--several years ago. Colosseum.

　An iron stronghold like a hollowed out cylinder.
　But the eyes of the people are not on the outside, but on the inside.
　Hot sand dances across the vast field. Sparks fly from steel to steel.

　The cheers echoing each time, bursting through the blue sky.

　Swordsmen fight one on one.

　Everyone bared their fangs ferociously and flashed their silver blades to defeat the swordsman in front of them.

　A rapier wielder dances like a flower and stabs like a butterfly.
　A big man wielding a heavy sword, ready to split the earth with his opponent.
　The warrior who stands elegantly with a warped blade in his hand.

　They all had their own flamboyance.
　Those who had gathered here, both those standing on the ground and those looking down on the ground, were equally enthusiastic about the battle.

　The spectators were talking about who was the strongest.
　They argued about who was the best.

　But there was an unspoken agreement in their words.

　Except for one.

"The winner, Champion Huta!

　The last program of the day.

　Of course, it was the challenger who had won the tournament, and the champion who was defending his title.

　But the conspicuously empty seats and the sighs of disappointment that seemed to be escaping from the audience were a far cry from what should have been the conclusion of the championship defense.











　--The crowd cheered loudly.


".......


　I was going to turn on my heels quickly.

　I was going to head for the waiting room.

　But I couldn't move.

　The players hadn't entered yet. It's been a while since the third game.
　So who's the booming voice for?


"What are you waiting for?


　A child with a cheek stick says with her mouth only, without looking at me.


　I couldn't even turn my head. You can't even turn your head to look at her.

"Why don't you get on with it, gladiator?

　The look on her face was probably more...
　It was a smile that was much more appealing than the malice she was trying to fake, or the innocence behind the mask.


"...... ah


　I'm not sure what to say about this passionate feeling that is building up in my chest.
　What can I say about the massive cheers pounding in my ears and all over my body?

　I don't know. I just...


"I'm a business owner. You're unemployed. What I can do, you can't do. So all you have to do is follow me. And I'll make ...... your dream come true. You don't have to listen to me.


　I turned away and said only one thing.
　This is the only thing I know how to say.


"Thank you.


　The only thing I knew was that everything she had done for me up to this point had been her handiwork.
　That's all I understood.


　Huta ran off. I'll get you today's sword.


　"The last program of the day.


　To make it the best.


"You don't have to thank me. Bollocks.


　She didn't look at Futa until the end.

　All the time she was looking at the cards on the field.


"I'm not doing this for you.


　Yeah. There's no way I'm doing anything for you.

　Because...

　I'm not gonna get any closer.










"......"?　Oh no!　Isn't it time for game four?
"So you say.

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　The sun was slowly setting.
　Leafy remembered that Izuna Sienzan's name was on the card for the fourth and final match of the day.

　Arrows nodded in agreement, and she couldn't help but raise her voice.

You've got to know what you're talking about!　I'm sure you've heard of it.
"...... Yes, I do. But Leafy. Do you know who's playing Izuna?
That's what I'm talking about. The only thing they didn't tell me was who Izuna was fighting.


"...... Huh?

　A pouting Leafy had already turned on her heel.
　The letter in her hand is tucked away in her pocket, and she steps quickly into the Spectacle with Arrows standing alongside her.
　Not many words were exchanged as they pushed their way through the officials' corridor.

　I don't know if it was the end of the third game or the start of the fourth, but the place was already in a state of excitement.

　As a fellow fighter, Leafy's curiosity got the better of her, and she didn't even bother to mention the fact that Arrows had walked in through the corridor as if it were a matter of course.

I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who's not afraid to ask questions.
"Yeah, and it's Izuna. I'm not sure who's better than Aylan, to be honest, but at least you're going against the guy who stood out the most in the preliminaries. If you're not good at it, you'll lose.
I'm sure we'll see some nobleman get carried away and make a mistake.
That's not funny. Conrad's the only one who's ever done anything boring and samey.
Conrad is the only one who's ever done anything boring and samey.
There's no shame in it. I feel like I'm being humiliated. ......
As an Eastwoodian?
Yeah. ......


　In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　As expected, the third match was already over - or rather, the fourth match was about to start.

　As they waited for the players to enter, I crossed my arms behind my back and stretched my neck.

The third game is the princess, I guess.
I don't know. You never know what will happen in sword fighting.

　I've been waiting for a few seconds, leaning against the aisle fence at the back of the bleachers, alongside Arrows, who stroked his chin.

