Chapter 82 - Byakko
[Red Wings Academy Starting Point]
"Mount your tanks! Get ready!" Shiori ordered
"Yes commander!" everyone saluted
(As everyone prepared themselves Takayuki approached Shiori because he noticed a worried expression on her face)
"What's wrong commander?" Takayuki asked
"Hmm? I was just wondering about the White Tiger's aura when we saw him a while ago.."
"Why? Was it intense?"
"No..it was the opposite..I couldn't see his aura..not even a small part of it.."
"That is weird..his aura was the first thing that you'd notice or sense.."
"Maybe it was just my imagination.."
"Look commander, Kuromorimine is doing something.."
(Shiori looked at the screen and the tankers of Kuromorimine were huddled up in a circle with Gero and Erika in the middle)
"What are they doing?" Shiori asked
"Maybe doing a cheer?"
"Are you ready my love?"
"Yeah.."
(The surveillance drones flocked towards the side of Kuromorimine and all of the audiences were now watching. Gero and Erika placed their right hand on their chest with the logo of Kuromorimine beside their hearts and so did the other members of the team. Gero and Erika took a big breath of air and shouted)
"ORETACHI WA DARE DA?!"
[WHO ARE WE?!]
"KUROMORIMINE, THE CHAMPIONS!" everyone respond
"DARE YORI ASE O NAGASHITA NO WA?!"
[WHO SHED THE MOST SWEAT?!]
"KUROMORIMINE!"
"DARE YORI NAMIDA O NAGASHITA NO WA?!"
[WHO SHED THE MOST TEARS!?]
"KUROMORIMINE!"
"TATAKAU JUNBI WA DEKITE IRU KA?!"
[ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?!]
"YEEEEAAAAHHHH!"
"WAGA KOU NO HOKORI O TAMASHI NI, NERAU WA ZENKOKU SEIHA!"
[BEARING OUR SCHOOL'S PRIDE IN OUR SOULS, OUR GOAL IS THE NATIONAL CROWN!]
"IKUZOOOOOOO!"
[LET'S GOOOOOOOO!"]
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
(The loud roar of Kuromorimine echoed throughout the whole battlefield and the stadium. Everyone got goosebumps as they heard the mighty roar of the champions ready to take the crown once again and reclaim their pride. They couldn't help but shout and cheer for them even louder than before. With this the Finals of the 64th National Senshado Tournament has now started)
"PANZER MARSCH!" Erika shouted
"ALL TANKS FORWARD!" Shiori ordered
[Kuromorimine Tank Line Up]
-Panzer IV - Commander Tank
-White Tiger - Flag Tank
-White Panther
-White Lion
-White Pumas x 4
-Maus
-Sturmtiger
-Panzer III
-Jagdtiger
-Jagdpanther x 3
-Panther A x 15
[Red Wings Tank Line Up]
-M4A3E8 "FURY" - Commander Tank
-M4A3E2 Jumbo - Flag Tank
-M4A3E2 Jumbo - x 21
-T34 Calliope x 5
-M22 Locust x 2
[Seven Seats of Senshado Viewing Platform]
"It has begun.." Darjeeling said
"The final match..this is getting me hyped up so much!" Kay said
"I'm happy that your brother is back.." Anchovy said
"Me too..thank you Anchovy.." Maho smiled
"And who might this young feline be?" Asparagus asked
"Her name is Weiss..onii-sama found her in the woods and brought her with him.."
"Nyaa~!"
"C-Cute!" Katyusha blushed
"Looks like Katyusha-san is a cat person.." Oowada said
"We have a cat back home too.."
(Weiss then started to walk across the table and showed affection for everyone. She let them pet her and rub her belly except for Kaede)
"Ohh it appears Weiss-chan doesn't like somebody.." Kay said with a grin
"Kaede-san do you not like cats?" Darjeeling asked
"I like them but.."
(When Kaede tried to pet Weiss she suddenly got angry and hissed at her suddenly. Kaede got spooked a little and quickly pulled her hand away before she got hurt)
"They don't like you huh?" Katyusha said
"Shut up.." Kaede blushed with embarrassment
[Viewing Platform #1 for VIPs]
(Shiho, Chiyo, and Mai returned to their viewing platform and Tsuneo joined on them as well)
"Long time no see Tsu-chan!" Chiyo smiled
"Are you alright? Shiho-chan really hit you hard a while ago.." Mai said
"Yo Chi-chan! Yes I'm fine Mai-san.."
"It would take a lot more than that for this idiot to go down.." Shiho said
"Looks like Shiporin finally had a good cry after a long time.." Chiyo teased
"Shut up Chiyokichi!"
"Well let's talk about that later..let's focus on the match now.." Tsuneo said
"It is the match between your children so we shouldn't miss anything.."
