On another side of the carpark, the crowd gathered was larger than usual. The students, teachers, and staff focused their attention on what was undoubtedly the main event—the rematch between the leader of PROUD, Osamu, and Jake. The whispers and murmurs among the spectators grew louder as they speculated on the outcome. Though their previous match had been halted by Pimiko’s intervention, most of the crowd believed Jake had been the true victor.
"Slugger! Round 2!" Osamu sneered in simple English, a predatory grin spread across his face. His yellow-tinted contact lenses glowed ominously under the evening sun, and his muscular stature exuded a menacing aura. He was intent on paying back Jake for the embarrassment of their first encounter.
Jake remained calm and composed, gripping his baseball bat in a ready stance. He had defeated Osamu once, and he believed he could do it again—not with brute strength, but with strategy. "I'm ready," he replied, his voice steady, showing no fear in the face of Osamu's larger frame.
Osamu's sneer deepened, clearly unamused by Jake’s calmness. Without further warning, he lunged at Jake with ferocity, his steel pole whistling through the air as he attacked with all the pent-up rage from their previous, unfinished encounter. "You die!" he bellowed, his voice a thunderous promise of retribution, his broken English making his deadly intent unmistakable.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6e/Osamu%27s_Strike.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/95/Batter%27s_Intuition.png]
Osamu’s tactics remained unchanged from their previous encounter—he proceeded with brute dominance and violence, swinging his metal pole in a vicious Osamu’s Strike. The blow, powered by his rage, swept toward Jake with enough force to end the fight in one strike. Anticipating the deadly force, Jake relied on his Batter’s Intuition, allowing the attack to come to him in slow motion as he dodged just in time. A loud “pank!” echoed behind him as Osamu’s strike shattered a car window.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c4/Jake_Harada_performing_Home_Run_Swing%2C_swinging_his_baseball_bat_with_exceptional_power%2C_aiming_to_knock_out_opponents_or_send_projectiles_back.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/da/Dominance_Parry.png]
Seeing the perfect opportunity, Jake prepared for a decisive Home Run Swing, aiming directly for Osamu's head, hoping for a knockout blow. However, Osamu managed to yank his steel pole free from the broken window just in time, executing a Dominance Parry. A metallic clang resounded across the carpark as Jake’s wooden bat collided with the steel pole, the sheer force of the impact showcasing Osamu’s control and authority—far more calculated than in their last battle.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0f/Seiryu_Sweep.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/8e/Jake_Harada_performing_Slide_dodge%2C_uses_a_sliding_motion_to_dodge_attacks_and_reposition_himself_strategically.png]
Osamu flashed a venomous smile at Jake before lowering himself into position, unleashing a devastating Seiryu Sweep, aiming to unsettle and topple his opponent. The metal pole, driven by Osamu’s fury, sliced through the air toward Jake’s legs. But Jake, ever quick on his feet, executed a Slide Dodge, smoothly sliding out of the sweep’s reach and repositioning himself strategically for the next move.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3b/Authority%27s_Grasp.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d4/Rebel%27s_Jab.png]
Osamu wasn’t giving Jake a moment to rest. This time, he was the one controlling the flow of the fight. With a swift move, Osamu extended his pole and hooked it into Jake’s hoodie, yanking him out of his sliding position. This was Authority’s Grasp, a move designed to assert dominance by controlling an opponent’s movements against their will. Jake, dragged unwillingly into close range, had no time to react before Osamu smiled, pleased with the outcome, and unleashed Rebel’s Jab—a series of rapid, targeted strikes aimed at Jake’s vital points.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1a/Jake_Harada_performing_Bunt_Block%2C_using_the_bat_like_a_shield%2C_Jake_can_deflect_incoming_attacks_with_a_quick%2C_precise_bunt.png]
Jake had no choice but to go on the defensive. He quickly employed Bunt Block, using his bat like a shield, deflecting the jabs with quick, precise movements, but Osamu continued his relentless onslaught, his smirk widening as he pushed Jake to the limit.
