Accurate Sense × Inaccurate Judgement [Dr. Stone]

XXII- Saving Who We Love

Almost a year in the Stone World- yet it felt like she had been preparing her whole life just for this moment. In the modern day, Kaoru's troubles always focus on her studies, peers, and hobbies. She had missed the days when the most stressful thing she had in her mind was either an upcoming competition, finals, her parents being away, or Senku about to make her help him work on another hard crazy experiment. Now here she is, standing amid a battle. A dagger in hand, many of her comrades injured, and a monster standing before her.

Kaoru charges at Tsukasa and swings her dagger but the male dodges easily. He then uses his spear and swings it at the girl- Kaoru had managed to deflect it by the hair with her dagger but was pushed back by the sheer force of his blow. It was clear as day for her on how different their strengths and skills were, Kaoru was a mere deer to this bloodthirsty lion. 

"I suggest you yield Kaoru" Tsukasa spoke as he slowly approached the girl. "You are fighting a losing battle"

Kaoru scoffed, "Losing battle? What an insult!" She quickly sprang back on her feet and charged at him once again swinging her dagger in hopes of landing another cut. 

"That girl's crazy, she's nowhere near Tsukasa's skill!" Magma exclaimed as slowly tried to recover himself. "We gotta get back and stop-" his words were cut off as his body writhed in pain from his injuries.

"You think you're in shape to go back and join in the fight?" Nikki spoke as she aided him in standing back, she too was heavily injured but not as bad as the blonde tribesman. "The best we could do now is recuperate what little strength we can get."

"But that's crazy!" Ginro exclaimed as he helped out his brother on his feet. "It's clear to see that Kaoru is in no match against Tsukasa-"

"You think I don't know that?" Nikki turned to them. "But you don't know how stubborn Kaoru is" Her gaze became distant as she continued. "If you were to find out your friend was nearly killed, had been treated as an outcast, and had to mentally, physically, and emotionally prepare yourself for what it is like to live in a world you don't know of. That girl had experienced those- all of us did! But Kaoru, she was stubborn, she disobeyed and always spat at Tsukasa's presence. Everyone here may loathe Tsukasa, but hers is a driving force."

The two siblings contemplated her words as they watched the battles unfold: Hyoga vs. Kohaku and Tsukasa vs. Kaoru.

"I suggest it is best to let her off some steam" Nikkie added, "That girl's grudge against Tsukasa is something I've witnessed, and would like to see the outcome."

Tsukasa easily dodges the attacks Kaoru throws at him. The girl was indeed swift and agile, how quickly her body could react every time he attempted to take hold of her. "So this is what power you have been hiding Kaoru?"

"Not power, just a one big fu-"

"KAORU WATCH OUT!" Kohaku yelled.

At that moment time became slow, in the corner of her eyes Kaoru saw a spear about to stab her, Hyoga took advantage of her fight with Tsukasa to attempt and attack her from behind. "It is time to finish my main job, Kaoru-kun."

Thankfully, Kaoru manages to dodge his attack by the hair yet it ended up with her receiving a terrible blow on the side by Tsukasa. All the air escaped her lungs at the impact- it caused her to be thrown to the side of the battlefield.

"D-damn you Hyoga" She cursed under her breath as she clutched tightly onto her stomach. She tried to get up but her body was in so much pain to barely move. "D-damn this"

"I'll leave Kaoru to you Hyoga," Tsukasa said as he began to walk towards the miracle cave.

Kaoru's eyes widened in panic as she watched the primate draw near to where Senku was. Her body trembled as she forced herself to stand back up. She refused to concede defeat- those months of training to stand her ground against him, was it not enough to at least barely buy enough time?