Toshiro sauntered forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he taunted Crinix and Takahishi. "What are you waiting for, you aren't scared, are you?" He chuckled, clearly enjoying the upper hand.
Shinro's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. "Toshiro, just let them go. If you want to fight, then fight me."
Toshiro's grin widened as he turned to face Shinro. "Oh, I don't have time to waste on a whimpering little boy like you, Shinro. After all, you're just a weakling, too."
Takahishi's hand flew to his mouth, stifling a snort of laughter. "Damn, that's gotta sting," he whispered, his eyes shining with mirth.
Shinro's grip on his wooden sword tightened, his eyebrows narrowing in anger. "You think you're funny, don't you, Toshiro?" he growled.
Toshiro's laughter echoed through the forest, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, are you angry at me? We both know that's the truth, and we proved it five years ago. You're weak, Shinro."
Takahishi chuckled, shaking his head. "Gezz, he's really getting under your skin, Shinro."
Shinro's face reddened with rage. "Five years was a long time ago! I might have lost that duel, but now I've gotten stronger!"
Toshiro's grin never wavered. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Shinro. But let me remind you, I put that scar on your cheek as a reminder of your weakness. So that every time you look in the mirror, you'll remember that you're nothing but a low-level Grim Hunter. You could never become the Grand Reaper, Shinro. That title is mine."
Takahishi's eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm, I guess the mighty Shinro isn't as mighty as we thought."
Shinro's eyes flashed with determination. "Even if I am weak, one day I'll still become the Grand Reaper."
Toshiro's laughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down Takahishi's spine. "If you become the Grand Reaper, I might as well quit being a Grim Hunter!" He laughed so hard he had to hold his stomach.
Crinix rolled his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're not exactly helping, Toshiro."
Toshiro wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling. "Oh, I'm just getting started, Crinix. Shinro here needs a reality check."
Shinro's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. "You're going to regret this, Toshiro. Mark my words."
Shinro's eyes locked onto Toshiro, his gaze burning with a mixture of anger and humiliation. The memory of their past duel flooded his mind, transporting him back to that fateful night five years ago.
The forest had been shrouded in darkness, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves beneath their feet. Shinro had arrived at the agreed meeting point, his heart racing with anticipation. Toshiro was already there, his sword drawn, a confident smirk etched on his face.
The air was electric with tension as the two enemies faced off. Shinro's voice echoed through the forest, his words dripping with venom. "Toshiro, let's settle this once and for all. Only one of us will be left standing. I'm tired of you showing off in front of everyone, and mark my words, killing you will be the next step for me to become the Grand Reaper!"
Toshiro's laughter sent shivers down Shinro's spine. "I'm the one who's going to become the Grand Reaper. It's a shame you won't be around to see that day. You know why?" Toshiro paused, his eyes glinting with malice. "Because you'll be dead!"
With a fierce battle cry, the two enemies charged at each other, their swords clashing in a flurry of steel and sparks. The fight was intense, the two combatants exchanging blow for blow, their movements lightning-fast.
Shinro's sword sliced through the air, aiming for Toshiro's chest, but the latter dodged with ease, his own sword flashing in the moonlight. Toshiro's blade bit deep into Shinro's shoulder, sending a wave of pain coursing through his body.
Undeterred, Shinro countered with a powerful swing, his sword crashing into Toshiro's with a deafening clang. The two blades locked, the combatants straining against each other, their faces inches apart.
The battle raged on, the two fighters exchanging blows, their movements becoming more frenzied as the night wore on. The forest floor was scarred, the trees bearing witness to the ferocity of the duel.
As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the combatants stumbled, their strength waning. Toshiro summoned his last ounce of energy, his sword flashing in the growing light. Shinro tried to defend himself, but Toshiro's blade sliced through his defenses, cutting deep into his hand.
Shinro's sword fell to the ground, his cry of pain echoing through the forest. Toshiro's kick sent him flying into a nearby tree, the impact sending shockwaves through his body.
As Shinro lay on the ground, his face down, blood dripping from his mouth, Toshiro stood over him, his sword raised for the killing blow. But instead of delivering the fatal strike, Toshiro's blade slashed across Shinro's cheek, leaving a deep gash.
Shinro's world went dark as he heard Toshiro's mocking words: "You're weak, Shinro."
