Sprout

Sprout - Inktober Day Twenty, 2021

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He heard the stories. The senzu beans were definitely some kind of illegal substance, because no way its real. But people were telling him how it was real and why they should try to get one before his fight. Even one bean was enough to help him recover completely mid-battle. So, it was essential for him to not just believe its powers, but also get it before anyone else does.

The senzu beans are rare and even one bean takes too long to grow. But now they had intel that there was a sprout secretly grown in their area and they were not totally sure if it was senzu beans. But they couldn't miss the opportunity and try to find out.

When many people tried going there to check it out, they were not even allowed past the main gate, let alone anywhere near the heart of the compound where it was being grown. This only confirms that it is definitely senzu bean, and his opponent paid for it. Otherwise why hide it?

The fight was getting closer, they had to get their hands on the bean. All possibilities of infiltration were leading to only one conclusion: Impossible.

But he believed that the solution is hiding in the plain sight. He will just barge in from the gate and run inside and grab as many beans as possible. There's bound to be at least hundred beans. No way they'll set this all up for one bean.

Everyone said he was a fool to try this. But he was sure he won't be killed with the weapons the guards had. And once he gets past them, he can easily outrun anyone, knowing well that his speed training will pay off.

He went there as soon as possible, and barged in as he said, and to his team's surprise, he got it. He was right, that's the one possibility that seemed most stupid, which is why the guards weren't expecting it.

He took them by surprise, and by the time they understood what was happening, he reached the central building. The people were surprisingly relaxed, knowing no one can get in, and were left speechless and incapacitated by the smoke bomb. He did take some measures after all.

He finally caught a guard and used him to pass the ID verification at the security system and at last, caught a glimpse of the sprout. He was perplexed. Why would they set this whole thing up for only one? Anyway, there's not enough time to think, he had to grab it before anyone else. He saw some guards coming his way, so hurried to the sprout and jumped on it.

As he took it, he realized he was surrounded by the whole security team with their guns. But he had to escape, he can't surrender.

Then suddenly he saw someone emerge from this wall of guards. He was his opponent.

"Well, you fell for the trap." Opponent said.

"You went through all of this trouble for this?" He asked.

"Well, if it gets you arrested, it was worth it."

"You're that scared of me? Not confident of your strength so chose to show your power this way?"

"It's okay to acknowledge your limits. I am weaker than your... but only physically. In every other way, I am the one with power. I mean, just look around."

"So, you'll hand me to the police and declare yourself a winner without actually winning?"

"No. I'll let you go on one condition. You'll let me win or this robbery will be made public."

"So, this is how you won so far? Buying your wins?"

"Someone said, everything is fair in love and war. As much I find it hilarious, it's definitely easier to follow than having principles. You always base these on your opponent's decisions. You forgo your morals because you know your enemies don't have them."

"But..."

"And was I wrong? To think that you'd resort to thievery just to have slightly boost to win? That's disappointing."

"Who are you to judge? Aren't you equally worse?"

"Well, I am pleased to hear that I am equally worse. I always think of myself to be much worse. I fight people with morals and principles to see what breaks them and how long it takes. So, the disappointment was not in your actions, I couldn't care less, I was disappointed that I put you on such high pedestal. The error in my calculations is what's making me scoff. Guards, drop him at this home."

"So, I guess this is not senzu bean?"

"It is. You can eat it in fight. And yet you'll lose. It'll be priceless."