The massive screen flickered to life, and Manjo's face appeared. His eyes locked firmly on Steve, who at that moment seemed weighed down by guilt and despair.
"Why are you looking so depressed?" Manjo's voice cut sharply through the air, dripping with irritation. "You're being pathetic!"
He took a step closer, his tone growing more forceful.
"A created hero—that's exactly what you are! And that's perfect! Didn't you say it yourself before? What we believe in is not false. We fight for the justice we believe in!"
The words rang with conviction, echoing in the silent hall.
"Steve," Manjo continued, his voice softening just slightly, "at this moment, the justice you believe in… should be saving Misora. Isn't that right?"
Steve froze, stunned by Manjo's unshakable resolve. For a moment, his doubts crumbled. His clenched fists trembled before he finally raised his head, determination burning in his eyes.
"You're right," Steve said firmly, his voice steady. "Transform!"
The familiar sound of mechanisms whirring and snapping filled the room.
"Creation Knight—Genius Form!"
Beside him, Manjo's power surged.
"Kroz—Lava Form!"
Manjo smirked, tossing his head back confidently. "I'll take care of your father. You focus on saving Misora!"
But the situation spiraled out of control before Steve could react.
Manjo's transformation wavered, his aura burning hotter and hotter until his body trembled violently. His control slipped. Rage consumed him, and a terrifying murderous intent flared in his eyes.
"No…" Steve muttered, realizing what was happening. "Not again…"
Manjo let out a primal roar, his voice twisted by fury. He swung wildly, his attacks no longer directed at enemies but threatening to destroy everything—friend and foe alike—standing before him.
Steve's mind raced. Misora was in danger. Manjo was losing himself again. If he didn't act quickly, they would all be annihilated.
Caught between his best friend and the girl he needed to protect, Steve's heart clenched. Yet amidst the chaos, a plan began to form.
He drew a slow breath, forcing a calm smile. "The rules of victory," he said, voice low but certain, "have already been decided."
Misora lunged at Steve in a haze of corrupted power, her strike fast and brutal. Steve twisted at the last moment, deflecting her attack. Without missing a beat, he used the opening to redirect her momentum—straight into Manjo's path.
The two collided with a deafening boom!
The ground trembled, and flames erupted high into the air, painting the battlefield in crimson light.
When the smoke cleared, Misora had collapsed, her transformation undone. Her unconscious body lay on the ground, free from the corruption that had ensnared her.
Manjo, however, was sprawled motionless on the battlefield. His body twitched faintly but gave no sign of rising.
Katsuragi Shinobu emerged from the shadows, his cold eyes narrowing. A thin smile curved his lips as he mocked, "I didn't expect you would go so far as to sacrifice Bernaju and even Manjo Ryūga just to save Misora."
His tone dripped with disdain, but deep down, even he had to admit he hadn't foreseen this.
"So," Shinobu continued, "that collision just now must have killed him. What a waste." He extended his hand. "Give me the Lost Energy Bottle."
But Steve didn't flinch. His voice was calm, steady, and filled with conviction.
"The outcome hasn't been decided yet."
As if to prove his words true, a surge of fiery power suddenly erupted behind him.
Manjo staggered to his feet, his body engulfed in blazing flames that refused to be extinguished. His chest heaved, his eyes burned with renewed determination.
"He's… still alive?" Shinobu's calm mask faltered for the first time, genuine shock flickering across his face.
Steve explained, his voice steady and precise. "I transferred Bernaju's power into Manjo. The energy of Bernaju and Evolt is mutually reactive. Using that interaction, I was able to neutralize the unstable genetic code inside his body."
The audience from across the Three Realms, who had been watching breathlessly, erupted with admiration.
"Battle Rabbit is incredible!" someone shouted.
"He actually thought of such a way? That's brilliant!"
"In this case, maybe Manjo won't lose control again!"
"Yes, Steve's plan is perfect! Battle Rabbit is awesome!"
Shinobu's brow furrowed as he demanded, "Is this ability… something unique to your Genius Form?"
Steve didn't answer directly. Instead, he turned to Manjo with a firm nod.
"Manjo. Let's go." His voice carried unwavering determination. "The End of Genius!"
