The Crisis World XX

Chap. 51: Betting

After successfully persuading Kurobane-senpai to come with us to Tokyo and also convince her to join us, the three of us gathered at Himawari Orphanage where Murasaki-san was waiting there and ready to take us.

Murasaki-san who noticed that there was a new face she had just seen was kindly greeting her.

"It looks like we've got one guest here, huh?"

"So soon she will be a part of us, Oita-san."

"Eh?! I'm kan—"

"So don't be too upset with her."

"…"

Herlin did not even give him the slightest chance to talk. Fucking monsters.

"really? Good then. By the way my name is Murasaki Oita, your name is?"

"Ah, my name is Kurobane Mei. Nice to meet you, Murasaki-san."

"Yahoo! I'm here too, you know." Someone greeted us from behind the car.

"Ohikawa-san?! You're coming with us too?" my many.

"I'm still part of this organization, so of course I'm in."

After joining Black Rain, I rarely saw Ishikawa-san with us. It seems like he got a lot of work from Murasaki-san, I somehow felt sorry for him.

"By the way you were there .." Ishikawa-san turned to Kurobane-senpai.

"Eh! Me?"

"Are you also forced to come by them?" ask Ishikawa-san.

"Ah .. Nn, that's it."

"Then you will join us soon. Welcome to ya."

"Y-Yes?"

Kurobane-senpai tilted her head because she did not understand what Ishikawa-san said.

While Ishikawa-san threw a sword that was still in its sheath at me. I caught him immediately too.

"This is my sword?"

"Because it's with us, so you can take it this time."

I heard it then smiled and cheered the little 'Yes. I haven't touched this sword in a long time. Oita-san forbade me to take her home because it would cause a commotion. But they still don't know that my mom's gone, so I'm not too pushy about taking her home with me.

Prok…

Murasaki-san clapped her hands once and made our attention all be on her.

"Then let's go."

"Yes!"

**

After that brief introduction and preparation, the five of us finally left for Tokyo by car. This is the second time I have been to Tokyo with this organization, which was when I entered The One tournament.

We had a long trip by car. Although we were an organization, the casual conversations we had during the trip were very few. Yes, although we have not known him for long.

Bored and with nothing to do, I fell asleep during the trip and did not realize we were close to our destination.

Our car entered a large area in front of which was emblazoned a signboard "Red Flame's Dojo". It looks like a Dojo and a regular training ground. In the area inside the Dojo, many people were practicing using wooden swords.

After getting out of the car, we were greeted by several people who seemed to have been prepared to welcome us.

"Are you Mr Murasaki Oita of Black Rain?"

A man who looked the same age as Oita-san came to greet us with her chauffeur followed by two others behind her.

"Yes, that's right, and they're all my members." Oita-san pointed towards all of us who were behind her.

"Then please follow us."

They walked leading us all. We passed by the people who were practicing using the same wooden sword we saw before, with an instructor watching over them.

We were led into a room and one of them opened the door and told us to go straight in. Inside, we were already awaited by two people whose faces were no stranger to me.

"Welcome to our place, Oita and the others."

The one who greeted us was Kurayami Ryuzaki. The representative from Red Flame whom I previously met in The One Tournament. Meanwhile the person next to him was Hayashi Satou, one of the best members the Red Flame Organization had.

"It seems like your journey is quite long huh? How about you guys sit down and have some tea first."

The five of us then sat opposite the table with the representative from Red Flame. Someone then came and poured the tea into the empty cups on the table.

Ryuzaki then sipped the tea and then started the conversation.

"Do I need to introduce myself first? It seems like there is a new face I see here," Ryuzaki said as he glanced at Kurobane-senpai.

"No, there's no need. I'll introduce you to him later. I'm more interested in the reason you invited us here, Ryuzaki," Oita-san replied.

"Hmm... Is that so? Too bad."

Ryuzaki then put the cup of tea he had drunk half onto the table.

"As you know, Oita. I came to the tournament just to attend your meeting, but I've been watching a little bit of the match."

"Then?"

"I saw him fight, and I loved him." Ryuzaki then looked at me.

I realized that what he meant was me, and then pointed to myself. "Me?"

"Of course you are, who else?"

I'm actually still confused and don't know what to say. But Oita-san precedes me to answer him.

"Then if you like it, what do you want? There's no way you'd invite us all here just to talk about it."

"Of course it's not just that. Looking at your last fight against Oukami, it looks like you don't have a match for your sword."

"Eh?! This is?"

I then took out my sword from the sheath. The iron on this sword is actually dull and there is a little damage in the eyes when only a few times used. The quality really radiates from the cheap price. Why was I interested in this sword.

"It looks like the condition of your sword is also quickly damaged because you are transferring electricity to the sword. So he was not strong enough to withstand the burden" said Cecilia.

It seems Cecilia's saying has a point. What to expect from a cheap sword.

"Huh.." I can only breathe.

"Now do you regret your decision?" Herlin suddenly asked as if mocking me.

"Whisper," I said quickly.

I put my sword back on with sadness.

"Therefore, since I like you, I want to present you with a new sword that you can choose for yourself."

"A-Are you sure? Ma-I mean, you don't have to bother to—"

"It's okay, don't think about it."

"Well, where can I see the sword?" say limp.

"Then follow me."

Then we walked into another room not far from the previous room. The room contained various types of swords. Starting from the katana to the longsword type is here. It really is like a treasure room for sword lovers.

"Great!"

"Please choose, you can choose whichever one you like" Ryuzaki said.

