Yoichi's words caused amazement in the Emperor's Heralds. The crowd of warriors suddenly stopped yelling nonsense and paid the utmost attention to the one who dared to break the dispute between the two guild masters.

"Oh, well... what have we here? The country kid playing the big shot? Takamori, apparently you haven't been able to teach your warriors some true discipline," Yozo remarked. "However, I really appreciate that there is someone braver than you in that shit you call guild. Come on, kid. Come forward." ​​

Yozo gestured with his hand towards Yoichi, inviting him to join his master. To his amazement, Kato could not believe what he had just witnessed: that country boy, despite evidently being tired and wounded, had taken up the gauntlet.

Takamori turned to his pupil, looking at him from head to toe. With one glance, Yoichi communicated his real intentions to him, making him realize that even if he would lose that fight, the honor of his Sensei would remain intact.

The anger that the Nightblades guild leader felt at Yoichi's disobedient behavior was overcome by the respect for his choice. The new acquisition of his 'personal army' had figured out that the honor of the guild and the master was worth more than anything else.

Unable to thank or scold Yoichi, Takamori stepped aside. The guild leader moved sideways, letting the young warrior pass by and thinking about the consequences of that gesture.

"Y... Yoichi..." he stammered in a low voice, breaking the combat position.

"Don't worry, Sensei. It's all right. I will fight Kato and put an end to this, with your permission," the young tamer replied. With a slight bow to Takamori, Yoichi showed to all those present the deep respect he felt for him.

Rinji and Enatsu were visibly upset by what was going on. The Emperor's Heralds, much acclaimed by the people of Tentochu, had behaved like a pack of hungry wolves ready to use numerical superiority to subdue their prey.

On the other side of the tatami, Kato retraced his steps. He approached his master and waited for new orders.

Takamori, before taking a step back, accepted Yoichi's proposal. In the gaze of that chubby man, the fear of being defeated by the younger and more trained Yozo was clearly visible.

"That's a guy with attributes! I wonder what you're doing among those losers," Yozo chuckled, speaking directly to Yoichi.

Without answering, he stopped in front of his opponent. With its usual stealthy step, Kenji flanked its tamer, growling in a low voice against the enemies and preparing for the fight.

"Let the fight begin! Come on, Kato. Show this insolent brat what the Emperor's Heralds are capable of!" Yozo yelled once again, officially starting the duel.

The members of the Nightblades and the Heralds leader moved away from the center of the tatami. Yoichi's breath became warmer while he eyed his opponent.

Kato was so amazed by the courage of the warrior in front of him, that he hesitated a few seconds before starting the match.

"Go, Kato!"

"Come on Kato, tear him up!" – the warriors behind him, howling like ravenous wolves, incited their companion. As in Ambershire, Kato couldn't resist the praise of the 'public'.

"Alvanoth!" he shouted, extending his arm forward.

After uttering his demon's real name, a purple airstream came out of his chest and reached the floor. A luminous sphere took shape: around it, four long tentacles unrolled in the air, allowing the demon's body to float.

Remaining suspended in the air due to its psychic powers, the Kuwatako was ready to fight alongside its master.

"Oh, shit. I'd hoped to never see that abominable face again," Enatsu whimpered. The merchant vented his fear with Rinji, who was frozen, witnessing the scene with his arms folded.

In front of them, Takamori Sada was in the front row, ready to support his young pupil.

"Only a few days have passed, and yet... it feels like an eternity. Isn't it?" Yoichi asked, peacefully. After his words, the young tamer clenched his fists and assumed his fighting position, similar to that of a boxer.

Incited by the fierce screams of the crowd, Kato angrily looked at his opponent. "Shut up! I don't care if you got into a guild or something... I'll make you pay for what you did to me," he grunted, ordering something to his demon.

The Kuwatako floated behind his shoulders, reaching the usual safe position, far from Kenji. Unlike their first meeting, during which the Nekage was able to exploit the surrounding environment in his favor, the absence of hiding places on the tatami implied a change of tactics on the part of Yoichi.

"Before I start, I would like to ask the masters something" the young tamer smiled, continuing to behave naturally.

Kato drew his nunchaku, causing it to deftly tingle in his hands and arms, locking it under an armpit and approving his opponent's request. "What is it, brat?" Yozo asked with the usual insolence. The Heralds guild master was already tasting his adept's victory.

"I would like to change my demon" Yoichi affirmed, pointing a hand to his backpack and the rest of his equipment, resting on the ground.

"Permission granted!" exclaimed Takamori suddenly, anticipating Yozo's response. The orange-eyed warrior could not refuse the proposal, aware of Yoichi's considerable disadvantage. With a movement of his hand, he showed his indifference.

Yoichi nodded politely and approached his companions. Enatsu and Rinji did not say a word, merely observing their comrade lowering himself towards his backpack.

"Better not to be safe. I don't want you to lose XP points... what do you think, Kenji?" he whispered, looking at the Nekage out of the corner of his eye. Kenji didn't seem to agree: despite sharing fatigue and injuries with its tamer, it wanted to teach Kato's octopus demon another lesson.

"Don't be angry, it's not up to you, it's up to me. I really don't know what strategy to use and, if I have to lose the duel, I prefer you to be unharmed, my friend," Yoichi explained. The young tamer spoke to Kenji as if he were a person.