The two launched forward in perfect sync, their combined attacks crashing into Shinobu with devastating force. He staggered backward, barely regaining balance before Steve followed up with another fierce strike.
Shinobu's body skidded across the ground. His lips twisted in frustration. "Impossible… You've actually reached Danger Level 7?!"
Steve stood tall, his face calm but resolute. "I've made my choice," he declared. "We are both scientists and builders. But unlike you, I will surpass every limit. I'll defeat Evolt and protect humanity."
For the first time, a glimmer of respect shone in Shinobu's eyes. He smirked faintly. "Very well, Steve. I'll be watching to see just how far you can go."
His body shimmered before bursting into fiery energy. Transforming into a blazing firebird, he shot into the sky and vanished.
The audience from the Three Realms roared in excitement, their blood boiling. Steve's words had ignited their spirits.
"Battle Rabbit is amazing!"
"He's carrying all our hopes!"
"Justice will never fall as long as he fights!"
---
Elsewhere, Evolt observed coldly. His voice was deep and unreadable. "So… the teacher's plan has failed for the first time? Or perhaps… this was still part of your calculations?"
Shinobu, who had reappeared before him, shook his head slightly. "No. This was an unexpected result. Steve outwitted me." His smirk was thin but real. "I underestimated him."
Meanwhile, at Faust's secret base, Gentoku (Huande) and Kazumi (Grease) were dragged in chains. They had been captured and were now subjected to human experiments.
Utsumi sneered wickedly as he prepared the gas injection. "You two will soon become nothing more than Lost Smashers."
But Grease only smirked. "Thanks to you… our Danger Level has risen again."
"What?" Utsumi's eyes widened. "You mean… you deliberately allowed yourselves to be captured to be injected with the gas?"
Grease glanced at Gentoku and grinned. "Let's go."
Before Utsumi could react, the two broke free of their restraints. At that exact moment, Sento's allies stormed the facility, rescuing them and throwing Faust's plans into disarray.
---
The video resumed, revealing the continuation of the battle. Steve and his comrades now faced Evolt himself.
"Hand over the Lost Energy Bottle," Evolt demanded coldly.
They fought fiercely, but Evolt's overwhelming strength quickly became evident. His speed increased with every exchange.
"He's getting faster," Manjo muttered, his teeth gritted.
Grease narrowed his eyes at Evolt. "You're holding back, aren't you?"
"Of course," Evolt answered smoothly, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I don't need my true power to deal with mere humans. No matter what ideals you fight for, no matter your dreams… none of it matters to me. Together or alone, you cannot win."
His attacks intensified, sending all of them flying.
The audience gasped in despair. "Are Steve and the others really no match for him?"
Steve struggled to his feet, his chest heaving. But his voice was steady, filled with conviction.
"You're right. Alone, I can't do it. None of us can. But together—when everyone combines their strength—we can turn the impossible into possible. We can turn despair into hope. We can turn failure into victory!"
His words rang out like thunder. "The law of victory has already been decided!"
Grease and Gentoku surged forward, grappling onto Evolt's arm.
"It's useless," Evolt sneered, unimpressed.
But Steve's eyes blazed. "Manjo, now!"
"Understood!" Manjo roared, charging in.
His fists flew like a storm. "I will never lose!"
"Breakdown End!"
The impact resonated through the battlefield. Manjo's power surged higher, his soul burning like a blazing sun. "My magma is about to erupt! No one can stop me!"
He unleashed his full might. "Blizzard Punch!"
A brilliant light burst from his fists, slamming Evolt backward. For the first time, Evolt's body sparked violently, his movements faltering.
His eyes widened. "Impossible… I can't move?!"
At that critical moment, Steve soared into the sky, energy radiating from his Genius Form.
"Both sides—ready, go! The End of Genius!"
He dove, delivering a final, devastating kick that crashed directly into Evolt.
BOOM!
The explosion lit the entire sky ablaze. Flames roared upward, consuming everything in their path.
As the smoke parted, Evolt's figure staggered, his voice heavy with reluctant admiration. "You… are stronger than I thought. But don't think this is over."
The battle was far from finished. But for now—justice had prevailed.
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