Chapter 63 - Seven Minutes
"WE ARE THE WHITE TIGER OF KUROMORIMINE! I AM THE HEIR OF THE NISHIZUMI FAMILY! I AM NISHIZUMI GERO AND I WILL NOT BREAK! YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME!"
"JUST DIE!" Kenji shouted and pulled the trigger
*BANG
(The 152mm shell was fired towards Gero who was sitting on top of their White Tiger. Rain was pouring down on his head and blood was dripping all over his body. His eyes filled with unyielding spirit were staring at the shell fired at him in slow motion. After a few seconds the golden glow on his eyes slowly faded away and the Sacred Possession deactivated)
"So the seven minutes are up huh..s-sorry..Erika.."
(Then there was an explosion)
[Seven Minutes Ago - North Side of the Battlefield]
(During this time Erika and the rest of the Kuromorimine went north as Toshi informed them of a way to be able to cross the river. On the north side of the river there was a tall windmill beside the bridge the was destroyed and a big mountain behind it)
"Toshi-kun! What's your plan?!" Erika shouted
"This river has a flow to it and it's coming from here!" Toshi shouted
"Meaning what?!" Sakuraba asked
"If we take down this windmill and have it fall into the river it would block the water and maybe lessen the water just enough for us to cross!" Toshi explained
"That won't be enough!" Sakuraba shouted
"I know! That's why we'll be using that mountain as well!" Toshi said
"How the heck are we going to use a mountain?!" Mauko shouted
"We blow it up..right?" Alice said
"That's right Alice-chan..a man made landslide..permission to start the operation Kommandant?" Toshi said
"Yeah permission granted.."
"KOMMANDANT!" Sango suddenly radioed
"What's wrong Sango?!" Erika asked
"The island! The island where Gero-san is fighting is now on fire! Everything is burning and I can't see them anymore!" Sango reported
"TIME'S RUNNING UP HURRY! BRING THIS WINDMILL AND MOUNTAIN DOWN NOW!" Erika shouted
"JAWOHL!" everyone responded
"All gunners! FIRE!" Koume shouted
*BANG *BANG *BANG
(The gunners then fired upon one side of the Windmill to make it fall towards the side of the river)
*BOOM *BOOM *BOOM *CRASH *SPLASH
(Just as planned the windmill crash into the river and the main body was leaning against the bridge and was acting like a makeshift dam that beavers make but water was still going through and the water level wasn't dropping)
"All tanks concentrate firepower to that mountain! RIGHT NOW!" Erika shouted
*BOOM *BOOM *BOOM *BOOM
(All tanks of Kuromorimine now are firing all at once towards the mountain beside the river and a ton of rocks and soil which are gradually falling in the river and piling up by the crashed windmill)
"Kommandant! The water is starting to drop! The plan is working!" Sakuraba shouted
"It has to work! Please! Please let us make it in time!" Erika said in her thoughts
(While Kuromorimine was doing their thing some of the schools were watching and all of them were in awe of the White Tiger's fight. They were trapped as well inside their viewing platforms and couldn't get out)
[Shirokumo Viewing Platform]
"Commander! Why is Gero-senpai fighting alone?!" Sayoko asked
"How should I know?! Help me with this door it won't open!" Kengo shouted
"We've got to help him! This is no longer a fair fight!"
"The sooner we get out of here the sooner we can get to him!"
[Bonple Viewing Platform]
"Jajka-sama..what in the world is happening..?" Uszka asked
"I have no idea..it appears Crows Nest has no intention of winning the match..all they're doing is targeting the White Tiger.." Jajka said
"But why?!"
"Like I said I don't know! All I know is I want to stop this match already! Their armor is thick but at this rate they won't last!" Jajka shouted
[Red Wings Viewing Platform]
"A-Amazing..they're outnumbered..outgunned..they don't even have a gun barrel anymore and still..they're taking out Crows Nest's tanks one by one.." Takayuki said
"T-This is..the strength of the true Heir of the Nishizumi Family.." Shiori said as she watched
(While they were watching inside their rooms up above the sky was Chouno and the other referees of the match who was observing from their planes)
"Security room please respond! Stop the match immediately!" Chouno shouted through her radio
*STATIC *STATIC
"Kikuyo-san! Can you hear me?!"
