The thunderous applause continues rolling across the Kyobi Battlegrounds.
Far below—
Kazutora and Reiha stand before one another one final time.
Both warriors are exhausted.
Bruised.
Breathing heavily.
Yet neither looks disappointed.
---
Slowly—
They bow.
Deeply.
Respectfully.
---
Warrior to warrior.
---
The crowd answers with another wave of cheers.
Not for victory.
Not for defeat.
But for the battle they witnessed.
---
Kazutora straightens first.
Reiha follows.
A small smile appears on her face.
---
Reiha:
"Looks like I still have a long way to go."
---
Kazutora chuckles softly.
---
Kazutora:
"We both do."
---
For a brief moment—
Neither is a competitor.
Only a fellow warrior.
---
Then—
They turn.
Walking toward opposite Fighter Access Gates beneath drifting foxfire embers.
---
The crowd applauds as they disappear from the arena.
---
High above—
The group remains focused on the battleground below.
---
Yukito lets out a long whistle.
---
Yukito:
"Okay."
"That was a REALLY good battle."
---
Miko immediately nods.
---
Miko:
"Reiha was amazing!"
"I thought she was going to win several times!"
---
Mizuki:
"Same."
"Every time she healed herself, it felt like she was getting back into the fight."
---
Shiori smiles softly.
---
Shiori:
"That's what makes Iyashiro warriors difficult opponents."
"They force you to defeat them more than once."
---
Kaito folds his arms proudly.
His eyes remain on the arena.
---
Kaito:
"And Kazutora adapted."
"That's why he won."
---
Yukito grins.
---
Yukito:
"You're definitely related to him."
---
Kaito smirks.
---
Kaito:
"What does that mean?"
---
Yukito:
"You both get that look."
---
Miko:
"The serious one?"
---
Yukito:
"No."
"The 'I'm-about-to-do-something-cool' look."
---
Miko bursts into laughter.
---
Even Mizuki giggles.
---
Kaito:
"I do not have that look."
---
Jack:
"You absolutely do."
---
The group immediately laughs harder.
---
Kaito points accusingly.
---
Kaito:
"Not you too."
---
For a moment—
The tension of battle completely disappears.
---
The atmosphere feels lighter again.
---
Below—
Arena workers continue restoring damaged sections of the battleground.
Ancient inscriptions glow beneath the stone.
Cracks slowly seal.
Broken terrain returns to normal.
As if the battle had never happened.
---
Jack quietly watches.
---
His eyes trace the restored arena floor.
The repaired stone.
The fading foxfire.
---
Then he speaks.
---
Jack:
"The interesting part wasn't the Kitsune Arts."
---
The group looks toward him.
---
Miko:
"Huh?"
---
Jack keeps watching the battleground.
---
Jack:
"Kazutora won before the final clash."
---
Yukito blinks.
---
Yukito:
"What do you mean?"
---
Jack:
"He kept forcing Reiha to heal."
"Again."
"And again."
"And again."
---
Shiori's eyes brighten slightly.
---
Shiori:
"You noticed."
---
Jack nods.
---
Jack:
"Every healing technique restored damage."
"But it also consumed energy."
---
Mizuki slowly understands.
---
Mizuki:
"So by the end..."
---
Jack:
"She had fewer options left."
---
Kaito grins.
---
Kaito:
"And that's why Kazutora kept attacking."
"Not recklessly."
"Relentlessly."
---
Yukito places both hands behind his head.
---
Yukito:
"Battles are way more complicated than they look."
---
Shiori:
"That's exactly why the Kyobi Battlegrounds exist."
---
The mountain wind passes through the terraces.
Foxfire drifts lazily through the air.
---
Below—
The arena stands ready once more.
Pristine.
Ancient.
Waiting.
---
Around them—
Thousands of spectators continue discussing the battles.
Sharing predictions.
Arguing over techniques.
Cheering for their favorite warriors.
---
The mountain wind sweeps gently across the audience terraces.
The Sixth Battle has ended.
For the first time in a while—
The atmosphere relaxes.
Not completely.
The anticipation for the next battle still lingers.
But now—
The Kyobi Battlegrounds feel alive in a different way.
---
Far across the massive terraces—
Vendors begin weaving through the crowd once more.
Large wooden trays hang from shoulder straps.
Small carts roll between audience pathways.
The scents of sweet dango, roasted foxnuts, honey-glazed rice cakes, mountain tea, grilled spirit berries, and countless festival snacks drift through the air.
