Chapter 33: The Search For Eight!

(As Okisaki and Xiazress left the school's campus, they made it back to Sawano's dojo and thought of Ideas on who to recruit the next day.)
"Xiazress: Alright, the official rules of this tournament states: "There must be a present and accurate count of TEN competitors. Anyone with a ranking higher than God and/or Deity will not compete due to their overpowered nature. However, this tournament will begin in approximately two months from now. All elemental division rankings from star sixteen or higher (including twenty) can participate in the ten member team. Knowing our recent issues with both Tayna, Goddess of The Dead and the Anti-Gods, most of our fighters in Japan has been called out as injured, severely wounded and as some even quit their fighter jobs and some manages to retire. With that being stated, we once again require stars sixteen and higher to compete. If there is any questions or concerns, please contact the Elemental Federal Officials."
"Okisaki: So with Sawano gone and almost all of Japan's fighters out of action, we've signed ourselves up which means we need eight more people to join us. But who exactly would be willing to join..?"
"Xiazress: We got to think... I got an Idea."
"Okisaki: Huh?"
"Xiazress: Sawano made a lot of friends during his fighting career. Why don't we start with the Disciplinary Committee from Saikan Academy?"
"Okisaki: Hm.. Could be possible-"
(She gasped and remembered someone.)
"WAIT! I KNOW WHO!"
(Alesander later on yawned after waking up from his nap, holding Kazuya as he was sleeping.)
"Alesander: You guys back..?"
"Xiazress: Yeah. You can head home dad, I'll take Kazuya with me."
"Alesander: Oh, that's cool..! If you need me, I'll be back at the mansion."
"Xiazress: Thanks a bunch dad."
(The three of them left the dojo and separated. A while later, they stopped at the student counsel's office in the academy then opens the door.)
"Okisaki: Hey!"
"Oshikida: Okisaki!!"
(They'd hug one another with happiness.)

"Okisaki: Its been a long time! How's the student counsel business?"
"Oshikida: Its been great actually! I heard about everything that's happened in Tokyo. Things are looking bad for our fighters."
"Okisaki: I'm sure you heard about Sawano right..?"
"Oshikida: Yeah. To be honest, when I was recruited for the student counsel, I was so busy I barely had the time to help you guys."
"Xiazress: Its not your fault Oshikida, we did our best to stop them. Unfortunately, Sawano's a whole lot different than before.."
"Oshikida: What do you mean?"
"Okisaki: His poison is returning..."
(She gasped and sat down on the chair with fear.)
"Oshikida: Does this mean he's going to.."
"Xiazress: Don't think that way! He'll survive this time, I know it!"
"Okisaki: She's right!"
"Oshikida: Y-yeah..! You both are right.. Anyway, you guys came here for something?"
"Xiazress: Right! We was hoping to recruit you for the tournament!"
"Oshikida: Wait, that Intercontinental Elemental Tournament we was announced? I don't know.. I might be a steam elemental, but I'm just considered a fifteenth star fighter and I'm kind of rusty really... so I might just hold on to your offer."
"Okisaki: Really? It does begin in two months."
"Oshikida: Yeah, I know that and honestly.. I gave up on fighting after a few months ago."
"Xiazress: Aw, really?"
"Oshikida: Yeah..."
(Kazuya began to wake up and looked around.)
"Okisaki: Aww, good morning Kazuya!"
(He spoke in gibberish and smiled.)
"Oshikida: Aw! Who's child?"
"Xiazress: Me and Sawano's! We recently was engaged!"
(She gasped then dropped her pen in shock and said nothing else except stared blankly into the air which had the both of them a bit worried.)