"...... Hey, Arrows.

　In the noisy hall, however, Leafy's murmur was clearly heard by Arrows.
　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

"Do you remember what Izuna said?
"Which one?
"Which one?" "The one about the right to challenge him.

　I think back to the second round of the preliminary round, where Arrows and Leafy faced Izuna.
　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever heard of it.

It's a good thing I'm not the only one.　But I'm going to the finals. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it, but I'm going to have to.
I'm going to the finals.
You can't. The right to challenge him is not cheap.

　It's still fresh in my mind.
　It was such a shocking event.
　That's why Leafy is thinking.

"Prim Lancaster. He was about the same rank as Arawn, so he must be the same rank as Izuna. Probably not. If we do this, it won't be a challenge, it'll be a duel.
"I see.
Lord Kringlebloom. That's a good point. And the challenge isn't cheap. But I don't see the connection at all, so I'm holding off.
Oh, I see.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Lilac. You wouldn't say "the right to challenge him" if you were dealing with His Highness. I'm not sure I'm in a position to call the princess that, and if I say I want to fight the princess, anyone can understand.
I see. ...... So this is what you're saying. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

　Leafy's jaw dropped at Arrows' words.
　I don't know who this secret is, but I'm not sure.
　I'm not sure who the secret is, but I don't know.

　He looked at the commentary table. Arrows muttered, "I see.

"I see what?
No, ...... I think I know the answer to that one, don't you?

　Arrows pointed to the battlefield as if he was reluctant to answer.

　The players are just about to enter.
　On the left hand side - that is to say, the entrance gate on the side of the qualifiers - white smoke billowed, and feet stepped in with an explosion.

　Arrows, Leafy, and all the people in the hall listened expectantly to the usual fluent introduction of a child who was not a child.

　As if to meet their expectations, she says.


I remember well the smile on his face when I told him the card. I remember the smile on his face when I told him the card.


"He rolled his eyes, a little surprised. And then he lifted his mouth in that awkward way. "Oh," he said. I like that. I don't know. You can tell that he has a lot of feelings for you, he said, and then he ...... told me.

　With a mallet axe cutting through the smoke. I'm not sure what to do.
　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'll see you tomorrow, little girl.

　With a sobbing smile on his face, he slowly looked around at the audience.


　The climax of a big crowd.
　Last program of the day. Against... that guy.

　I don't care about the format of the tournament.

　Someday I was the sword.
　Somewhere along the line, I got dragged down.
　When did that happen? I didn't even have the right to fight him.


"It's the final for me.



　He looked around at the seats. I looked around at the seats and waved to the crowd, who cheered loudly.

　Oh, yeah.
　It's the final for me.

　--That's not really the right word.

　It's probably the final for everybody. I know.

　But...

　Sorry," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting.

　In my mind's eye, there were many fierce fighters.
　Those who joined the swordfighting ranks in the beginner league.
　Those who struggled in the minor leagues.
　Those who are old, injured, and forced to retire.

　And then--【Tenka Hachi-Sen】.

　If you remember the faces of each of them. I'm sure they won't forgive Izuna for what she's become.
　Not for me. For us, it's the final.

　But I'm not giving in.
　Today, this day. This game is mine.

　Stepping onto the battlefield. The cobblestones feel the same as in the preliminaries, but they're not.
　Everyone will only pay attention to the match we're about to make. Everyone is only here for this fight.


"We've been watching the trajectory of his battle until today. His lone win in the preliminaries was clear even on the first day. On the second day, he fought a fierce battle against Leafy Lean Glide and Arrows the Twin Swordsman in the second match. And with his stunning victory in the third round of qualifying, he's arguably the strongest qualifier.


　On the cobblestones. Loud cheers.

　Oh," he said, looking up at the piercing sky.
　Somewhere along the line, I'd come to fear the battlefield.
　My weakness, my desire not to lose, has outweighed my desire to win.

　Today, I wonder...


The battle he's so eager to fight is today!　Here it is!　If this game is the final!　--All I have to do is give it everything I've got and win!


"Yeah, I know. I'm not stupid. I understand.

　He swings his hatchet. The more you swing it, the more it builds up.
　But strangely, the more I wield it, the more it rises and does not dissipate.

　I just want to beat you today.

　Nothing else matters!


