The school rooftop, normally a quiet sanctuary, had become a war room.
Gojo stood with his arms crossed, trying to look serious despite the fact that he'd just been bound and massaged half-naked the night before by a nearly nude fire fairy.
Hikami paced in front of him, her long red hair tied back in a high ponytail, exposing the nape of her neck and making it really hard for Gojo to concentrate. Her white blouse was half-unbuttoned—again—and her bra peeked through as she crossed her arms.
"Focus!" she snapped, clearly aware of his wandering eyes.
"Hey, I'm trying, okay?! It's not my fault your… everything is out in the open!"
Suma, dressed in a cropped gym hoodie and tiny shorts, smirked and bumped her hip into Gojo's side. "If you're gonna die today, at least die with a good view."
Hiyori sighed, adjusting her snowflake-shaped hairpin. "Why am I even here…"
"Because," Hikami said, turning toward her, "you're the only one besides me who has a fragment of the Celestial Stone. That makes you our secret weapon."
"I still can't control it properly…" Hiyori muttered. "It reacts to emotion, not logic."
"Then get emotional," Suma grinned.
"Don't encourage her," Gojo groaned.
Suddenly, a swirling portal of flame erupted midair. The heat shimmered like a mirage, and the group flinched back as the rooftop cracked beneath their feet.
From the flames, Dema stepped out—his crimson cape billowing, golden eyes gleaming. Beside him stood a tall, muscular teen with a bare chest, a golden circlet on his brow, and ember-colored hair that blazed with power.
Kuma. The Fire Fairy Prince.
Behind them stood Zona and Rona—twin sisters with matching fiery spears and skin-tight battle gear that left very little to the imagination. Zona had short, spiky hair and a cocky grin. Rona wore hers long, with a cold, calculating stare.
Dema sneered at the group. "Welcome to the match. We'll settle this in the Hiroma Kaznu—our realm. There, no one will interrupt."
"You're not dragging them into your political games," Gojo snapped.
"Oh, but I am," Dema said smoothly. "Hikami's made her choice clear. She's failed her mission. So, here's the deal…"
He gestured toward Kuma, who stepped forward, flexing.
"If Kuma wins, Hikami becomes his bride. Her power will return to the Fire Fairy Clan. Peace will be restored."
"And if I win?" Gojo asked.
Dema's smile widened. "Then she's yours. But you won't win."
Hikami's fists clenched. "This isn't fair…"
"I'll fight," Gojo said.
Everyone stared.
"Gojo-kun…" Hikami whispered.
He turned to her and smiled—just like in that dream so long ago.
"I'm not letting anyone take you away."
—Hiroma Kaznu: Realm of Fire—
They stood on a floating island of obsidian surrounded by rivers of lava and a blazing red sky. In the center was a wide circular arena lined with glowing runes.
Suma, Hiyori, Gojo, and Hikami stood on one side. On the other: Kuma, Dema, Zona, and Rona.
Dema clapped his hands. "Let the trial begin!"
A shockwave rippled out. Runes lit up, forming a barrier dome around them.
"Ladies first," Rona said with a wicked smile.
"I'll take the flat one," Zona sneered, pointing at Hiyori.
"What did you just say?!" Hiyori snapped.
"I'll deal with both of you!" Suma yelled, launching herself forward. "Gojo's not gonna lose—so I'll win first!"
—Suma & Hiyori vs. Zona & Rona—
Suma flipped midair, pulling twin daggers from her thigh holsters. "Come at me, bikini babes!"
Zona blocked with her spear, sparks flying. "Fast one, aren't ya?"
Hiyori took a deep breath, touching the snowflake pin. The fragment pulsed.
"Come on… come on…!"
Suddenly, the air around her shimmered—then crystallized. Snowflakes burst outward in a swirl, and frost crawled up her arms.
Rona raised her spear. "Tch. Cold types are annoying."