The crowd watched in horror and dismay as Osamu dominated the fight. His control was clear, and the realization began to sink in—if Osamu won, Seiryu High School would remain under the oppressive rule of PROUD.
Jake was breathing hard, his mind racing. This battle was different from their last encounter; Osamu was dominating, controlling the rhythm, and not letting up. If things continued like this, defeat seemed inevitable. Jake knew he had to think fast—he needed to find the key to turning the tide, recall how he had beaten Osamu before, and strategize quickly if he hoped to win this battle.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cd/Light_saber.png]
The fifth and final match was set, with the wildcard of PROUD, Reiji, squaring off against the keystone of Jake's team, Luna. Her lightsaber was already activated, casting an ethereal purple glow that captivated the crowd. The students, teachers, and staff stared in awe at the futuristic weapon, marveling at its design and trying to figure out its origin, but a quick internet search yielded no results. Luna stood ready, prepared to rely on her advanced technology to win this battle.
Across from her stood Reiji, his scrawny, fragile physique starkly contrasting the more physically imposing members of PROUD. Yet, despite his appearance, an eerie aura of shadows and malice seemed to cling to him, unsettling everyone nearby. The world seemed to shift into shades of black and white around him, as though his presence drained the color from his surroundings.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/99/Penknife.png]
Reiji calmly pulled out his weapon of choice: a simple penknife. The blade, at only 2.75 inches long, seemed laughably small compared to Luna's glowing lightsaber. But in Reiji's hands, the penknife transformed into something far more sinister. The blade, made of high-carbon steel, gleamed under the faint light, and though its size was unimposing, it represented Reiji’s ability to inflict both physical and psychological pain. It wasn’t the weapon itself but the way he wielded it—an embodiment of his love for inflicting fear and torment—that made him so dangerous.
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image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f6/Luna_fashion.png]
Despite Reiji’s almost spectral presence, which heightened his ghost-like appearance and sent a visceral shiver down Luna's spine, she tried to maintain her composure. Her gaze remained locked on Reiji's tired, sleepy-looking eyes. She recalled Kaito's advice, "I trust you’ve got skills and moves that are futuristic and technological, which I hope can disrupt Reiji’s momentum and help you win." Her stance, firm and prepared, reflected her determination to face whatever twisted strategies Reiji might employ.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/44/Reiji_Haruka_with_his_unsettling_look_making_people_felt_uncomfortable.png]
Reiji, cold and unsettling, remained silent. His gaze was penetrating, as though he sought to peer directly into Luna's soul, unraveling her secrets and fears with just his presence. The air between them seemed to thicken with tension, charged by their silent standoff. As Kaito predicted, it would be a battle of unpredictability against the unknown—a clash between mystery and chaos—as the duel between Luna and Reiji was about to begin.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/77/Photon_Flash.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c6/Whispering_Slice.png]
Without hesitation, Luna used Photon Flash, illuminating the carpark with blinding light, a move she had used numerous times with success to disorient opponents, temporarily blinding their vision. Some of the audience, unaware of the move, were also caught off guard, shielding their eyes from the sudden flash. However, Reiji, somehow anticipating this, had already closed his eyes and relied on his other senses. He had closed the gap between them in an instant, launching into a Whispering Slice—his penknife barely visible—leaving a superficial cut on Luna's arm.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Cyber_Slice.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/ff/Eerie_Parry.png]
Luna, unaware of the shallow cut as it bled, continued the fight, noticing how close Reiji had already gotten. She activated her augmented reality visor and proceeded with a Cyber Slice, her lightsaber moving through the air with a precision that was both beautiful and deadly—a vibrant purple streak cutting towards Reiji. With unsettling calm, Reiji used his small penknife to execute Eerie Parry, deflecting and redirecting the attack with minimal movement. His presence grew more unnerving as his feet remained firmly planted, while his hands moved with quiet precision.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/21/Unseen_Stab.png]
Without uttering a single word, Reiji pointed at Luna's bleeding arm, drawing her attention to the cut she hadn’t noticed earlier. As she pressed on it to stop the bleeding, Reiji suddenly stabbed her other arm, causing another wound. His earlier gesture had been a deliberate distraction, allowing him to execute Unseen Stab, a manipulative strike delivered with terrifying precision, embodying his psychopathic tendencies and ability to betray without hesitation.
