What the hell is going on?

　Leafy muttered as he clutched the railing and leaned forward.

　The battlefield card was Izuna Sienzan versus Futa Pomodoro.
　On the one hand, a skilled qualifier that he knew well.
　On the other hand, there's a brother he knows very well.

　--That's what I thought.

Nothing to see here. It looks like there's two Izunas.
No, no, no, no!　I don't know what's going on with that!
He's a genius at mimicry. That's what he said.
That's not how it works, a**h*le!

　Hmm, Arrows put his chin in his hand.

　That's true.
　The brilliance of Futa Pomodoro's technique. If you hadn't been told it was an imitation, you'd have thought he was a senior member of the same school as Izuna or something.

　It would be easier to say that he was a master or a brother of Izuna's who had seen through everything Izuna had done.

　But Arrows knew.
　But Arrows knew that the battle style that Izuna had developed for himself was the two-fisted style of the hammer axe and black hawk karate.

　Perhaps that is why he was immediately convinced when he was told that Futa was imitating him.
　It's out of bounds, but that's why I think about it.

　It is true that Futa's technique is somehow lacking in originality.
　Izuna's is more "fitting". And.

　However, for a girl who is a true "swordsman", it seems different.

"Don't be ridiculous, it's not just a copycat, it's ......, d*mn it, it's a clown!
What's the deal with you?
Don't ask.

　Don't ask.
　There was a situation in front of me that I didn't want to talk about even if it killed me.

"Anyway...

　Sparks flew in my glare. I'm not sure what to say.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time with your family.

　I've been enjoying Izuna since the qualifying round, but no.

I'm not going to be able to stand up today. ......!　Blow it up!

　Yes, it was literally a soul-crushing battle.

　Leafy's eyes narrowed involuntarily.

　"I'm not sure what to make of it.
　The stronghold in front of her that she could not break even with all her might.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"d*mn it ......!　You've got to be kidding me!　Don't lose to me!
Shouldn't you be cheering for someone you know?
What?　I don't know anyone who's been hiding their abilities from you.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.

I'm not sure what to say.　Don't lose until I crush you!

　This is how the generation of the fighting sword is spun.







"Haha ......, shit, I let my guard down.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have.

　I'm not sure what to do. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a great way to make sure you don't get caught in the middle.

　The sweat beading up on his forehead was not mere physical exhaustion, but a greasy sweat from mental fatigue.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"Leap. The angle of his step is like this. The axe is raised at this angle. In that case, catch at this position, feet like this, posture like this, Master.

　With a swoosh, Izuna prepared herself.
　It's a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for the latest developments in the market.

　But it was rejected by Futa.
　As soon as he caught sight of the hatchet being swung again, Motisuke's words were pulled out of his memory.

"No run. The angle of the step is like this. The axe will swing up at this angle. In that case, catch it in this position, feet like this, posture like this, Master.

"Aaah!

　"Aah!" A great technique of ukemi.
　In the midst of the excitement of the commentators, Izuna let out a deep breath.

　--I've got it.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　Especially my head. A dull pain echoed in her head, and she felt like she couldn't even keep her eyes open.
　I haven't eaten for a few days, and I feel as if I'm in hot sand, which I'm sure will lead to nausea after a while.

　I let out a heavy breath.

　I looked up to see my champion waiting for me with his hatchet.

　You shake your head.


　Don't you think you're pathetic. Now I'm standing on the big stage I finally grasped.

　My scolded heart rises. Again and again.
　Because this is the place I've been waiting for so long, I couldn't let this headache get the better of me.


"It's a matter of concentration.
"What?
You can't tell from looking at it, but it's impossible to make such a beautiful receiving move according to the angle of the opponent with ordinary effort. It is almost impossible to do this unconsciously.
"So, then, the current Izuna...
I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing. Of course, it won't last until tomorrow.


　In the end, the only thing that made it tough for Izuna was the fact that he didn't have an opponent.
　He reproduced the actions that Motisuke had explained verbally to him and continued to memorize them.

　On top of that, you have to use your head even more to match your imagination with the movements of Futa.
　It was understandable that mental fatigue would come first.

　Richter closed his eyes gently.

　--It was true that the barbarian had made it much easier for him to move out.

　It is true that the barbarian has made it much easier for me to perform my strokes, as I realized when I performed one in the fight with Leafy.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

"So, then, Izuna...
No. I'm not trying to imitate Futa, but...

　He looks down and mutters.

It's not the end of the world.


　Out of the corner of his eye, the man gripped his hammer axe tightly.



"Huh, shit. It's pathetic.

　Deep breath.
　The fatigue was not only physical.
　I should have known better.

　--I think back to the Colosseum.

