The Rogues all begin to flee when it's revealed Ajax officially has a bounty on his head. But with all the Rogues gone except for one as on top of the train Ryizen versus the mysterious rogue figure reaches its climax!
On top of the train Ryizen and the mysterious continue their battle.
"You really think having more room to move around is gonna save you?" The figure snorts.
Ryizen just chuckles.
"Oh yeah I plan on more than just winning but let's see shall we?"
And with that both charge at each other.
"Sword Arts: Concentration Cut!" Ryizen says quickly swinging his sword before immediately sheathing his sword.
"Fancy trick what you really thought a weak attack like that could harm m-." The figure says before a huge gash erupts from his chest.
"W-what that's impossible! I didn't even see the strike at all. Was he serious when he said he just needed more room?" The figure thinks to himself.
Ryizen grins before unsheathing his sword again.
"Oh what's the matter? Surprised? You should expect it with no armour on."
"For your information there's a good reason I'm not wearing armour." The figure snarls.
"Oh so it's not just for show perfect please do tell." Ryizen says charging at the figure.
"Shut the hell up! I already told you I'm not telling you anything." The figure says holding his sword out.
"Pretty weird looking sword too. I don't think I've ever seen that type of sword before."
"I've had enough of this song and dance between us! Prepare to be crushed!" The figure says drawing a circle in the air with his sword.
"It's over Curs-!" The figure starts before immediately stopping himself.
Ryizen who had raised his guard completely stares confused.
"Uhh your attack? What happened?
The figure nearly sheaths his sword.
"That was close. I nearly gave away our secret. Can't slip up like that again or he'll find out." He thinks to himself.
"Whatever now it's my turn and I won't miss." Ryizen says grinning.
Ryizen runs past the figure and sheathes his sword before standing up.
"Total Concentration Sword Art: Alegiria Slash!" Ryizen says as the train car gets cut cleanly in half.
A massive cut blazes across the figure's chest.
The figure falls and lands on the train car in front of the previously cut train car.
The figure slowly crawls back from Ryizen.
"What kinda- what the hell are you! No normal ronin should have any kinda strength nor swordsmanship like that!!"
"I've been patient with you. Now your gonna tell me what exactly you've done to yourself." Ryizen says, giving a demonic smirk at the figure.
"Hey dude we gotta go Ajax Nozami is on this train we gotta go-. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE!!!!"
One of the rogues says off the train tracks seeing the destruction of the previous train car.
"Dammit,it seems like Ajax and the others let them go for some reason. Damn now I got more company." Ryizen grumbles to himself.
Before Ryizen can react one of the rogues just like the one he fought with zero armour on appears behind the downed figure.
"Dang, it seems that rookie Ronin did you in. Don't worry we're retreating. The boss is gonna want to hear this." The rogue says picking up the figure.
Ryizen immediately tenses.
"Wait, I was tryna get some answers out of him!" Ryizen says as the rogue jumps off the train and starts their getaway.
"Listen here you young Ronin. I won't let this happen again yah here? Next time I'll crush you like the insignificant but you are YOU HEAR ME!" The figure says through panted breaths.
"Ryizen. You're closer to the truth than you realize. The rogue who picked up the figure simply says before he disappears with his group.
Ryizen just sighs and sheathes his sword.
"Dammit."
"Ryizen crawls back into the train car and as luck would have it Ajax and the others are in that train car.
"Oh Ryizen, hey glad to see you're still alive!" Ajax says with a smile.
Ryizen returns the grin.
"Of course."
"Do you want to explain how you cut an entire train car that's made of metal and other hard materials IN HALF!?" Rumi says not mad, but glad that Ryizen is okay.
"Oh it was nothing. Just a sword technique that's all." Ryizen simply says.
"A sword technique huh. Seems quite advanced to cut a train car. These things weigh at least 4 kilos per train car." Ishida says to himself .
"Ryizen, forget all that, take a look at this!" Ajax says practically shoving the bounty picture in Ryizen's face.
"Woah jeez." Ryizen says before grabbing the paper.
"Woah 50,000 Ryō huh? Impressive. Especially for a first bounty.
"That's not a good thing!" Rumi sighs, realizing it's hopeless.
"Yeah that's why those bandits ran away. Apparently their "boss" wants to take Ajax's bounty. Or something like that I suppose." Ishida explains to Ryizen.
"Yeah but they never will. Besides, why would they care about 50,000 Ryō anyways?" Ajax says.
"Oh yeah, speaking of weird. That guy you fought was different in any way?" Ishida says to Ryizen.
"Well besides the lake of armour and him clashing with Ajax's charm. I gotta say something definitely was off. But I couldn't really get a fair shot at what it was." Ryizen says.
Ajax continues to oooooo and ahhhh at his bounty picture.
"C'mon it'll be fine. I would have won that fight anyways. He just caught me off guard, that's all."
"Mast- I mean Ajax, that's the problem. We can't just afford for you to get hurt." Ishida says.
Suddenly the train lurches to a stop.
"Oh guess they finally realized they were missing half their cargo." Ishida says.
"Wait, that means." Rumi starts but what she fears indeed does become reality.
"Hey I don't recognize those 4! Go check their tickets! They might be why we're missing our cargo!" W voice shouts out most like the train conductor followed by plenty of heavy footsteps.
"Dammit, it looks like we've been found out!" Rumi says.
"I say we jump." Ajax simply says pocketing his bounty paper
"Are you insane! I just wasted plenty of energy and jumping is your best idea!?" Ryizen says.
"Yep sure do." Ajax says and with that jumps off the train onto the ground.
"For once I agree with the lunatic. The ground sounds a lot better than being arrested." Rumi says jumping after Ajax.
"Well shitty swordsman. Seems you're gonna be the one to get arrested." Ishida says jumping off the train.
"Gah screw you too!" Ryizen says, gritting his teeth as he jumps off.
After tumbling for a bit Ryizen stands up to see the other 3 are already preparing themselves for what's next.
"Okay was I the only one who was fighting seriously?" Ryizen pouts.
"Well without the train we essentially made it anyway. But since we're not exactly there the gate to the hollows it'll be a 2 day walk there. Rumi says, looking at the map.
"Awww more walking? How boring." Ajax says.
"Well we best get moving then. Ishida says already stretching.
"Are we seriously just gonna keep going like that train didn't just get hijacked?!" Ryizen says following behind the group.
End of chapter