The Cunning Bandits.

Crap, we fell for their trap. Taking me out would be much easier with Jiraiya out of the picture.

"Just so you know I am no weakling, Demon lord," I confidently declare with a smirk.

"You sure? Better watch your back hero of justice!" Joe retorted.

I look behind me only to see the huge bloodborne bull charging at me.

It's now or never. Come! Fire dragon.

I transform into my scaley self with sharp talons.

"I am no hero of justice! I am your friendly neighborhood pretty boy!" I exclaim while pulling out my sword.

BOOM!

My flame engulfed slash sent out a huge wave of fire which caused a gigantic explosion. The bull was completely obliterated, it was wiped out as if it never existed.

"So, who's next. Come at me cowards!" I declare.

"Eek!" Joe said while being scared to death.

The scales on my body disappeared. I started to fumble.

Shit, my power is fading away, I guess doing an overkill on a bull that uses up all your stamina isn't the best idea.

"O-oh h-how the g-great hero has fallen. Phew, get him guys," Joe stutters with a scared smirk on his face.

It's ok I still got my sword.

I look over to my sword.

Ah, I am screwed. the sword is completely melted.

One of the bandits dashed towards me and threw a punch. I block it, another bandit rushes from behind him and swings his sword aiming for my leg, I leap over it.

"Got you!" Said Joe.

Joe's face had feathers reminiscent of an eagle, his eyes looked different. Joe pulls back his bow and shoots.

Clank

My body falls over on the ground.

"Well, that was super easy," Said Joe.

"Oi, that was dangerous. Watch where you aim," I get up while holding the arrow between my teeth.

Holy shit, that was way too close. I am never doing that again.

"Come at me bandits, but one by one. I don't wanna get hurt,"

The bandits actually start attacking me one by one, and I kept parrying them.

"You are not supposed to listen to your enemies," I exclaim while knocking out one of the bandits with a punch.

"Tch, you are a tough one I'll give you that," said Joe nervously, "but will you be able to dodge this."

Joe pulls back his bow once more, but this time he turns over to the kids and shoots.

That bastard.

I rush over to shield them. The arrow connects and has impaled my thigh.

I won't be able to move, I have to somehow hold out till Jiraiya comes back.

"Finally, finish him off,"

The bandits start an onslaught of attacks. I parried as many as I could, but it wasn't enough I was taking a lot of damage and could feel my strength fading.

"Disgusting, still bent on being a hero of justice," Joe exclaims.

"Hero of justice? Who gives a shit about that. If I am not able to protect a kid in front of me, I will feel miserable. That's right! I am doing this for myself. I am so selfish that I will save these three kids and feel good about it,"

"Heh, I see, so you have chosen to feel miserable!" Joe pulls back his bow," also if you think that your friend will come back to help you, sorry to burst your bubble but that creepy vixen has never lost a fight,"