Weed bit the back of Gemba's neck and was thrown off with ease, flipping over and landed on his paws. "This is the Paradise that my Father created! I won't forgive any scum who tries to destroy it!"

Akame recognized his comrade, causing Gemba to gasp. "Weed? Gin's son?!"

Just then, Tesshin, Rocket, GB, and Jerome leaped into battle. Tesshin slammed himself into a dog who was attacking Kurotora. Rocket put his speed to good use, slicing through three of Gemba's troop while running. Even GB picked up a dog with his teeth and threw him off of Hook. Jerome grabbed the back of another dog's leg and swung him into another group of five.

Kisaragi's sons tackled Toube and began to use their Spinning Attack on him.

Gemba grinned at Weed. "Weed, I'm Hougen's little brother Gemba. If you're the Leader, then you'll fight me!"

Weed agreed, but before Gemba could attack, Tesshin's commanding voice stopped him. "Weed is our Leader. Perhaps his should fight Hougen. But I won't allow him to fight an underling like you!"

Gemba scoffed. "Who the hell are you?"

Tesshin prepared to fight. "Tesshin, a Ninja-dog of Koga. I'm more than enough of an opponent for you!"

Gemba laughed. "I don't give a shit about one Ninja-Dog! I'll chew you up and spit out alive!"

Right after the Dane leaped for Tesshin, the Koga Ninja-Dog swerved to the right and made a deep gash in Gemba's neck with his razor-sharp fangs. One of Gemba's minions saw his Leader was in trouble and ran to report to Hougen.

"Get up, Gemba!" Tesshin barked. "I'm sick of you boasting about being Hougen's little brother!"

Gemba lunged for Tesshin once more . . .

SLICE! The Ninja-Dog to cut his fangs across the Dane's right eye.

SLICE! Another deep gash across his chest.

SLICE! A fourth hole embedded into his flank.

SLICE! Tesshin bit deep into the Dane's neck, causing him to howl with agony.

Meanwhile, Weed defended Izou from one of Gemba's minions, allowing Akame to take the Husky to safety. Though there were five of them, Kisaragi's sons were thrown off of Toube with ease.

"Son of Gin, fight me!" The Tosa-Inu lunged for Weed, only for Jerome to slam into the large dog. Toube skid to the ground, but before he could recover, the Shepherd grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him headfirst into the hill.

Jerome glanced down at his Akita friend. "Weed! Are you okay?"

Weed nodded before glancing back at the Tosa.

"Toube!" Gemba commanded. "Come over here and back me up!"

When Toube asked why, Gemba replied that his Tosa comrade was the only one who could still stand.

"What's it going to be, Gemba?" Weed asked. "If you give up, we'll treat you as a prisoner of war."

Kurotora snapped. "What are you saying? Treating him like that is too soft!"

Jerome gave the Kai-veteran a glare. "Kai-dog, Weed is our Leader. Don't say anything unnecessary!"

Akame glanced up at the sky and told Weed to hurry.

The young Akita ordered, "Answer me, Gemba!"

Gemba scoffed. "Shut up! Who the hell do you think I am? My answer is live or die'! As if I would surrender!"

Suddenly, shadows came down from the hill, heading straight towards Weed's pack.

"How lucky," Gemba chuckled. "It's the reinforcements." Without hesitating, he ran after Tesshin in a rage.

Toube once more leaped for Weed, only for Jerome to slam his shoulder into the Tosa's chest. Being knocked headfirst into a hill, Toube shook his head and glared at Jerome. "Damn you," he growled.

Tesshin ran with Gemba hot on his tail, only to trip over a rock and sprawl to the ground. At the same time, the Dane grabbed Tesshin's neck and pinned him down. Luckily, Shigure came to Tesshin's aid, shoving Gemba off of his comrade.

"Think it over, Gemba," Tesshin barked. "Will you surrender?"

Gemba scoffed. "Shove it, you persistent shit!"

Shigure and Tesshin bit the Dane on the neck and began rolling down the hill. Kamakiri's and Weed's group were about to collide. Jerome grabbed Toube by the back of the neck and ordered Weed to use the Battouga.

Just then, a powerful gust of wind blinded and blew straight through both armies.

While still gripping onto Hougen's brother, Tesshin snarled to the Dane, "Gemba, accept your punishment for your evil actions!" With that said, Tesshin and Shigure leaped off of the Dane, right before Gemba's skull came in contact with a rock – splitting it open!

With the powerful wind still gusting, Akame told Weed's pack to follow him.

[LINE BREAK]

Hidden in the cave below Gajou, Weed and Kurotora watched as their nephew and teacher approached them.

"Tesshin!"

"Shigure!"

Tesshin smiled. "I knew you'd be here."

"Tesshin," Weed asked, "where have you been?"

"After fighting against Gemba," Tesshin explained, "we ended up in the valley. We were waiting for the snowstorm to end."

"Uncle," Shigure said, "I got revenge for my brothers!"

"Well done, Shigure!" Kurotora praised.

Weed stared at his teacher. "Tesshin . . ."

"Don't worry," Tesshin reassured the Akita puppy. "We didn't kill him. However, he'll probably never be able to return to the battlefield."

[LINE BREAK]

Kamakiri's soldiers dug into the snow where their lord's fallen brother had fell. A few seconds later, Gemba was revealed, looking heavily wounded and blood staining his skull.

Just then, Gemba woke up. "Weed!" he gasped.

Kamakiri smirked. "Easy there, Gemba. We'll show that little shit what for."

"No!" Gemba barked.

Toube and the rest of his comrades gaped in shock as Hougen's brother bit into the Irish Wolfhound's neck and threw him headfirst into the hill.

"Gemba?" Toube gasped. "What's the meaning of this?"

Gemba glared at the injured Tosa-Inu. "How dare you talk about hurting such an innocent puppy, you bastard?!"

Without warning, the Great Dane bit into the Tosa's skull, causing Toube to cough with pain and fall to the ground unconscious. Gemba then looked to his left and gasped, "Weed! I'm coming to help you!"

How's that for a twist? Please read & review. :)