A vampire’s speed.
The moment Jigorô tried to get around to the left, Shirô lunged inside Jigorô’s reach.
A vampire’s agility.
The two bodies switched positions, and Jigorô lowered his body. It was the Sensei’s ippon-zeoi, but Shirô twisted his body in the air. He landed softly on the tatami like a cat.
A vampire’s strength.
Without allowing him the chance to return to his fighting stance, Jigorô grabbed Shirô by the collar. A judo master could easily grip more than 220 pounds in one hand.
Yet Shirô threw off Jigorô’s grip with both hands. The sound of ripping cloth. Jigorô had torn off Shirô’s collar.
And then…
Before Jigorô could make another move, Shirô attacked. Jigorô’s right arm was pushed down by the sleeve and elbow, and Shirô’s torso bent forward as his right leg kicked up Jigorô’s right leg. It was the legendary move Saigô Shirô had invented: the yama arashi.
Jigorô was hurled in the air and crashed through the shutters and into the yard, unable to cushion his fall.
“The match has been won,” said the count, smiling.
“No, it’s a draw,” Daigo countered.
Still in a throwing position, Shirô had collapsed where he stood.
“But why?” asked the count curiously.
“Sensei Kanô’s ippon-zeoi. Though it looked like Shirô-kun absorbed it, nevertheless, he still felt it. You might think of it as the ground colliding with his legs where he landed.”
“Hm, the Japanese martial arts are very profound. A draw, even with the help of a vampire’s powers. Impressive. Maybe I will take him with me, as a replacement for your mother.”
A lightning bolt struck Daigo. “My mother… did you…”
The count said quietly, “Yes, it was I who drank your mother’s blood. She chased after me, wanting to return the gold I had given her. We argued on the street, and I saw her white throat. I won’t go on. I was your mother’s enemy.”
Daigo raised his lowered sword and pointed it between the count’s eyes. Something hot began to well up from inside him.
“Will you avenge your mother’s death? I will not run.”
He could think of nothing else. Daigo thought only of striking down the man before him. His left leg felt hot and heavy.
His throat burned as he started to lunge. He coughed violently. A jolt of pain shot through the wound every time he coughed. Falling on one knee, he let out another cough—and something else.
Looking down upon the blood spreading over the tatami, the count said, “Tuberculosis. With that body, you won’t live through another month… much less defeat me in battle. Your name was Daigo, wasn’t it? You have but one way to get your revenge on me.”
Daigo raised his head, still coughing.
The count said in a near whisper, “Join my family. Then you will have eternal life… and an eternity in which to kill me.”
“I—I won’t become a vampire… like you.” He barely squeezed out the words, as he felt all his energy leaving him at the same time. Daigo knew the end was near.
Mother, am I to fell this man?
Even if it means turning into a vampire…?
Daigo’s eyes opened wide from the shock of looking inside his soul.
Do I really want to become a vampire?
“You must live.” The count’s voice seemed close and far to Daigo’s ears. “A life in darkness… tortured by eternal hunger and thirst… yet, you may come to see things you might not in your mortal life. About humanity and the way of the sword.”
“Stop it!” He lashed out with his sword.
Out of the sword’s reach, the count laughed soundlessly.
“Even in your condition, you don’t seem to understand. Very well. I suppose yours is one way to live. Then I shall go.
“But I’m a bit thirsty now. I’m taking this girl with me.
Taking Chizuru in his arms, he dropped down lightly into the yard.
“Wait…” Daigo wanted to stop him, but he could not even form the words.
“I will set sail from this city’s port. If you change your mind, come after me. If you are still able.”
The voice faded into the distance.
As Daigo desperately tried to stand up, several shadows threatened from all directions. It was Niizuka and his wife and their two helpers. The vampires still remained.
Eight white arms reached out at Daigo.
“Our legs.”
“How dare you cut them offfff!”
Again, Daigo fell into a fit of coughing. But it was not his illness that had caused it.
Suddenly, wafting in the air was the strong scent of garlic.
“Daigo-san.”
It was Shirô who had run to his side. He was indeed young, having already recovered from being thrown by Jigorô. He and Jigorô had brought along garlic powder, one of the most important weapons with which to fight a vampire.
“Did you hear that… Shirô-kun? Dracula… will try to escape from Tokyo Bay… We must go after him.”
“Not in your condition.”
“Speaking of which… you’re also in danger. If we don’t kill Dracula… you’ll have to live as an accomplice to that devil… and do as he orders.”
“But—”
“Go after him. And… kill Dracula… that’s the only way you’ll be human… again. Besides… you must go save Chizuru-san.”
“I understand. But what about…?”
Shirô turned a cruel look at the four shadows writhing on the tatami.
“Go outside and check on Sensei Kanô… I will… dispose of them.”
That night, many passersby witnessed a gigantic black dog running down the Tokyo streets. It was said that the creature was nearly seven feet in length, and its eyes burned like coals.
The witnesses’ reports that a girl in a gorgeous party dress had been lying on top of the dog, however, had only discredited their accounts altogether, instead of rousing up concern for the girl.