'I should be able to improve my progress here... Hopefully, there's not a maniac kid killing the children here like livestock. Ah, I hope that might not be the case.'
A simple mention of killing made Yoichi rub his temples in frustration.
What he was concerned about was when his uncontrollable curse would pop like a balloon.
Gradually, he understood the curse based on its name.
Shepherd, a guide who tends and rears innocent sheep which meant that Yoichi was compelled to save the innocent no matter what. If he didn't save any innocents around, each pain and negative thought would be inflicted back at him, the Shepherd.
The problem was how to distinguish and recognize an innocent sheep. Yoichi was fairly certain that other shinobi weren't in the list of sheep. How can one truly describe a perfect example of a sheep?
"Oh well, there's no point mulling these things. I should focus on the task ahead." Yoichi mumbled.
"Is there a problem, Yoichi?" Hikari asked.
"Ah, it's nothing." Yoichi crossed his arms, "Be cautious, alright? If these children didn't surrender, just use extreme means or kill them."
"This..." Hikari hesitated. Yoichi's pragmatic advice was radical but she couldn't help but come to terms with him. Without Sabito and Genji, her only pillar in these trials was Yoichi, who was relatively dependable when the stakes were high.
There is no choice. Adapt or perish. Even with the curse inside him, Yoichi won't carelessly risk his life even if it means that he will be subjected to his enemy's inflicted curse.
One by one, the children met their match. Six separate duels were happening and supervised by six Genin Shinobi on the side as referees of the fights.
Enduring the cold rain and wind, these children were determined to win no matter what the means. On the side, a bunch of uncalled children enveloped these duels, observing each contestant with seriousness.
"Yoichi!"
"Kanetada!"
"Wish me luck." Hearing his name called, Yoichi went into the duel and glanced at his opponent. It was a skinny guy with a commitment on his face.
As the match started, Kanetada initiated the fight with stones, throwing at his enemy's vital spots, and surged ahead.
With his perception, Yoichi calmly evaded the pebbles and blocked the kick of his opponent with his hand.
Afterwards, he grabbed Kanetada's heel and struck him in the chest, then threw him to the ground. Lastly, Kanetada wanted to struggle but he was pinned by Yoichi's snake-like constriction, choking Kanetada to the ground similar to the D'arce Choke.
"Do you admit defeat?" A cold voice came out of Yoichi.
"Y-yes, I can't breathe..."
Therefore, Yoichi stood up and wiped the mud off his cheeks. Ignoring the crowd with an indifferent expression on his face.
"Winner: Yoichi!"
「Heavenly Demon Posture EXP +1」
'Oh, I got a little bit of experience. Quite good!'
Yoichi thought. Although his demonstration of techniques was too much, even resorting to grappling methods, it was necessary since nothing could be underestimated in this place.
"Hmm... He's quite promising. Even know how to use submission techniques... Very well."
Hideaki noticed the earlier fight with a thoughtful expression. It was someone recommended by Hayate, after all.
"He... He killed someone!" One of the children's voices rang out of the field.
Hearing this exclamation, kids including Yoichi glanced at a boy, whose face was dripping in blood along with his fist, appearing to be merciless against his own age.
"Can someone disqualify him?! He killed a child!"
"Idiot! That's a ruthless kid. I will not provoke him if I were you."
"Is—is that really necessary to kill someone?!'
While the voices of concern murmured, Yoichi grew incredibly curious. His curse didn't activate.
'Fortunately, I am saved from another torturous moment...'
He sighed, then looked towards Hikari's match and cheered for her from the sidelines.
...
Subsequently, Yoichi won 10 times out of 10 duels, unbeatable, and appeared to be flawless with no serious injuries or exhaustion.
His enemies before were simply weak yet it gave him 10 points of proficiency, a substantial profit.
On the other hand, Hikari also won 10 fights but her condition looked severe unlike the other 7 children who fared well and still have some fuel left.
"8 undefeated participants, let's begin the next duel!" Hideaki exclaimed.
"Kazuyori!"
"Yoichi!"
Earlier ago, Hideaki and the other shinobi decided to form a massive ring in the muddy ground while the children enveloped the ring, a way to establish appropriate measures and order.
"That's the guy who killed earlier!"
"I hope he can defeat this psycho!"
"Beat him!"
Hearing the crowd's reaction, Yoichi glanced at his opponent, who was arrogantly smirking right back at him.
"Pathetic fools! If you don't have any power, then stay in mediocrity forever! Come on, stupid child! Let me see if you have the guts to fight me!"
With his boastful speech, Kazuyori sneered with absolute disdain at the crowd and Yoichi. Perhaps he felt that this trial would be boring and easy for him.
However, Yoichi charged ahead and struck his cheeky opponent's head with a powerful fist. But Kazuyori utilized his arms as a blocking tool against a strong punch, then he performed a side kick, raising his knee and extending his leg towards the target.
Yoichi diverted the kick off and held Kazuyori's foot, putting his enemy in an off-balance position. Then, with a twist of his waist, he launched a left hook to Kazuyori's chest.
Left with no choice, Kazuyori turned his body and extended his clasped foot, executing a weird back kick.
Noticing he was outmaneuvered, Yoichi opened his left hand and grabbed Kazuyori's clothes. Suddenly, the powerful grab pushed Kazuyori downward into the muddy ground.
As his back suffered pain, Kazuyori rolled away from Yoichi's range, effectively denying his enemy a chance to implement a grappling chokehold.
Afterwards, he stood up and quickly analyzed the situation. His enemy was too fierce and aggressive.
In that little skirmish, Kazuyori experienced the terrifying hands of his opponent. His back was still aching from a sudden impact on the ground while his foot felt numb, being caught ruthlessly by the hands of Yoichi earlier.
'How is this possible? This fool was too strong! No, impossible!'
"I will kill you!" This time, Kazuyori took the initiative and surged ahead.
__________
(Current Progress)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Small Success) 142/300]
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I need some time to think ahead of the fight scenes. I mean it's hard to visualize fight scenes especially CQC. Each movement needs some quality writing and other detailed information. Luckily Google is there and ready for any good recommendations for Taekwondo kicks and other Martial Arts.
Thanks for reading the chapter and bookmarking the novel. See ya! XDD!