The howling wind continues to echo as the long night goes on. Yamato and Ryota face off with the injured rookies watching. Just as they get ready to fight, Kenta gains consciousness after the devastating kick he took.

“The hell? What’s going on?”

He looks over in the direction of Yamato and Ryota.

“Yamato! I have to go help him!”

Kenta tries to get up but is unable to move. He then takes a look in the direction of Ava and see’s Kiara, Kai and Hibiki.

“Kiara? When did she get here? Wait! If she’s doing what I think she’s doing, then Ava might still be alive!”

Kiara puts her hand on Hibiki’s wound and begins healing him. Hibiki grabs Kiara’s hand and points to Ava.

“”I’ve already taken care of Ava, she’ll make a full recovery. Now let me heal you!”

Hibiki smiles as he lets go and loses consciousness.

“HAHAHA! YOU’RE GONNA TAKE ME ON BY YOURSELF? YOU COULDN’T EVEN BEAT ME WITH ALL OF Y’ALL TOGETHER.”

“YEAH? WELL I’M THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN FIGHT SO IT’S NOT LIKE I HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE.”

“YOU PUT ON A TOUGH FACE, BUT DEEP DOWN YOU CAN’T BACK IT UP. YOU DON’T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO. HELL, YOU’RE A WIND USER WHO CAN’T EVEN FLY OR GLIDE. PATHETIC!”

“ARE YOU DONE?”

“HMPH! YEAH… LET’S GET THIS OVER WITH!”

Ryota forms a wind spear and launches it at Yamato! Yamato counters by firing two wind bullets right behind each other! The first bullet collides with the spear creating a windy explosion. The second bullet passes through and heads straight for Ryota catching him off guar!. The bullet strikes Ryota causing him to lose his balance and fall!

As he tries to fly up, Yamato fires bullets right at Ryota’s head causing him to go back down. Yamato then rushes Ryota and attempts a backhand hit with the hilt of his gun which Ryota stops! Yamato kicks Ryota back to create distance between them. He then fires off a barrage of shots at Ryota! Ryota attempts to fly up and dodge the attack but is met with wind bullets causing him to go back down where Yamato appears and sends him flying with a kick.

The rookies watch in awe as Yamato appears to be an even match with Ryota. Yamato manages to keep Ryota on the ground by firing shots an inch above his head. Everytime Ryota attacks, Yamato counters and hits back. Kiara, Hibiki, and Kai are speechless as the even battle continues.

“Whoa! Since when was Yamato this strong?”

“It’s not just his strength Kiara.”

“What do you mean Kai?”

“The way he’s fighting… It’s as if he’s been analyzing Ryota’s skills and fighting style throughout the entire battle. This entire time Yamato has been figuring out Ryota’s strengths and weaknesses. He realized that by keeping Ryota on the ground, he has a better chance of winning. By firing shots right above his head, Ryota has no choice but to stay on the ground to avoid getting hit.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Wow! Amazing Yamato!”

Yamato continues the fight, he manages where Ryota goes and appears in full control of the battle. The star rookie finally shows off his true skill as he puts Ryota into a corner. Everytime Ryota attempts to fly, Yamato fires right above his head to keep him on the ground and hit him with a flurry of close ranged attacks.

Kenta, who’s also watching the battle, is shocked with his eyes wide open. He’s in complete disbelief by the show Yamato’s putting on.

“Yamato… You really are amazing.”

“DAMMIT! YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME? SOMEONE LIKE YOU?”

“WELL I NEVER SAID I COULDN’T.”

Yamato looks around at the injured rookies as he decides what to do next.

“LET’S MAKE A DEAL. YOU LEAVE US ALONE, AND I’LL LET YOU LEAVE.”

“HAHAHA, YOU THINK I’M THAT STUPID?”

“LOOK AROUND, IT’S YOU’RE BEST OPTION.”

“AND WHY WOULD YOU LET ME LEAVE?”

“WELL, I’M NOT TOO SURE I CAN BEAT YOU. I’D RATHER ME AND MY FRIENDS GET OUT OF HERE ALIVE.”

“AND IF YOU CAN’T BEAT ME WHY WOULD I LEAVE?”

“BECAUSE I MAY NOT WIN, BUT I’LL MAKE SURE TO DRAIN YOUR STAMINA SO OUR BACKUP WHO ARE ON THEIR WAY CAN FINISH YOU OFF.”

“HEH, I’M CALLING YOUR BLUFF. THERE’S NO BACKUP.”

“YOU’RE ALLOWED TO BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU WANT. THE TWO OPTIONS I GAVE YOU ARE THE ONLY TWO WAYS I’LL ALLOW THIS TO END. YOUR CHOICE.”

Ryota takes some time to think about his choice.

“FINE, I GUESS I’LL LEAVE Y’ALL ALONE FOR NOW.”

“I’M GLAD YOU SAID FOR NOW, BECAUSE I PROMISE I’LL COME LOOKING FOR YOU.”

“HAHA, I’M SURE WE’LL MEET AGAIN DETECTIVE. WE WERE BOUND TO MEET ANYWAY, IT JUST HAPPENED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED. I CAN’T WAIT TO KILL YOU!”

“WAIT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE WERE BOUND TO MEET?”

“TILL NEXT TIME DETECTIVE!”

Ryota flies up and away from the scene out of view. The strong winds that accompanied Ryota's presence also disappear. Yamato walks over to Kiara, Hibiki, and Kai.

“How’s Hibiki and Ava?”

“I’ve healed Ava and I’m working on Hibiki. They’ll make a full recovery.”

“Yamato, when did you call for backup?” Kai asks

Suddenly, Yamato falls to the ground, almost passing out.

“I didn’t, I just had to hope he’d take the bluff. Truth is I’m too worn out to fight. The battle was already over, I could barely even stand.”

“Ugh… Aheh, well it worked.”

Kenta slowly walks up to the group.

“Damn Yamato, that was amazing.”

“Heh, thanks Kenta.”

“Look, I’m sorry about all that that happened when I was mad. I lost myself, it’s my fault.”

“If it was my sister, I’d have reacted the same way Kenta.”

“Thanks Yamato.”

“Yeah, now how do we actually get backup to us?”

“Don’t worry guys! If I remember correctly, the seniors said that after a certain amount of time they’d come down and help us. We can just wait for them.”

“Welp that settles that, guess we just sit back and wait unless one of yall have a problem with that.”

The rookies all shake their head as they can finally smile with a sigh of relief as the battle has now ended.