*STATIC *STATIC
"Damn it! Land this plane right now!" Chouno shouted at the pilot
"Yes ma'am!"
"Please Erika-san..get to Gero-kun's location as fat as you can.." Chouno prayed
(Back on the ground Toshi's plan worked like a charm and the water of the river was now low enough for their tanks to traverse without getting washed up by the current)
"All tanks full speed now!" Erika shouted
"Jawohl!"
"Erika-chan! We're getting a transmission from the white tiger!" Leila said
"What are they saying?!" Erika asked
"I..I don't know..all I can hear are their voices shouting and gunfire with explosions.."
(Leila was referring to the moment where Hajime accidentally activated their radio)
*BOOM *BANG *BANG *BOOM *CLANK
"I need more ammo! I need a new can of ammo!" Hajime shouted
"This is our last can! Make it count!" Ono shouted
"Damn it! Hydraulics are gone! Switching to manual steering!" Ken shouted
"SMARTER! FASTER! STRONGER! WE WON'T DIE TODAY! YOU HEAR ME BOYS!?"
"YEEAAAAHHH!" Gero's crew shouted
"Nii-chan!" Alice shouted
"Hajime-kun! Hajime-kun!" Leila was crying
"Ono-senpai! Can you hear me!?" Sheska was the same
"Hang on Gero! We're on our way! Just a little bit more!" Erika shouted
(As they heard the voices of the white tiger crew all members of the team including Erika felt a surge of strength flowing in them. All that they were focused during this time was saving them and nothing else then it started to rain)
*THUNDER *LIGHTING *RAIN
"This is bad! Gero's cover will disappear with this rain!" Erika said
(Again they hear the last transmission before Hajime's radio was destroyed)
"You still with me boys?"
"To the end!" his crew said
*BOOM *STATIC
"Hajime-kun! Hajime-kun!" Leila shouted
"Kommandant!" Sango suddenly radioed
"Sango?! Sit-rep!" Erika radioed back
"Due to the rain the fire was quickly put out!"
"What about the white tiger?!"
"They've ceased moving beside a white flagged SU-152! I think they're tracks are destroyed and they're being surrounded by the forces of Crows Nest!" Sango said
"They're not returning fire?!" Erika asked
"Their gun barrel is destroyed! They're sitting ducks!"
"DAMN IT!"
"We're reaching the island Kommandant!" Koume said
"Iron Fangs take point! Shoot everything that's not white!" Erika ordered
"Jawohl!" the Iron Fangs responded
(As the tanks of Kuromorimine climb up the island they heard a transmission from Sango)
"What is he doing?!" Sango shouted
"Sango?! What's happening? Who's doing what?!" Erika shouted
"It's Gero-san! He climbed on top of his tank and sat on the turret!" Sango said
"Why would senpai do that?!" Suzu asked
"He's making himself a human shield.." Rin said
"No! Gero!" Erika shouted
"Kommandant! We have a visual on the white tiger! And a lot of Shermans and T-34s!" Tojo shouted
"Senpai is on the tank?!" Toshi said
"NII-CHAN!" Alice shouted
"Hey! That SU-152 is aiming directly at him!" Suzu shouted
"Rin take the shot!" Sheska shouted
"Damn I won't make it!"
(As Rin tried to adjust her aim towards the SU-152 everyone heard Gero's scream)
"WE ARE THE WHITE TIGER OF KUROMORIMINE! I AM THE HEIR OF THE NISHIZUMI FAMILY! I AM NISHIZUMI GERO AND I WILL NOT BREAK! YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME!"
"JUST DIE!" Kenji shouted and pulled the trigger
"GERO!" Erika shouted
*BANG
(Everything was in slow motion during this moment as Erika saw the SU-152 shoot. Behind her was Kojima's Jagdtiger and Sakuraba who was looking through her gun sights and saw that his mentor Gero was sitting on the white tiger)
"I have to save senpai..I have to..after all that he's taught me and done for me..I won't let you kill him!" Sakuraba said in her mind
(Sakuraba then abandoned the thought of aiming for the SU-152 and instead adjusted her aim to the left in between the Su-152 and the white tiger. In an instant she recalled Gero's teachings and slowly she calculated the trajectory of the SU-152's shell and adjusted her aim accordingly then pulled the trigger)
"FIRING!" Sakuraba shouted
*BANG *BOOM
(The Jagdtiger's shell was fired and it traveled towards the 152mm shell of Kenji's tank and hit the shell in midair detonating it safely away from Gero saving him. Gero could only watch as the shell exploded in front of him)
"Looks like you made it.."
