บท 10: Chess
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"Watch your left, Haruto!" she'd yell, or, "Behind you!"
And Haruto would react, instantly adjusting his movements. It was as if he had eyes at the back of his head.
In the midst of the chaos, Haruto called out, his voice a clear command that cut through the confusion. "Feitan, left! Phinks, right!"
He wasn't just the opponent. He was also the conductor, leading them in their dance of combat. As they obeyed his instructions, attacking from the directions he'd just called out, Haruto executed a perfect backflip, causing them to collide with each other again.
The two older boys groaned, slowly picking themselves up from the ground. There was no denying the frustration on their faces, but there was also something else. Respect. A newfound understanding of Haruto's skill and strategy.
Feitan dusted off his trousers, his temper flaring at the humiliation. He glanced at Phinks, and there was an unspoken agreement between them. They needed to up their game. As Feitan's anger mounted, so did his speed. His movements were lightning fast, each attack a blur to the naked eye. Yet, the frustration mounting within him also led to a string of muttered curses that grew louder with each passing second.
"Damn brat..." Feitan hissed under his breath, charging towards Haruto once again.
On the sidelines, Canary observed the shift in dynamics. "Haruto, be careful!" she called out, her voice sharp with worry. "Feitan's moving faster!"
Haruto merely nodded in acknowledgment. His gaze was firmly fixed on Feitan, his body tensed, ready for the incoming attack. He wasn't worried; he noticed that Feitan's increased speed had also made him predictable.
Feitan was like a thunderstorm, powerful but linear. His attacks followed a set pattern, and his muttered gibberish was a clear giveaway to his next move. Whenever the curses grew louder, Feitan would strike with more force. The quieter he was, the faster he attacked.
"Feitan," Haruto called out, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Your anger's showing."
Feitan's reaction was almost instantaneous. He let out a growl, charging at Haruto with an even faster pace. The Shadow Step technique he'd been using was now amplified by his anger, making him seem to disappear and reappear at an even more rapid pace.
Haruto sidestepped, his movements a graceful dance as he kept pace with Feitan's furious attacks. He evaded, dodged, and parried, always a step ahead. Each time Feitan reappeared in his vision, he'd already anticipated where and made his move accordingly.
Phinks, meanwhile, was still trying to get his bearings, his gaze jumping between the two as he tried to keep up. He was caught in the whirlwind of their battle, torn between joining Feitan and watching the battle unfold. But Haruto's words from earlier rang in his head. "Phinks, right!"
Phinks snapped back into the fray, implementing the Rhythm Echo technique once more. His movements became erratic, afterimages filling the space around him.
This time, however, Haruto was prepared. He studied the afterimages, his gaze sharp and focused. "Feitan, duck!" Haruto yelled, making a sweeping kick at Phinks who was closing in.
Caught off guard, Phinks stumbled back, tripping over the still-crouched Feitan. Yet again, they found themselves in a tangled heap on the ground.
Haruto's laughter echoed through the clearing once more. He was truly enjoying this, the thrill of the challenge pumping adrenaline through his veins. He was confident, commanding, unshakeable - just like the king he was destined to be.
From the sidelines, Canary cheered, her heart swelling with admiration for Haruto. "You're amazing, Haruto!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe and respect.
Feitan and Phinks picked themselves up once more, their faces a mixture of frustration and resignation. They were clearly outmatched, but neither was ready to admit defeat just yet. They locked eyes with Haruto, an unspoken promise that they wouldn't give up so easily.
Feitan grunted, flexing his fingers. "You're good, Haruto," he admitted, his tone begrudging. "But you're not unbeatable. We'll see about round three."
Haruto only smirked, his purple eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Bring it on.
Koshiro stood before the quartet, the embers of a sunset glowing behind him. There was Haruto, the budding leader, his tiny form always cloaked in an air of dignified audacity. Beside him stood Feitan, the quiet storm, his menacing aura a stark contrast to his age. There was Phinks, the embodiment of toughness, always ready for action, and Canary, the silent yet sharp observer, whose loyalty to Haruto was unquestionable.
"The Council of Meteor City has a task for you," Koshiro began, his grizzled voice echoed in the sparse training hall. The light in his eyes revealed both challenge and expectation. "The village of Dosu is under the thumb of a tyrant, Kagen. He collects egregious taxes, keeps the people in abject poverty. Your mission...deal with him."
Haruto lifted his chin, eyes flickering with curiosity and ambition. "By 'deal', you mean…"
"Interpret as you will," Koshiro replied, eyes fixed on Haruto. "Consider this your test."
Haruto's lips curled into a slight smirk, a gleam of arrogance in his eyes. "As if there was a need to test."
Feitan's eyes glinted with approval. He rarely spoke much, but his silence often spoke volumes. Phinks cracked his knuckles, his eyes sharing the same fire. Canary watched from the sidelines, a supportive shadow.
oshiro leaned heavily on his gnarled walking stick, peering at them intently as he relayed details of the mission. "Kagen surrounds himself with a small coterie of loyalists, two of whom are Nen users. They're raw, no developed Hatsu abilities to speak of."
At this, Canary, the youngest of the four, tilted her head, a look of uncertainty in her eyes. "What's a Hatsu, Koshiro?"
He offered her a gentle smile, almost grandfatherly. "Ah, Canary. You're so keen to learn. Hatsu is the culmination of one's Nen training, the manifestation of your personal abilities and inclinations. For example, one may use Nen to enhance strength, while another may create illusions."
His gaze then swept across the quartet. "But remember, there are more subtle techniques too. Rhythm Echo, for instance, an assassin's technique that creates afterimages of the body through a varying cadence of steps. Shadow Step is another – moving stealthily by manipulating one's aura. Such skills might serve you well in Dosu."
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