Ryuu's boots scorched the earth as he landed between Itsuki and the advancing trio. The ground cracked beneath him, smoke curling around his shoulders. Twin arcs of flame spread from his back—wings of aura, pulsing and alive.
The enemies skidded to a halt.
The bloodline user snarled, "Another one?"Ryuu didn't even blink. "No. The one."
Without warning, the first of the two enhanced allies lunged. Ryuu sidestepped, flames flaring off his elbow as he spun and back-kicked the attacker into a tree. Bark shattered. Ryuu turned mid-spin, meeting the second's punch with a fire-coated arm, their clash sending shockwaves through the trees.
The bloodline user charged too, his remaining arm glowing crimson with energy. Ryuu caught the strike in his palm—burn marks formed, but Ryuu didn't flinch. He headbutted the man back, spun, and launched a fireblast that was parried by the duo.
They came at him together. Ryuu ducked low, slid under a punch, uppercutted the second, but took a blow to the ribs in return. He skidded back, coughing once, then grinned.
"You hit like toddlers."
The trio circled him. Ryuu leapt into the air, wings flaring—dodging a joint tackle—and unleashed a spinning torrent of flame. It singed their clothes but didn't take them down.
They were tough. Fast. Coordinated.
Every blow Ryuu landed was matched. Every flame blocked. Every dash countered. Sweat glistened on his forehead now, not from fear—but from challenge.
He grinned wider."Finally. A proper fight."
Both sides stood panting, eyes locked. Not a step back. Not a step forward.
Equal. For now.
Ten minutes ticked by. The scorched battlefield Ryuu left behind now held only silence and the faint scent of burnt bark. The trio lay on the ground, tagged out—steam rising from their clothes. Ryuu stood tall, panting, his fists lowered. His chest rose and fell, but his expression was unreadable. Though victorious, one thing was clear: those three had barely broken a sweat.
Cut to the jungle again.
Kaito stumbled out of the foliage, breath ragged, sweat dripping from his chin. He finally spotted someone up ahead—leaning calmly against a tree, sipping from a water bottle.
It was Kuren, the one who had taken out Sena and Daigo moments ago.
Kaito jogged over, unaware. "Huff… Huff… Hey… you Kuren?"
Kuren turned, a calm smile on his face. "Yeah. Take a breather, you're clearly exhausted."
Kaito blinked, confused. "Wait, we can do that?"
Kuren shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm letting you. No point in fighting someone who can't stand."
Kaito flopped down on a root beside him. "Thanks, man. Honestly, didn't expect this kindness from an enemy. Not like that damn brat… what was it… Rokia?"
Kuren chuckled. "Rokuya."
"Yeah, that guy."
Kaito spotted the water in Kuren's hand. "Hey… can I?"
Kuren handed it over. "Your call. But it's not the best idea to drink water right after a sprint."
"Damn… you're too nice to be in this competition," Kaito muttered, sipping anyway. "You sure you're not my ally?"
Kuren smiled again and sat down. "I'm a boxer. Don't like unfair starts."
"Oh? A boxer?" Kaito grinned. "Then let's have a brawl."
Kuren raised a hand. "You just drank. Wait a bit."
"Fair enough."
Minutes passed. The jungle whispered around them. The air grew still.
Kaito stood. Rolled his shoulders. "Alright. I'm good."
Kuren rose, adjusted his stance. "Then let's dance."
Both took a classic boxer's pose—hands up, feet light. Their eyes locked. No aura. No powers. Just fists and instinct.
Kaito jabbed first—quick, testing. Kuren slipped, countered with a low hook. Kaito stepped back and fired a cross. It grazed Kuren's cheek. Kuren responded with a tight combo—left, right, uppercut. Kaito dodged, weaving close to land a body shot.
Grunts, thuds, and quick steps echoed in the clearing. They moved like lightning, neither gaining the edge. Every punch had intent. Every dodge had grace.
A right cross clashed with a left hook—both recoiled slightly, breathing harder.
Their fists met again mid-air, and for a moment, they grinned.
Evenly matched. No tricks. Just skill.
And the real match had only just begun.
Kaito's footwork sharpened—slick mud or not, he danced like the terrain was made for him. Each punch hit heavier, sharper, faster. Kuren staggered back, arms up, trying to guard—but Kaito's rhythm was untouchable.
Kuren lunged in frustration, throwing a brutal cross.
Kaito slipped under it, landed a clean uppercut to Kuren's ribs, then spun and tapped his shoulder—tag.
Kuren froze. Chest heaving. Eyes wide.
Kaito stepped back, relaxed, grinning. "I don't know anything about this Akamichi stuff… but I'm kinda a prodigy when it comes to boxing."
Kuren stood still, breathless, then chuckled in disbelief. "You… really are." He rubbed his ribs. "I could keep going, but I'd just get dropped harder. I admit defeat."
Kaito nodded, wiping sweat off his brow. "You're strong though. Real disciplined."
Kuren exhaled slowly, gaze serious. "Go regroup. You're good—but whatever's next won't be something you'll want to face alone."
Kaito raised a brow, half-smirking. "Appreciate the heads up, brother."
Kuren gave a small grin. "Before you go... teach me a few of those moves sometime?"
Kaito flashed a thumbs-up.
As Kaito sprinted off, Kuren waved. "Later, Sensei."
Kaito laughed over his shoulder. "Catch ya after this madness!"
Next stop—Itsuki.
As Kaito dashed through the trees, his heart still pounding from the match with Kuren, a thought lingered:
"That Kuren guy... he's way stronger than me. If it hadn't been boxing… I would've been floored. He let me play on my terms. That was respect."
But there was no time to reflect.
He reached the clearing—and froze.
Ryuu and Itsuki were down on one knee each, faces bruised, clothes torn, blood trailing down their arms. The air around them was heavy, tense. Two figures stood ahead—the last member of the enemy team, calm and untouched... and the guard, a towering force, built like a fortress.
Ryuu lifted his eyes, barely standing. The guard's fist cocked back, ready to deliver a blow straight to Ryuu's face.
Kaito didn't think. He dove.
He slammed into Ryuu, shoving him aside as the guard's punch missed by inches and cracked a tree instead.
KRRRAKK!
Bark exploded. The tree leaned and fell.
Kaito crouched beside Ryuu, grabbing his shoulders. His voice trembled."Hey… hey! You okay, man?!"
Ryuu groaned, blood dripping from his lips. Barely conscious.
Kaito's eyes widened in horror.This wasn't a tag match anymore.
This… was war.