"Okisaki: Uh.. Oshikida..?"
"Oshikida: Uh.. Sawano is.. engaged... to you..?"
"Xiazress: Yeah...?"
(Oshikida got up and looked at the table.)
"Oshikida: I need some air."
(She left the room without saying anything which had Okisaki and Xiazress at an end.)
"Xiazress: So what now?"
"Okisaki: She'll let us know if she wants to join."
(A while later, they began to leave and asked most of the fighters from star sixteen and higher. A while later, they stopped at the nearby coffee shop across the street from the hospital and ordered the same espresso with light cream as they figured to recruit still.)
"Xiazress: Well... what about Faiz..?"
"Okisaki: He's currently helping the injured fighters. He'd be too busy and his healing is a big help to the wounded."
(She drank her espresso until a hooded man sat at a booth behind Xiazress.)
"???: Hey. I overheard that you guys are looking for a team. What's this for? International Elemental Tournament?"
"Okisaki: Uh.. Y-Yeah..? How do you know?"
"???: Ehh, ears can hear everything if you know where to go."
"Xiazress: Well really, who are you?"
"Noah: Ah alright. My name's Noah. Just Noah."
"Okisaki: Do you have a last name?"
"Noah: I uhh... rather wish to not talk about it."
"Okisaki: Oh, sorry!"
"Noah: Nah, its ok."
"Xiazress: How do we know we can trust you?"
"Noah: Because, I'm known as the lowest of the low in seventeenth star rankings."
"Okisaki: Wait, you're THE Noah?!"
"Noah: Unfortunately yes..."
(They both drunk their espressos as they got to know Noah more.)

"Xiazress: So you're a good fighter?"
"Noah: You doubt me?"
"Okisaki: Prove it!"
"Noah: Alright. There's a mob of monsters not far from here, I'll prove it to you guys there."
"Both: Sounds good!"
(A while later in an empty warehouse, the monsters began to surround Noah then stood there and did nothing as Xiazress and Okisaki watched him.)
"Okisaki: So.. is he just going to stand there or.."
(One of the monsters began to charge at him then he'd quick draw his sword and vanished without creating a sound but slashed the beast in two which scared the other monsters to attack him. Noah continued to stand there until the air around them suddenly went from warm to freezing cold and generated gauntlets made from solid ice then started bashing them one by one which had Xiazress and Okisaki impressed so far but feeling chilly.)
"Xiazress: It got really chilly..!"
(Okisaki started heating themselves up with her flames while Noah continued to attack the monsters then switched his gauntlets to ice blades and diced up a row of monsters and decapitated the last one until rumbling was heard which came out a three-eyed giant.)
"Giant: You! You dare step into my base and assault my monsters? You'll die!"
"Noah: I'm not into the roleplay stuff but.."
(He faced the giant and had a mocking change of voice.)
"You shall try your best as I Noah, shall vanquish you! Then make you suffer in a frozen block of ice for eternity..!"
(The giant roared and ran towards Noah as he did the same then jumped up the giant's arm then gripped it tightly and flipped him over his shoulder which rattled the entire warehouse. Xiazress and Okisaki was very surprised but then Noah walked to the giant and touched its arm with just his fingertip and calmly said:)
"Stiffen."
(A loud shing was heard as the whole temperature of the warehouse goes to artic cold instantly which had Xiazress and Okisaki take cover from the incoming debris. After the debris cleared, Noah snapped his fingers which revealed the giant trapped in a massive block of ice.)
"Xiazress: This is..."
"Noah: Well...? Do you still doubt me?"
"Okisaki: Nope..! This is enough proof, alright. You're in, Noah!"
"Noah: Alright!"
(A while later, Xiazress and Okisaki went back to the dojo with Noah and added him to the team.)

"Whoa.. so this is Sawano's dojo?"
"Okisaki: Yup! Or as he'd like to call it sometimes, The Unholy Inferno Temple."
"Noah: Nice..."
(Kazuya was sleeping in his crib as the three of them decided on who to recruit next.)
"Okisaki: I just have one question, why the hoodie Noah?"
"Noah: Oh! I uh... uh..."
(He'd say nothing as he's deeply embarrassed.)
"I.. just don't wanna show my face..."
"Okisaki: I get that, don't worry."
"Xiazress: Now who to recruit next...?"
"Noah: I think I could give you guys a hand with recruiting."
"Okisaki: Really?"
"Noah: Yeah, I know a few people and where they are."
(He'd pull out a list of fighters who can and can't compete.)
"Ok, so we know that most of the fighters cannot fight. Faiz and Jogeta are currently unavailable to talk to since they have business on their own. Nightwave is taking time off to care for everyone in his ninja village. Ethereal went back to her dimension for a family event. Angel went out on a date with Ash so it would be rude to disturb her and we can't find Vanguard Wind."
"???: Maybe I could lend a hand."
(The three of them heard the voice and looked around quickly and notices Velriot sitting on Sawano's bed in the other room which Xiazress quickly ran in there but she disappeared then she appeared on the sofa.)
"Okisaki: Velriot..? WAIT.. I REMEMBER YOU..!"
"Velriot: Yeah, I'm still alive. And I heard about said tournament?"
"Noah: Who is she..?"
"Xiazress: That's Velriot. She was one of the head executives of The Order of Encursed Elements. Sawano and the rest of us took them down years ago but by sheer luck... she's alive."
"Noah: Ohhh!"
"Velriot: Actually, I can't die."
"Okisaki: Huh?"
(Velriot explained to everyone her backstory.)