"Damn what was that?!" Kenji shouted
"It's the main forces of Kuromorimine commander! They're here!" shouted a Sherman commander
"But how?! How were they able to-"
"FEUR!" Erika suddenly shouted
*BOOM *BOOM *BOOM *BOOM *BOOM
(Before Kenji could finish his rant his tank was suddenly bombarded by Kuromorimine's tanks. His SU-152 got decimated completely as his tracks and gun barrel was blown off. The rest of Crows Nest's tanks were also taking fire from the Iron Fangs. As the explosions occurred Gero could barely keep himself awake from all the beating he received. Then suddenly a figure of a person appeared in front of him)
"W-Who's there?"
"Who do you think would come save your ass.." said the person in an angry voice
"E-Erika..? S-Sorry..my..vision is a little..blurry.."
"Shhh..it's alright..look at you getting yourself hurt like this..you're such a Bakatora.."
"M-My crew...the boys.."
"We've got them..don't worry.."
(As Erika looked at her lover, pain filled her heart as she saw Gero bleeding again, hurt again, and yet he still was worried about others. Erika's crew slowly and carefully helped out Hajime, Ken and Ono who were still unconscious out of their tank)
"T-Thank you..Erika.."
(Even if it pains him to speak, Gero still greeted Erika with a sweet smile and that brought Erika to tears. In seconds the pain she felt turned into rage for those that caused this. Kenji finally recovered from the impact of the shells and started to bark out orders again)
"Driver move now!"
"We can't sir!"
"WHY THE HELL NOT?!" Kenji shouted
"Because we've been white flagged already!" shouted his gunner
"Ha?!"
(As Kenji took a look at his SU-152 he could clearly see the white flag that showed on top of his tank's turret and it confirmed-his fears. He took a look around and saw five of their tanks were also taken out)
"No way..this can't be..I haven't killed him yet.."
"Just give it up, commander! We've lost!" his loader shouted
"LOST?! I HAVEN'T LOST ANYTHING! ALL TANKS OPERATIONAL I ORDER YOU TO FIRE AT THE WHITE TIGER NOW!" Kenji radioed
(His crew was sickened to his order and they tried to stop him from continuing the transmission. The four remaining tanks of Crows Nest heard the order but refused to obey it)
"Screw that order! Let's get out of here!" shouted a T-34 commander
(The remaining tanks of Crows Nest all left the island in an attempt to escape. The match wasn't being announced as finished because Chouno had already landed her plane and so did the other referees. Koume then approached Erika who was tending to Gero's wounds)
"Kommandant.." Koume said
"Status?" Erika asked
"Crows Nest commander tank has been destroyed..the last remaining tanks have started to flee away from the island.."
"They fled, you say?"
"Y-Yes.."
(Koume could feel the anger in Erika's voice and it frightened her. After placing a bandage on Gero's arm to stop the bleeding Erika stood up and took off her hat and turned around to face Koume. What Koume saw brought once again terror in her spine as Erika's eyes were filled with rage and at the same time was crying as she gave an order)
"Hunt them down..every single one of them.."
"J-Jawohl Kommandant! All Iron Fang units! Your orders are to hunt down the last tanks of Crows Nest and destroy them!" Koume said
(Without any doubt from their orders the Iron Fangs quickly set out on a hunt for they too were filled with anger for what they had done to Gero. Under the heavy rain the Iron Fangs now chased each tank without remorse)
"Why are you still chasing us?! Our commander has been taken out already!"
"Sorry..but orders are orders.." Toshi said
*BOOM *BOOM
(The White Lion's 88mm shell instantly destroyed the retreating T-34. On the other side a sherman was being hunted by the PUMAs)
"Damn it! You won right?! Why are you doing this?!"