　The past that I don't want to remember, when I was the first sword and fell from my seat.

　My mouth was bitter, my head ached, and I felt as if something was missing, even though everything was in place.

　It was as if the upper limit of my physical strength had been lowered, even though I was not exhausted.
　I felt as if there was a wasted energy in my body that I hadn't fully dissipated, a sickening feeling that I couldn't get rid of by stretching or running.

　And then there were the many battles I lost in the sweltering heat of the Colosseum, unable to do anything about it.

　The more I remember, the more I hate myself for being so helpless.
　I was tumbling down. I fell down. I fell and fell.

　Futa was banished. I didn't see the point of staying in the Colosseum anymore.
　I followed them, almost as if I were running away.

　I thought if I could beat Futa something would change. I hoped so.

　--It's pathetic.

　It was for the best at the time. With a good argument in your heart. Believing it was the right thing to do, you walked into a dark place.

　We wanted the same thing, but we were walking away from it.

　--There was a guy I met at the bottom.

　--I woke up after a long time of being beaten up.

　So I kept trying and trying and trying again.

　With someone's help, I made it this far.

　Yeah. For him, and for the man in front of me, I can't lose so easily.



Let's go!


　The barking Izuna swung his hatchet.
　It's not the same as before, it's a blow that turns the defensive into the offensive.

　The crowd erupted in cheers.
　Now it was Futa's turn to be on the receiving end of Izuna's attack.

　Futa calmly ran his golden eyes, and just like Izuna, he performed a "perfect parry".

　That's the great skill of imitation.


I'm not sure what to do.

　Leafy, who was completely on Izuna's side, shouted.

　Yes, if he can do the same as Izuna. If he can do the same thing as Izuna, then Futa will be required to do the same thing as Izuna.

　If the technique requires that much brain power, then Futa's fatigue will be...

"No, no, no, no, no.

　But Leafy's cheers died down there.


　But Leafy's cheers died down. Futa had indeed been hit by Izuna's attack.
　The same fierce technique as Izuna's. A perfect parry.

　But...

　But unlike Izuna, he had no time.

You're the kind of guy who'd do that!

　Izuna raises the corners of her mouth.
　I knew it. I'm sure you've seen it.



　If so, the reaction time is sometimes sharper than the user. Also.

　There's no "thinking" involved.

　It's obvious when you think about it.
　Now that Futa understands what the countermeasure is for, mimicking the trajectory of his training.

　He doesn't need to use his brain like Izuna, he can just copy.


"Well, well, well, what's going on?
"It's a pain in the ass to explain to you, Futa.
"It's a pain in the ass to explain!
"But the important thing is that Izuna went on the offensive. "But the important thing is that Izuna went on the offensive, after having her mimic the 'perfect' passive.
"What ......?　What's that supposed to mean?
"He showed Futa his best. What will Futa do then?　He'll take that "best", right? That's the hole.
"What?
Don't you see?　--He's got him on the defensive, Izuna. I don't want to lose.

　I don't want to lose. I don't want to lose.

　He turned up the corners of his mouth. It was strange.

　How many times have I thought in the arena that I can't lose?
　It was hard. It was painful. I felt nauseous every time the thought of losing flashed through my mind.

　I struggled alone in the dark.
　I kept howling in a small world where only my voice echoed, saying I didn't want to lose.

　But...

　But now.

"Oh, I don't want to lose!

　The moment you shout that, there's someone in your mind.
　There's an enemy to defeat right in front of you.

　This arena is here.

　The explosion of cheers is not just for Izuna, not just for Futa. The heat sent to the sword itself.
　What fun this spectacle is, with hot air pouring in like a blazing bellows.

Don't you think so?

　This is no time to let fatigue get the better of you.
　I have an opponent to beat. You have the best place.
　Then you have to perform at your best, right?

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"Oh.

　That man is also unusual.

　No, it's the first time.

　He was laughing in the middle of the arena.


"This is awesome!
Of course it is!　This is awesome!
It's amazing!
Hahahahaha, this is awesome!
"Explain it to me. ！！！！！！！！！！！！！
"Explain what?
"What?" "What?" ......

　The two are engaged in a fierce battle.
　The two of them are engaged in a fierce battle. Their attack and defense is a sword dance that captivates all who see it.
　The heat of their joyful, constant dialogue with the blade filled the entire spectacle.

You don't need ...... anymore. No commentary. You know it's great.
"......
"All I have to say is... --This is definitely a battle to determine the true winner. This is definitely a battle to determine the true winner.

　The real winner.
　Slightly muddled, but understood by all.

　That's what Richter was trying to say.

　This is, in effect, the final. 　

　Richter gave Izuna Sienzan that much credit.
　The crowd thinks this is the best fight ever.