"Xiazress: Wow... so that explains it.."
"Okisaki: All this time, through so much hell you're still living..?"
(Noah sheds a few tears after hearing the story.)
"Noah: I'm.. not crying..! My.. eyes are sweaty!"
"Velriot: Anyway, count me in as your third girl. I'll help you guys in this tournament."
"Okisaki: We appreciate it..!"
"Velriot: I'm glad to hear it. So..! How many members do we need now?"
"Xiazress: Uh.. So we have you, me, Okisaki and Noah which means we need six more members."
"Noah: How about we go around Hakodate then ask the available fighters? We all take a part of the list. If we find someone for the team, we contact one another."
"Okisaki: Sounds good to me."
"Velriot: I'm cool with that."
"Xiazress: Not a bad plan."
"Noah: Alright. We meet back here with our recruits."
(They all separated with four different parts of the list and went to different sides of Hakodate. Meanwhile for Sawano in Tokyo, he was meditating in his hospital room until a knock was heard on his door.)
"Sawano: Come in."
(The door opened and came Russian president Suvorkin Andreevich walking towards him.)
"Uh.. Suvorkin Andreevich? If I'm correct... Anyway, can I help you?"
"Suvorkin: Sawano Magachi, I wish to ask you some questions. There are some things that troubles me so."
(He sat up and gave her his attention.)
"Sawano: Alright, fire away."
(She sat down on a chair and focused on him.)
"Suvorkin: Your father, Kirby Magachi. Are you familiar of his father, Takeshido Magachi or in another way to say, your grandfather?"
"Sawano: Yes. He sacrificed his life to save this world before I was born."
"Suvorkin: I see.. you're not familiar with the truth."
"Sawano: Truth..? What are you talking about...?"
"Suvorkin: The actual truth of your existence and why your Anti-God power remains alive today. We at Russia has experimented you for a while and we've found out your previous life."
"Sawano: What..? What is my-"
(The doctor came in to check on Sawano which paused their conversation.)

"Doctor: Miss Andreevich, I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you. I'm here to check up on Sawano's condition."
"Suvorkin: No. Its fine, I was about to leave myself. Sawano, we continue conversation later."
(She began to leave and grabbed her heavy coat before leaving the room and closed the door behind her. The doctor began checking Sawano's body for any more negative side effects.)
"Doctor: Alright, Sawano. I have an update on your condition."
"Sawano: I'm listening."
"Doctor: Unfortunately, something is clogging up your veins but is flowing with darkness. We've sampled your blood and figured out its an unknown poison. You won't be able to infect anybody but for safety, we ask you to wear your mask and keep this with you."
(He'd give him a patch which is taped to his shoulder.)
"Sawano: What's this?"
"Doctor: This patch will check your power level and your health. If your power level goes above seventeen billion, it means you're in the red zone so be aware that you must keep your power level low at all times to avoid further consequences! If your mental health becomes far too unstable, it'll increase your anxiety which will increase the power levels and cause uncontrollable problems so be cautious!"
"Sawano: Understood."
"Doctor: Very well then, I will be releasing you from the hospital today. Just take it easy and if things are turning wrongly, come back as soon as possible."
"Sawano: Right."
(A while later, Sawano left the hospital and tightened his jacket and walked in the cold then waited outside for an escort which was ordered for him. While he was waiting, two familiar faces walked up to him outside the hospital.)
"Onara: Sawano?"
"Sawano: Hm?"
(He looked up to see Onara and Swift Eye in Tokyo.)

