked the stadium.
Just across the Fighting Stage, two bulky teenagers & one young woman. The crowd of children behind them is currently being guide out by the Seifukai members present.
"Todoroki-senpai!" cheered Gao.
"To hold my friends hostage. UNFORGIVABLEEEE!" the shirtless teen's voice echoed out. His feet then slammed on the concrete balustrade. "Now come at me, KAGOME HIMIKO-"
And before he can shout, he got flipped & thrown into the vacant seats behind him. Everyone's eyes were peeled open by surprise.
"A-Ane-sama!" Doai turned to the culprit.
"Like hell, you'll be fighting shirtless with those meats showing!" shouted Rekka.
"These are not meat, aneue!" Genma quickly got up. "These are deluxe muscles! The goal of all manly men!" And with twinkling eyes, he began muscle-posing… with the muscles jiggling.
"As much as I like abs & muscles, Genma, there is such a thing as 'too much'," muttered the disgusted older sister as she stepped forward.
It was then she realized. Her other leg can't move. Rekka immediately titled her head & soon, she found her entire left leg frozen in place.
"GAH! W-What is this!?" uttered Doai.
"YOU THINK THIS COLDNESS WILL MAKE ME KNEEL!" shouted Genma.
In response of the utter, she immediately turned her sights back to her brother & friends. To her fright, everyone, including Doai & Genma, were frozen up to the necks.
"Isn't it kind a cliché for cults like yours to do villainous things?" Rekka addressed with a raised voice.
Standing at far behind her is Fuyuki & in front of him, several paper talismans floating & covered in frost. He's the one who froze the Seifukai members in place!
"We have a cause that we must accomplish no matter what," he replied to the tan-skinned woman. "Such words will not lead us astray,"
"Indeed…" Kagome followed. "And I believe we have wasted enough time. Tasuku Ryuenji, accept my terms or face the consequences!" The O-Miko exclaimed.
The blue-haired boy can only gritted his teeth. Over eight people had taken hostage… He has to give his Crest up! But is it really okay to give her something this powerful to save others?
Tasuku already knew the answer. However… there is this feeling lurk in his heart that had kept him from realizing his decision. Is this fear?
"Damn…" He hit his chest.
Mmeanwhile, a sneaky hand is slowly reaching for his Core Gadget. He can & he will help. All he has to do is to draw one card. But just as his middle finger is about to touch the round crystal, several ice shards rained down besides his feet!
"You, Vassal, will stay put," Fuyuki threatened Baku. "Now, Sovereign, your answer!"
The blue-haired boy lowered his face & pounded his chest one more time. His fist is still punch-hungry. He really wants to turn the tables on them but… it's too risky… for everyone's sake…
"F-Fine…" The boy gave his answer. "I accept-"
"GWWAAAAAHHHHH!" a scream suddenly shocked the stage. A red pillar of energy, once again, had burst out from Noboru's body.
Slowly, the blonde boy got up.
Fuyuki is utterly dumbfounded. "I-Impossible. The seal should've-" Red eyes then pierced through the teen's composure before blast of energy sent him flying into the center of the stage.
"FUYUKI!" Kagome cried out.
"Akashic… I will… have the… Akashic…" Noboru slowly limped towards the edge.
"N-Noboru…?"
"K-Kitten Shirt?" said Gao & Bal respectively.
Noboru's blank expression & red eyes gave no reply. Instead, leaped down to the stage, leading with the Core Gadget that is his blue spear! He's aiming it right at Kagome!
The girl quickly moved to dodge. "Kagome-sama!" Fuyuki shouted & intercepts.
One thrust & a spear of near-opaque red shot out like a ballista arrow. The beam's too big for her! She can't dodge it!
"KAGOME!" shouted Zanya before the smokescreen erupts. "Kagome- GRAAAHHH!" Using all of his strength, Zanya's body soon broke free. "Kagome! Are you still there!?" He, once again, shouts as he broke his legs free.
Luckily for him, the O-Miko is still alive, only fallen on the floor with a few thorns on her garments. "F-Fuyuki…" she whimpered.
The white-haired teen is standing in front of her, breathing heavily with both hands raised. A riddled ice shield had been projected before them & several more broken ones were above that too.
"A-Are you unharmed?" muttered the injured Onmyouji before collapsing. His multiple shields soon cracked & soon, shattered into a rain of torn paper talismans.
The O-Miko quickly took him into his arms. "F-Fuyuki!" The monster was then forcibly returned back into her deck.
