Previously the fight between Kazuki and Faizan concluded with Faizan being the victor, knocking out Kazuki. Now the second is round is about to begin leaving the question on who is going to fight Reiji.
Staring at the three of them like a raging bull, Reiji knows that he can not lose this fight. Not only did Kazuki's lose make it difficult for him to make sure that Nero, Tamia and Faizan do not know about his father, he knows he currently does not stand against the other two remaining unless he does something risky.
With a grin on her face Tamia climbs up the stairs of the arena standing a few meters across Reiji.
Reiji sighs moving his right leg a meter away from his now squated left leg, his hands placed in a guard position and his eyes directly looking at Tamia.
"Come on now." Gesturing her hands for Reiji to come at her anytime.
Reiji still holds his position due to his mind occupying elsewhere.
"Since you seem to be taking your time. Tell me when you lose this sparing or whatever you wanna call it. Are you certain you will tell us about the second strongest person in the Shinwa State."
"Of course not." Nero, Tamia and Faizan's eyebrows lift up as Reiji adds. "Course that ain't happening!"
Tamia looks back and forth from Reiji and his two friends. She grins at the two parties, gesturing once again that Reiji can come anytime.
Reiji inhales and exhale, launching himself like a bolt of lightning and sending Tamia out of the arena who could only block Reiji's fist.
Realizing she just lost and is dumbfounded by this like everyone else looking at her. She meets eyes with Nero and without anyone him saying anything he can tell that Nero is disappointed at her.
She clenches her first fastly walking towards Reiji and her eyes fuming with anger.
"How?" Questioning herself she adds. "How can I lose that easy especially in front of Nero?"
Just as she is walks past Nero she freezes feeling a as if death is right next to him. It's not only her that is feeling that way but everyone looking. This feeling is not from the literal meaning of death but, rather the amount of bloodlust leaking out from Nero.
Reiji's shaking with apprehension, Lia's star struck without a flicker of movement and Kaito's bewildered however, Koruto's expression remains the same.
Faizan telling this might draw attention he taps Nero on the shoulder. Nero also come to this conclusion and his bloodlust fade away. His gaze shifts to the arena where Reiji is still standing on.
"It's my turn now." He says with a sadistic grin.
Hearing those words Lia wakes up from her trance, yelling she quits with her hands above her head.
Reiji turns to her with shock wondering what the hell she just said. Suddenly his eyes begin to notice the world spinning all around him.
Everyone stares at him as he falls down on to the ground. Lia runs up to him, pulling him away from the arena and grabbed Kazuki by his collar.
"Don't worry…we will give the info about the second strongest person in the State. But am curious… why would you need to know this type of info, when it was released to the public last year."
The three of them just quietly look at her.
Seeing she will not get the answer she needs she runs of with the two boy.
***
He sprouts awake as if he just had a bad dream. He notice his inside a room and seeing a scroll that has been registered in his mind for the past month he knowns his inside Kazuki's house.
"Lia his finally awake!" He hears a cheerful tone by his side. He turns slowly and sees a big smile on Kazuki.
"Hi Prince." He turns his eyes to the voice that sounded beside Kazuki. Lia reveals herself wave her hand to Reiji.
Seeing her face everything clicks and without the slightest hesitation Reiji tries to jump on her, though a surge of pain coming from his legs stop him.
"Arg! Arg!" He sits up straight holding his legs as he yells in pain.
"Are you okay?!" Kazuki ask him
"Knew it." Lia says.
"Knew what huh?!" Reiji shouting at her with a frown on his face.
"Wait. Why you angry at her?!" His face full of confusion.
Reiji pause holding his screams and stare straight into Lia's eyes. He turns his eyes to Kazuki explaining to him" Lia straight up forfeited the fight against Nero before it can even start."
Kazuki looks at her trying to confirm what Reiji said is true.
Lia nods saying. "I had my reason."
"To heck with your reason. You just made me to go give those spies information about my father."
"Spies?" She looks at him puzzled.
