Shatei Kyokufuri Yumi-Ojisan

Data.192 – Old Bowman, Hairs Breadth

After Charins announcement, I was immediately warped back to the waiting area.

The results of the battle were 1 vs 0. We had won by a hairs breadth.

“Mr. Kyuji! Im so glad that youre alright!”

Anne, who had arrived ahead of me, said as she came flying.

I didnt mind being embraced by a woman, but her power and weight nearly knocked me off of my feet.

“That was brilliant, Mr. Kyuji. Im just sad that I could only watch…”

Satomi said apologetically.

He had been chosen by Death Flag in the beginning and died immediately…

Of course, I wasnt bothered by that.

At that point, it was completely based on luck…!

“It was Death Flag, so it couldnt be helped. If someone else was chosen, they would have died as well. And I dont think any of us could have predicted such a thing. Hell, even the other enemy members didnt know the details about Hatakes power…”

Saying that out loud made it seem even more absurd…

And while we had won, the whole battle really had been moving at Hatakes pace.

“And so we had to rely on you again, old man… It was the same during the Charin fight. I get killed so easily…”

Necoco also looked a little upset.

This time, she had defeated Cymba and also assisted in taking down Petta.

And she had even helped stop Hatake, so I dont think that we could have asked any more from her…

Well, I could understand why she felt apologetic for dying before the battle was over, and could only watch.

But the fact that I had survived until the end was proof that we were functioning properly as a party.

My whole concept was to be a rear guard who was not attacked by the enemy, and so if I was killed first, then it would mean the total collapse of the advance guard.

But because that didnt happen, I was able to survive until the end during the Charin fight, as well as this one.

It was because of them that I had survived, and so I had a duty to finish the fight.

“I only survived because you all protected me. I wouldnt have been able to do much on my own. It was because people were fighting in the front.”

I knew what it was like to be solo and go up against strong enemies…

The fight against the Windcloud Dragon had been especially reckless, and that was before I had Garbo.

Well, it was still quite fun…

“In any case, right now, this party is functioning perfectly. So lets keep going. Our next opponent is…”

“Hey there, old man! Its me! Lets commend each other on a great battle!”

Hatake was walking towards us now.

But the other party members werent with him…

“Im just here by myself. As the tournament continues, the wait between battles becomes shorter. So I wont stay long. Im not even sure what I should say to you…”

Then why did you come… But I held that reply black and just waited for him to speak.

“While I did say that I had no way to beat you other than relying on luck, my teammates said that I need to be more confident. They said that I put up a good fight and am strong enough. And perhaps that is true.”

“I agree with them. You are strong, Hatake. To a fearful degree, even…!”

“You think so? Well, if thats what you say, then it might be true. Then I will be more confident from now on… Oh, but I dont feel like I can! Im sure Ill forget all about this tomorrow! But maybe thats not necessarily a bad thing? After all, I was always being myself when I did the best against you! So maybe if I continue like this, Ill be able to win the next one…! I just got a little too excited this time!”

“Yes, being yourself is when you are the strongest, Hatake.”

“So you agree…! Yes, I feel much better now that I heard that! Well, I should be leaving soon! But I will be cheering you on during the next fight! As for your next opponent…ah, thats right. If I was the first person to see your potential, then he was the second person. Well, maybe the correct way of saying it is that you showed me your potential!”

Our next opponent was…Bucklers Straight Knights!

It almost seemed like fate…that I should fight him after Hatake.

No, perhaps not. With his ability, it was no surprise that he made it this far into the tournament.

And our clashing together was not fate, but inevitable.

“Im sure you already know, but he has become so much stronger compared to before. Hell, I would probably run away from him!”

Did he want me to remind him that he had run away last time…!

I didnt know if I had the courage to say that…!

“In any case, youve also become a lot stronger! And so Im sure youll be able to drive him off like the last time!”

Oh, so he was just continuing the conversation!

He didnt want me to joke about it, and was oblivious!

He really was an unbelievable person…

But nevermind that…

It was true that Buckler was a very strong enemy.

And even if I was able to drive him away during the turf war, that was due to the specific systems that were in place.

You could say that I was inferior in terms of pure ability.

But…what about now?

We would find out soon enough.

The time for a rematch…was at hand!