"Akashic… Grimoire…" murmured Noboru as he limped forward.
The boy briefly turned towards Tasuku. Immediately, Jack stood in front of him.
"T-The Grim… m-moire…" mumbled the boy as he turned towards Kagome.
She immediately stood up. Her expression prophesied a divine rage on the boy. "Well, this is new," Byakko appeared besides her, cracking his fists. "Never seen a Sovereign go berserk like this…"
"KAGOME!" Zanya descended with Tsukikage & Byakuya in their true form.
"Z-Zanya…" she murmured in mild surpise.
"I won't question you now," said Zanya. "J-Just get out of here! Now!"
The girl immediately turned. "I won't!" she retorted.
"You'll get hurt-"
"You're the one who will get hurt-"
"WaaaAAAAHHHH!" Noboru roared before charging in, like a maddened tiger. His lance-shaped Core Gadget enlarged mid-charged, becoming coated with energy of blood-red colour.
"Okay, guys don't charged in- OI!" The two ninjas immediately charged in.
First, the impatient Byakuya & then, his brother, Tsukikage. Their speed is lightning & their figure soon disappeared.
In response, Noboru just swung his lance wildly. Sure enough, his second blind strike flattened Byakuya & the fifth sent Tsukikage crashing into the roof. After that, he lunged forward at Byakko.
"Fine, then!" The white-tiger themed monster murmured. Immediately after that, he rushed forward with solid-light wolverine claws.
As the battle of his rampaging friend & a new face raged on into sparks of clashes, a hand soon reached for Baku's shoulder. The boy jolted & turned around. It is his X-Cell Monster, Athena.
"She had requested our retreat," muttered the goddess as a dark, misty portal opened behind them.
Baku's heart rate doubled. "B-But…" he muttered in hesitation.
"Hold it!" a boy's voice pierced his ear drums. "Don't you dare run away!?"
Baku immediately turned around. And sure enough, behind him is Jackknife & Tasuku charging straight towards him with malice in his eyes.
"T-Tasuku-senpai… I…" He murmured, trying to shout. "I'm being-"
Are you sure?
His eyes then widened. It's her!
I'll kill her if you do… whispered the ghastly voice in his head.
Soon, with tightening fists & his face looking down in defeat, he walked through the portal. Athena followed suit soon afterwards.
"WAIT!" shouted Tasuku, about to speed in when…
"NOBORU, STOP!" Gao's scream hit his eardrums.
Tasuku, instinctively, turned & it was then Byakko's body crashed into the green dragon a few steps ahead of him. The blue-haired boy's attention was immediately pulled back to his only family.
Now, on the floor front of him are one of the criminals that threatened him & his Buddy. Both of them are lying on the ground & beyond them, a misty portal successfully closing & disappear.
Tasuku gritted his teeth in frustration. "Jack! Are you okay?" He ran to his Buddy, worried.
"I'm… okay…" answered the dragon, getting up.
"W-Well… I'm not…" moaned Byakko, all battered up. "By the way… Ryuenji-no-dana… you might… wanna beware… of your friend over there…" He soon faints.
Heeding his warnings, Tasuku turned around. To his horror, standing behind him is a cloak of ominous red & its owner, Noboru Kudo, now with an exhausted expression on his face.
"N-Noboru-kun?" asked Tasuku. The boy responded by limping towards him, gripping his blood-red lance. "Noboru-kun!?" The boy then tried calling out.
"NOBORU!" Gao's voice then echoed loud.
After just recently descended down to the stage, Gao then immediately sprinted off towards them. Zanya, upon seeing him charging in, followed suit.
"Get back, Tasuku!" the bruised Jack moved in front of his Buddy.
Noboru raised his head towards the dragon. His expression is blank & weak, almost as if he's about to fell asleep.
"Noboru-kun…" Jack took a careful step forward, only to be answered with a strike that fling him to the side.
"JACK!" Tasuku quickly turned back to Noboru. "Noboru-kun, what's wrong with you?" he shouted, taking a step back.
His only replies are the the blonde boy's wheezing & slow advance towards him. "Give it to MEEE-"He muttered as he raised his lance high-up like a guillotine.
"NO! Wait- Noboru!?" cried Gao before lifting up his lance for the final strike... "Grk!"
However… the strike did not came. A surprised gasp suddenly escaped his mouth! His irises shrunk; his eyes then closed; & soon, the red veil surrounding him dissipated. His body collapsed afterwards. Tasuku, alerted, took the boy into his arms.