Now she understands why Nero, Tamia and Faizan did not answer her when she asked them that question. As well as how strong they are for being so young.
"Yea, so what? They will now know about my father's abilities and what not."
"Then don't tell them." Tapping on Reiji's leg.
Reiji begins to laugh for a moment. With him finish laughing he informs Lia that a deal is a deal.
Kazuki and Lia both look at him with no words they can think of to comfort him.
"Reiji, don't just blame Lia!" The two of them direct their eyes to him. "Am also at blame for making that bet with them!"
"You're right Kazuki. But remembering that look in your eyes and what you said I have a feeling that blaming you would be pointless. I just hope you don't do it again in the future."
Kazuki clenches his sword hoping he will not have to do something that might make Reiji hate him.
"Anyways, tell me the reason why you gave Nero that win?" Reiji ask Lia.
"Haha, didn't you tell me to heck with my reason." Holding her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.
Reiji holds his legs tightly wishing right he could move them and punch Lia. Notice his frustration Lia stop as she says.
"Were you really that desperate to beat Tamia?" Without him saying anything she can already tell the answer she adds, "Now look at yourself- you won't be able to stand up for a few days if not more."
"What do you mean?!" Kazuki ask.
"Well when Reiji used that move of his (by the way requires Sei to pull of) he tore his muscles in his leg's."
"Is that a bad thing?!"
"Not just bad… it can be worse."
***
Sitting upright on his chair with a look as if his seen a ghost. Kaito continues to stare down on a page that has a profile of a boy named Iguchi Hein.
His mind can not wrap around th idea of how this Iguchi Hein looks different a month ago than how he looks now. Not even that, their features do not match at all.
"Hey before you go anywhere please come here." Calling Tanaka who just entered the room.
Tanaka walks up to his table asking him what he wants with him.
"How could you allow this to happen?" Pointing to the profile of Iguchi.
"Meaning?"
"Wow, acting like you don't know. Well am talking about how you let someone use the identify of another to enter the academy."
"How about you tell me the person who used that kids name to enter the academy."
Kaito glances at him for a while.
"Well, am talking about Nero."
"Oh him. Sorry we didn't tell you, but Master Ryūkishi approved of him and his friends. And before you ask why, he didn't tell us."
Kaito clicks his tongue knowing if Master Ryūkishi is involved they will be no point to disapprove about it except come to terms with the decision.
Tanaka has known Kaito for a long time and he can predict what question he might ask him next.
"The original Iguchi Hein and his friends died. We found their dead body's inside the Forest of Truth." Tanaka says walking away.
Kaito swings on his chair, curse Master Ryūkishi for allow Nero, Tamia and Faizan to roam around the Shinwa State freely. Without any explanation.
From a young age he was taught that spies are a common thing in ninja work and they can range from any age. Using this logic he can not help but be wary of Nero, Tamia and Faizan. Seeing their methods of how they go in the academy.
Worst part he can not go to Master Ryūkishi straight and confront him as if he questions him about this problem he might say he is rebelling against him. One way or the other he just has to find out the true identity of Nero, Tamia and Faizan by himself.
***
What a nice breeze he thinks. Remembering the words of his former partner he stretches his arms and looks up to the sky.
He drops his head, catching sight of Koruto indifferent demeanour.
"Wow, ain't you good at concealing your Sei in daylight. Can't believe an Rank 3 like me couldn't sense you coming."
"The fact that you saw me before getting close to you shows how skilled you are. Just to cut to the chase- am here for a proposal."
Kaito chuckles adding, " Wow, a proposal? What might that be?"
"I heard that you will be the one setting the bracket for the academy tournament. So I ask you to make it possible for me to fight Nero at the final."
Kaito is dumbstruck for a few seconds. Asking himself how did Koruto get that information and from where?
"Ok, if I do that what will I get?" Kaito ask.
"The true identity about the spies that have infiltrated our State."
TBC.
NEXT CHAPTER: PRELUDE 11