Chapter 99

"A verbal shot" is the second chapter of the 12th volume and the 99th chapter overall of the Tokyo卍Revengers manga series, written and illustrated by Ken Wakui.

Summary
With Chifuyu already worn from his fight with Hanma and Takemichi's limited fighting skills, they struggle to hold back Inupi and Kokonoi. Takemichi says that he cannot hold on to Kokonoi for much longer; Kokonoi notes that they are stalling for time until Mitsuya and Hakkai can defeat Taiju. Before they charge at Taiju, Mitsuya tells Hakkai to have faith in himself.

As Mitsuya rushes towards Taiju, Taiju begins laughing. Turning around, Mitsuya sees that Hakkai has not moved; trembling, Hakkai apologizes to Mitsuya for his lack of resolve. Taiju asks what Mitsuya was expecting from a person like Hakkai, then punches him. Just then, Takemichi is kneed by Kokonoi, and Chifuyu collapses on the floor; Inupi remarks that he wanted to fight Chifuyu when he was in better shape.

Grabbing his knife and rushing towards Taiju, Hakkai tries to gain the resolve to kill Taiju; still coughing and panting from the impact of Kokonoi's attack, Takemichi puts himself between Hakkai and Taiju. Grasping Hakkai's blade, Takemichi tells him that he will become an irredeemable person if he follows through with the act, as murdering someone is no way to fight back.

Telling Hakkai that he will show what it means to fight back, Takemichi prepares to face Taiju, who remarks that Takemichi has not learned his lesson, even after being attacked by Taiju numerous times. Thinking back to what made Hina fall in love with him, his inability to back down from a fight, Takemichi responds that it is his only redeeming quality. Taiju easily counters Takemichi's attacks with punches to his face. By the time Taiju asks how many times he has to punch Takemichi until he gives up, Takemichi's face is swollen and bloodied, but he refuses to lose. Hakkai implores Takemichi to stop, as he is too weak to face Taiju. Seeing Takemichi's wounded face, Chifuyu weeps, telling him to stop and accept defeat. Takemichi grasps the necklace Hina gave him, asking for courage. He concludes that as long as Taiju and the Black Dragons exist, Hakkai will be unable to stand up for himself. Takemichi tells Taiju that he will defeat him and take control of the Black Dragons.