"Shut up and melt!" Hiyori shouted, firing a wave of sharp ice shards.
Rona deflected some—but was pushed back.
Suma clashed blades with Zona in a flurry of flips and dodges, her short shorts flipping dangerously high with every motion.
Gojo glanced back.
"Is now the time to be watching butts?!" Hikami growled.
"Sorry—reflex!"
—Main Battle: Gojo vs. Kuma—
Kuma stepped forward into the ring, flexing his pecs—each one rippling like molten iron.
"Strip," he commanded.
Gojo blinked. "What?"
"Shirt off. Only fair to fight bare-chested."
"Oh, you're on," Gojo growled, yanking his shirt off and tossing it aside.
Hikami covered her mouth, blushing. "Gojo-kun…!"
The two boys charged, fists colliding midair with a thunderclap.
Kuma's strength was monstrous. Every punch cracked the ground. He spun, sending fire-laced kicks that Gojo barely blocked.
"Feel the Sun Crush!" Kuma roared, slamming his palms into Gojo's chest.
Gojo flew backward, skidding across the arena.
"GOJO-KUN!!" Hikami screamed.
Gojo got up, coughing. His chest was red and scorched. But he grinned. "That all you got, Mr. Hot Yoga?"
He gathered power—his own Spirit aura shimmering around him. Gold and white light flared as he dashed forward, fist glowing.
Kuma's eyes widened. "What—?!"
"SPIRIT FIST!!" Gojo yelled, smashing into Kuma's jaw.
Kuma flew backward—but landed on his feet, wiping blood from his lip.
"Not bad, Spirit God. But I'm not done."
He roared—and his entire body erupted into flame. His muscles expanded. His hair turned white-hot.
"Full Phoenix Form—activated."
"Oh, crap," Gojo muttered.
Kuma blurred forward—and drove a flaming knee into Gojo's gut.
"GUAH—!"
Gojo dropped to one knee, coughing blood.
"I'm not finished yet—!" he growled.
He rose, hands shaking.
But Kuma was already behind him.
"Solar Collapse."
A blast of white-hot fire engulfed Gojo.
When the flames faded… Gojo lay motionless, smoke rising from his body.
"GOJO-KUUUN!!!" Hikami screamed, running forward.
Dema laughed darkly. "It's over. The deal is sealed."
"No…" Hikami whispered, kneeling beside Gojo. "Please…"
Gojo's fingers twitched.
Hikami leaned down, cupping his cheeks.
"You idiot… you promised…"
Then his eyes flickered open.
"D-Did I… win?"
"No, dumbass!" she sobbed. "You lost!"
"Oh…"
He passed out again.
—Meanwhile: The Girls' Fight—
Suma unleashed a spinning tornado kick that sent Zona flying into a lava pool—where she screamed and vanished in a puff of steam.
Hiyori, hair frozen with frost, blasted Rona into a pillar of solid ice.
The girls turned—just in time to see Gojo fall.
"No…" Suma whispered.
"Did we… lose?" Hiyori asked.
Dema smirked.
"Kuma wins. Hikami becomes his bride."
Kuma stepped forward, panting.
"I'll be gentle," he told Hikami.
She stood—her body trembling.
Then slapped him across the face.
"Gojo-kun may have lost… but I'll never belong to you."
"That's not how the deal works," Dema said coldly.
Suddenly—
Gojo coughed.
He sat up, barely conscious.
"But I never agreed to that deal…"
Hikami turned to him.
He forced a grin, blood on his teeth.
"I'm still breathing… which means the fight's not over."
Kuma frowned. "Don't be stupid. You're half-dead."
Gojo stood, shaking.
"But I'm still standing."
Suddenly—his back glowed.
A strange glyph pulsed with light.
Dema's eyes widened.
"No… it can't be… the Spirit Seal?"
Hikami gasped. "It awakened?!"
Gojo opened his eyes.
They glowed gold and white.
"Let's go for round two."
[To be continued…]