What happened? One moment, Heimdall was going to start the match, the next… one fighter was without his head. Was this wrongdoing on Hachiman's part? Murdering his opponent before the match had officially started? No. Before the match was declared as begun, Hitler drew his gun to shoot Hachiman, such that the moment the match started he would win. In response to the gunshot, Hachiman dodged, and with a singular swift strike decapitated the German dictator. In essence, Hachiman won the battle fair and square. But the ancient god of war does not wish for this to be his contribution to Ragnarok. Why?
-One week before Ragnarok-
Standing out in the field, he steadily swings his plow, wearing an old ragged farming outfit, a straw kasa on his head, concealing him from the sun. He is fixing up his field, looking upwards with a sigh as he does not seem to have made much progress whatsoever. "Such heat these days. I wonder when the world will bless me with rain?" he asks before hearing a footstep behind him, spinning on his heel expertly striking for the neck with his plow, but he stops mere inches before. It is Osiris, the messenger of Ra. "Hmpf. What do you want, child? Can you not see I am busy?" Hachiman mutters, going back to plowing his field.
Osiris tries his best to step around all the sprouts Hachiman has planted. Even if they are all dead and withering "Yeesh. A warm welcome this is NOT. But I come bearing orders from Ra himself. He wishes for you to participate in Ragnarok," He explains and Hachiman leans on his plow.
"Ragnarok? Whatever that may be, I am not interested." He says looking up to the sky.
Osiris nods. "Ra said you may respond in this way. So I will tell you about the first Ragnarok. And you may decide after that. Remember your precious warriors? The humans? The gods' vote tipped. We wish to destroy them. That is Ragnarok. 13 chosen humans and 13 chosen gods will battle. One against one. Should the humans win, they will be allowed another 1000 years."
Hachiman scoffs. "I do not care for humans anymore. You know this. That is why I do not participate in those frivolous votes. It will always be no. Why should I care to do battle with a human? Explain that to me, Osiris,"
"I will tell you why. Because we lost. 1000 years ago the gods lost Ragnarok," Osiris says with a slight smirk. Why? Why would a god be excited to tell that the gods were defeated? What possible reason? It is simple. Of all gods, the only god that can match Zeus' expansive love for exciting battles… is Hachiman!
"They… lost? What possible humans could battle the gods evenly?!" Hachiman says spinning on his heel a glint in his eyes all of a sudden.
Osiris pulls out a small screen. "I have brought with me a video of the first loss the gods suffered. I believe you will recognize the skill of humanity. And you will fight." He says tapping play as Hachiman recognizes Poseidon instantly.
After 13 minutes, Hachiman slams his plow down. "A battle of such caliber! How long has it been!? I will fight. Ragnarok. How exciting. I will fight! And I shall be victorious!"
Osiris gulps. "Y-yes, sir. I look forward to seeing your prowess,"
-Present-
"I REFUSE this as a result! This will NOT be my first fight in THOUSANDS of years! I will not accept it!" Hachiman calls out angrily.
The humans are looking quite confused, yet somehow an odd sense of relief runs over them that they did not lose the second round so quickly.
Ra scoffs. "Typical of the old geezers and their idiotic love of combat," He mutters under his breath, before standing. "Hachiman! We have a tournament to finish. I will give you a second chance. And allow Little Pandora, to choose another candidate to face you. Should that not be satisfactory then I would like you to accept that, and go back to your farm."
Hachiman scoffs. "My only wish was for a fair fight. They did not deliver. How foolish of me to think a mere human could oppose me fairly. What POSSIBLE human could that little girl send out that could give me a fair fight?" Hachiman says gripping his blade, spinning on his heel. "I will go back. Call for me once more, when it is time," He says walking out of the arena.
As he arrives at his room, he sees a small note at the door. He picks it up to read. 'Hello great God Of War… I have a request…'. "What is this? Hmpf. Interesting."
Pandora looks down at her list gripping it rather tightly. "I don't… know who we should choose! After that single decisive kill…" She says heaving a little, Icarus putting a hand on her shoulder, his wing wrapping around her.
"Hey. HEY! Calm down! That was just a... fluke. A misstep. Ivar did great! Your sense for this is great. I promise! Just… maybe no more generals?"
Pandora sighs and calms herself taking a deep breath. "Y-you're right. Let's go!" She decisively says stepping back towards the akashic archives.
Meanwhile down in the crowd, sits a man, calmly and absentmindedly reading a book. He has long flowing black hair with a single red streak. His clothing is a very comfortable noble robe, with ornate Chinese detailing. "My goodness, this book is quite well-written I must say. This author is quite the genius, ahaha!" He says with a soft chuckle. The book he is reading? The Art of War. He chuckles, his laughter being the only sound in the arena at that moment. He notices and looks around. "What? I thought the second match was underway?"
"You didn't… see what just happened!?" Another crowd member whispers.
