After leaving Seiryu following the intense confrontation with PROUD, Yoko took Jake, Carter, Akane, and Luna out for a simple dinner before heading home. They had invited Kaito as well, but he declined, explaining that he had some revision to do. Despite their physical injuries—bruises and gashes from the fight with PROUD—their morale was high. They had won the battle and changed the landscape of Seiryu High for the better.
As they ate, Jake broke the silence, his voice filled with anticipation. "Yoko, we’re finally meeting Uncle Nomura today!" he said eagerly. "You’re sure we’ll get to see him?"
"Yes, my dad will be back tonight," Yoko confirmed, glancing at Luna with reassurance. "Luna, you’ll get to meet him. I hope he’ll be able to answer all your questions about the Seven Swords." Luna nodded, grateful that she might finally gain some clues for her mission.
Suddenly, Yoko stood up and bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, her voice swelling with gratitude. "Thank you all for standing up to PROUD today. I hope the school will be a better place now," she said sincerely, her tone soft but determined. She knew that today’s victory would transform Seiryu High into a more inclusive and supportive environment, free from the fear of PROUD.
The group quickly helped Yoko up from her bow. "Yoko, it’s alright. We were just standing up for what’s right," Jake smiled.
"Yeah, Yoko. Your school is great, and we were just in the right place at the right time to help out," Carter added with a grin.
"I’m really happy it's no longer an oppressive place, unlike the future I come from," Luna said with encouragement. "I’m glad I could play a part."
Akane, usually quiet, simply nodded in agreement with everyone.
"Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it," Yoko said, wiping away the tears brimming at her eyelids in gratitude. They continued their dinner with a sense of accomplishment and joy before heading home by taking the train. Everything went smoothly throughout the journey, from the restaurant to the station near Yoko's house.
On their journey, the weary teenagers found themselves walking along a narrow path—the only way to Yoko’s house. Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged, blocking their way forward. Each of his heavy steps gave the illusion that the ground itself trembled beneath him. The man’s immense stature, embodying raw physical strength, was unmistakable even from a distance. As he approached, the air thickened with tension.
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In a calm, polite tone, the man introduced himself in Japanese, his voice deep and commanding, "My name is Ono, Takeshi." His imposing presence made the words feel heavier than they should. "I am here to seek Jake Harada!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/67/Kanab%C5%8D.png]
In his right hand, Takeshi held a Kanabō, forged from heavy iron. The weapon, designed for devastating force, had a round, ball-like head approximately 10 inches in diameter, perfect for delivering crushing blows. Measuring around 5 feet in length, it allowed Takeshi to strike from a distance while using his immense strength to its fullest. The entire weapon, a sleek, matte black, reflected his no-nonsense and intimidating persona.
Yoko, recognizing the potential implications of this encounter, linked it to Osamu’s affiliation with the yakuza. "This is what I’ve been worried about. Osamu’s ties to the yakuza have led them to come for revenge," she told the group in a wary tone, her concern growing with each passing second.
Takeshi, overhearing the conversation, immediately corrected Yoko in Japanese, his voice calm but firm. "Young lady, I think you have mistaken me," he said, addressing the group with a clear and resonant tone. "I am not here to avenge Osamu. My business is with the boy, Jake Harada." His eyes locked onto Jake and Carter, appraising both of them with a discerning gaze, trying to match the description Kaito had given him—the boy who carries a baseball bat as his weapon of choice.
Upon seeing Jake, who matched Kaito’s description, Takeshi’s voice grew more assertive. "Win a fight against me, and I will allow all of you all to pass. If not, all of you will feel my wrath," he declared with a threatening tone, the weight of his words heavy in the night air as he spoke in his native language.
"Jake, you don't have to do this alone! We can do this together!" Carter urged, his voice filled with concern, as Akane nodded in agreement beside him. "Jake, we’d have a higher chance if we use the numbers game against this guy," Luna added, her analytical mind calculating the odds. "You don’t have to face this by yourself," Yoko mustered her courage to stand alongside him.
