Right at that moment, as if some illness had suddenly flared up, Yujiro abruptly launched a direct punch toward Sadaharu and Mahiru.
The human and the dog had no time to react. Just as the fist was about to strike them, Gintoki lunged forward. Without a second thought, he unsheathed Toyako (his wooden sword) and held it across his chest, parrying the attack for Mahiru's sake. Unfortunately, the force was so immense that he was sent tumbling backward, embedded deep into a nearby wall.
Sadaharu stood stunned for a moment, then he bared his teeth at Yujiro, flashing his fangs and a ferocious expression. Even though this particular master always left him starving, if you're going to kick a dog, you'd better check who the owner is first!
(If you strike my owner right in front of my eyes, wouldn't I lose face?)
Gintoki mused from behind the rubble: (Dammit, you stupid dog! So that's how you really feel?! If I'd known that, I wouldn't have parried that hit! Just go ahead and die!!!)
Seeing Yujiro step closer, inch by inch, Sadaharu lowered Mahiru from his back. He gave Mahiru a gentle nudge with his massive white head, signaling for the girl to leave immediately; he would find a way to hold off this strange uncle.
Mahiru stroked Sadaharu's soft white fur, reluctant to leave. She feared that once she was gone, that strange man would kill Sadaharu.
Yujiro now stood before them, looking down with disdain at the dog and the girl. His reason for attacking them was simple: he thought it was interesting. He always did whatever he pleased without moral constraints, even if it meant bullying a 100-year-old grandfather.
A fist the size of a boulder swung down with a cruel, mocking grin. Yet Sadaharu refused to budge; he snarled, baring his fangs, vowing to protect the big sister behind him to the death.
Mahiru fed him, so she was his second parent. If he took a single step back, that Gintoki fellow would surely laugh at him...
As the giant fist was about to make contact, Mahiru closed her eyes in terror, yet she continued to hug Sadaharu tightly, refusing to run.
Suddenly, a blur wearing a white yukata streaked from the ruins. He slammed the wooden sword Toyako directly into Yujiro's gut, sending him flying. Exactly as the opponent had launched him earlier, it was now the opponent's turn to be smashed into the rubble by Gintoki.
Blood streamed down Gintoki's forehead, but the sharpness in his gaze did not diminish in the slightest. He rested Toyako lazily on his shoulder and spoke in a casual tone:
"So noisy, so noisy. You bastards, is it mating season or something?"
Yujiro crawled out of the debris, touching his bleeding forehead.
"He... can actually be wounded."
Yujiro let out a terrifying, wild laugh.
"You, the silver-haired perm guy, you're not bad!"
Instantly, Yujiro's shirt shredded into pieces, and the muscles on his back shifted to form the face of a demon; he had activated his Demon Back.
Gintoki pointed his wooden sword at Yujiro, signaling for Sadaharu and Mahiru to leave immediately; he would hold the line here.
Sadaharu initially looked moved, but then... he promptly bit down on Gintoki's head. Blood... sprayed even more profusely. Gintoki began to fly into a rage, grabbing Sadaharu by the scruff of his neck and lifting him up.
"You ungrateful dog! I raised you, and you have the nerve to bite me!"
"Ouch!"
Kagura, who had just arrived, whacked Gintoki's head with her black umbrella.
"Don't bully my Sadaharu, you useless white perm head."
Because of that blow, the blood on Gintoki's head flowed even faster. He spoke to Kagura in a resigned tone:
"Could you not make false accusations? It's clear this damn dog bit me first, can't you see?!"
Gintoki pointed at Sadaharu who—ever since Kagura arrived—had instantly begun pretending to be an obedient dog. Sadaharu sat there primly while licking his paw, wearing an innocent expression.
Kagura showed listless eyes, clearly not believing him.
"You think I'll believe that? Aru. Don't pin the blame on an innocent dog."
Gintoki finally realized the meaning of a "two-faced dog." This giant dog acted sweet in front of Mahiru and Kagura, but in front of him, it didn't even bother to pretend?
Gintoki suddenly had the urge to slaughter this dog and turn it into soup.
While Gintoki and Kagura continued to bicker incessantly, Yujiro—the strongest creature on earth—acted unchivalrously. While their attention was diverted, he launched a Sonic Punch to take them down. An attack that lightning-fast was impossible for an ordinary person to respond to.
But were Gintoki and Kagura ordinary people?
Kagura instinctively drew the umbrella at her waist. Gintoki reflexively drew his Toyako. Their weapons formed an "X" cross and slammed into Yujiro's stomach, instantly sending him flying back again. The two shouted in unison with annoyed faces:
"Don't interrupt while we're fighting, bastard! (x2)"
The two stood on the left and right like personal bodyguards, holding their weapons before Mahiru. Kagura turned, flashing a row of neat white teeth as she gave a thumbs-up, then spoke cheerfully:
"Mahiru, go find your man quickly. Leave this place to us; we won't let anyone bother you."
Gintoki stood with one hand on his hip and Toyako propped on his shoulder, already starting to demand his reward.
"After this, I want strawberry cake and red bean rice (Azuki meshi)."
Mahiru wiped the slightly wet corners of her eyes. Despite having only associated with this group for a short time, they were truly reliable comrades. Even Sadaharu stood between the two of them, intending to block that strange uncle for her sake.
The silhouettes of the two people and the dog under the remaining light of the setting sun looked so steadfast. Mahiru gave a firm nod, then ran toward the tournament arena without looking back. She understood perfectly that now was not the time for sentimentality. She had to fulfill the hopes of those two people and the dog: to bring her man home.
Seeing Mahiru run further away, Yujiro did not pursue her. Although he had no moral standards, a common woman who was clearly untrained held no interest for him.
Kagura intended to step forward to thrash the man, but the back of her collar was pulled by Gintoki and she was tossed toward Sadaharu.
Kagura was just about to curse, "What do you think you're doing, you damn whitey," when Gintoki's words rang out.
"Go with Mahiru, and take that stupid dog with you!"
The stupid dog he referred to was, of course, Sadaharu.
Sadaharu instinctively wanted to lung at Gintoki, but was held back by Kagura, who now stared at the man.
"Smelly perm, you'll be okay, right? Aru."
"Heh~" Gintoki let out a dismissive laugh, turning toward the pair and the dog while pointing at himself with his thumb.
"Who do you think I am? I'm the boss of the Yorozuya!"