"Yup!"
"Tell me Tsuneo-san..how do you think this match will end up?" Mai asked
"Hmm..if my son isn't careful he'd definitely lose to your daughter..but in the fog of war nobody knows how things will turn up.."
"That's surprising..I thought for sure you'd say that Gero-kun will win for sure.." Mai reacted
"No matter they do..it is just physically impossible for a Nishizumi to defeat a Yamato..and my son knows this.."
"But that's where strategy and tactics step in.." Shiho smiled
"And from what I experienced fighting together with my son..he has the ability to make the impossible possible!" Tsuneo smiled
"W-Wait..you fought together?! Who did you fight?!" Chiyo asked
"I can't say anything right now here..we'll have a proper meeting after this tournament.."
"Was it bad?" Mai asked
"Very..very bad.."
"What happened? Did anyone get hurt?" Shiho asked
"Our son's hands got injured but it's not fatal..and everyone is ok..but.."
"But what?"
"Our son almost killed me..and I too almost killed him.." Tsuneo said with a grim expression
(Chills were sent down their spines hearing Tsuneo talk about what happened)
"W-Why? What do you mean?!"
"Was it an accident!?" Chiyo asked
"No..at one point in time..he had a knife against my throat..he intended to deal a killing strike but luckily I was able to block it.."
"What about you? Why did you almost kill our son?" Shiho asked
"It was right after his Sacred Possession reached it's time limit..he was about to kill someone.."
(Tsuneo was talking about Gero pointing his gun at Dr. Oliver back at Devil's Mountain)
"If he had taken a life at that moment..he would've truly lost the chance to accept himself..and I would've been forced to end his life right there before he turns into a real monster.."
(Shiho felt Tsuneo's hand tremble as she held them. He was truly frightened that he was going to be forced to kill his own son but fortunately it didn't happen)
"Don't worry..our son is alright..he's already reached the third stage..he won't become a monster no more.." Shiho smiled
"Yeah..our son really is an amazing kid..you should've seen him in action..you'd be proud.." Tsuneo smiled
"Even if I didn't see him I'm always proud of him.."
"Everyone's proud of him..he has reached the hearts of the people through his way of Senshado.." Chiyo said
"I agree..and because of Gero-kun my daughters started to change as well..they might not show it but both Shiori and Kaede have been starting to look forward to matches more than before.." Mai smiled
"Have you told your daughter about Gero's identity?" Shiho asked
"Yes..but she wouldn't believe me..and every time she tries to remember his face when they were classmates Kaede starts to have painful headaches.."
"Headaches? Why?" Chiyo asked
"I don't know..do you have any idea what could that mean?" Mai asked
"When that boy from Crow's Nest tried to kill my son during the semi-finals..he was showing the same symptoms your daughter is experiencing when trying to remember something.." Shiho said
"Wait..what are you trying to tell me?"
"Fake memories must've been planted in your daughter's mind.." Tsuneo said
"What?! How?! Why?!" Mai shouted
"Calm down Mai-chan..I'm sure Tsu-chan has the answers you want to hear but for now let's wait..they've just been through tough situations.."
"S-Sorry.." Mai apologized
"It's alright..you have my word that you'll know whatever we found out.." Tsuneo said
[Kuromorimine Tank Formation]
(The tank formation of Kuromorimine was now on their way to meet Red Wings in the battlefield. Along the way Erika started to brief everyone on what kind of strategy they will use)
"Listen up! We have a little bit of time before we encounter Red Wings..with this terrain I'd say they too have problems traversing through it.."
"What strat will we go for Kommandant?" Koume asked
"We'll go with the original plan..Koume will take the 10 of the Panthers and do a flanking move west..I'll take the Iron Fangs and engage the main unit of Red Wings.." Erika ordered
"Jawohl!" Koume answered
"What about us Kommandant?" Mauko asked
"Mauko and Sango please take our Sturmtiger into a good vantage point that you can defend properly..I'll send 2 Panthers as your security.."
"Jawohl! Leave it to us!" Sango radioed
"Kojima-san! You and Sakuraba will take the Jagdtiger and the Jagdpanthers to point Charlie..you'll be in charge of sniping those Jumbos.."
"Got it!" Sakuraba said
"Do your best Sakuraba-chan! I'm looking forward to your marksman skills!"
"Right I forgot to mention something to you Bakatora.." Erika said
"What is it?"
"Sakuraba broke your record of longest tank shot ever made in Senshado.."
"Oh?! Really?! How far was it?!"
"It was at a range of 2500 meters!" Sakuraba bragged
"Nice! When was this?"
"During our practice match against BC Freedom.." Erika said
"The target was an ARL 44 Heavy Tank! Hit it right smack on side!" Kojima said
"Well it took me three shots before I landed a hit though..my apologies.." Sakuraba said
"Hey..a hit is a hit..well done.."
