The Black Dragon’s Foot shook violently as it was pulled into a colossal golden arena floating in space. All around were alien crowds cheering and chanting. At the center of the arena was a giant sumo ring, glowing with cosmic energy.
A booming voice echoed:
“Welcome, warriors, to the Tournament of Worlds! Only the strongest may survive! The prize: freedom… or eternal imprisonment!”
The crew looked around nervously. And then, stepping into the ring, came the greatest sumo wrestlers in the galaxy—summoned from Earth itself.
At the front stood Alfie’s absolute favorite: Yokozuna Onosato, towering and powerful, with eyes sharp as steel.
The Rules
A referee shaped like a robotic gong announced:
“Each challenger must face the Earth’s champions in sumo combat. No weapons. No tricks. Only honor, balance, and strength!”
J.J. whispered, “Uh… does karate count as honor?”
Alfie cracked his knuckles. “Of course it does.”
The Matches Begin
First up was Skull Fire. His pirate boots squeaked as he shuffled awkwardly into the ring.
“Do I really gotta wear this funny loincloth?” he grumbled.
He faced Mitakeumi, a fierce veteran rikishi.
BAM! Skull Fire tried his dragon flames—but the referee zapped him.
“No powers! Sumo only!”
Mitakeumi charged, pushing Skull Fire back until—WHAM!—Skull Fire toppled out of the ring.
The crew groaned.
Alfie Steps Up
Next, Alfie entered the ring in his white karate gi, belt stripes glowing faintly.
His opponent: Yokozuna Onosato.
The crowd roared.
“O-NO-SA-TO! O-NO-SA-TO!”
Alfie bowed respectfully, then crouched low.
The gong rang.
Onosato charged forward with unstoppable force. Alfie slid sideways, using Shizuki Ni to deflect the blow. The crowd gasped!
“Get over here!” Alfie shouted, pulling Onosato close in a surprise move. But the Yokozuna countered with a massive shove that nearly sent Alfie flying.
At the last second, Alfie planted his feet and shouted:
“Shizuki San!”
He spun with perfect balance, redirecting Onosato’s momentum—and the giant Yokozuna stumbled forward, just touching the ring’s edge.
The gong rang again.
DRAW!
The crowd went wild, chanting both names:
“AL-FIE! O-NO-SA-TO!”
Onosato looked down at Alfie and grinned.
“You fight with heart. I will help you.”
The Twist
Just as the crew cheered, the arena darkened. The referee’s voice grew deep and monstrous:
“You fools… this was no game. The sumo wrestlers were merely the test. Now you face the true master of the Tournament of Worlds!”
The floor of the ring cracked open, and from below rose a gigantic shadowy sumo demon, its body covered in glowing kanji runes.
Even Onosato stepped back, his expression grim.
“Together,” he said, looking at Alfie. “We fight this monster as one.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
In Chapter Fifteen: Clash of the Cosmic Sumo,
Alfie, Onosato, and the crew must battle the shadow sumo demon in the ultimate fight for freedom.