"This is for Gero-Taichou!" Tojo shouted
*BOOM *BOOM *BOOM *BOOM
(The M4 Sherman was hit by four 50mm shells from all directions until it was white flagged. The last two tanks of Crows Nest was cornered by Alice and she was furious as she saw her nii-chan in that state)
"What you did to my nii-chan was unforgivable..I won't let you get away with this so easily! I'll hunt you down to hell if I have to!" Alice said
(As the two tank commanders of Crows Nest looked at Alice they were shaken by fear as well. In front of them may look like just a small child but her aura tells them a different story. Just above Alice they witnessed her terrifying aura that looked like a Panther ready to kill them)
"Shoot.." Alice ordered with a cold voice
"Firing!" Rio shouted
*BOOM *BOOM
(With a Double Tap from Rio and Hanako two swift 88mm shots from their White Panther II penetrated the last tanks of Crows Nest white flagging them)
"Kommandant..all remaining tanks of Crows Nest have been destroyed.." Koume reported
"I see..good job everyone.."
"Also..the Vice Commander of Crows Nest requests to have an opportunity to apologize..they've currently stopped and apprehended their commander who was responsible for their actions.."
"Tell them I have no intention of listening to their excuses..they can tell that to the authorities when they've been arrested.." Erika said
(Gero then suddenly grabbed Erika's hand)
"Erika..take me to them.."
"No! We have to get you to the hospital right away!" Erika said
"Please..just for a bit..after that then I'll listen to whatever you want to say.."
"Tsk..alright.."
(Erika then helped Gero up on his feet to walk)
"Wait! I'll come too.." Hajime said
"Hajime-kun!" Leila said as she lent her shoulder to Hajime
(They now walked slowly to where Kenji and Sudou were waiting. When they arrived they saw Kenji had his hand tied behind his back and his right cheek was sore from a punch that Suduo gave him. They were surrounded by the Panthers of Kuromrimine and the bow gunners ready to fire their rubber bullets in case the do something)
"Heh! The demon arrives to personally get rid of me too?" Kenji said
"Shut your fucking mouth!" Erika shouted
"Gero-san! And the rest of Kuromorimine! We deeply apologize for what we have done!" Sudou bowed
"It's alright Sudou-kun.."
"How can this be alright?! You almost got killed by my brother! If I had stopped him a lot sooner, then this would've never happened! I'm very very sorry!" Sudou said
(Every tanker of Crows Nest bowed as well to show how very sorry they were. Gero just smiled at them and he slowly sat down in front of Kenji)
"Why..do you hate me so much? To the point of trying to kill me?"
"What's the point of hearing my excuse? You'll just brand it as a lie anyways.." Kenji said
"JUST ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION!" Alice suddenly shouted
(Everyone was surprised when Alice shouted in anger. She was always quiet and never liked being at the center of attention but she couldn't hold it in anymore)
"AFTER ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE!? WE DESERVE MORE THAN JUST AN EXPLANATION SO THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS ANSWER HIM!" Alice shouted again
"Alice-chan.."
"Before us boys were allowed to do Senshado..in middle school I was treated like garbage by bullies..even the girls from my school said I was trash and they said only they have the right to do Senshado.."
"So you were bullied..I'm sorry to hear that..but-"
"SHUT THE HELL UP! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I FELT! THE ONLY PERSON THAT SAVED ME WAS MY LITTLE BROTHER THAT STAYED WITH ME NO MATTER WHAT!" Kenji shouted
"When my skills were noticed in Senshado, everything changed for me, I was no longer garbage! I defeated all those that were weak and that's why I'm able to be here right now! And I wanted to reach the top by destroying you! The Demon heir of the Nishizumi Family!" Kenji shouted
"When you were powerless you felt pain, but when you acquired strength you stepped on the weak.." Leila said
"That's not strength, it's called being a tyrant.." Erika said
"A tyrant is better than a murderer like him!" Kenji said
"How dare you call senpai a murderer!" Toshi shouted
"Isn't he? Destroying his opponents completely both physically and mentally..you were responsible for the deaths of those pravda students last tournament!"
