Lap 7
As both of them laughed, Goroh suddenly drew his sword and pointed it straight at Kuma's face, clearly no longer amused by his comment. Kuma flinched and jerked his head backward.
Kamui stepped back in shock and stumbled into Lisa, who immediately twisted Kamui's arm behind her back, making it clear that there was no escape.
Samurai Goroh's smile vanished. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword as he forced Kuma's arm behind his back and pressed the blade against his neck. His strength was overwhelming, Kuma couldn't move an inch.
Jody gasped, but no words came out. The others were just as frozen.
Goroh:"There is no one in this world who would know about that race at this location except me or Falcon. So you are either Captain Falcon himself… or a spy who has been watching us to gather information."
The others who overheard this silently reached the same conclusion. Still, none of them knew how to act without putting Kuma's life at risk, so they waited hoping for an opening.
Kuma didn't fight back. He knew resisting would only make things worse.
Goroh shoved him toward the cliff.
Goroh:"Care to explain yourself? And don't tell me nonsense like 'I learned it from the Grand Prix' or 'on your planet we are legends.' I've heard that excuse before from other spies who tried."
He dragged Kuma closer to the edge, then turned him around and held him with one hand. Goroh was surprisingly strong.
Kuma:"It was a quiet evening in our world when I saw you race Captain Falcon at these cliffs. It was a magnificent race… who would..…"
Goroh shoved him closer to the edge, cutting him off.
His eyes showed no mercy. If Kuma didn't tell the truth soon, Goroh was ready to end this right here.
Kuma knew from the anime he had watched that this man had seen and endured..... a lot.
Kamui clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palms. She thought about how to eliminate this man. She tried to hide it, but she was never good at concealing her emotions.
Lisa noticed and smirked. That was exactly the reaction she wanted.
The others stood speechless, feeling useless, unable to act.
Kuma caught a glimpse of Kamui's face. How can I calm her down?
Then he realized he needed to stand up to Goroh as well.
Kamui began struggling against Lisa's grip.
Lisa:"Damn it, stop struggling!"
Lisa was stronger, but Kamui's resistance made it difficult. They both lost balance and fell to the ground.
The pirates and Goroh were momentarily distracted.
That was the opening.
The Mobile Task Force reacted instantly, drawing their weapons and aiming at the pirates.
Goroh grinned. Even surrounded, he still had leverage.
Goroh:"Well, this is a turn of events. But I still have this man right here over the cliff. He could have used the distraction to punch me, bite me, or pull me down… but he didn't. This man is smart—unlike the rest of you."
With a powerful pull, he threw Kuma back onto solid ground.
Kuma lay there, then looked up at Goroh and grinned faintly.
This man could become a good pirate someday, Goroh thought. Until then, I'll shape him from the shadows.
Goroh pressed the flat of his sword briefly against Kuma's forehead.
Goroh:"Don't mistake my respect for kindness. I still believe you are a spy or worse."
Kuma lowered his head slightly.
Goroh sheathed his katana and signaled his crew.
Goroh:"We'll settle this at the upcoming Grand Prix."
His voice was gruff, passive-aggressive.
The pirates withdrew.
Kuma let out a long breath. Kamui visibly relaxed.
The Task Force rushed over.
Jody helped Kuma up while Lucy checked on Kamui. Both confirmed they were fine with small nods. Everyone was shaken—but relieved.
Jody:"Why did you provoke him? …No, that doesn't matter right now.
How did you know all of that about the race? We want answers once we get back."
Her voice was calm, controlled without anger.
They headed back toward Mute City. Kamui rode in the same machine as Kuma.
Kamui:"Are we really going to tell them that they're a game in our world… that they exist for entertainment?"
Kuma shook his head, eyes fixed on the road, his grip tight on the controls.
Kuma:"Yes but we'll change parts of it. We'll say they died in the future. Or something like that."
Mute City appeared in the distance, glowing against the night sky.
The city was colorful and alive.
The night was cozy not too warm, not too cold.
Only the sound of the machines filled the air.