I also went around the place and saw the various swords that were here. Meanwhile others also took a look around, although the sword was not a suitable thing for them, anyway.

After a long tour, I haven't found anything that suits me, at least for now. I don't know why all the swords here don't make any difference to me.

"Well, this is no different from the previous one" I complained.

"Iraya, can I help you?" suddenly Cecilia offered to help.

"Hn? What difference does it make if you choose it?"

"I can sense which sword is good through the experience and the scratches engraved on the sword."

"Ah, Ms.. Then please help." I don't really understand.

"Ehehem.Now close your eyes and try to feel which one around you is most interesting to you."

I closed my eyes and waited for what Cecilia was doing. After a while, I felt something different.

Even though I closed my eyes, I could feel a feeling I had never felt before. A weak and dull sword that had been used many times, then a new sword that had never been used at all. I can feel the difference.

As I was overwhelmed by the many different feelings in my mind, my attention was distracted by a sword near me. I could feel that he had already gone through many battles and although he was still strong, somehow he could end up in this place.

I opened my eyes and walked up to the sword. The sword looked like a sword in general, but what he passed was completely different from all the swords here.

Ryuzaki who saw me then approached me and commented on this sword that caught my attention.

"You interested in that one?" ask Ryuzaki.

"Ah, yes, that's it."

"You have good eyes, Iraya-kun. This sword is my old sword, because it has been used for a long time, over time its endurance and sharpness become less and less. Are you still interested?"

I raised the sword to its full height, paying attention to every detail on the sword. No doubt, this is just an ordinary sword. There are no beautiful carvings or unique shapes. But it looks like this is going to be my favorite.

"certain. I'll take this one."

"Then, would you like to try it?"

**

We were taken to a building where the students were doing the sparring exercises. This is a fighting arena. Actually I don't know anything about sword techniques or Kendo, so maybe I'll be laughed at by the people here.

"You're going to do battle practice with the people here. But because the students here are not experienced, so I will choose the opponent" Ryuzaki said.

"Yes, go ahead."

Whoever the opponent wants I will lose anyway, hehe. Ryuzaki then pointed at the person who would be my opponent.

"Hayashi-kun, you will be the opponent of Iraya-kun."

The person Ryuzaki was pointing at was Hayashi Satou. I also saw him in The One Tournament, but I never saw him fight. He looks strong, it looks like I'm going to lose a lot this time.

"You are, even though in your body there are already powerful beings like me. But your pessimistic thinking still can not be eliminated yes, basic suck," said Cecilia mocked.

"Whisper," I said quickly.

The two of us now stood face to face in the arena. Others watched from a considerable distance. We are both waiting for Ryuzaki to act as the referee.

"But before that, how about we make this a little more interesting?" Ryuzaki.

"How?"

"How about we bet?"

"bet?"

"Right, the bet is that if Hayashi-kun wins against Iraya-kun, then all Black Rain members including Murasaki Oita will be part of Red Flame. And if Iraya-kun wins, then Red Flame will provide any assistance if Black Rain needs help in the future. How's it?"

"Ap—"

"What do you mean?"

Ishikawa-san and I spontaneously shouted at what Ryuzaki said. Herlin and Oita-san just kept quiet while changing her expression to a suspicious and alert expression. While Kurobane-senpai who heard this was confused and wondering, even though she understood that something was wrong here.

"What's your real goal, Ryuzaki?" ask Oita-san.

"As you know Oita, your organization is just a small organization of no more than ten people. Kuni no Hashira has more than 100 members.

Kuni no Hashira was originally made up of only three regions. After your existence in Kyoto and we all recognized your power, we decided to give you the freedom to establish the organization as a member of the fourth Kuni no Hashira. But your members didn't grow much during that span of time, you even only had a cafe as the headquarters of your organization.

So it's better to invite you and your members to join us. It would be a pity if your strength was wasted, especially after seeing your members."

Ryuzaki glanced at me and Herlin. He thought we were both like diamonds with stones.

"What about my offer? Interesting, right?"

Ryuzaki looked at Oita-san with a gaze full of ambition. He thought that this was such a good offer that only a fool would turn him down.

"Pfft.. Ahahahaha…"

Oita-san laughed so hard that she let out tears. This is the first time I've seen him laugh so hard. Ryuzaki's words were like a funny joke to him.

"Hn?"

"Huh... Can you say something interesting too, Ryuzaki? Iraya-kun just needs to win, right? Then he will definitely do it," said Oita-san.

"Why are you so sure?" ask Ryuzaki.

"I founded my organization because I found these kids, if you don't want to admit me as part of Kuni no Hashira anymore I don't mind. Because I always thought that something interesting would happen if I were with them. As an organization! So I'm not just gonna disperse it. Is my answer unclear? I accept your challenge!"

"Hmm. You're such a bitch" Ryuzaki said with a slight smile.

"We're going to start the game! Get ready in their respective positions!"

So the future of this organization is in my hands huh? Very inconvenient. But my spirit suddenly increased, my heart was pounding even more.

"Make sure you don't do anything stupid" said Cecilia.

"Just calm down, I'll win. Whatever happens, I have to win. I don't want my second house to disappear!"

On the side of the arena, Kurobane-senpai approached Herlin who was focusing on the arena.

"Herlin-chan, right? Do you believe that boy can win? He looks like a fool and doesn't appeal to me."

"I admit that he does look like that, but he won't lose that easily."

"And why do you think that?"

"Because he's my student's son. I believe in his abilities."

"Heh. So is it."

Seriate