Hikiri, still in the bathroom getting dressed, heard Tony spewing a bunch of crap about him. Every word made him more irritated, and Asti's choking laughter didn't help.
He had only one thing on his mind: beating Tony to a pulp.
He violently pushed the door open. Tony was already looking at him.
"Tell me, what's your name?" Hikiri asked coldly.
"And why would I tell you my name, little guy?" Tony replied with a mocking smile.
Hikiri, annoyed by the "little guy," shot back:
"I like knowing the names of the people who come looking for trouble… makes it easier to teach them a lesson."
"You're gonna teach me a lesson?" Tony said, raising an eyebrow.
"That's the plan. Usually, the people I beat up? Never hear from them again. But you… I'm gonna make you my personal slave," Hikiri said with an arrogant grin.
The mood shifted instantly. Tony, no longer laughing, replied:
"Then why don't we start now?" he said, grabbing his black sword.
Hikiri drew his katana and pointed it at him.
"Just don't start sucking me off like a bitch afterward," he spat.
Tony burst out laughing and took a fighting stance.
"Just try to last long enough for me to have fun."
Neither of them said another word. They locked eyes, tense, ready to pounce.
"Wait!" Asti shouted.
They turned toward him.
"You can't fight here! You, since you're new, I'm guessing you're sleeping here. So instead of trashing the room, go fight on the training grounds!"
"And where's that?" Tony asked.
"Third floor. I'll take you. But first, can you tell us your name? 'You' is getting annoying," Asti added.
"Tony. Now take us there," he growled.
"Alright, alright," Asti said with a shrug.
"Tony, isn't that a name gay guys love? Unless you're trans or something," Hikiri mocked with a provocative grin.
"You… you're gonna shut that big mouth on the field," Tony replied, irritated.
Asti, already on his phone, sent a message to everyone:
"Big fight coming! Hikiri vs. some guy named Tony at the training grounds! Place your bets!"
"Come on, follow me," he said, chuckling.
The three left the room and headed for the arena. In the empty hallways, Tony asked:
"Is it always this deserted here?"
"No, usually it's packed. It's... weird. Maybe something happened," Asti said with a sly smile.
Hikiri, walking behind, said:
"Asti… if you really did what I think you did… you're next."
Asti kept smiling to himself.
Sorry Hikiri, but I know you're gonna win. Might as well make some money out of it.
"...Here we are," Asti said, stopping in front of a large door.
"A door's meant to be opened, right?" Tony sneered.
"You came to fight, so focus on your opponent," Asti grumbled.
"You're slow. Too slow," Hikiri growled, stepping forward. He grabbed Tony by the neck and shoved him into the room.
As soon as they entered, shouts rose from the training ground.
"There they are!"
"That guy dared challenge Hikiri? He must be insane!"
"Place your bets! Tony or Hikiri!" Asti yelled.
"How the hell did he get here before us?" Tony muttered, surprised.
"Enough wasting time. Fighting trash like you is almost insulting," Hikiri snapped, drawing his katana.
"If that's what you want, I'll give it to you," Tony replied, grabbing his black sword.
"Wait!" a female voice called out.
It was Simone, who had just arrived, running.
"You can't fight with real weapons! Here, take these!" she said, throwing them two wooden swords.
Tony caught his.
"As long as we're fighting, I don't care."
"Fine by me," Hikiri replied, sheathing his katana.