"Noboru-kun!?" he uttered before raising his head.
In front of him is Kagome, a sheathed katana in her hand. "Apologies…" she said with a lowered head & almost pursed lips.
Afternoon,
While sitting, I looked out into the courtyard of this estate.
"Tasuku… Is something wrong?" Jack asked.
I shook my head. "Oh, nothing. How about you, then?"
"Some minor scratches; nothing more. If it is Noboru you're worrying about, don't worry. He's already sound asleep over there," We then turned towards the futon mattress behind us.
Noboru-kun's sound asleep. However… one of his arms is completely covered with paper talismans. It's like a cast for a broken arm. Gao-kun & Bal are sitting beside him; also, sound asleep.
"I guess Kagome Himiko isn't as unreasonable as we thought she is," Jack said.
I nodded. "Well… at least, she apologized…" My mind then drifted back to a few hours ago.
It was shortly after Noboru-kun had struck down. Gao-kun & Bal, while panicking, rushed to grab Noboru-kun from my arms.
I let him go… and turned towards the girl. I'm livid at the time.
"Kagome Himoko… Is this your doing!?" I growled at her.
But even with my angriest expression, she calm & composed. "Of course not!" She retorted. "If I did, would he attack me & my Shikigamis?"
It was then I finally discovered my boiling point. "You-" I raised my right fist. For the first time in my life, I wanted to hit someone so bad… It's even worse than the time I'm around Kyoya Gaen.
But even under the threat of my fist, she just closed her eyes, preparing herself. If it were up to my instincts alone, I would have punched her right there & then but it was delayed. I hesitated.
"Stop it!" Kisaragi-kun then intercepts.
"Zanya, what are you doing?" said Kagome Himiko.
"Protecting you!" He then replied. "Don't misunderstand me. I still need some answers,"
"Move, Kisaragi!"
"So you can punch her!? I'm disappointed in you, Tasuku-senpai-"
It was at this moment Kagome suddenly stepped out & suddenly bowed down before me. "I am… prepared to accept the consequences of defeat," She said. "Due to an unexpected accident, I am left without any… means to negotiate with you anymore. My currently best fighters are also out of commission & the number of people I am going to fight now has increased… Therefore, I will now accept the consequence of defeat,"
"Consequence?" I muttered in confusion.
"Kagome?"
"You… do not know…?" She raised her head, slightly surprise. "O…Oh… I… see…"
"Kagome Himiko!" Genma Todoroki then entered the fray. "Even if it is a failed attempt, as the Leader of the Seifukai, I will have you make up for holding Aibo Acdemy's students hostage,"
"Then, how should I make it up?" Kagome Himiko asked.
And after turning his head towards Gao-kun, he finally said it. "I'll humbly request that you help Noboru Kudo,"
The sound of feet walking on wooden floor soon rang my ears. Soon, the door opened. In came, Kisaragi-kun & then, Kagome Himiko & two other Mikos.
"I will take the water," said Kagome.
After receiving a wooden bucket, the other priestess bowed & dismissed themselves. She then personally walked towards Noboru-kun's sleeping body to care for him.
"O-Oh… Kagome-san…?" Gao murmured.
The O-Miko took one indifferent look at Gao & soon, placed a wet towel on Noboru-kun's forehead. "We've already sealed away his Crest's power with the most of our talisman reserves. All that is left is his willpower," Her head briefly turned towards me.
"Why didn't you just remove it?" I asked carefully. "You are after one, aren't you?"
"Not one but all of them…" She then stood up & walked to the front. "I could remove his but considering the fact that I am bound to your terms at the moment, I will not,"
"Why not?" I uttered. "You said it yourself that it is that Crest that made Noboru-kun go berserk,"
"True," She soon sat down. "However… if I do that, he will never wake up… ever again…"
"W-Wait… WHAT!?" I jolted up. "Never wake up again!? You mean-"
"Is it a coma?" Jack asked.
"In most cases, yes, it is… if you are lucky enough to get only that,"
"Huh? W-What are you-"
"Sovereigns must fight for their life. Either you kill to survive or scheme to victory. Those who refuse to do both can only hide for so long,"
"The Sovereigns'… Banquet…" That voice!? I immediately turned around.
"Noboru!"
"Kitten shirt-bal!"
"It's a tiger…" The blonde boy moaned as he slowly got up. "Er… where on earth is this?" muttered the boy as he looked around." Zanya? Tasuku-senpai?"