The man taps his lips. "I did not. Could it be that… in a desperate act to gain the upper hand against an entirely unknown, godly opponent, Hitler drew his weapon, a 'pistol' I believe, to shoot Hachiman such that the exact beginning of the match would be Hachiman getting hit by the bullet, but in response the god of war, who's reaction time and skill with the blade is immense, saw it coming a mile away, sprung in to counter, decapitating Hitler, resulting in Hachiman's dissatisfaction due to wanting a good fight, and now Pandora, our general, is going to choose a new opponent for the ever-strong, ever-sturdy Japanese God of War?" He asks, the man beside him not even able to see it as a question. More of a statement.
"Y-yeah! That's EXACTLY what happened!"
The man claps the book closed. "Then I must go! He who waits for opportunities yet does nothing to create them, will see them all pass him by!" He says springing out of his seat, jumping up the stands, using some peoples' heads and the backrests as platforms. "Pandoraaaaaaa!" He calls setting off the final one with a front flip, Pandora, and Icarus spinning around from down the hall. "I would like a chance to battle that man!" The man says rushing toward the two Greeks. "Thank you very much," He finishes as he stops in front of them.
Pandora gulps. "Wait… you're-!?"
"Yes, I certainly am. Here you are. You are most welcome," He says handing her a book. The Art of War. It's signed 'Sun Tzu'. The man smirks, quite proud of himself.
"I didn't… ask for this?"
"She who does not… hmm… For every gift not accepted… potential. Hmmmmm… That one needs to simmer a little." He takes out a brush and writes a few symbols on paper. Chinese for 'Not accepting gifts'.
Icarus looks curiously at the book. "The Art of War? Sun Tzu? Pandora, who is this guy?"
Pandora looks him up and down. "This man IS Sun Tzu. He is widely considered the greatest tactical mind of ALL of humanity. As an extension, he is also one of China's finest generals. But… generals cannot fight! We just saw! I'm sorry Sun Tzu! I'm going to remove you from the roster," He says bringing up her page to swipe him away but he suddenly grabs her hand, and pushes her against the wall, standing nearly a head taller than her.
He chuckles lightly. "Oh, my fair little maiden," He says as Icarus grabs his shoulder to remove him, but pauses. "Sorry to be so blunt all of a sudden. But my battle with Hachiman…" He pauses as suddenly Heimdall's Gjallarhorn turns on.
"Ladies and gentlemen! It seems the great god Hachiman has requested a change of scenery! We will therefore be taking a little break to set it up! Surely Pandora will have chosen humanity's next competitor by then!"
"... has already started," Sun Tzu finishes as he lets Pandora go, Icarus and Pandora both seeming a little scared of the man. However, he suddenly falls to his knees. "Pleeeeeeeeeeease let me fight! Come on now! Don't make me beg!"
Pandora blushes a bit, Icarus crossing his arms. "Even IF we let you fight, what's to say you don't get killed in an instant like Hitler?"
Sun Tzu stops kneeling, tapping his chin. "A man begging for his life does not belong on the battlefield? Yes, that is quite good." He says, writing it down. "Now will I die in an instant? Perhaps. But. But but but, Seeing as gods are not allowed to go twice anymore, this will remove Hachiman as a future opponent. He is quite powerful. It is a win-win."
Pandora shakes her head. "I REFUSE to use a human as a sacrificial pawn!" Icarus nods in agreement.
He puts his hands on Pandora's shoulders, giving her a little reassuring shake. "Then you are already doing great as a general. Thank you. And besides, my fair maiden, I am nothing like Adolf Hitler," He says as he hands Pandora ANOTHER copy of the Art of War. "Here have another."
"WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THESE FROM!?" Icarus yells angrily, met with chuckling from the Chinese man.
-Ten minutes later-
Heimdall looks around at the incredibly tense atmosphere, shaking a little. 'This is crazy! What a disaster! We had to get the WHOLE arena changed AND swap fighters! It's nuts! NO ONE is enjoying this right now! I better give this match my all! I'll push myself to the limits!' He grabs his Gjallarhorn, as the spotlight shoots down over him. "Everyone's a little tense right now so let's get this show on the road! After that embarrassment earlier, Hachiman himself has requested a change of arena! Of course, we granted this wish to the living legend himself! HERE IT IS!" He says as the arena is revealed. It is a massive serene landscape. It appears to be the countryside of Japan or China. A small hilled area to the North, a rather sizable two-story house to the east with a surrounding rice field. To the South is a small bamboo forest. To the West is a large open flower field with a few rock formations around.
The gods look a little confused. "Well, that's just unfair. Hachiman is already the most powerful god of war." "Yeah? Why does he need the home field advantage?" "Something is off about this!"