"Two swords, the hammer axe and black hawk karate!　Show me how to be the strongest!　If the battle you've longed for and craved is finally before you, you'd be lying if you didn't at least take victory with you!





　The heat from the man barking in the middle of the field caused the crowd to erupt in a war cry that sounded like the rumbling of the earth.


"The last of the qualifiers, and the strongest challenger!　Izuna aaaaah!　Sisi, enzaaaaaaan ！！！！


　I let out a feverish breath.
　I roared so hard that my chest felt empty.
　Then I stared at the entrance gate on the other side.

　Suddenly, I realized.

　I heard you and Prim had a showdown.

　I also heard you had a run-in with Ocean right after Spectacula was built.


　I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous.


　But.


　A packed house, a sweltering heat.
　The moment I realized I'd be the first one to see him again as a fighter.


　The moment you realize that, you will be the first to face them.
　Shiro smoke billowed from the entrance gate on the right.
　There is no performance to shake you off, nor is there a performance to make you jump into the air.

　The only thing you have to do is just walk brusquely and nonchalantly towards the silhouette, which gradually grows larger and larger - Izuna lifted the corners of her mouth.


　She noticed that he was holding a large hatchet.




"I'm glad to see you, big brother.




　It was a change from Izuna, who was somewhat sad. And then a small murmur of tenderness, almost unintentional.



　That's when the audience came to their senses.
　Yes. They remembered that the one who was wanted so much was the man who had been sitting there earlier.


"So much for being wanted. He wanted me to fight for him so badly. Who the hell are you?　You might be wondering.


　With the nursery girl's words of deep emotion, a young man appears.

　At that moment.

　Arrows put on his hat.
　Aylin squinted quietly.
　Wind's expression softened.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea.
　The first thing you need to do is to look at your eyes.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before.


I'm not sure what to say.


　I'm not sure what to make of that.


　He walked out onto the field and looked up, as did Izuna.
　A cheer went up. Everyone was calling his name.

　He stared at the scene for a while.

"Hey, big brother, let's get a move on!　I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just said something completely different from the script I prepared for ......, or rather from the beginning. Hahaha.

　The man below me let out a small breath once.
　Then he began to walk proudly.

　Amidst loud cheers.

"I can't fix it. I'm done. Just watch, everyone. The one person Izuna really wanted to fight. The first secret "preferential slot" to come out.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.


"You're really, really strong!


　Stepping onto the cobblestones, Futa turned his attention to the commentary table.
　Then he let out a small breath.

I'm not an idiot.
I'm not an idiot. I know. I'm not an idiot. I get it. It's a facade, but it's the truth.

　You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

　He was relieved that he hadn't thought about what he was trying to fix.

"Oh, you mean it.


I'm not sure what you're talking about.　It's a good thing you're here.　Today is the beginning of a legend!　Hoota Pomodoro!


　The spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle of the spectacle

　Futa's eyes narrowed and he raised his hatchet.
　The very same stance makes Izuna laugh, too.

"Oh, you haven't changed, have you?
I've changed. At least that's the first time I've ever felt this good about a fight.
Yeah. Yeah, me too.

　We look at each other.

　The only thing is that Izuna turned his head down once, as if to close the gap between their gazes.
　I'm not sure what's wrong," he mutters to Futa, who lowers his eyebrows slightly.

"Can I ask you something? May I ask?
Oh.

　He didn't ask what.
　I don't know why.
　But with him now. I felt like no matter what he said, I could do it.

"I'll tell you my name now. I'm not gonna lie. I am ultimately the Corporal Tachi.
Oh.
Just.

　Izuna looked up.
　I'm not going to lie.

"Just once.

　She forced a fierce smile on her face. But the will in his eyes is like a desire.


"As a champion, please respond to me.


　--Someday, I'll be the sword.

　Somewhere along the line, I was being dragged down.

　When did that happen? I didn't even have the right to fight him.

　"Last program of the day."



　I don't know how many times I can grab it, he says, grasping the right to challenge the man in front of him.

"...... Ah. This is the last time I'm calling myself that today.
"Heh. Thanks for the .......


　He holds a hatchet in one hand and a fist grasping the sky in the other. I'm not sure if you've seen this before.


I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.


　I breathed in.


I'm not sure what to make of it.　I'm not sure what to do.　Izuna Sienzan！！！！

　Their eyes crossed.

"Colosseum Champion. "Colosseum Champion. Futa.


The fight is on!


Blow up the arena!
Come on.