The memory of that fateful night still seared Shinro's mind, fueling his anger and determination. He would not rest until he had surpassed Toshiro, until he had become the Grand Reaper. The scar on his cheek seemed to throb with a life of its own, a constant reminder of his past defeat and his future goal.
Shinro stood frozen, lost in the depths of his own mind, as Takahishi poked him repeatedly with his wooden sword. "Hey Shinro, are you still there?" Takahishi asked, his voice laced with concern.
Shinro snapped back to reality, his eyes flashing with irritation. "Cut it out, Takahishi!" he growled, swatting the sword away.
Toshiro, still grinning from ear to ear, turned his attention to Crinix. "This one looks like a tough guy," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement as he sauntered towards Crinix.
Shinro's instincts screamed at him to intervene, but he hesitated, unsure of what to do. "I think you should get going, Toshiro," he suggested, trying to sound calm.
Toshiro's laughter sent shivers down Shinro's spine. "No, I don't think so. The fun has just begun. I want to toy around with this one," he said, his eyes fixed on Crinix.
Takahishi whispered to Shinro, "I don't like this guy. He's creepy."
Toshiro's grin grew even wider. "Well, tell you what, I'm going to have a little fun with these guys. Think of it as a training exercise."
Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a nervous glance. "You two fight me," Toshiro demanded, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Crinix's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Toshiro's grin grew even bigger. "I want to see if you have what it takes to become a Grim Hunter. I've heard interesting rumors about you. If you guys manage to fight and touch me, I'll leave you alone."
Takahishi's voice trembled. "This guy is giving me the creeps. If fighting him is the only way to get rid of him, then I'll do it."
Crinix nodded in agreement, his eyes flashing with determination. "Let's do it."
The two of them gripped their wooden swords tightly and charged towards Toshiro. Toshiro's smile never wavered as he closed his eyes and placed his hands behind his back. "To make things more interesting, you're going to fight me while my eyes are closed and my hands are behind my back. And besides, I won't fight back."
Crinix snarled, "Are you trying to mock us?"
Toshiro's voice was laced with amusement. "No, no, it's part of the training. Now, show me what you've got!"
Crinix rushed towards Toshiro, his wooden sword flashing in the sunlight. He thought it would be easy to attack Toshiro while his eyes were closed. But just as he was about to strike, Toshiro dodged the attack with ease, his movements lightning-fast.
Takahishi charged at Toshiro from behind, his wooden sword held high. But Toshiro vanished and reappeared behind Takahishi, his voice whispering in his ear. "Behind you."
Takahishi's eyes widened in surprise as Toshiro's kick sent him flying through the air. Toshiro then vanished and reappeared in front of Crinix, his head butting him with incredible force. Crinix crashed to the ground, dazed and disoriented.
Toshiro lifted his leg, ready to deliver the final blow. But just as his foot was about to connect with Crinix's head, Shinro intervened, blocking the kick with his hand.
Toshiro's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Shinro's. "You said you weren't going to fight back," Shinro growled, his eyes blazing with anger.
Toshiro's laughter echoed through the forest as he pulled his leg off Shinro's hand. "I guess I got carried away," he said, his grin still plastered on his face.
Shinro's eyes blazed with rage, his voice low and menacing. "Were you trying to kill them? You do know that a direct attack on the head could have caused fatal damage."
Toshiro's laughter grew louder, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ha-ha-ha, come on, you're such a buzz kill. I was just trying to have fun."
Shinro's anger simmered just below the surface, his fists clenched at his sides. Toshiro, seeming to sense the tension, turned and started walking away.
"I guess I'll see you some other time, see ya whimps," he called over his shoulder, his laughter fading into the distance.
Shinro's patience snapped, his eyes burning with rage. "I've had enough of your big mouth," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.
With a swift motion, Shinro picked up his sword from the ground and charged at Toshiro, his blade flashing in the sunlight. Toshiro, sensing the attack, spun around, his eyes narrowing.
But he didn't draw his sword. Instead, he raised his bare hand, and Shinro's blade bit deep into his palm. Blood dripped from the wound, but Toshiro didn't flinch.
He turned to Shinro, his eyes glinting with a warning. "What are you trying to do, Shinro? We both know how this ends. Don't force me to use my sword, because this time the outcome might be different. I won't just leave you with a scar this time, but your dead corpse."
The air was thick with tension as the two enemies locked eyes, their hatred and anger palpable. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.