Heimdall begins hearing muttering among both sides. 'Oh, man! This isn't the kind of reaction I wanted. Alright! HERE WE GO THEN!' He grips his horn closely. "As said before! The gods' second fighter is this man! The greatest and eldest god of war! The Crimson Oni! The Eight Banners! HACHIMAN NO MIKOTO!" He calls as Hachiman once more enters the battlefield, glancing around the battlefield and he immediately positions himself in the West part. The flower field.
"Interesting. I certainly hope this will give that foolish human more than a few chances. But I doubt it, unfortunately." He says as the gods all look a little confused.
"Oh! He made the request on the human's behalf!?" "HA! That makes much more sense!" "He felt bad about that pitiful human!"
Heimdall starts hearing laughter and sighs in relief. 'Alright! Much better! Thank you oh great Hachiman!'. He holds his horn high, taking a deep breath. "AND! Here is humanity's TRUE second combatant! Hailing from the land of China, the origin of humanity's strongest general, Lu Bu, this man forged his path through war and tactics! His wisdom unified warfare across the entire human race in mere DECADES after his death!" Sun Tzu steps out into the arena, now in more combative gear, yet still, it is clear that he's wearing his robe underneath. A large plated shoulder guard with ornate iron engraving, leather boots, with metal soles, a metal skirt, and a small crown upon his head with a large red feather flinging back. At his side is a rather standard Jian with a dragon-head design for the guard. Additionally on his back, he has a short bow, as well as what can only be seen as a bamboo-scroll. "He is a man who uses battle as a method for philosophy! He has won countless battles with his wisdom! Both while on the battlefield, but equally as many whilst off the battlefield. A general who listens only to himself, the voice of reason for all human warfare was extrapolated from the words of exactly this man!" Sun Tzu steps to Hachiman in the flower fields with a little atmospheric wind blowing between them, Sun Tzu chuckling a little. He takes out a notepad writing down 'A general should listen MOSTLY to himself'. "A man who can conquer what he sees fit! A man who can spin warfare into the poetry of combat, or philosophy and understanding! What better opponent for our very own GOD OF WAR if not this man!? Humanity's greatest tactician! Author of the Art of War! HUMANITY'S TORCHBEARER OF WAR! CHINA'S GOLDEN MIND! SUN TZUUUUUUUUU!" Heimdall declares, seemingly out of breath as Sun Tzu politely bows to Hachiman.
"It is an honor to face you, god of war. I hope this battle shall inspire me greatly. You see, I am working on a sequel to my best-selling book 'The Art of War'. And I am looking for inspiration for the sequel I am writing. I have not even decided on its title yet."
"I do not care." Hachiman simply replies, looking severely impatient.
Sun Tzu frowns a bit. "Well seeing as you are a god of war I would surely expect you to have interesting things to say about it."
"I am not here to speak to a child, soon to be dust."
Sun Tzu chuckles. "Well SURELY a god like you can appreciate a nice battlefield like this?"
Hachiman grunts. "I suppose I would rather battle on a real battlefield than on a flat open arena."
"It's like they say. 'The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.'. Quite the observation, no?" He says rubbing his chin.
Heimdall looks quite confused. 'Wasn't that a quote from HIS book?!'
Hachiman scoffs. "Enough of this, child. What say you? Shall we end this swiftly?" Hachiman says, grabbing hold of his sheathed blade, and taking a slightly lowered stance.
Sun Tzu chuckles, taking a similar stance, holding onto his blade. "Well said. Quote: 'When you strike, fall like a thunderbolt.' Unquote. Quote by me in The Art of War."
There is deep piercing silence as Heimdall looks at the two of them for a few seconds. "Um… have you begun the battle?"
Sun Tzu nods. "Our battle began approximately 15 minutes ago, my friend. But unlike the man who came before me, I am not foolish enough to try anything until the match officially begins. Would you shoot us off, please?" Sun Tzu requests, Heimdall getting a tear in his eye, upon hearing these words.
"T-they listen to me." He says in a shaky voice.
Hachiman squints at his opponent as they gently stride side-to-side, gauging each other. Sun Tzu inches back, as Hachiman inches himself forward. 'This child… What a strange character.' He thinks as Heimdall raises his arm.
Sun Tzu smirks a bit. "That quote I just used. It comes after something else you know…"
"Then… LET THE SECOND MATCH…" Both fighters tighten their grip on their blade. "BEGIN!" He yells and Hachiman shoots forward, slicing expecting the same from Sun Tzu, however the Chinese general leaps himself backward at full speed, still drawing his sword, Hachiman's slash missing its mark completely.
Time seems to slow down completely as everyone in the arena is shocked. "WHAAAAAAAAAT!?" They think. The sacred standoff! The holy duel of the samurai. Sun Tzu completely ignored it!
"... Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as the night…!" He lands JUST out of Hachiman's reach, switching directions as Hachiman's blade moves past him. "... And when you move, fall like a THUNDERBOLT!" He declares proudly, unsheathing his blade to strike at Hachiman's neck with impressive speeds.