---
Children immediately begin chasing after some of the vendors.
Excited voices spread everywhere.
---
"Sweet Dango!"
"Fresh Foxnuts!"
"Spirit Berry Tea!"
"Kyobi Cakes!"
---
High above—
Yukito's ears suddenly twitch.
---
His eyes widen.
---
Then—
His entire body freezes.
---
Jack notices immediately.
---
Jack:
"...Uh oh."
---
Kaito:
"That look again."
---
Miko:
"Oh no."
---
Shiori:
"I know exactly what he's looking at."
---
Mizuki giggles.
---
Yukito slowly rises.
---
Dramatically.
---
Like a legendary warrior sensing destiny itself.
---
A single beam of sunlight seems to hit him.
---
His eyes begin glowing.
---
In the distance—
A vendor lady carrying trays of festival sweets approaches their section.
---
Yukito slowly points.
---
Yukito:
"...There."
---
Everyone follows his finger.
---
The vendor blinks.
Confused.
---
Yukito places a hand over his heart.
---
Yukito:
"Lady of Snacks..."
---
A dramatic pause.
---
Yukito:
"PLEASE COME THIS WAY!"
---
The entire group immediately facepalms.
---
Kaito:
"He's summoning food now."
---
Miko:
"His true Kitsune Art."
---
Jack:
"Snack Attraction Technique."
---
Mizuki laughs.
---
Even Shiori shakes her head.
---
Shiori:
"Some things never change."
---
The vendor lady finally reaches them.
Trying very hard not to laugh.
---
Vendor Lady:
"And what would the young master like today?"
---
Yukito immediately points at everything.
---
Yukito:
"Yes."
---
Silence.
---
Vendor Lady:
"...Everything?"
---
Yukito:
"Everything."
---
The group bursts into laughter.
---
Several minutes later—
Everyone has somehow ended up buying something.
---
Miko holds a small bag of honey-glazed foxnuts.
Her eyes sparkle.
---
Miko:
"These are amazing!"
---
Crunch.
---
Miko:
"Definitely buying more later."
---
Beside her—
Kaito carries a skewer of roasted spirit berries.
---
Kaito:
"Not bad."
---
He takes another bite.
---
Kaito:
"Actually... really good."
---
Jack buys a warm cup of mountain foxberry tea.
---
Simple.
---
Quiet.
---
Exactly his style.
---
Jack:
"This is surprisingly relaxing."
---
Shiori carries a small box of sweet rice cakes.
---
Elegant.
---
Neat.
---
Predictable.
---
Yukito points immediately.
---
Yukito:
"Big Sister energy."
---
Shiori:
"And you're carrying enough food for an army."
---
Yukito looks down.
---
He is indeed holding multiple bags.
---
Dango.
Rice cakes.
Sweet buns.
Festival candy.
Foxnuts.
And somehow another tray of Moonfire Dango.
---
Yukito:
"Preparation is important."
---
Jack:
"For what?"
---
Yukito:
"Future hunger."
---
Kaito:
"That's not a thing."
---
Yukito:
"It absolutely is."
---
The group laughs again.
---
Beside them—
Mizuki quietly holds a small paper pouch of candied spirit berries.
---
She watches everyone.
---
The laughter.
The teasing.
The festival.
---
And for a brief moment—
A gentle smile appears on her face.
---
This feels nice.
---
Normal.
---
Peaceful.
---
Around them—
Thousands of spectators continue enjoying the festival atmosphere between battles.
Foxfire drifts through the air.
The mountain wind carries distant conversations.
The sacred battleground waits below.
---
And somewhere beyond the terraces—
The ceremonial drums begin preparing once again.
Very faint.
Very distant.
---
A reminder.
---
Another battle is approaching.
---
But for now—
The group simply enjoys the moment together beneath the sacred skies of Mount Kyobi.
The peaceful atmosphere across the audience terraces slowly begins to change.
Conversations fade.
Laughter quiets.
Even the roaming vendors begin moving toward the outer pathways.
Because everyone knows what comes next.
---
Far below—
The sacred battleground stands restored once more.
Ancient stone gleams beneath the foxfire glow.
Not a single crack remains from the previous battle.
As if Mount Kyobi itself refuses to let old battles linger.
Only new ones.
---
Then—
A single ceremonial drum echoes across the mountain.
BOOOOOOOOM
---
The crowd immediately responds.
