Chapter 217 - Luring the loli

After that long winded explanation Kenichi drank a glass of water only to find Chikage still looking at him while still holding onto the empty plate which earlier had a piece of pumpkin pie in it.

"Is there something else you want to know Chikage!?" asked Kenichi

"Yes! Is there any benefits from chocolate or candies?" asked Chikage with a twinkle on her eyes.

Kenichi smiled and nodded her head "Chocolate is a favorite sweet treat that also has health benefits. It contains flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease.

While chocolate contains ingredients beneficial to health, it does not mean you should overeat chocolate. Chocolate bars and candies are often high in fat, sugar and calories. Moderation is always the key and dark chocolate conveys more benefits than milk chocolate!

Sweets and fats can contribute to optimum health due to the health promoting phytochemicals they may contain – many of which are still being identified"

Hearing that explanation Chikage smiled again and said "Thank you" after which she directly moved towards the deserts table and started eating everyone of them one after another with a smile on his face.

"Man! That Mikumo Kushinada is really something. She forced such a young child to show no emotions on her face" said Kenichi as he started walking back to the table where his girls were sitting.

While moving towards his table he saw a lady wearing a red kimono that is knee length with slit up the side it is decorated with a light floral pattern. She pair's a obi that is light colored with polka dot's, sock and sandal's with the kimono. Her physical appearance is that of a woman around Shigure's age her black hair were tied up with only the fringe and bang's loose.

"I have seen her somewhere but where!? Ahh.... can't remember her at all!" thought Kenichi to himself as he walked away towards the table.

(A.N - Who can guess who this women is!?)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

During the banquet, in the shadows of the night.

"Man, why did we end up with patrol duty?" yawned a guard as he and his partner were patrolling the grounds.

"Master Fortuna expects us to be vigilant" lectured the other, "Otherwise the captain of the guard might get angry."

"Who's going to come at this time at this place? We are missing out on all the food" complained the first one.

Just as they passed by a rock, a shadow darted right past them.

"Stupid fools," muttered Natsu, in his Hermit gear. He darted from the shadows to shadows, getting closer to his main objective.

"Hey you!" shouted a voice.

"Ahahaha, look what we have here?" chuckled another guard, this one bigger than the other two while wielding a trident.

Natsu's eyes narrowed as he focused, knowing this one was stronger. As the guard spun his trident while threatening to chop Natsu into pieces, Natsu heard a familiar voice.

"Axe Kick."

Quickly Obeying, Natsu kicked his opponent's leg while blocking the trident by hitting the shaft. The guard yelped in surprise at this.

"Front Kick with a backslash."

Natsu parried the trident away, spinning before kicking the guard in stomach. After forcing the guard to bend down, Natsu slammed a palm strike into the guard's face, knocking him out.

After regaining his breath, Natsu blinked as he looked at the source of the voice, who was leaning on a pillar drinking some white rice wine. Natsu quickly attacked the shadowy figure, who parried all his blows with one hand before catching his wrist in between his index and middle finger.

Natsu winced as he tried to pull it out, but despite just two fingers latching onto his wrist, he couldn't pull it out.

"Seems like you didn't became lazy brat" smirked Ma Sogetsu as the moonlight revealed his face.

"I found you at last... Ma Sogetsu!" grinned Natsu.

Soon, the two of them were in a building reserved for Sogetsu's own purpose. Some other guards came across them questioned why Natsu was here but a flick to one of the guys forehead forestalled any more arguments.

"So how did you know that I would be here?" asked Sogetsu curiously.

"Because you will always show up in a place with alcohol and chaos" grinned Natsu.

Sogetsu couldn't help but chuckle in agreement, taking another swig of his wine. He then easily caught another attack from Natsu, who started to argue that Sogetsu had not fulfilled his end of the deal of teaching him martial arts.

"Watch your tone, boy" growled Sogetsu darkly, but Natsu wouldn't budge glaring at him.

"Hmm, for somebody with some talent in martial arts, plus great determination....not bad" declared Sogetsu as his growl turned into a smile as Natsu managed to free his wrist once more, "Alright brat, it's time to move on to the next level."

"Yes...master" smiled Natsu

Silence reigned in between both of them of them for a bit.

"SO my sister Kaede got discharged and fully healed and wanted to meet you" said Natsu.

"Oh! so the little girl has regained her health huh! That's nice, Then I will meet her after we are done here" said Sogetsu.

"So are we going to watch the match the matches?" asked Natsu.

"Normally, I wouldn't as it's a pathetic game for children but if I recall, the boy from Ryozanpaku will be attending right?" asked Sogetsu, getting a nod from Natsu, "Perhaps we will watch his match. Anything else would be boring and wasting time. Plus, there are quite few masters martial artists here that will give me a fight, excluding Ryozanpaku."

"Weren't they hired bu Fortuna? Weren't you hired by him as well?" asked Natsu.

"Hmph, I may have taken his money, but I will do whatever I want"