Jake looked at his friends, understanding their concern for him. He could see the exhaustion still lingering from their earlier battle with PROUD. He, too, bore the pain of his own injuries, the stab wound from the previous fight still aching. Knowing that if they fought alongside him now, their injuries would likely worsen, Jake made his decision. He flashed his trademark optimistic smile. "Guys, I’ll be alright!" he reassured them, his voice carrying a confident warmth. He knew what was at stake, and this was a fight he could not avoid.
Clutching his baseball bat with a strong grip, Jake stepped forward, ready to face Takeshi alone. He watched as Takeshi moved forward with his kanabō. With his free hand, Takeshi pulled out a sprinkle of salt from his pocket, throwing it in front of him in a sumo-like ritual, purifying the battleground and signaling he was ready for the fight.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/10/Sumo_Stomp.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/47/Mace_Thunder.png]
Without any sign of warning, Takeshi lifted his leg and stomped it hard on the concrete path, unleashing a powerful Sumo Stomp, causing the ground beneath them to tremble slightly, momentarily unbalancing Jake. Sensing his opportunity, Takeshi swung his kanabō in a wide arc, executing Mace Thunder, sending a shockwave barreling toward Jake with devastating force.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fb/Jake_Harada_performing_Batter%27s_Intuition%2C_allowing_him_to_read_his_opponents%27_movements%2C_giving_him_the_ability_to_react_swiftly_and_strike_with_precision.png] 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/e/e4/Mace_Cyclone.png]
Jake, relying on his Batter's Intuition, saw the follow-up coming and quickly responded with Home Run Swing, his baseball bat slicing through the air with exceptional force, sending the shockwave right back toward Takeshi. But Takeshi, anticipating the counter, followed up with Mace Cyclone, spinning his mace in a circular motion and creating a powerful cyclone that easily deflected the returned shockwave.
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"You’re good, young Harada," Takeshi remarked in Japanese, impressed by Jake's quick reflexes and strategic thinking. He stepped back, recalibrating, and prepared for another charge, eager to test Jake's strength further and resolve.
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Jake, not giving Takeshi any time to rest, hoped his agility would overcome the large man. He launched a barrage of small objects flying at high speed toward Takeshi, a move he dubbed Fastball Flick. Each throw was faster than the last, like a pitcher's fastball, aiming to overwhelm Takeshi's defenses.
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Unable to parry the barrage with precision, Takeshi adopted Yokozuna's Guard, a defensive stance that made him nearly immovable. Using his sheer weight and strength to his advantage, he absorbed all of Jake's attacks with his kanabō, each hit dealing little to no damage to the towering figure.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5e/Tawara_Turn.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] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/36/Rikishi_Rush.png]
Takeshi responded with Tawara Turn, a technique named after the bales used in sumo rings. He spun with his Kanabō extended, covering a wide area around Jake’s upper body. Jake, lucky enough to avoid the strike, went low and below with his Slide Dodge, repositioning himself strategically. However, Takeshi was no stranger to strategy, his experience as a sumo wrestler sharpening his instincts. Not allowing Jake any breathing room to plan, Takeshi charged forward with Rikishi Rush, closing the distance with the unstoppable force of a sumo wrestler. As he glided toward Jake, his Kanabō in hand, it felt like a bowling ball crashing toward the pins.
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Unable to dodge, Jake chose a defensive stance, using his baseball bat like a shield with Bunt Block. The force of Takeshi’s charge was immense, pushing Jake backward as his sneakers screeched against the concrete floor. Takeshi, having purposely closed the distance, made his next move. His large, free arm suddenly wrapped around Jake’s waist, lifting him effortlessly. "Hey!" Jake struggled, trying to swing his bat to break free, but the cramped space and the strength of Takeshi’s hold rendered the swing ineffective.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/95/Sumo_Slam.png]
Without any warning, Takeshi executed Sumo Slam, slamming Jake into the ground with immense force. "Argh!" Jake cried out, his eyes and mouth wide as pain shot through his back upon impact with the hard concrete. The difference in combat experience was glaring—Takeshi, a seasoned rikishi, had spent years perfecting his sumo techniques, while Jake, despite his resourcefulness, was more accustomed to the baseball field than this level of combat.
