Anime Tournament of Power 2 (ATOP 2)

Chapter 30: Into the Fire

Prelude

Yo, before we get to the blood and carnage, things will be different this week, mainly because Williams isn't writing this time around. Nope cause this time, the man FINALLY decided to allow me his rival, friend, critic, fan, enemy, and lowkey soulmate Donniedrako15  to take the reigns of this chapter. Outside of the matchup, winner, and who he wanted to set up next, everything is 100% me—even the title.

For years now, I've been behind the scenes giving this guy free of charge advice as I kept growing alongside him. Hell, he even said that this story wouldn't be possible without me. However, today I'm the leading man, here to show you what you've been missing. I intend to pop up now and again, but if you like what you see here and want to make your story/fight come to life, then please Dm me. I'm sure we can work something out. Now on to the chapter.

Have you ever wondered who was the "fly" that Escanor talked about last chapter? Wee flashback ten minutes ago, to answer that question right around the start of the Hashiras battle with Irene. In a nearby swamp environment with a particularly blazing sun, the camera pans to a light blue streak dancing amongst the trees and deep pools of water. However, upon zooming in, we see this blur had a face and form: particularly that of the Upper Moon Akaza.

Despite being separated from his team, Akaza wasn't the least bit worried. He was far too concerned with two key factors. One was the ecstatic yet weirdly nostalgic feeling of basking in the sunlight, courtesy of the Gremlin's various buffs and nerfs handed out. The second was a feeling that had driven the demons' every waking thought, which was the search for strength.

Like a starving wolf, the former human prowled the swamp, hoping he could find a proper challenge amongst the hundreds of fighters. All while eliminating every weakling in his way. Using his razor-sharp senses, Akaza rummaged through the world for the fighting spirit he thirsted for. Eventually, he found it in a vessel he wasn't expecting.

For amid the chaos of the tournament start, somehow Lion's sin Escanor of the Seven Deadly Sins got separated as well. Which was dangerous for him as he still had on his magic glasses, leaving him a toothpick with an oversized purple jacket with black pants. Anxiously he tried to navigate himself out of the swamp to regroup with his comrades, but that wasn't going well, and it was about to get worse.

"I am worried about Sir Melodias and Lady Merlin, they may be strong, but there's just no telling what dangers await them in this tournament," he said compassionately.

"I'd say you might want to worry about yourself," Akaza said menacingly from on top of a tree branch.

Buckets of nervous sweat leaped out of Escanor, terrified at the thought of dealing with a devil. Still, though, he found his pride, turning around while shakingly saying.

"O-Oh, why hello, young man. Who might you be?"

"My name is Akaza of the Twelve Kizuki."

"My, what a lovely name you have there, Sir Akaza. And tell me, what is it that you can help me with?"

"Well, considering you have the fighting spirit so weak, I barely sensed it through Compass Needle. I guess you could only do one thing for me," he said casually with a cold smile.

"And what's that?" Escanor said while being terrified.

Faster than the human eye could follow, Akaza appeared right next to Escanor with an energy-clad right fist.

"Get the hell out of my way," he screamed excitedly.

Through sheer luck and speed, Escanor dodged an attack that sent a resounding shockwave that left the Sin soaked. Still, he didn't let that slow him down as Escanor tried to run away while panicky, saying.