As tea is served on the table for a small group of children, Kagome spoke to her grandaunt at the door.
"Are you sure…?"
"It's the best balance I can strike between mission & promise…" The girl murmured, unsurely. "I-Is this the wrong thing to do… Mikasa-oba-sama?"
The old woman just placed her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, dear. I'll cover up for you…" she said.
"I… I… see… I'll see you later, oba-sama," The door then closed & the O-Miko retreated back into the room.
In her hands, a green Japanese scroll, in which she held tightly- almost begrudgingly. But even so, she will tell these children… That is after all, what she… the best she could do for her cause & self… right?
"So is that the top-secret scroll you've been talking about?" Noboru asked.
"Y-Yes… This is the original," answered Kagome. "Written down in this scroll is everything you need to know about the Sovereign's Banquet," She untied the scroll as she sat down. Soon, the contents are laid it down in front of her.
The four boys & their Buddies leaned forward to see. On the ancient looking paper are columns after columns of Japanese text, carefully written with ink & brush.
"Shirushiboshi no Sensō…?" Zanya muttered the first words written.
"The War of the Emblem Stars… That's what our Japanese ancestors would called it,"
"So are these 'Emblem Stars'…?"
The O-Miko nodded to the light blue-haired boy. "Yes… they are what we now called Crests," he answered.
"So people were fighting over this stupid thing!?" uttered Noboru, somewhat alarmed.
"But it makes you go berserk-bal,"
"No. Your case is unique," Kagome replied. "To be honest, a condition such as yours was never recorded,"
"It also says here… that whoever fell seven crowns & gathered the majority… will be granted permission to… rewrite history?" Zanya reads as he ran his fingers through the columns.
"Any parts of the past, present or future are yours to rewrite as you please," muttered Kagome. "The void of a tragedy… the resurrection of the death… The hasten revolution of technologies… It is all possible & already been done-"
"W-Woah, woah, wait!" Noboru interrupted. "If it has already been done, people would know,"
"No, they won't. Only the Sovereigns & a small portion of lucky Vassal would," Kagome took a sip of tea from one of the ceramic cups.
"Tasuku…" Jack the dragon turned to his Buddy.
The boy nodded & frowned slightly. An image soon faded into his mind. Kyoya Gaen rewriting history… It will NOT be pretty, especially if his win condition is only a majority of the total number of Crests.
"So… how many Crests are there?" Noboru asked again.
"N-Noboru!" uttered Gao as eyes were turned towards the boy.
"It's not what you think! I'm just thinking gathering them up so it won't fall into the wrong hands!"
"There is no such thing as 'wrong hands'?" Kagome retorted. "Such train of thought will immediately mark you off as the most vulnerable!"
"What did say!?" Noboru responded.
"All Sovereigns' Banquets are merciless! To obtain Crests, one must make the other wager theirs & win! Murder & mutilation won't do you any good. In fact, the Crest would just disappear until the next Banquet, if its current owner is assassinated,"
"What!? That's pretty tame if you ask me,"
Seeing his display of ignorance, she gritted her teeth. "Tame, you say…?" She said in a dark tone. "Kidnapping a Sovereign's beloved is a common practice in the Banquets, boy. And some even go as low as to brainwash those they kidnapped into sleeper agents, especially children,"
"Well, I have experience so…"
"We knew that you're once under the control of that one Yamigedo's lowly pawn, Noboru Kudo. Bragging is useless," The boy's eyes widened in shock. "Compared to the ones used on you by that Gratos fellow, brainwashings used in the Sovereigns'' Banquet are mostly direct tampering with the brain… which means the brainwashing stays. One way or another…" Her eyes stared sharply into the boy.
In response, he nervously turned away. "O-Okay, okay, fine. Don't ever get brainwashed, right?" Noboru then waved his hands.
"So, how many Sovereigns are there?" asked Tasuku.
"Well… It says here in the scroll that there are ten," said Zanya.
"So ten Crests, huh?" muttered Jack the chibi-dragon. "How do we find them?"
"With a lot of information & espionage. Sovereigns will not reveal themselves that easily. They will often mask their Crest's presence with another, mainly that of their Vassals," The O-Miko answered.
"T-Then… do Vassals have Crests?" Tasuku enquired further.
"Yes, smaller & less powerful one. Have you encounter one before?"
"W-Well…" The boy turned towards Gao. "To be honest, I-"
"K-Kikunojo-sama, please wait-AH!" a voice soon erupted from the door, followed by the sound of body falling down on the floor.