"Hey!"
"Swift Eye: Sawano, what you're doing out here?"
"Sawano: I uh.. had a little accident. I may have had a stroke-like problem."
"Onara: So that's what happened!"
"Sawano: Its pretty funny to see you guys down here, how come you guys left Hakodate and Onara, didn't you dislike me before?"
(She was embarrassed quickly.)
"Onara: OH! UH... Y-YO-YOU.. K-KNEW..?"
"Sawano: I know the face of disgust when I see it, normally it doesn't bother me so I don't mind it at all."
"Onara: Oh.. well... dislike is a strong word..."
"Swift Eye: She was just jealous of your power!"
"Onara: Uh..! N-No I wasn't..!"
"Sawano: Onara, its fine. I'm just waiting for an escort."
"Swift Eye: Escort?"
"Sawano: You guys heard about the Intercontinental Elemental Tournament?"
"Onara: Oh that tournament! Yeah, I wanted to attend. Is it possible to sign up yet?"
"Sawano: Maybe, I could give them a call."
(A horn was heard as the limousine arrived to pick him up.)
"Chauffeur: Mister Sawano! The prime minister called, he's paying for everything at the hotel for Japan's team and the rest of the fighters! Want to take a look?"
"Sawano: Sure! What do you say, you guys wanna come?"
"Swift Eye: Of course!"
"Onara: Sure, why not?"
(The three of them got in the limousine and later on was dropped off at the five-star hotel.)
"Both: Whoa..!"
(Sawano left a tip as the chauffeur took his break and the three of them went inside the hotel and met the prime minister inside.)
"Baisho: Sawano! Who're these two?"
"Sawano: Oh! This is Swift Eye, she's a former assassin and this is Onara Shiori. One of the official fighters from the elemental divisions."
"Baisho: Oh! Of course, you two are strong fighters and if I'm not mistaken, you two fought in separate matches in the Elemental Warzone!"
"Swift Eye: Its an honor to meet you mister prime minister!"
"Onara: S-Same here!"
"Baisho: No need for the business names! I don't mind what you call me."
(Sawano looked around and saw a private room which had a seal.)

"Sawano: Hey Baisho, what's this?"
(The other country leaders nodded and walked towards the seal.)
"Baisho: Sawano, behind this door exists a prophecy."
"Sawano: Prophecy?"
"Madeline: A prophecy that is certain to bring death to everything in the cosmos. Annie?"
(Annie opens the seal by unlocking it with her sealing element then the door opens to a dark room, as everyone even Onara and Swift Eye followed and torches was lit to the massive light shining on the prophecy which brought Sawano, Onara and Swift Eye to a halt in surprise.)
"Baisho: Here we are. The Prophecy of The Inferno."
"Sawano: How does it go..?"
"Baisho: Well. The prophecy shows your family's dojo where someone powerful shall arise in the near future, a few years later comes you defeating The Order of Encursed Elements. Then there's you going through very painful surgery to stay alive after the battle. Next comes the arrival of The Anti-Gods, six executives from The Anti-Realm. You've died from their hands and was resurrected as an Emperor of Inferno."
(The others was still listening in but was at a loss for words, same for Sawano.)
"I see you find this interesting..?"
"Hayden: Well, we never managed to crack this on our own."
"Preston: Even I couldn't figure this out!"
"Annie: Hm... tis very interesting though.. (Thinking): Wait.. if this guy.. is THE one that managed to do all of this..."
"Baisho: I'm glad you guys do."
(He'd clear his throat and continued to tell the prophecy.)
"Here is the troublesome parts, "After defeated Tayna, Goddess of The Dead and the Anti-Gods, it was said that someone or something with terrifying godlike power is making their way towards a specific place in this world. Sawano, your strength and firepower is what can stop this threat and not just for Japan. This time, the WHOLE cosmos is on the line."
(He'd stand there and say nothing else then clenched his fist.)