Thousands of heads turn toward the central platform.
---
A second drum follows.
BOOOOOOOOM
---
Then another.
BOOOOOOOOM
---
The sacred battle bell begins to sway gently.
Foxfire braziers ignite brighter.
Blue flames dance along the arena's perimeter.
---
High above—
Yukito immediately swallows the last piece of his snack.
---
Yukito:
"Oh."
"It's starting."
---
Miko quickly places her foxnuts aside.
---
Miko:
"Already?"
---
Kaito:
"That's battle number seven."
---
Jack:
"The festival's moving faster than I expected."
---
Shiori nods.
---
Shiori:
"That's how the early rounds work."
"Many warriors."
"Many stories."
"Only a few continue forward."
---
Below—
Elder Renkai steps onto the ceremonial platform once more.
The foxfire at the tip of his staff burns brightly.
His presence alone gradually silences the entire battleground.
---
The mountain wind slows.
---
The audience waits.
---
Then—
His voice echoes throughout the colossal arena.
---
Elder Renkai:
"Warriors of Kyobi."
---
The crowd listens.
---
Elder Renkai:
"The Seventh Battle shall now commence."
---
BOOOOOOOOM
BOOOOOOOOM
BOOOOOOOOM
---
The ceremonial drums thunder louder than before.
Excitement immediately spreads through the audience.
---
Elder Renkai:
"From Kagetsu Village..."
---
The eastern Fighter Access Gate begins opening.
---
GRRRRRRRRNNNND
---
Ancient stone slides aside.
Foxfire spills from the entrance.
---
A lone warrior emerges.
---
Measured footsteps.
Calm posture.
Unshaken eyes.
---
His dark robes carry silver flame patterns unique to Kagetsu Village.
At his waist rests a single curved sword.
Simple.
Elegant.
Deadly.
---
The audience murmurs immediately.
---
"Kagetsu Village..."
"Their sword styles are beautiful."
"And dangerous."
---
Elder Renkai:
"Tokisada Kagetsu."
---
Cheers erupt throughout sections of the battleground.
---
Tokisada continues forward calmly.
Not acknowledging the crowd.
Not seeking attention.
Only focused on the arena ahead.
---
Meanwhile—
The western gate slowly opens.
---
GRRRRRRNNNND
---
Foxfire drifts across the entrance.
---
Another warrior emerges.
---
Lighter armor.
Sharp eyes.
Confident stride.
---
Several metallic charms hang from his belt, softly chiming as he walks.
A long foxfire staff rests across his shoulders.
---
The audience immediately recognizes the name before it is spoken.
---
"Fushin Village!"
"They're known for strange techniques!"
"This should be interesting!"
---
Elder Renkai's voice echoes once more.
---
Elder Renkai:
"Kisaragi Fushin."
---
A louder wave of cheers follows.
---
High above—
Miko leans forward excitedly.
---
Miko:
"A swordsman versus a staff user?"
---
Yukito:
"Now that's a matchup."
---
Kaito:
"Could go either way."
---
Jack remains silent.
Watching.
Studying.
---
Far below—
Tokisada and Kisaragi approach the center of the battleground.
---
Step.
---
Step.
---
Step.
---
The entire arena grows quiet.
---
The mountain wind passes softly between them.
---
Foxfire embers drift through the air.
---
Neither warrior speaks.
---
Neither smiles.
---
Only respect exists in this moment.
---
They stop.
---
Facing one another.
---
Then—
Without hesitation—
Both lower their weapons.
---
And bow.
---
Deeply.
Respectfully.
---
To one another.
To the battleground.
To Mount Kyobi.
To the countless warriors who stood here before them.
---
The crowd answers with respectful applause.
---
Slowly—
Both warriors straighten.
---
Tokisada's hand rests lightly upon his sword hilt.
---
Kisaragi spins his staff once before lowering into stance.
---
The atmosphere immediately tightens.
---
Foxfire braziers flare higher.
---
The ceremonial drums fall silent.
---
Only Elder Renkai's voice remains.
---
He raises his staff.
---
The sacred battle bell begins to move.
---
GONNNNNNNNNNNG
---
Its ancient sound rolls across Mount Kyobi.
---
Then—
Elder Renkai strikes the platform.
---
THUD
---
Elder Renkai:
"The Seventh Battle..."
---
A pause.
---
The entire battleground holds its breath.
---
Elder Renkai:
"BEGIN."
- To Be Continued