　--They won't be heard.



　Just. The words.

　I don't need to tell you how much that means to the two men who are fighting right now.



　Spectaclar approved.


　"Last program of the day."


　This is the final of the tournament.






"I'm not done yet!




　Wielding the hammer axe.



"Hutaaaaaaaa ！！！！


　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

　The roar shakes the air, and Futa continues to receive the onslaught of Izuna.

　Even the audience couldn't explain why they never got tired of it.

　The heat was so intense that they kept calling out names to see who would win.
　The heat in the arena was truly unbearable.

　The heat in the arena is at its peak right now.



"...... Master.



　The girl mutters, her red eyes reflecting the field.

　You can find a lot more than just a few things to do.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

　Even so, her body's signals told her that she needed to let out the unknown heat that was rising in her.

"Master ......!


　A light touch on her back.


　A girl next to me shouted happily.


"Blow it up!


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　But she knew that was okay.


　So...


"Master ！！！！



　She shouted.




　--I thought I heard a voice.


"...... Do you think I'm imagining this?

　He howled and swung a blow.

　Huta was unharmed.

No.
Okay.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I can't lose, I can't lose!
I'm not going to lose, either.


　I am, muttered Futa.


I can't lose! "The least I can do is return the favor by bringing home a win.


　The people who built the arena. The people who pushed me to do this.
　And now, for once...


"Futa! Futa! Huta!
Blow it up!
Commentary, brother!


　There's a woman I owe a debt of gratitude to.




Let's do this, Izuna.
What?　If I can reverse this situation, I will!



　"If you can reverse this situation!
　Izuna's onslaught is incredible.

　He's strong. He's strong.

　It's hard to keep up with Izuna's physical strength.


　But...


I haven't exactly grown since the Colosseum either.
...... hahaha. Growth, ......?　There's still room for growth, that's not funny ！！！！！！.

　But the smile is deep.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　--It's different.

　What's different?
　What's different is the way Futa takes it.

　It's a technique that Motisuke taught him.
　Futa has been using it to withstand Izuna's onslaught.
　Because it was the best he could do, Izuna never doubted his moves.

　But...

　Futa failed to catch him here.

　Futa blows up with a thud.

　The crowd goes wild.

　But Izuna stifles his momentary agitation and leaps forward.
　There's something. But I don't know what it is.

　But she knew intuitively that leaving it there was a bad idea and jumped out.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!


　I thought I was blown up.
　I was blown up, or so I thought. I caught the mallet axe with the mallet axe, and took a full swing backwards.
　But Futa easily spun around with his mallet in support, and as soon as he landed, he lunged at me with his mallet.


I never use a sword in the arena.


　I'm not going to use a sword in the arena," he muttered to himself, but Izuna couldn't hear him.

It's not my technique--it's not my technique.

　Her eyes are gold.

But...

　I stole it from him. The power I've acquired through training...


　Still ugly, but usable.

　The fact that I was able to do the same thing with Izuna's weapon is proof of that.

You failed to catch me on purpose!
Yeah, that's it.

Imitation: Izuna Sienzan: Kuro Eagle Karate.

　I grabbed Izuna's hammer axe from the front.
　I'm not going to let you get away with this.


It's a good thing I'm not the only one.

"There's a good run. Step at this angle. In response to a frontal swing...

　--I can't believe it.

　You'll need to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　That stance. Futa.

"I've already seen that.

　He was yanked out of the stance as if it was going to be removed.

　The cause was immediately apparent.
　The hammer axe, still in his grasp, jolted Izuna's balance in the opposite direction.

"...... again.

　Huta's hammer axe swung down.

　The auditorium burst into flames like a powder keg or something.


　Their eyes met at close range.


　He looks away from his own face reflected in the blade of the hatchet. Looking at Futa, Izuna muttered. 　


"Also. I wonder if I can make it up here.


　At these words, Futa closed his eyes once.


　I don't know. That's what I said to Izuna one day.
　I shunned the man who shouted at me, "What do you want me to do?

　But...

　Futa looks up at the sky.
　An explosion of cheers greeted Futa and Izuna.


　The last program of the day.


　Futa kept hoping it would end so spectacularly... that he would fall to the bottom of the earth.


Oh.


　Was that a nod to the man in front of him?
　Or was it to himself?

　It doesn't matter.


　He smiles, dismisses the hammer axe in front of Izuna, and reaches out his hand.


　And again. I wonder if I can make it up here.

　Yeah. Because...


"Because you're coming up again.



"Match ends--！！！！　The winner, Futa Pomodoro!



　The last program of the day.

　The last program of the day ended with the loudest cheer I've ever heard.

　The last program of the day ended with the loudest cheer I've ever heard.