"Sawano: If I'm going to save the cosmos, I'll do it. We all made this a new world and I'll be damned if I'm leaving it destroyed!"
"Onara: Wait! Sawano, you can't do that alone! Besides, its godlike power! You was reborn as an Emperor of Inferno and you're possibly gonna fight a GOD!"
"Sawano: I know. But, I'm done relaying on friends to help me with my battles. If this godlike someone is who I think it is, no one else can escape him but me. Besides, I've killed Gods."
(Meanwhile in Hell through a floating bone-made screen, Hades saw everything.)
"Hades: Well well.. you've managed to survive a little part of your soul being eaten Sawano AND you're a clever little tool. How charmingly foolish, what he doesn't know is soon I shall have my revenge. Hear me Zeus... with my powerful tool, I'll reign Olympus and kill you all one by one!"
(A while later, Baisho and the country leaders was given their own floors as Sawano, Swift Eye and Onara looked around the rooms.)
"Sawano: You guys can stay here, I got to head back to Hakodate soon and let everyone know what's going on."
"Onara: That's fine! Oh wait, I want to join the team so take me with you!"
"Swift Eye: I'll be moral support!"
"Sawano: Heh. Alright, that's fine with me. Come on Onara, the plane arrives soon."
(A while later after getting their tickets, they both caught the plane back to Hakodate and Sawano looked outside the window once again and pondered about the others.)
"Onara: Sawano? What's wrong?"
"Sawano: Well.. its nothing except, me and Gaito kind of had an argument.."
"Onara: What happened?"
"Sawano: I don't really know. But from what I was told, Gaito couldn't handle the "truth" whatever that meant."
"Onara: I see. Well, you two will get along again. I know it!"
"Sawano: We'll see. For now, we'll have to focus on Japan winning this tournament and since you wanted to be a member for the team, I'm assuming they went looking for recruits."
"Onara: I'm more than ready to fight, I've even gotten stronger!"
(He smiled at her and patted her head.)
"Sawano: We'll see."
(An hour later, the plane landed and walked outside the airport where then Sawano teleported himself and Onara to his dojo. The door slid open and it was empty.)

"Hello! Anyone here? I'm back from Tokyo!"
"Onara: Maybe they left to go recruiting."
"Sawano: I guess they did. Well, I guess we're waiting here until they come back."
"Onara: Oh.. So... we're alone then..? Just the two of us..?"
"Sawano: Yeah why?"
"Onara(Thinking): NO! THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR THAT! BESIDES, HE'S ENGAGED AND TAKEN, I CANNOT CROSS SUCH A LINE!"
"Sawano: You ok?"
(She blushed in embarrassment and hid her face.)
"Onara: YOU KNOW WHAT! I THINK I NEED SOME FRESH AIR!"
(The door was slid shut as Sawano sat there curious about what happened then Onara sat on the top of the stairs and still hid her face in embarrassment.)
"I can't.. believe I.. s-said that.. better yet I can't believe I was... THINKING THAT..! Sawano is engaged... I can't do that to s-someone who I've gained so much trust with-"
(Xiazress appeared in front of her with a look of concern.)
"Xiazress: Onara? Are you ok?"
(Onara screamed in surprise then quickly got up, flustered and a bit shaky.)
"Onara: No no! I'm fine really!"
"Xiazress: Well.. that's good to know. Speaking of which, what brings you here?"
"Onara: Actually I um.. I'm here with-"
"Noah: Damn it! Why does this dojo have so many STAIRS?!"
"Velriot: Its to build your leg muscle and stamina! Keep moving!"
"Noah: Who gave you the permission to be the boss of me!?"
"Velriot: I did! Wanna go?"
"Noah: Oh we'll go alright!"
(They growled at one another as Noah forced Velriot off his back after making it to the top.)
"Okisaki: Guys! No fighting!"
"Xiazress: Well, they argued the whole way back.."
"Onara: I see..."
"Okisaki: Hey Onara! Long time no see!"
(She hugged her with a gleeful smile and Onara did the same.)

