Tomokazu's Father - Great Encounter Battle Arc

The final eight contestants walked out into the new arena. It was only after getting outside did Hiroshi finally heard the crowds cheering and the rumbling of continuous applause. It almost deafened him; it was as loud as a jumbo jet taking off in his ears.

He examined the new arena. It was a large, open area, made fully of concrete. Unlike with the old arena, there were no ropes in this arena, meaning that there was no protection for the fighters. 

Surrounding the arena, four stands were set up, all carrying at least fifteen thousand people each, on each side. It reminded Hiroshi of a football stadium in his old world. Except instead of seating people to watch football, they were seated to see other people kill each other.

So, it was more like the Colosseum.

Alexander walked to the middle of the arena, taking a deep breath, and addressed the crowd confidently in his stride.

“Ladies and gentlemen! I welcome you here today to a very special event! Our very first Non-Competitive Great Encounter Battle Tournament quarter finals will commence now!” Alexander took a pause as he waited for the crowd to cheer and finish clapping. “All eight of these pristine fighters have battled their way through four tough foes to make their way to the top! With just a maximum of three battles left each, who will come out on top?”

“You all know the prize!” Alexander bellowed, continuing to be his charismatic self.

“A whole year of training with the God of Light himself! The man who could take on whole squads by himself. Tsuyoshi Kage!”

The crowd erupted into applause once more. At that moment, a man walked out from the opposite side of the arena from where the eight contestants were standing. He wore silver, shining armor, and had long, straight blonde hair, blowing in the wind. The man looked well built, and had a sword equipped to his belt.

Despite his big stature, standing at over six foot three, he wore a big smile, and waved to the crowd. Hiroshi clenched his fists.

“That’s him. The God of Light,” Hiroshi grumbled to himself, trying not to lose sight of his objective.

“I told you before, Hiroshi. He isn’t a God. I can tell just from his presence,” Kuro-Yami made his statement clear. “He isn’t strong enough. Simple as that. Keep your cool.”

“Thanks, Kuro-Yami,” Hiroshi responded, still not fully trusting his only friends words. How did he know that? From his presence? What did that even mean? Was it something that only people from this world understood?

“Who are you talking to?” Tomokazu jumped in front of Hiroshi’s face, startling him. “Talking to yourself is one of the first form of madness you know?” Hiroshi looked at him, concern washing his face. He hated the fact that Tomokazu was constantly smiling all the time like a psychopath.

“None of your damn business. Go away. I already told you I don’t want to be friends,” Hiroshi responded bluntly, hoping his harsh tone would deter Tomokazu from continuing conversation with him.

It did not work.

“Well, I just wanted to wish you luck! Your fighting style out there was graphic, but also really cool!” Tomokazu put out his hand once more, offering a handshake. “Let’s do our best together!”

Hiroshi once again refused his offer.

“Your kindness is too good to be true. What do you want from me? I suggest you leave me alone…”

“Wait! That kid…he looks…familiar…too damn familiar,” Kuro-Yami studied Tomokazu’s face, trying to remember where he may have seen him before. “Hiroshi? Ask him who his father is for me.”

“Hey, Tomo, right?” Hiroshi’s tone suddenly became sweet and caring. Kuro-Yami was stunned at how quickly Hiroshi could change his personality. Was it from all those years of abuse and constant bottling of his emotions? He couldn’t tell. Hiroshi reluctantly shook Tomokazu’s hand, who gave him a big toothy grin.

“You know, Tomo, your face looks very familiar to me. Have we met before?” Hiroshi asked, hiding a grin. Another thing about himself that he hated. Although he never liked humanity in general, he couldn’t stand the fact that he could lie and manipulate so easily. Tomokazu’s face lightened up even more.

“Oh no, we definitely haven’t, Shinigami! I will never forget a face! You probably recognize me from my father!”

“Your father? I haven’t heard of him. Is he famous?”

“Famous? I like you a lot!” Tomokazu laughed, thinking that Hiroshi was telling him a harmless joke. “My father is the God of Hope, Zetsubo Onuki!”

Hiroshi froze. He realized that Kuro-Yami had completely gone dead silent. Hiroshi smiled to Tomokazu. Perhaps it was a good idea just to play along. Couldn’t allow him to know that he was from another world. Wisteria knowing was bad enough.

“Yes of course! How could I forget. What a wonderful man that has done so much for Lodestown,” Hiroshi lied through his teeth.

“You seem very supportive for a guy who forgot who the God of Hope is,” Tomokazu stated, raising an eyebrow. “Wait…you weren’t joking before? You said you recognized me though…just who are you?”

“And now, for our first round of the quarter finals! Number One, Tomokazu Onuki, a very talented young man with a very famous dad! He will be fighting Number Two, often considered to be the greatest boxer of the modern world, Ali the Boxer!” Alexander announced to the crowd, who responded with an immense roar of excitement.

“Saved by the bell, Shinigami. We need to have a chat after this Tournament is done, don’t we?” Tomokazu said, making his way towards the arena. Hiroshi was almost shocked at his change in attitude. He had lost his smile and become completely cold. More importantly…

“Kuro-Yami…how do you know that man’s father is a God?”

“Even when I was a child, you couldn’t step ten feet without somebody talking about them or seeing them in advertisement. This is it, Hiroshi! That man…he’s our guy if we want the Gods to come down. We beat him, we find the Gods,” Kuro-Yami explained to Hiroshi.

Hiroshi still couldn’t fully trust his only friend. Something seemed very wrong here…