"What the hell are you talking about?! Nobody died during that match!" Koume shouted
"During his match against Pravda 3 months ago..he led 10 Pravda tanks up the mountain and made them hallucinate and see things before making them destroy each other! Then each and every single one died! if he's not a murderer then what the hell is he?!"
"Who told you this?!" Hajime shouted
"It was..wait..why can't I remember his face..it was that guy..arrgh! My head hurts.."
"I see..so that's what happened to you.."
"What do you mean Gero-san?" Sudou asked
"Your brother has been brainwashed by someone..implanted fake memories and information..that's why he was so keen in killing me without any hesitation.."
"Nii-san?! Is this true?! Tell me what happened?" Sudou asked Kenji
"It's useless talking sense to him..he's been brainwashed..his head must be a big mess right now.."
"But the person said...that you.."
"He was lying to you..he was using you..to kill me.."
"No..i wasn't being used..it can't be..you're wrong! That person said that if I killed you then I would've brought justice for those who died!"
(Gero then realized a very bad situation in their hands. If the people that were trying to kill Gero used Kenji to try and kill him then it must be a diversion)
"This is bad..so that's what their plan is after all.."
(Gero then slowly grabbed a flare gun from his pocket then aimed it in the air)
*BANG
(A smoke flare signal was fired from the flare gun and the smoke was black. Everyone on the field could see the flare go up in the sky)
"What was that? Why did you do that!?" Kenji asked
"Don't mind the flare..and my answer to what you said is, that it's true..I really did that..I won't deny what I had done..I led their forces up that mountain to make them suffer.."
"See? He admits it himself! He is a murderer! A criminal!" Kenji shouted
"But nobody died...after that match they got hospitalized and I apologized properly to the girls at Pravda and they forgave me for what I had done.."
"You're lying! If that's true then..then all that was in my head was all a misunderstanding? A lie? Then are you telling me all that was all for nothing?!" Kenji shouted again
"Yes it was..I don't know what they told you but everything was a lie from the start.."
"What the hell do you know?! You were born in a rich family and you had everything from the start! You're a genius and didn't have to study hard at all! You're the one that had an easy life!" Kenji shouted at Gero
"Compared to what our Taichou went through and to what happened to you..I'd say you got it off easy..so don't you fucking dare say that in front of him!" Hajime said with angry eyes
"You're right..I had a very wonderful family..but when I was a kid I lived in hell..for my gifts and talents I was seen as an abomination..I was isolated and hated"
(Kenji was taken aback by what Gero said and just sat there listening to him and so did the others that were there)
"You said your little brother saved you from loneliness and he was the reason why you worked hard.."
"All I had was my parents, my childhood friends and my wonderful sisters, but that too was taken away from me.."
"When I was 7 years old somebody tried to kill me in fear of my talents..they failed to take my life but in return I lost all my memories.."
(All of them were shocked to hear his story)
"I had just regained my memories 3 months ago..and I didn't even get all of them back..I still had to go through so much painful therapy to remember everything.."
"When you were bullied you lost confidence in yourself..but for me I had lost 12 years of time with my family.."
"And I can never get those 12 years back anymore.."
(Gero's expression suddenly changed to a a very angry and pain filled expression and he shouted)
"SO YEAH I KNOW PAIN! I FELT REAL PAIN THE MOMENT MY MEMORIES CAME BACK!"
"3 MONTHS AGO I WOKE UP IN A HOSPITAL BED WITHOUT 12 YEARS WORTH OF MEMORIES WITH MY FAMILY!"
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IT FEELS TO REMEMBER YOUR LITTLE SISTERS WHEN THEY WERE JUST 5-6 YEARS OLD!? THEN WAKE UP THE NEXT DAY TO SEE THEM 12 YEARS OLDER?! IT'S SO FUCKING PAINFUL!"
"IN A SINGLE NIGHT I FELT 12 YEARS WORTH OF AGONY! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE PAIN I FELT! THE SUFFERING I ENDURED!"
"I FELT HORRIBLE NOT BEING ABLE TO LOOK AFTER MY SISTERS FOR 12 YEARS! I'M THE REASON WHY THEY HAD TO BEAR RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE HEIR OF MY FAMILY WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME IN THEIR SHOES!"