"Onara: Yeah, its been a long road for me. I've been getting stronger too."
"Okisaki: Actually, speaking of that! There's the Intercontinental Elemental Tou-"
"Onara: Let me stop you right there Okisaki! Of course I want to join!"
"Okisaki: Really?! GREAT, That only leaves us with eight members!"
(Four more faces began to show as they reached the top of the stairs.)
"Crystalline: Man.. What a long flight..! At least I'm first!"
"Azumi: Actually, I am first."
"Crystalline: HOW DID YOU BEAT ME?!"
"Azumi: If one has mastered obstacle after obstacle, there no such thing as pain."
"Crystalline: Fine.. you got me with that.."
"Konnor: Phew..! I never been up to this dojo before..! Sawano actually has a nice place..."
"Lotus: Its a nice dojo indeed."
"Onara: WAIT! Lotus! You're THE LOTUS OF YAMAGUCHI'S ASSASSIN GUILD!"
"Lotus: That's right."
"Xiazress: Sawano took care of the Onyx drug man and it turned out Kirby was the one who gave those drugs out. He was the one behind it all even the name Uyemi Manaruko and Sawano took out the trash when he got him."
"Lotus: In return for his deed, I was in his debt and knowing this tournament is happening for the first time I would feel very selfish indeed to ignore this opportunity to repay him."
"Azumi: For a human. You're not bad Lotus."
"Lotus: Anyway, where is Sawano?"
"Onara: Oh right! He's-"
(The door slid open as he appeared.)
"Sawano: Right here guys."
(They all huddled him and asked him questions about Tokyo.)
"Whoa! H-Hey guys not a lot of room!"
(A while later, they all went inside and gathered around to listen in.)
"Konnor: So what's going to happen?"
"Sawano: In two months time, the tournament will happen and until then, the prime minister is paying for everything in Tokyo's five-star hotel so we will remain there before, during and after the tournament if we felt like staying."
(They all cheered in excitement.)

"Okisaki: No way! A five-star hotel!? The massages I could get...! Not to mention the hot tubs!"
"Xiazress: Ice cold bottles of booze... If I can drink as many, I'm down for that!"
"Azumi: Hotels? I not comfortable with hotels. I... do not know what the experience is like."
"Crystalline: AW HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW? Come on Azumi once we get to Tokyo, we're going to have a girls only party!"
"Azumi: Well... if this is what female humans do.. I suppose."
(They all laughed at the plans as Sawano cleared his throat.)
"Sawano: Right. So, who do you guys have on the team with you so far?"
"Xiazress: Unfortunately, I cannot participate. I realized that my role as Goddess of Void hasn't changed. Which means, I cannot fight in this."
"Sawano: So that means-"
"Okisaki: Its me, Crystalline, Azumi, Velriot, Lotus, Konnor, Noah and Onara. We need two more boys for the team!"
"Sawano: I think I know someone.. Lotus."
"Lotus: Hm?"
"Sawano: Do you remember Silvershot?"
"Lotus: Yes why do you ask- Oh... you want to recruit him..?"
"Sawano: Yes. He could be an advantage to the team."
"Lotus: I'll speak to him and see what he says. We just need one more."
(Sawano had his head down as he knew who to call on next.)
"Xiazress: Gaito huh..?"
"Sawano: Yes.. Even though he has some weird beef with me, he's the final person we can rely on to help lead the team."
"Okisaki: Noah and I will convince him to come help."
"Sawano: Sounds good, good luck guys. I won't be able to fight but at least win for me and Japan!"
(He smiled at all of them as they smiled back then Noah and Okisaki headed off to find Gaito and his family's dojo. A while later, Lotus stopped by Yamaguchi's detention center to see Silvershot.)

"Lotus: Its been a long time. Hasn't it, Silvershot?"
(He'd get up with a smirk after hearing his voice for a long time.)
"Silvershot: Yeah. I remember, I was thrown in here ever since that Sawano bastard fought me. But wait, YOU threw me in here!"
"Lotus: Of course I did. Your actions was under the assassin's violation. We do not attack the innocent ones, only our targets."
"Silvershot: Whatever, I know you're not here just to catch up."
"Lotus: You're right. We're in need of a ninth man for Japan for the upcoming tournament against five other countries and I'm counting on you as the ninth man."
(He walked towards the door and stared at him through the glass.)
"Silvershot: What's the catch...?"
"Lotus: Well, you have to fight for Sawano's team. The prize has been undecided."
"Silvershot: Tch... fine. I'll do it under one condition. If Japan somewhat wins, I want to be released from this center.
"Lotus: That's up to the warden."
"Warden: So is he good to go?"
"Lotus: Yes. I'll take him with me."
"Warden: Very well, I'll accept his offer too. ONLY IF JAPAN WINS!"
(The door buzzed and unlocked itself and Silvershot stepped out stretching.)
"Silvershot: So.. when does this thing begin?"
"Lotus: Two months."
"Silvershot: Damn it.."
"Warden: I will let Lotus here assist you. This will count as your parole, violate the rules and you're disqualified and thrown back in here!"
"Lotus: Don't worry, I will let you know when he misbehaves."
(As they left the detention center in Yamaguchi, Noah and Okisaki walked around an unfamiliar side of Hakodate and found the Tamarei Dojo.)

