A tense silence filled the arena
Then, an explosion of energy shattered it.
"Let's go! The fight begins now!"
Tenma launched himself forward without a second thought, his sword slicing through the air. Ikku shifted to the side, dodging the first strike with ease.
But Tenma didn't stop. He unleashed a flurry of slashes, wild yet precise.
Ikku moved like a predator, light, sharp, and fluid, evading each blow with feline agility.
Up in the stands, his friends watched closely.
"Ikku's gotten so much better," Kenny murmured.
"Yeah," Yumé replied, eyes wide. "His movements are smoother than ever."
"It won't be enough to beat Tenma," Fenrir said calmly, confident in his comrade's victory.
Down in the arena, steel clashed again and again. Tenma's attacks came from every direction, but Ikku slipped through them like water. Every counterattack missed Tenma by a breath. Then Ikku swung a right hook, only for Tenma to pivot behind him in a blink.
This time, you won't dodge it, Tenma thought.
He was right, Ikku didn't dodge.
He blocked.
With his bare arm.
Tenma froze, stunned.
"Wha—how is that even poss—"
Before he could finish, Ikku twisted and delivered a spinning kick straight to Tenma's chest. The impact sent the prodigy flying. Ikku didn't let him breathe. He leaped up to the ceiling, used it as a springboard, and dropped down like a missile. His heel struck Tenma mid-air, slamming him into the ground hard enough to crack the floor.
Ikku landed lightly, standing tall as dust swirled around him.
"I know it'll take more than that to bring you down, Tenma."
Tenma lay among the rubble, dazed.
He blocked my sword with his bare hand... How? My blades can't even cut him. Fine. Then I'll beat him up close.
He rose slowly, a grin spreading across his face. His spirit energy flared, and Ikku responded in kind. The ground trembled beneath them as their auras collided.
They clashed again, fists and feet this time.
A right from Tenma, dodged.
An uppercut from Ikku, countered.
Tenma caught Ikku's arm, twisted, and threw him over his shoulder in a perfect judo toss. Ikku hit the ground but counterpunched instantly, a strike so powerful it forced Tenma to release his grip.
Both fighters sprang back to their feet, eyes locked.
Tenma swept low; Ikku jumped, crashing down with a hammer kick that shattered the arena floor.
Tenma appeared behind him, grabbed his waist, and performed a flawless suplex.
Ikku's head smashed the ground, but he was back up in seconds, retreating a few meters to reset his stance.
The crowd was speechless. Even several Nexus soldiers had stopped what they were doing to watch.
"Who are these kids?" one soldier asked.
"The younger one's Tenma, the prodigy," another replied. "No idea who the redhead is, though."
"Whoever he is, they're both amazing."
"Yeah… that red-haired kid's control over his Prana is remarkable. But Tenma… he's evolving as the fight goes on."
Tenma stared at Ikku, excitement burning in his eyes.
"You're incredible, Ikku."
"You too," Ikku replied with a smile. "You've earned your title of prodigy. But this fight, " his gaze hardened, "this one's mine."
Tenma exhaled and brought his palms together.
Ikku instantly recognized the stance.
"Oh? We're getting serious now?"
"I don't have a choice," Tenma said with a smirk. "I'm wearing out while you just keep going. Time to end this."
He spread his arms and shouted
"Curse of the Three Monkeys!"
Three spectral monkey statues appeared behind him, radiating spiritual energy. One covered its ears, another its mouth, and the last its eyes. Tenma placed his hands over his own eyes.
"Mizaru!"
The other two monkeys vanished, leaving only the one shielding Tenma's sight. Then it, too, dissolved into light. Tenma lowered his hands, his gaze had changed. It was sharp. Unreadable. Dangerous.
Ikku grinned.
"Alright then. My turn."
He crouched slightly, clenched his fists, and whispered—
"Turbo."