"REAL PAIN IS KNOWING YOU COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING BUT YOU COULDN'T!"
"THIS IS THE PRICE I HAD TO PAY FOR BEING A GENIUS! THIS LIFE OF CONSTANTLY BEING FOLLOWED BY DEATH IS THE EASY LIFE THAT YOU SAY I HAVE!"
"I'D RATHER HAVE A LIFE LIKE YOURS WHERE YOU CAN FIGHT FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND GET TO KEEP IT! BETTER THAN FIGHTING TO PROTECT EVERYTHING JUST TO HAVE IT ALL TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU!"
(Gero's voice echoed through the island and all that heard him quickly felt pain as well. All of them thought about the pain Gero had experienced and what he was going through. There were also dozens of surveillance drones of the match flying around the island and was able to record this moment. Everyone in the audience and the other schools saw Gero shouting but due to the rain the audio couldn't be heard. Only those in the island could hear his scream filled with pain and anger)
"IF CALLING ME A MURDERER WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER THEN CALL ME THAT! BUT I WON'T STOP FIGHTING TO PROTECT THOSE AROUND ME! I WON'T EVER LOSE ANYONE ANYMORE EVER AGAIN!"
(Gero then remembered his dead bodyguards and his aniki and it brought him to tears. Erika then suddenly hugs Gero from behind to calm him down)
"You have me..and you will never ever lose me..so please..let's get you treated already.."
"Thank you..I have one last thing to say Erika..then we can go home.."
(Gero then stood up and placed his hand on Kenji's head. Gave him a gentle pat on the head because he is older than him and he always acted like a big brother to everyone)
"I got to overcome all of that pain not because of anger or hate..but because of my love for the people I cherish the most.."
"Even when I was in complete darkness..I was saved by my lover, my comrades, my crew, my foster father that took care of me, and he taught me what respect and love is, just like how your little brother saved you.."
"So don't let anger and hate take over..think about the love you have for your friends, your family, your little brother.."
(While being drenched in the cold rain Kenji could feel the warmth from Gero's hand and slowly but surely the effects of the brainwashing was disappearing and Kenji started to tear up in front of everyone)
"Why are you telling me this? Why are you trying to teach me all of this? I hurt you and even made you bleed, I insulted you and your family..why are you still smiling!?"
(As everyone looked at Gero they saw a warm smile on his face even though one of his eyes was closed because blood got in it a while ago)
"Because..it's my duty as your senpai to guide you younger generations to the right path..learn from this..alright kouhai?"
(Kenji just nodded in response as he truly regretted what he did. His younger brother Sudou released his restraints and hugged him. Again Gero was able to save someone even if they were trying to kill him. Gero then walked away with Erika to get treated but Hajime was still there standing because he still wanted to ask Kenji something)
"Let me ask you this..are you willing to do what is necessary to protect your little brother?" Hajime asked
"Always.." Kenji responded
"Just so we're clear..do you even know the reason why we led those Pravda tanks up that mountain?"
"No..why?"
"During that match against Pravda..our Taichou's sister, Nishizumi Miho-san's tank was pushed down a large hill and she was hospitalized the next day.."
"Fortunately she had no major injuries..but you can imagine how he felt when he saw his sister get hurt.."
"Anyone would snap..you would too if you saw that happen to your brother in front of you.."
"Hajime-kun.." Leila was worried
"Taichou became a demon so that nobody else had to be..so that nobody else would get hurt.."
"I understand..I don't know how I can be forgiven for what I've done..but I'll spend the rest of my life correcting it.." Kenji said
"From what I saw he already forgave you.." Hajime said
"I see.."
"You called him a criminal..he's been called a lot of things..an abomination, a demon, and a lot more nasty things..do you know what we call a person like Taichou?" Hajime asked
"What?"
"A loving older brother..just like you.."
(Those last words by Hajime left a very strong impression on Kenji. His mind was not anymore clouded and he now knows what he'll fight for. As Gero and Erika walked back they saw Sakuraba standing there)
"Sakuraba-san?" Erika asked
"Forgive me..Gero-senpai.." Sakuraba said
"For what?"
"I wasn't able to do anything to stop them from doing this to you..how can I call myself a disciple of yours if I can't even protect my own mentor.."