"Noah: This must be it.."
"Okisaki: Yeah, seems like it."
"Masunashi: Can I help you two?"
(They both saw Masunashi wearing her uniform from Saikan Academy.)
"Okisaki: We're looking for Gaito, is he here?"
"Masunashi: Oh! You must be Sawano's friends!"
"Noah: Actually, Okisaki here is his sister."
"Masunashi: Really?! My deepest apologies! I can take you guys to him, he's in the main training hall right now."
"Okisaki: That's good!"
(She'd lead the both of them to the Dojo where inside was a large hall of disciples lining up to meet the mother and father of the Tamarei family.)
"Masunashi: Don't mind them, they're training to learn our style."
(A while later, clattering and crashing was ward beyond the door which Masunashi opened it to see Gaito destroy another batch of training dummies.)
"Again little bro?"
"Gaito: Tch.. I need to get stronger. Secondly, what's with those two?"
"Masunashi: They're here for you."
(He walked towards them and patted Okisaki's head.)
"Gaito: Okisaki and.."
(Noah and Gaito stared at one another with disgusted looks.)
"Whoever the hell this is.."
"Noah: Its Noah, jackoff. Get it right."
(Gaito threw the dummy's head to the ground and focused at Noah.)

"Gaito: Think you're a tough guy huh?"
"Noah: I know I am. You're just beneath me."
"Gaito: HA. Beneath you..? Pal, do you know who the hell you're talking to..?"
"Noah: Oh I know. I'm talking to a smartass, that's who."
(His fist began to clench hard with a few sparks of lightning showing.)
"Okisaki: Whoa whoa whoa! None of this! Gaito, we came here asking you to fight for the tournament in Sawano's place!"
"Gaito: Give me one good reason why I should team with him."
"Okisaki: You and Sawano has been friends for a very long time! Didn't that mean anything to you Gaito?!"
"Gaito: It did. But he's a mistake to me now."
(She slapped Gaito and started tears started to flow out of her eyes.)
"Okisaki: HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT..?! HE RISKED EVERYTHING FOR NOT JUST YOU, BUT THIS WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE TOO AND YOU SAY MEETING HIM WAS A MISTAKE..?"
"Noah: Okisaki, he's not worth it. Lets just go, this poor bastard's just making you feel worse."
"Gaito: Tch..."
(They both began to leave until Gaito stopped them.)
"Fine. I'll do it. IF I win."
"Both: Huh?"
"Gaito: Since you want to talk smart "Noah" WE FIGHT, right here! Right now!"
"Noah: Seems fine with me. If I win, you're coming with us."
"Gaito: If I win, kiss your sorry ass out the door, please!"
(They both later on was in the backyard of the dojo as the disciples, Masunashi and their mother and father overheard the fight and sat outside to watch it go down as Okisaki did the same.)
"Johide: Before we get started, allow me to introduce myself. I am Johide Tamarei, Gaito's father. The rules of this match is simple, there will be a twenty minute time limit, weapons and elemental spells are allowed but do not go overboard or overkill. May the best man win..."
(They both said nothing as Johide walked and stood at the gong.)

"At the ring of this gong, the match shall commence!"
(Silence was heard as the air was the only thing audible. They both stood in their battle poses and continued their standoff. The gong was rung a few seconds later than they both ran towards one another and blocked one another's attack. Gaito stopped himself and zapped his way in front of Noah and tried punching him in his gut but Noah blocks the blow in time which had the disciples surprised and Okisaki a bit worried.)
"Masunashi(Thinking): This guy.. Noah? He's not that bad already."
(They separated and Noah began throwing kicks at Gaito as he placed his hands in his pockets and nearly scratches Gaito's face after he dodges in time. Lightning began to show on his fingers then he instantly appeared behind Noah.)
"Noah: Hm.. not bad."
(Gaito launched a quick attack which blasted Noah in the back and created a debris but Gaito was fooled by an ice statue.)
"But not good enough."
(Tiny chunks of ice began dropping from his hands as lightning was circuiting from Gaito's hands and they stared at one another for a while until both ran after one another then started fighting in mid-air with their attacks echoing after every landed, countered and blocked attack.)
"Johide(Thinking): This is magnificent.. he HAS gotten strong.. but not enough to my eyes.."
(Gaito breaks through Noah's ice and lands a blow on his chest which pushes him back on the opposite side of the ring and had the spectators cheer.)
"Noah: Heh.. Not bad of a hit..!"
"Gaito: Huh..?
"Noah: But.. you got to try harder if you wanna beat me..."
(He took one step and instantly was in front of Gaito which surprised him then Noah whispered in his ear with out any hesitation.)
"(Whispering): Don't let your lust for power go through your head, pal."
(Gaito tried attacking him with a lightning bolt but Noah counters by freezing the bolt solid in mid-air. Gaito started to sweat a bit and scoffed after being irritated.)
"Gaito(Thinking): This showoff is just going to keep trying to manipulate me..? HEH.. two can play at that game..."
(Gaito walked towards Noah and then started running at normal human speed then vanished in a blink of an eye and ran around the ring but wasn't visible to the naked eye. In an instant, Gaito punched him from every angle in the trapped circle then he'd execute a thundering axe kick to the back of Noah's neck and he'd collapse to the floor which had Okisaki stare in disbelief then the gong rung as the match was decided.)

