[Author Note]
Disc: HrPrTeam
Hello nerds.
I'm back with the milk.
__________
3rd P.O.V.
Sakamoto took off his glasses and put them in his jacket pocket.
His vision was hardly a problem. Due to their bulletproof properties, they are primarily used for protection.
While not nearly as good as Rions, he could improve his visual capabilities without needing glasses.
His eyes were entirely focused on the man in front of him. 'If Toji's taught me anything, there are a few ways to deal with someone much faster than you.'
If he were going to hold him off, he would need to play it smart. While shutting down speed is difficult, it could give him openings.
Sakamoto threw his metal sheet in front of him, obstructing Ando's vision of Sakamoto's position.
However, Ando stood still with a bored expression.
The instant the sheet blocked Ando's vision, Sakamoto kicked off the ground, reaching into his jacket to pull out a flashbang.
*click*
He pulled the pin and lobbed it over the metal sheet to blind the man, simultaneously putting small ear plugs in his ear.
Flashbangs aren't just bright, they are meant to disorient the target with visual and audio overload.
However, Ando reacted fast—too fast. The object barely left Sakamoto's hands before Ando grabbed it.
*BANG*
An explosion of light and sound detonated in front of the two, point-blank.
Sakamoto was prepared but still suffered some side effects due to its power. He knew it wouldn't do much to Ando, but he needed disruption.
When Sakamoto opened his eyes, he saw Ando with the same bored expression. Sakamoto kicked at Ando to keep him from using his speed.
Overwhelming the person with strikes is one of the best ways to keep people from abusing speed.
*woosh*
Sakamoto's leg met air as Ando slightly jumped backwards, but Sakamoto didn't let up as he rushed in, keeping his eyes on his target.
He would send a punch or kick, but would only meet air as Ando performed seemingly inhuman motions.
He flips, jumps, and tilts his head like it was second nature.
Sakamoto's eyes narrowed as Ando watched, observing him.
*BAM*
Suddenly, Ando vanished and appeared at Sakamoto's right. He landed his right foot on Sakamoto's side, sending him rolling.
Unlike before, he shot up, ignoring the damage from the kick that felt like a truck.
Sakamoto narrowed his eyes. 'This is bad. He can read all my moves.'
Ando shrugged. "Not really. I do suck at fighting, however all I need to do is let my body do the work for me."
In other words, his body can fight for him.
With this new revelation, he started to rethink his strategy. 'Running isn't going to work. If I can only las- *glurk*"
*BOOM*
The next thing he knew, Sakamoto had a hand around his throat, slamming into the warehouse floor and causing the building to collapse. The grip on his neck was so crushing that his vision blurred, his throat straining under the pressure.
Ando raised his foot.
*BAM*
He slammed his right foot on Sakamoto's stomach, causing Sakamoto's eyes to turn white and cough up blood, creating a large crater in the process.
*BOOM*
He couldn't move as Ando threw him out of the warehouse into a nearby building.
Ando sighed as he saw the dust cloud and rubble. "And I was really looking forward to seeing what he can do. It's pretty disappointing."
His raw power was devastating for someone even as durable as Sakamoto.
Although he hated fighting, Ando was interested in the people known as 'the strongest' in the JAA.
He shrugged. "He should be out after that one. I'll kill him after I deal with the other one. I might as well wait for Toji Fushiguro since he should be here soon."
*woosh*
His instincts flared as he turned around to walk back into his destroyed warehouse.
Ando turned his body to the side to avoid the HVAC unit thrown at him.
When Ando turned back to the rubble, Sakamoto casually walked out of the dust cloud as if he weren't just knocked unconscious.
*pftwoo*
Sakamoto spit blood to the side and loosened his tie, his black coat gone.
Instead of being shocked, a broad smile appeared on Ando's face. 'Those series of attacks should've put him down. I should've noticed it sooner! He's adapting while fighting! If he could do this, it's no wonder he got so strong at his age.'
Sakamoto massaged his throat to lessen the pain. 'I probably won't be able to talk for a little while, but this'll have to do for now. I'm startin' to get used to this guy.'
Ando smiled like a kid on Christmas. 'It would be a waste to kill him! If I could replicate his adaptability, then maybe...'
