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Ethan was the first to break the heavy silence.
"Look," he said, waving a hand lazily, "I'm not here to have a staring contest with you. Let's solve this the straight way."
He leaned forward just a little, eyes calm but sharp.
"We fight. You and me. One-on-one. The winner gets what he wants. No bloodshed needed after that."
He tilted his head.
"What do you think?"
For a moment, Kingpin simply stared at him.
Then—he laughed.
A deep, heavy laugh that filled the room and shook the air.
Not mocking.
Not amused.
But surprised.
"You want to fight me?" Kingpin asked, wiping the corner of his eye. "Boy… do you even understand what you're asking for?"
Ethan shrugged. "Perfectly."
Storm didn't move, but Grant and Sharon both looked at Ethan, startled. Neither of them knew Ethan had powers. Only Storm remained calm—he already knew what Ethan was capable of.
Kingpin rose from his chair, his full massive height casting a shadow across the room.
"You're bold," he said. "Either you're a fool… or you think a bit of training can help you."
Ethan smiled.
"Why not both?"
Kingpin's smirk returned—dangerous and intrigued.
"Fine," he said. "You want a fight? You'll get a fight."
He pointed toward the private training arena behind his office.
"Right there. No weapons. No interference. If you win, you get your information."
"And if you win," Ethan said, standing up smoothly, "you can get the Phantom, though you will have to pay more, its worth more than your information on Ulyses Klaue"
Kingpin blinked… then laughed again.
"Fair enough," he said. "Let's see if the genius child of Arasaka can back his words with strength."
Sharon stepped closer to Ethan.
"Ethan—"
Ethan raised a hand. "Relax. I'll handle this."
"It's fine," Storm added calmly. "Let him."
Sharon sighed but nodded, and the group moved toward the massive training hall.
Kingpin and Ethan walked to opposite ends while Storm, Sharon, and Grant stood to the side, watching closely.
Kingpin began rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, the sound echoing across the large chamber.
Ethan loosened his tie, unbuttoned the top of his shirt, and rolled up his sleeves.
"Ready whenever you are," Ethan said, voice steady.
"Boy, I'm going to enjoy this," Kingpin growled, his muscles tightening beneath his suit.
"Me too," Ethan replied with a faint smile. 'Time to see how much I've improved. If not enough… well, then I'll just activate my suit tech.'
He didn't rush in blindly.
His business suit looked normal, but inside it was lined with high-end Arasaka tech—bulletproof, shock-resistant, impact-absorbing, and able to multiply his physical strength the moment he activated it.
Even the lenses he wore connected to the system.
But he didn't turn anything on.
Not yet.
He wanted to test something first—test himself.
Just pure physical ability, no magic, no tech, no enhancements.
He already knew he couldn't match Kingpin's monstrous brute strength head-on. But he could be faster, more precise, more skilled. If that didn't work, he'd suit up.
Kingpin stepped in first, a heavy stomp that shook the floor, as he throw a puch aimed at Ethan's face.
Ethan moved at the same time—clean, calm, fast.
He slid to the side and snapped upward with a sharp uppercut.
Crack!
Kingpin's head jerked back as blood sprayed from his nose.
That was all it took for the fight to explode.
Kingpin swung a massive arm at him like a sledgehammer. Ethan ducked under it, slipping in close with quick jabs to the ribs—three hits, fast and tight.
Kingpin barely flinched.
He grabbed for Ethan's collar, but Ethan twisted out, driving a kick into Kingpin's knee. The big man grunted, stumbling half a step.
Ethan didn't give him room. He rushed in again, aiming a punch at Kingpin's jaw—but Kingpin blocked it with his forearm and shoved him back with raw force.
Ethan slid across the floor but stayed balanced.
Kingpin charged.
Ethan met him halfway, dodging right at the last second and slamming an elbow into Kingpin's side. Kingpin tried to grab him, but Ethan ducked, rolled, and came up behind him.
He hit Kingpin at the base of the skull—precise and clean.
Kingpin staggered forward, but he didn't fall.
He turned around, eyes burning.
"You hit harder than you look," Kingpin growled.
Ethan wiped a bit of dust from his sleeve.
"You're slower than I expected," he said calmly.
Kingpin roared and swung both arms wide, trying to catch Ethan in a crushing grab.
Ethan stepped back just enough and slipped under the swing, landing a clean punch straight into Kingpin's cheekbone.
Thud!
Kingpin's face snapped to the side, blood flying again.
He swung again, faster this time—a full-body punch aimed at Ethan's head. Ethan leaned back, the fist passing inches from his nose, and countered with a sharp kick right under Kingpin's chin.
Kingpin's head jerked up violently.
Before the man could reset, Ethan moved in.
One punch to the jaw.
Another to the side of the face.
A third to the mouth.
Kingpin stumbled back, his face already swelling and bleeding from multiple spots.
He tried to rush Ethan again, arms wide, trying to smother him with brute force. Ethan took two steps back, sidestepped, and smashed his fist into Kingpin's nose again—this time breaking it even further.
Blood poured down Kingpin's lips.
"You little—!" Kingpin tried to grab him again.
Ethan ducked under the desperate grab and threw a tight hook into Kingpin's eye socket. The big man grunted loudly and covered his face for a second.
Ethan didn't stop.
He struck again—fast punches hitting Kingpin's face one after another.
Left hook.
Right jab.
Elbow to the cheek.
Knee to the face as Kingpin bent forward.
Kingpin staggered back, dripping blood, breathing heavily. His cheeks were cut, his nose crooked, and one eye was swelling shut.
Ethan stood straight, breathing lightly.
"I thought you said you were strong on your own," Ethan said, voice calm.
Kingpin wiped blood from his mouth, shaking with rage but unable to land even one hit.
Ethan took a step forward, ready to continue the beating.