"Thank you very much senpai!"
"Hmmm...this is not good.."
"What is senpai?" Sakuraba asked
"I can't have my disciple overtaking me so early just yet..hey Erika.."
"Eh..?"
(Erika looked towards Gero's White Tiger tank and he was outside of his cupola. She could feel his intense gaze at her patiently waiting for Erika to give an order. Erika felt a shiver as she looked at his eyes and she was both excited and happy to see light in Gero's eyes once again)
"There they are..those are the eyes that I've longed to see again.." Erika smiled with a blush
"My Kommandant..please give me the order.."
"Go and have fun!" Erika smiled
"JAWOHL!"
"Looks like we're in for another crazy ride.." Hajime said
"Have any complaints?" Ono asked
"Hell no let's go for it!"
"Ken! Show us what our new engine can do!"
"Aye aye! Here we go!" Ken shouted
(Ken pressed the button to ignite the engine of the White Tiger and it started to rev up. Steam was seeping through the custom vents on top of the engine block as they got ready)
"Let's fucking go!"
"YEAH!" his crew shouted
(The white tiger suddenly accelerated in an insane amount of speed. Since they were using the Leopon Team's engine they were going so fast that everyone was shocked)
"Go go nii-chan!" Alice cheered
"Let them have it Gero-Taichou!" Tojo shouted
"That speed..looks very familiar.." Toshi said
"Look at them go!" Sango cheered
"So quick! What the heck kind of engine do they have!?" Suzu reacted
"They have the engine of Leopon team.." Erika said
"The engine of Ooarai's Porsche Tiger?" Leila asked
"Yep! That's why they're going even faster than before!" Sheska smiled
"That speed is so unfair..they are clearly not moving like how a heavy tank should move.." Mauko said
(Inside the white tiger was getting rowdy because of the speed they were at. Gero and his crew had to hold on tightly or else they'll might get tossed all around their own tank)
"Holy shit this is not how fast I expected we're going to go!" Ken shouted
"Just keep going! Take us over that peak!"
"Roger!"
(As they headed for the highest peak a voice echoed once again inside Gero's mind)
[Sacred Realm - Inside Gero's Mind]
"Master.." the voice said
(The source of the voice was a blob of light particles in front of him. He didn't know what to say because he was expecting the Dark Nishizumi to be the one to talk to him)
"Who are you?"
"I'm the same voice that spoke to you before when we made the contract of Sacred Possession.."
"I thought you looked like me? And why are you calling me master?"
"I took form in what you hated the most..during that time you had an huge amount of hate towards yourself hence I took your image..but now that you have reached the third stage of Sacred Possession.."
"You now returned to your original form..which is this.."
"Yes master.."
"And why are you calling me master again?"
"You are the Heir of the Nishizumi Family and I have served this family for hundreds of years therefore you are my master.."
"Ok fair enough but why are you just speaking to me now? You could've talked to me sooner when we were still in Germany.."
"I..I was "
"Was?"
"Shy..I didn't know how to approach you as my master since it has been a long time since I had one.."
"Interesting..do you have a name?"
"No I do not.."
"Hmmm..what should I call you then?"
"I do not know..I never really thought about it.."
"Ehhh.."
"Taichou we've arrived at the spot.." Hajime called out to him
"Hold that thought.."
"I will always be here master.." the voice said
(Gero now got out of the Sacred Realm and looked through his gun sights. He could see Red Wing's tank column on the other side of the battlefield)
"Oh there they are.."
"Can you even see them clearly?" Ono asked
"I can't see their flag tank..as expected from Shiori-san she predicted that I would snipe their flag tank and already hid it before I got a shot.."
"Those tanks look like small toys at this distance.." Ken said
"Well..you do know what Gero feels about distance.." Ono smiled
"It doesn't matter.."
"Round up!" Ono shouted
(Gero took a big breath and aimed at his target. Before pulling the trigger he closed his eyes and focused. He called out to the voice in his head and conversed with it again inside the Sacred Realm)
[Sacred Realm - Inside Gero's Mind]
"Hey.."
"Yes master?"
"This time I'll be the one forming a contract with you.."
"What kind of contract?" the voice asked
"From now on you will be my partner, I will only permit you to serve me as your master if you let me do two things.."
"Please tell me what are they.."
"The first one is you will no longer use that appearance..it's kinda weird talking to you when you look like that..I shall give you a new and better look!"
(With the words that Gero spoke, the light particles started to take a new form. Soon the body took form, then the legs, then the paws, then the tail and finally the white fur)
"Ohh! You look a lot better than what I had imagined!"
"This is..my new form?" the voice asked
"Yup!"