"(Aloud): Get the hell out of my dojo and never come back."
(He'd look at Okisaki and kept his angered expression.)
"Okisaki. I'm sorry, but I'm not helping your team. Go find someone else."
(As Gaito left the ring and everyone else was heading back inside, Okisaki went down to Noah and teleported them back to Sawano's dojo.)
"Masunashi: Little brother. Why do you not want help them? You do owe Sawano after all."
"Gaito: I'm not helping someone who was close to responsible for making me kill you guys!"
"Masunashi: But we TRULY do not know that!"
"Gaito: YOU TOLD ME THAT YOURSELF! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
(He'd slide his room's door shut and sat on the floor, very irritated but thought about what she said about owing him a favor.)
"Ugh... I'm gonna hate myself for doing this.."
(At Sawano's dojo, Noah laid on Sawano's sofa knocked out from the axe kick.)
"Sawano: So Gaito's not helping.?"
"Okisaki: I'm sorry... he's not."
"Sawano: Well. That's that.."
(He'd sit down on the floor and held his head.)
"Guess we can't compete. Everyone else is busy so its hard to say, Japan will have no chance."
(They all was silent in sadness until the door was knocked on and Sawano went to open it.)
"Gaito: I hate myself for doing this. But, I do owe you a favor. So for the favor and I guess... for Japan, I will fight be the final guy for Japan's team."
(They all got excited and cheered for Gaito.)
"Sawano: In that case, the ten fighters for Japan! Okisaki, Onara, Azumi, Crystalline, Velriot, Noah, Konnor, Lotus, Silvershot and Gaito! I hereby make you ten the official fighters for Japan!"
(They all bowed to him as in a thank you.)
"Now, I want you guys to spend the next few weeks training. The tournament begins soon and God knows how that arena's going to turn out..."
(Meanwhile in Tokyo, Kira and the rest of the creation elementals was still building the massive arena for the tournament.)
"Worker: Hey Lady Kira, where do we put this?"
"Kira: Kira suggests that to be placed at the top of the ceiling!"
(The worker did so as the arena would appear to be massive inside and outside. Kira stopped for a little break and grabbed her lunch.)
"Kira wonders how the rest are doing right now."
(Somewhere in a Russian maximum security prison, Suvorkin was walking towards a heavily guarded cell and went inside after unlocking the doors where a chained prisoner was held captive but was alive.)

"Prisoner: Lady Andreevich... What brings you to cell? I thought I was meant to remain locked in here. I am dangerous to mother Russia after all!"
"Suvorkin: I request your assistance. My team is set for the tournament and I'm in need of one last man. You'd fit that description for such brute-like strength, speed and power! What do you say...? After all, if Russia wins, I shall have you released from this disgusting cell..."
"Trample Horn: Very well, Trample Horn accepts offer. He will participate, make mother Russia win then leave prison for good!"
(In the United States, the top hero was summoned and accepted to partake in the tournament which was the same for Canada's top fighter, United Kingdom's top student at their academy and one of Germany's greatest assassin's in tournaments. Baisho was then found staring and watching Tokyo inside his office.)
"Baisho: I'm assuming everyone has chosen their team. In two months, the tournament shall begin... I hope that arena can handle the colossal beatdown its about to face.."