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"Jake!" Luna shouted, worry evident in her voice as she activated her lightsaber, determined to help. Without hesitation, she leaped into action, performing Quantum Leap to teleport a short distance towards Takeshi, aiming a Neon Arc, her lightsaber tracing a fluid, graceful arc with a trail of neon light.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5e/Tawara_Turn.png]
But before the saber could touch him, Takeshi noticed her approach and shouted in Japanese, "Don't interrupt!" His voice boomed with anger at the interference in their one-on-one fight. Instantly, he executed Tawara Turn, spinning with his kanabō extended. The heavy, ball-like head of the weapon caught Luna mid-air, sending her sprawling into a nearby wall.
"Ahh!" she cried out as her body impacted the wall with a sickening crack, sliding down to the ground as the force of the blow reverberated through her.
"Luna!" Yoko shouted in dismay, watching in horror as both Luna and Jake lay hurt. Akane and Carter immediately readied their weapons—Akane gripping her sais, and Carter clutching his hockey stick tightly, despite their own injuries. They were prepared to face Takeshi for hurting their friends. "No one hurts our friends!" Carter yelled, his voice rising above the dramatic roar of thunder as rain began to pour down, drenching everyone in the process.
"STOP!" Jake’s voice cut through the storm, pushing himself up slowly despite the pain. His baseball bat supported him as he stood, soaked in rain. "I don’t want you all getting further injured!" His concern for his friends was clear as his wet hair clung to his face, water dripping down his determined expression. "Go help Luna!" he ordered, more worried about his friends' well-being than the fight.
Yoko and Akane, unable to hold back their tears, nodded through the rain and rushed to Luna’s side, leaning against the wall where she had fallen. Meanwhile, Carter, his frustration evident, slammed his hockey stick against the wet pavement, wishing he could do more to help Jake but knowing he had to follow his orders.
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"I like your guts, boy! But this has to end!" Takeshi respected Jake as an opponent, even as the rain continued to pour down. He lifted his Kanabō with an intense expression, signaling it was time to conclude the battle.
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Jake, his head lowered as the rain drenched him, recalled his father's words: "Use this only if absolutely necessary. It might help when things don't go as planned." He dropped his baseball bat, water splashing up around him, and with a solemn expression, unsheathed the katana hanging at his side. The mystical blade ignited with vibrant flames, casting an eerie glow on his determined face and the surrounding area. Despite the torrential downpour, the Sword of Flame remained lit, a symbol of Jake's fury and resolve as he prepared to face Takeshi.
Takeshi paused, his brow furrowing in realization. His eyes widened as he recognized the power of the weapon before him. Kaito's words now made sense—the katana was indeed something that would pique Mori-san's interest. Takeshi understood he had accomplished his mission by making Jake draw the sword, and there was no need to continue the fight. He lowered his Kanabō, the heavy weapon thudding softly against the concrete floor. Bowing respectfully to Jake, signaling the end of the match, Takeshi picked up his Kanabō and walked away in silence.
Still gripping his Sword of Flame, Jake remained in his combat stance, unsure of what had just happened. As the tension dissipated, his body finally relaxed, and he collapsed to the ground. Carter rushed over, supporting Jake's weakened frame. "Jake, are you okay?" Carter asked, worry in his voice. Jake managed a faint smile before losing consciousness, the Sword of Flame falling from his grip as the flames extinguished.
Akane and Yoko supported the unconscious Luna while Carter helped Jake as they all made their way through the heavy rain toward Yoko's house. Their victory over PROUD had seemed like a turning point, but after the confrontation with Takeshi, a somber atmosphere hung over them, making their journey quiet and reflective.