Luna, now clutching both her arms to stop the bleeding, began to understand why Kaito had warned her that Reiji was even more dangerous than Osamu.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d6/Gorilla_Smash.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d1/Carter_performs_Athlete%27s_Agility%2C_with_exceptional_agility_and_reflexes%2C_allowing_him_to_swiftly_dodge_attacks_and_maneuver_around_the_battlefield.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9d/Slapshot_Smash.png]
Back in the intense showdown between Ushio and Carter, Ushio's frustration was evident. His face twisted with annoyance as he prepared his next move, gathering his unhinged raw power for the Gorilla Smash. His muscles bulged as he lifted the dumbbell overhead, intending to crush Carter with the force of a raging gorilla. However, Carter stuck to Kaito’s plan, using his Athlete's Agility to dodge the blow just as the dumbbell descended. He swiftly maneuvered to Ushio's side, spotting the perfect opening to unleash a Slapshot Smash, delivering a powerful, high-speed strike with his hockey stick to Ushio's muscular arm.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b1/Strength_Showcase.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3b/Hockey_Stick_Sweep.png]
"Roar!" Ushio growled, angered by the hit. In a sudden display of brute force, he tore a car door off, performing a Strength Showcase as if to intimidate Carter with his raw strength. Carter, confused by Ushio's reckless display, seized the opportunity again, delivering another strike with a Hockey Stick Sweep, hitting Ushio hard and causing him to roar in frustration once more.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cd/Titan%27s_Defense.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d4/Icebreaker_Strike.png]
Having taken two consecutive hits, Ushio opted not to attack this time. Instead, he waved at Carter, daring him to strike again. Ushio planted himself firmly on the ground, utilizing Titan's Defense, a stance where he used the dumbbell to deflect high-impact strikes, demonstrating his ability to endure assaults like a titan. Seeing this as a challenge, Carter confidently wound up for an Icebreaker Strike, a powerful, straightforward hit designed to break through defenses. Ushio managed to absorb the high-impact strikes, but it did not come without consequences. A large bruise began to form on his arm, evidence of the damage Carter's relentless hits had inflicted.
From the distance, Pimiko, who was in the middle of her own battle with Akane, noticed Ushio's stubborn behavior and shook her head in frustration. "You idiot! Why are you taking the hits head-on?" she snapped, her voice switching to a more assertive and commanding tone, showing her disdain for Ushio's foolish tactics.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b2/Frenzied_Flurry.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5f/Rink_Runner%E2%80%99s_Rush.png]
Ushio felt even more frustrated, especially after Pimiko's comment. Determined to prove something to both her and Carter, he unleashed his ultimate move, Frenzied Flurry. His attacks became a whirlwind of motion, the dumbbell swinging in rapid succession, aiming to overwhelm Carter. But Carter stuck to the game plan, focusing on Rink Runner’s Rush, using his stamina and speed to retreat while keeping Ushio off balance.
After finishing his ultimate and failing to land a single hit, Ushio’s exhaustion became apparent. His breathing grew heavy, his movements sluggish, and his attacks were less coordinated. Carter's strategy of wearing him down had worked perfectly. Ushio was now standing still, catching his breath as his stamina was depleted.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/11/Final_Buzzer_Blitz.png]
Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to end the fight, Carter launched his Final Buzzer Blitz, a rapid, all-out offensive assault with his hockey stick, mimicking the intensity of the final moments of a hockey match. With a loud thump, Ushio's bulky frame hit the ground, his grip on the dumbbell loosening as he was knocked out cold. The crowd around the carpark erupted in cheers.
Now it was four versus five, with the advantage shifting to Jake's team. Carter, breathing heavily, scanned the battlefield, ready to assist whichever of his friends needed help next.