It's Time to D-d-d-duel

"MR. ARNO!" Erika shouted as she waved at me in the crowd.

Once again, I couldn't help but be reminded of how much of an idiot she really was. Thanks to her naive gesture, a group of her guards suddenly took notice of us and promptly began to wade their way through the crowd with wooden riot shields and clubs. They weren't afraid to force aside any civilians that were in their way.

Kuro quick spoke up,

"If you guys can just hold these guards back, I just need you to buy enough time for me to get up to the gate."

I still wasn't sure what that devil wanted him to do, but right now I didn't have time to question him. I simply nodded in agreement, as did Cal and Ryo.

I was about to throw a punch at an approaching guard, but Cal beat me to it, as he threw purple powder in his face.

"Bleeehhhhhhhhhh! Why does it taste like blueberries... Blaaaaaah!"

The guard began to violently throw up rainbow colored vomit.

"Why didn't you use that earlier when we were captured?" I said.

"Once again you underestimate my skill as an alchemist. I just made it moments ago with som-... Ah!"

A few more guards came up to him and threw him to the ground. They started beating him with clubs. Cal's misfortune seemed to be the rest of our fortunes because the guards were now completely focused on beating him. Kuro used this opportunity to force his way to the front of the crowd.

He stood before the mob and opened his mouth to speak.

"A-attention fe-fellow citi-... Bleeeeh."

He started to throw up a bit, then continued.

"...S-sorry, I'm n-not very good at sp-speaking in front of crowds... Anyways...I-I have c-come before Sho-shogun Erik-ka to challenge her to a d-d-duel."

He was probably one of the worst public speakers I've ever heard, but at least he managed to get everyone's attention. The entire crowd went silent.

Erika responded,

"That sounds like fun, random person. I'll accept your-."

Sato interrupted her.

"Wait Erika-sama, this boy was one of the people we arrested earlier. I know him quite well. Personally I don't think he's right in the head. I've caught him talking to some sort of imaginary friend before. We shouldn't take anything he says seriously.

Kuro got a big grin on his face as he laughed.

"I thi-think you forget, Sato. As p-per our country's tradition, the Sh-shogun must accept any d-duel request that is made to them d-directly."

The mob began to cheer at Kuro's challenge.

"I think I have to accept it. It seems like this is what everyone wants." Erika said.

"Erika I don't thi-."

Sato's protests were no use. She had an irritated look on her face, as the guards opened the gate to let Kuro in.

"As for the terms of this duel, we'll go until one of us is disarmed of our weapon." Kuro said.

"Then I will be the one to moderate this ma-."

Kuro instantly shut Sato down.

"No, I refuse to accept any ruling that comes from this girl's mouth. I want Hondo-san to officiate this match."

An old guy wearing armor stepped forward.

"If Shogun Erika's alright with it, I have no problem overseeing this."

Sato attempted to give her two cents.

"I don't think we shou-."

"Sounds good to me!" Erika exclaimed.

"Seriously Erika-sama, this isn't a goo-."

Two of Erika's burly guardsmen blocked Sato to prevent her from interfering.

"If each of you could stand at opposite sides of the courtyard, please." Hondo said.

Both Erika and Kuro took their sides. Hondo held his hand up.

"Begin!"

Erika drew her pink Katana from its sheath. She held it surprisingly confidently. I imagined that someone must have taken the time to show her how to use it. Kuro drew his sword as well...

The audience laughed a bit at how comically short his wakizashi was. Kuro just shook his head and focused on the duel. He began to slowly inch his way forward toward Erika with his sword held out.

"Oh? You're approaching me?" Erika said, as she held her arms out.

Kuro continued stepping forward as he spoke.

"I can't kick your butt without getting closer."

Once close enough, Kuro swung at her with his sword.

*Clank*

To my surprise Erika blocked it and quite well too.

"Careful, don't hit too hard." Erika said.

She had no idea this was real. In her mind she probably thought this was a choreographed fight. Kuro ignored her and continued to aggressively attack her.

Erika took a few steps back to put some distance between her and him.

"I guess I should try out that new trick I learned."

Her sword suddenly vanished from her hands. Kuro swung forward at Erika who appeared to be unguarded.

*Clang*

His blade hit against something before it could get anywhere near Erika.

"What the heck was that?" Kuro said.

"It's a spell Mr. Arno showed me a few days ago. I think I finally got it down." She responded.

If she hadn't stabbed me in the back earlier and got us all into this mess in the first place, I might have actually been proud of her for figuring out that invisibility spell.

Red, who was sitting on my shoulder sighed,

"I guess I have no choice but to give Kuro a bit of a helping hand."

"What are you going to do?" I muttered.

He grinned.

"I'm going to cheat of course. Something tells me you'd do the same if you were in my shoes."

I couldn't argue with that. He tied his ninja headband around his forehead then jumped off my shoulder. He quickly made his way up to where the duel was taking place.

*Cling* *Clang*

Kuro continued trying to fight against Erika's invisible sword. Red pulled out a small tube he had slung on his back and brought it up to his mouth.

*Pfffft*

He propelled a tiny dart at Erika.

*Smack*

It hit her in the leg.

"Ouch! I think a bee stung me. Can we call a time o-."

*Thud*

She suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Zzzzzzzzzzz"

She passed out cold. The crowd was quiet for a moment, then suddenly broke out into cheers. Kuro had a confused look on his face. He had no clue of what just happened…