(The voice was now a majestic White Tiger with golden yellow eyes)
"Do you like it?"
"Yes master! Thank you very much!"
"Then I'm happy too.."
"Master..you said two things..what is the second one?"
"You will no longer be unnamed..I shall now bestow upon you a fitting name..a name that will forever be remembered to all future generations.."
"What is my name?"
(Gero approached the white tiger in front of him and patted him on the head gently)
"Byakko.."
"Bya..kko..?"
"From now on your name is Byakko..my partner..my friend.."
"Byakko..Byakko..Byakko! My name is Byakko!"
"That's right..are you ready partner?"
"Yes master!" Byakko smiled
"Then let's go and show everyone our very first shot together in memory of this friendship.."
(Gero went into total concentration and said)
"Nishizumi Style: Sacred Possession.."
(Gero activated his Sacred Possession already at the start of the match and his eyes glowed golden yellow once more. He took aim and targeted a tank within the formation of Red Wings and pulled the trigger)
"Roar! Byakko!"
*BANG
(The 88mm shell was fired from the gun barrel of the White Tiger and traveled at the highest velocity towards their prey. They were very far from the target so it took the shell four seconds before it reached and those in Red Wings did not know what was coming)
[Red Wings Tank Formation]
"Alright! We have a long way to go before we meet the enemy! But stay alert!" Shiori ordered
"Where should we place the Calliope team commander?" Takayuki asked
"Take them to-"
*BOOM
(The 88mm shell suddenly landed spot on the side of a T-34 Calliope of Red Wings. It was white flagged without a doubt. Everybody was shocked to the core by this shot and it wasn't over. The shell broke the support bars that were holding the rocket tubes and the tubes fell to the side on the ground. The impact caused a malfunction on the rocket tubes and it misfired 114mm rockets by accident all over the place hitting two M4 Jumbos in front of it)
*BOOM *BOOM
"W-What the heck..just happened..?" Takayuki was in shock
(The two jumbos that got hit by the 114mm rockets got white flagged as well. The whole arena erupted into load cheers and screams as they witnessed an amazing shot done by Gero and even the announcer was so hyped up about it)
"HOLY CRAP! DID YOU SEE THAT FOLKS?! ONE SHOT THREE KILLS! WHAT AN AMAZING SHOT BY THE WHITE TIGER!"
*TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA *TORA
"LET'S FIND OUT AT WHAT DISTANCE WAS THAT MADE!"
(The big screen calculated the distance from where the White Tiger was and where the T-34 Calliope was white flagged and the number was displayed on the screen only to surprise everyone)
"LOOK AT THAT! THE WHITE TIGER HAS JUST REACH A NEW RECORD OF LONGEST TANK KILL IN SENSHADO! IT WAS AT A DISTANCE OF 3,226 METERS!"
(Once again cheers and screams echoed inside the stadium and everyone was in shock of how far it was. Of course Sakuraba was in shock as well since her record was just beaten without difficulties just a couple of days after she made it)
"T-Three thousand meters..in one shot..and three kills.." Sakuraba said
"Ahaha..looks like you have a new record to beat Sakuraba-chan.." Kojima said
"That's impossible! Gero-senpai you cheater!" Sakuraba cried
(The formation of Red Wings was in complete chaos after what happened. Shiori was also at a loss for words and couldn't focus properly)
"Where the heck did that come from?!" Shiori shouted
"Over there commander! Above the ridge!" Takayuki pointed
(After looking at the direction where the shot came from Shiori had chills sent down her spine and she shivered in fear)
"N-No way.."
"What's wrong commander?" Takayuki was confused
(Takayuki couldn't see what Shiori was looking at right now. The answer why she couldn't see Gero's aura wasn't because he had none. It was because Gero's aura was so big that she was inside of it that's why she couldn't see it. Across from Shiori was a big aura in the shape of a tiger and it was as large as half of the battlefield. Gero just had the biggest smile on his face after making that shot)
"Kari ga hajimatta.."
[The hunt has begun..]
Coming Up Next : Chapter 83 - Challenging Fate
Author's Note:
Hello to all! Nothing shows Gero's skills better than a casual 3000 meter shot! It was even a one shot three kill! Let's go Byakko!
And yes Chiyo's nickname for Tsuneo is Tsu-chan while Tsuneo's nickname for Chiyo is Chi-chan. Kind of like the nicknames of Mika and Gero which was Ro-chan and Mi-chan! Let me know your reactions about this chapter as always in the reviews!
Shout out to : "QuestionMarkBob" thank you for the follow!
I uploaded a picture of Byakko and Gero in the Facebook page so check it out if you want to see what Byakko looks like!
Thank you for the wonderful support you all are amazing! As for the replies to your comments check the reviews section as always!
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