Kosuke waited paitiently, barely hearing the cannon sounding. His eyes were fixed on the combat in front of him, but he wasn't really watching. The motions seemed fluid to him, slowed and easy to follow. The bellows of the yokai matched the cheers of the crowd, and yet seemed dull to Kosuke's ears. His attention was drawn by the sword of the yokai's opponent. Shimmering in the sunlight it was razor sharp, and looked beautiful to him. It would be a great sword to take as a trophy when he beat this man. The yokai was less impressive. Though big, its show of brute force was of little concern. Kosuke admired the man's poise and control, watching his movements closely.
The fight was impressive, but quick. The yokai's rage, rather than helping, dooming it. The blow delivered by the man was a style Kosuke had only seen once or twice before. One blow to kill a yokai. Impressive. Fighting him would be interesting, if he survived the next round that is. As the yokai's blood seeped into the sand, Kosuke noticed the man's new kimono was slashed again. This guy went through clothes like nothing else. If nothing else could be said for him, he certainly didn't spend too much time on vanities. Conscious of his fading clan markings, Kosuke stroked the one on his chest subconsciously. It wouldn't be long before it disappeared completely. He must find some paint at the next opportunity.
A call brought Kosuke out of his reverie. Looking up he locked eyes with General Hashimoto, and realised he was pointing at him. Stepping forwards to the center, Kosuke stood quietly, waiting for his opponent. Barely containing the excitement, a small shiver went through his body, ending in a slight grin that was barely noticeable. The man who stepped forwards just so happened to be one of the bandits who had accosted Kosuke outside, suddenly eager to avenge his fallen comrade, a horrific grimace on his face. The man held a nasty looking cleaver, barely a precision weapon and of no real concern.
The call to begin sounded and the man lept forwards, swinging his cleaver in a wild arc. Kosuke nimbly dodged aside, having not drawn his own weapon yet. In frustration the bandit growled and swung again, slashing at a red blur as Kosuke danced around him. Whilst recovering from a heavy swing, the bandit fell forwards into the sand as Kosuke delivered a hard kick to his rear. In peals of laughter he stood up, even more determined to carve the arrogant ronin a new smile. His flurry of blows was caught short with the ring of metal on metal. A shimmering katana had appeared between them in a flash, and stopped the cleaver in mid swing. In a quick succession of blows, Kosuke drove the bandit back till, with a horrible splintering sound, the cleaver snapped in two. The point soared into the crowd, drawing a cry of pain from whoever it hit. Unconcerned, Kosuke quickly put his leg behind the bandits and flipped him over to the floor. Standing over him with his katana poised, he looked to Hashimoto for the next step.
The general shook his head and Kosuke stepped away, turning his back on the bandit and sheathing his sword. A shame. He would have liked to kill the man. Any who got in his way usually ended up dead, but better obey the general if he wanted to win the prize money. A growl alerted Kosuke that the bandit had not yet finished. With a whirl and flash of steel, the bandit's head soared over the onlookers, even as he poised a dagger at Kosuke's back. A heavy thump sounded as the body knelt, then collapsed. Wiping his blade on his arm, a small flash of satisfaction passed Kosuke's face. He walked back to his wall as he sheathed his sword again, heart pumping with adrenaline.