While Sakamoto could become stronger in a fight, the two knew this wouldn't be enough to compensate for the disparity in their strength before Sakamoto would ultimately lose.
Ando's ear twitched and his smile disappeared.
*WOOSH*
A man with messy black hair appeared behind Ando, katana in hand, aiming to pierce Ando's heart.
Ando spun around and held the top of the blade with one hand, preventing it from moving further.
The newcomer spoke with a wide smile. "I guess this is how Black Hair feels."
Ando's eyes narrowed with a slightly irritated expression. "Experiment 115..."
When he saw Toji, Sakamoto fell to his knees, the pain setting in and adrenaline leaving his body. 'Bout' damn time.'
Toji smirked and mocked Ando. "I don't know who that is. Don't worry, I'm not great with names either."
*BAM*
Toji's kick landed on Ando's side, skidding Ando's feet back a few meters due to the force that made him let go of Toji's split-soul katana. However, Toji's eyes slightly narrowed when he saw no noticeable damage.
While Toji had a smirk on his face, he noticed the unusual aura that surrounded Ando. His instincts screamed that this wasn't a fight he could take lightly.
There was but a single thought in his mind.
'He's dangerous.'
So, Toji did something that he should've done in the past.
...
He turned around and started running.
...
*grab*
Passing by Sakamoto, he grabbed the back of his shirt to bring him away from this unknown freak of nature who took his kick like a champ.
He still held his katana in his left hand since there was no time to use the inventory curse to store it.
Toji's face turned serious. 'The last time I ignored instincts this strong, I ended up dead. I'll need to prepare for this guy.'
He wouldn't sit there like a shounen protagonist and expect to get a friendship power up from Sakamoto.
As Toji started to leave, a sudden burst of movement caught his eye.
With one hand holding the split soul katana, he swung the katana at Ando's fist, which was approaching his face.
*clank*
Instead of the sword cutting through flesh, they stalemated, making a metal clashing sound.
Ando had a murderous look on his face. "Where do you think you're going with my new guinea pig?"
Unlike many times before, Toji was pushed back with the force of Ando's fist. He was immediately reminded of his kick, which had done nothing other than push Ando back a few meters.
He grimaced. 'Damn, his body is tougher than the guy I met on the island.'
If this kept up, this fight wouldn't be in his favor. Despite his abilities, carrying Sakamoto would hinder him.
He could always drop him, but he only came here to get Sakamoto out of this mess. Also, he wasn't sure what Ando would do if he left Sakamoto on the ground.
Ando did call Sakamoto 'guinea pig' after all.
Toji pushed his katana against Ando's fist and redirected it to the ground.
*BOOM*
The force of his punch created a massive crater. It looked like a large meteorite had slammed into the ground.
Using his slight free time, his eyes quickly darted to the destroyed building Sakamoto had flown through earlier.
*slice*
*BOOM*
Before he made his way backward, Toji slightly turned and swung his katana to destroy the entire upper half of the building.
He jumped into the smoke cloud, Ando pursuing. It was apparent that he could follow Toji's movements even while he hid his presence.
Although he had Sakamoto with him as baggage, which didn't help.
Toji's eyes widened as a foot flew through the smoke aimed at his face. He was going to move his katana to protect himself, but he was too slow.
As the foot neared closer...
...
'STOP!'
...
A loud kid's voice was heard in Ando's head. His foot, inches from Toji's face, froze mid-air.
Due to his enhancements, hearing other voices was normal; however, his body instinctively stopped, as if he were being ordered.
His body stopped listening to him.
Toji didn't waste any time, and jumped up to the building next to him, ignoring whatever just happened, carrying Sakamoto and the split-soul katana.
Ando stood in place, seemingly thrown off by what just happened.
Rather than being angry that the two were escaping, his face morphed into worry. 'There's someone who can stop me, of all people?'
He wasn't too upset by Toji and Sakamoto's escape because he wasn't worried about finding them in the future.
Ando now knew that there was someone who could stop him from afar. 'Whoever that voice belonged to needs to die.'
There was another threat that Ando had to deal with.
He narrowed his eyes. 'But why does that voice sound so familiar?'
The two assassins got away, but everyone knew the fight was far from over.