*PAT
(Sakuraba also felt the warmth of Gero's head pat to praise her with a smile)
"What are you saying? You're the one that shot the shell of the SU-152..right?"
"Yes.."
"That was an excellent shot Sakuraba-chan..I'm very proud to have made you my disciple.."
"Thank you..senpai.." Sakuraba started to cry softly
(After giving Sakuraba a head pat that she deserves, Gero then walked towards their white tiger that was badly damaged. It was covered with mud, oil, and riddled with holes from all of the shots they took. He looked at it and placed his hand on its side armor and smiled)
"Thank you partner..for all that you've done for us.."
(At that moment it was as if the heavens were listening to Gero and for a few seconds the rain stopped and a small pocket opened up in the sky showing the sun's rays and it shone over Gero and their white tiger. Erika and Sakuraba heck all of them watching was awestruck as they realized that the white tiger was not white flagged)
"No..way..it wasn't taken out?" said a girl in the audience
"After all of those shots it took?! What a beast..the white tiger is such a beast!" said a guy
(Everyone gazed upon Gero who was standing in front of the white tiger. Their tank must've been hit at least 200 times by anti-tank rifles and 75mm shells not to mention shrapnel from the 152mm and still it refused to be white flagged it refused to be taken out as if the White Tiger's will was the same as Gero's when he refused to die)
"Ladies and gentlemen! We apologize for the late announcement of the match winner due to visibility disturbances! Crows Nest commander tank has been destroyed!"
(All the aerial drones started to flock around Gero and the white tiger. With the last ounces of his strength he clenched his fists and raised it up towards the sky and made a victory pose in front of everyone)
"kUROMORIMINE UNIVERSITY IS VICTORIOUS!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
(All of a sudden a load roar of cheers came from the whole stadium and everyone was celebrating with them)
"KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMORIMINE! KUROMOR!MINE!"
"TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA! TORA!"
(It was the loudest that they'd ever heard the audience yell and cheer for them. Gero was there standing in front of all of them raising his hand for their win. He could hear the cheers for him and his crew as his consciousness started to fade)
"C-Can you hear them boys? We did it..we're going to the finals.." Gero whispered
"Gero-senpai looks so cool!" Sakuraba said
(To Erika's eyes that moment was the coolest she's ever seen Gero. The light from the sun shining on him and the white tiger while he strikes his victory pose was just awesome)
"Come on Bakatora..we need to get you and your crew to a hospital.." Erika called out
"..."
(There was no response from Gero as he just stood there with his victory pose. The aerial drones were called back and left the island so the following was not broadcasted to the audience and it was only shown to those watching in their VIP rooms)
"Gero..?"
(What happened next scared Erika and the rest of Kuromorimine because suddenly Gero started to tilt forward and he was about to fall down but Erika was able to rush quickly just in time to catch him)
"Gero?! Hey what's wrong-"
(Erika stopped talking as her side of the head rested on Gero's chest as she hugged him and she had a terrified expression on her face that Sakuraba saw)
"Kommandant?! What happened to senpai!?" Sakuraba asked
"I can't hear it.." Erika said
"Eh?"
"His heart! I can't hear Gero's heart beating!"
(Right at this very moment Gero's heart had stopped)
Coming Up Next : Chapter 64 - Flatline
Author's Note:
Hello there guys! Kuromorimine is victorious! Erika and the Iron Fangs arrived just in time! This shows that the princess can also be the one to save the prince! But did she really save him?
Gero's emotions just piled up and it all exploded in this chapter. He had to express it all out and I too felt his suffering from what he experienced. The part I love the most in this chapter is Gero's victory pose at the end while standing in front of the White Tiger which was not white flagged even though getting hit so many times!
Shout out to : "miecz558" thank you so much for the follow and favorite!
I uploaded another picture and this time it's Erika. This will show her cold expression when she gave the order to hunt the remaining tanks of Crows Nest. I hope you like it!
Thank you for the wonderful support you all are amazing! As for the replies to your comments check the reviews section as always!
As always if you like what you see leave a Favorite, if you want to see a notification as I post a new chapter please Follow! If you have comments and suggestions leave a review for me to read! Thank you again and have a nice day!