Kagome hastily jumped to her feet. "No… it can't be- All of you out-"
Without warning, the door suddenly opened with a heavy bang. Kagome's face immediately turned blue.
"O-Oji-s-sama…" she shuttered & shivered.
Stepping in the room is a tall, old man in a black yukata. Despite his looks being around seventy & eighty, the way he walked into the room showed that he had kept his health peeked. His being also carries around an uncomfortably & menacing aura- as if filled with ambition. It felt like you could be executed on the spot just by talking without permission.
"Kagome… who are these peasants?" asked the old man, looking towards the guests.
"T-They are… M-My friends, Oji-sama!" Kagome answered.
"I believed I've told you…" He murmured darkly.
The girl let out a brief & jagged breath. "Y-Yes… you have told me, Oji-sama," She slowly raised her head.
In a blink of an eye, a slap whipped Kagome in the right cheek. The girl fell on the floor. Shocked & angry, all the kids in the room jolted to their feet. Zanya's an exception, however, as his face frowned with the blue of fear hanging over his face.
It was then an angry shout came echoing from the opened door. "KIKUNOJO!"
Soon, an elder lady entered the room. "Oh, my poor dear," The old lady soon rushed towards Kagome. "Are you alright, my dear?" She lifted the girl up. "Is this how you treat your granddaughter, Kikunojo!?" The old woman turned towards the man.
"Ki…kunojo-sama…" Zanya muttered before turning to the girl. "Kagome, are you okay- Kagome…?" He then saw the girl's expression.
She had gone silent. Her hands were clasped tightly together & her lower lips were pursed. Her eyes were hidden from his sight as it's staring down at the floor.
"K-Kagome…?" Zanya murmured, trying to get her to respond.
"Please… leave… & please… forget what happened here," the girl addressed to the room with her head down.
"Wait- Are you going to let this slide-"
"Kagome-san, this could be domestic-"
"ALL OF YOU! LEAVE! NOW!" She snapped. And in response, the boys just stood frozen, including the Noboru & Tasuku, who just spoke out respectively. "Please… before… Oji-sama…" she murmured to the bespectacled boy besides her.
Hearing that, Zanya's eyes turned to old man. He's… looking over the table…? Soon, he realized & moved towards Noboru.
"We're leaving!" He quickly said to his friends.
"What!? But that guy-" With one hand, he quickly held Noboru's 'bandaged' arm down.
"He's after the Crest," whispered Zanya as the irises in Kudo's eyes shrunk.
Overhearing the message, Tasuku immediately turned towards Gao. "Gao-kun, it's time to go,"
"But Tasuku-senpai-"
"It's what she wanted," The blue-haired soon grabbed the boy's hand & followed Zanya & Noboru out of the room.
And as they stepped out of the door, Tasuku took a peek at the supposedly elegant & poised high priestess… now, lowering her head, as if she's a convicted fraud.
It is already evening. The sky had already been dyed orange & it is probably time to return home. But still, they sat on some benches in a nearby park, contemplating.
Zanya Kisaragi had already parted ways with them a few tens of minutes ago. The last expression Gao & his friends saw is frustration & anger. However, it is not at the other boys his rage is for… It is for him & himself only.
"Gao…" Bal tugged his Buddy's trousers. "I think we should go home now-bal,"
The boy didn't respond. Instead, he stared down at the ground. The image of a grandfather hitting his granddaughter is still fresh in his mind. Such cold abuse… the Mighty Sun Fighter in him is not pleased at the slightest.
"Why would he hit his own family?" he muttered. "What did she done wrong?"
"He's probably one of the cult's elders," replied Tasuku. "That's probably why he hit her,"
"That's not an excuse!"
"I don't how to break it to you, Gao-kun but… it's probably the cult's rules of not to let outsider like us in,"
"That's still not a reason, Tasuku-senpai! No matter how strict the rules are, family comes first!"
"Heh. I suppose so," The blue-haired boy smiled.
"Gao! I'm hungry-bal!" The little dragon cried again.
"Oh yeah. Sorry, Bal," The boy then stood up. "Why not we go home for now-"
"Tasuku-senpai," Noboru then came over. "Are you going to fight?"
"Fight?" mumbled Tasuku as Gao, curiously, turned towards the two.
"Yeah, the Sovereigns' Banquet- Are you going to find those Sovereigns or what?"