A storm erupted. His skin glowed crimson, and his aura roared like fire. The ground cracked beneath him as raw energy exploded outward.
Up in the stands:
"We're getting close to the finale," Kenny said, eyes wide.
"Ikku's gonna do it," Carla said, confident.
"Don't underestimate Tenma," Nina muttered.
Neither fighter moved. The air between them pulsed.
Ikku struck first. His rear arm drew back, ready to unleash a punch. Tenma, calm and focused, read every muscle twitch.
At this range, he'll leap at me. No matter how strong you've become, Ikku… my eyes will see through it. I'll counter you.
But Ikku didn't move forward. His arm twitched, then stopped.
Wait... what is he—
White.
Everything went white.
No sound. No motion.
When Tenma's senses returned, he saw the ceiling above him, and felt pain explode through his chin.
Huh? What happened? Did Ikku hit me? No—he didn't move! But… I can't feel the ground beneath me.
He looked down. The arena floor was shrinking below him.
He was flying.
He sent me flying? How—?!
Zéno, watching from below, smiled knowingly.
Well done, kid. That was clever.
In the stands: chaos.
"What just happened?!" Nina shouted.
"I don't know!" Carla replied. "Yumé?"
"No idea! Kenny, what—?"
Kenny just chuckled, arms crossed.
"Ikku… you never cease to amaze me."
"Explain!" Carla demanded.
A nearby soldier stepped forward.
"Compressed air cannon."
"A what?" Yumé blinked.
"Basically," another explained, "your friend punched so hard he created a bullet of air. Tenma can read muscles, but he can't see the wind. Brilliant move."
Yumé and Carla stared down at Ikku in awe. He was growing stronger before their eyes.
Tenma landed on his feet, shaken but unbroken. Before he could recover, a barrage of invisible blows struck him, shockwaves of air hammering his body. He crossed his arms, gritting his teeth.
So that's your plan... You're waiting for the perfect moment to finish me off in one hit. But I won't give you the chance!
His spiritual energy condensed around his body like armor.
Ikku's grin widened.
"He saw me harden my Qi once and already replicated it… Yeah, he's a real genius. Guess I'll just have to finish this."
The air cannons stopped working. Ikku had no choice but to charge.
Come on, Ikku, Tenma thought. I'm ready for you.
Their fists drew closer, both determined to end it—
Then a blaring alarm shattered the moment.
A red warning light flashed across the arena walls.
Ikku froze mid-step. Tenma, confused, looked around.
Both dropped their stances.
"What's happening, Master Zéno?" Ikku called out.
"That's the alert signal," Zéno said grimly. "Something's coming."
A loud voice echoed through the speakers:
"Intruders detected approaching the island! All units, report to the coast immediately!"
Soldiers scrambled. Kenny, Yumé, and Carla leapt to their feet.
"We've got to move," said Zéno. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Same here," added a soldier. "Let's go. Sorry, kids the match is postponed."
They raced through the corridors and reached the coast within minutes.
What they saw froze them in place.
Dozens of warships cut through the sea toward the island. Above them, five massive airships loomed in formation.
"Who are they?" Ikku asked, eyes wide.
"Mekira's forces," Zéno answered darkly.
"Why are they here?" Kenny demanded.
A familiar figure appeared on the cliffside : Hypsen, megaphone in hand.
His voice thundered across the sea:
"This is the Kingdom of Kul-Elna! Your approach is a direct violation of our treaty! Turn back now, or face the consequences!"
From the lead airship, a tall man stepped forward. His calm tone cut through the wind.
"This is Sorento of Mekira. Our arrival wasn't planned, and we understand your suspicion. But I assure you, we do not seek violence.
However…" he paused, voice turning cold,
"We came for one person. We will not take no for an answer, and we are prepared for all-out war if necessary."
"Who are you talking about?" Hypsen shouted back.
Sorento raised his chin, eyes narrowing.
"We want… Nemuri Ikku."