Gao & Tasuku's eyes widened. "N-Noboru-kun, are you saying that you are going to fight?" uttered Tasuku.
"Yeah, of course," The blonde bluntly answered.
"I suppose you have your reason, right?" asked Jack as he appeared out of Tasuku's deck.
"I really don't want to happen to my family to be endangered," Noboru answered. "I suppose we have the same reason, right?"
"Well… I can understand your reasoning but…" Tasuku then briefly turned towards Gao. "Getting involve doesn't guaranteed safety for your friends & families, Noboru-kun-"
"I know. That's why… I'm going to find them & take their Crest thing by force!"
Again, Gao & Tasuku were shocked by Noboru's blunt words.
"Don't worry. It's only the bad ones. I won't lay my hands on any of the good ones,"
"But you'll be using Buddyfight to rob their consciousness away!" The blue-haired uttered as he jumped from his seat. "And worse, you'll be subjected to the same risks too!"
"If it means protecting someone, I'm prepared to give my life!" Noboru raised his voice.
"That's selfish-"
"NOBORU!" Gao suddenly snapped, grabbing Noboru's collar. "Don't you dare say that!?"
"Then, what do you think I should do? The Banquet is an outright war! That O-Miko-sama had said it herself," Noboru shouts back. "And in wars, one must be prepared to lose their life for the sake of others-"
"BUDDYFIGHT IS NOT A WAR!" Gao yelled. "Buddyfight is fun game, where you can make friends. It's not something you use to hurt someone!"
An uneasy silence soon set in as the pedestrians walked past them, flashing a few glances & stares at the three boys.
Having enough, Tasuku stepped in. "Enough, you two-"
"Ahaha-hah… I knew you would say that," said Noboru after a short laugh.
"Wha-"
"That's all just a test, Gao," said Noboru as he slid the boy's hand off his collar.
"But… you said-"
"Though I'm already prepared to fight if something happens to my mom & dad... I'm still as confused on what to do as the Buddy Cop ace over here!"
"W-Wait! You used me!?" uttered Gao.
"You're the one who reacted strongly to it-"
"GAOOO, PIZZA-BAL!" Right on cue, the little dragon besides his feet started wailing.
Before long, a spectacular ruckus occurred as Gao, Noboru & Bal ended up fighting in a cloud of smoke.
"So… are you going to fight?" Jack then asked.
"I… don't know," The boy murmured. "Even now, I can only fight the criminals that were right in front me. I can only fight once the masterminds reveal themselves,"
"Why not do just that, then?" said the dragon. "It's not like we haven't overcome a dozen of evil plans before,"
"True…" Tasuku smiled before his brief pause to think. "Kyoya's probably have a Sovereign around him & if not, probably a Sovereign himself," He then clasped his hands tightly. "Knowing him, he probably knew all of the Sovereigns' identities already,"
"Are you going after him?"
"W-Why not leave this topic until we get home?" said Tasuku before standing up.
"Just know that I'll follow whatever decision you make, Tasuku," said Jack, earning a smile from the boy.
"Thank you, Jack," The boy then turned to the on-going rumble. "Okay, you guys, cut it out,"
That night,
As the crescent moon shone down, a father with a monocle slowly walked towards the door leading out into the courtyard. His eyes stared at the pond & the bamboo water fountain a distance away, carefully contemplating.
Thunk!
The fountain sounded & it was then the father slowly turned back to his son, kneeling on the tatami floor.
"So… you are determined, I see,"
"My sincerest apologies, chichue…" The boy bowed once. "I knew full well of the risks & liability of being but-"
"Say no more," said Mr. Kisaragi. The man then sighed in defeat. "Tsukkikage,"In a blink of an eye, the small ninja appeared. "Can I expect you to perform a shinobi's task?"
In his hands, he reveals a scroll. It said "Acknowledged!"
"Thank you… THANK YOU, chichue!" Zanya bowed again.
"But promise me that you'll escape at the first sign of danger,"
"Thank you & will do!"
With that said, the son & ninja soon left the room, leaving the father to stare at the moon.
"Like father, like son… Heh," he muttered with a brief smile. "Let's hope the investigation goes more smoothly this time around,"
The end.
Should you have any comments, feel free to post it as a review. This also includes very valuable & "my precious" feedbacks, comments or just outright negative comments & also, apologies to those who are here only for the fights.
Next week (yeah, right~), we'll have Baku & Gao dressed up as Yugioh Zexal characters & have them play a very dramatic children's card game.