**Tokyo – Grand International Stadium, Late Afternoon**
The stadium thrummed with a feverish energy, the air thick with the acrid scent of scorched sand, fresh blood, and lingering ozone from the magical clashes. The crowd's cheers had barely ebbed after Leopard's stunning victory over Izuko, echoing off the towering steel arches like a living beast. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in strokes of deep orange and bruised purple, casting elongated shadows across the arena floor pockmarked with craters and frozen in the moment of destruction. Giant screens looped the climactic finale in agonizing slow motion—Leopard's magma-coated fist slamming through Izuko's icy barrier, the final form shattering like fragile glass, ash drifting lazily on the wind. Some spectators gasped in awe, others wiped sweat from their brows, but all felt the shift: this was no longer just a tournament; it was a war, and the line between glory and death had blurred into oblivion.
In the VIP box, President Blu sat with arms crossed, his powder-blue skin catching the fading sunlight like polished marble. His glowing blue eyes were fixed on the arena, expression calculative—lips pressed into a thin line, brows furrowed in quiet strategy. He had wagered everything on this: the billion-dollar prize could resurrect Paras City from its ruins, fund Blu's planetary restoration plans, heal the scars left by Leo's sacrifice. But as the shockwaves from Paras City rippled through the air—faint tremors that only he and a few others could sense—doubt crept in like fog. *Astra… what's happening back home? Did I push you too far?*
Below, in the family section, Yuki sat rigid between Wano and Uraka, her black jacket zipped tight against the chill of fear. She was healing—color returning to her cheeks, strength in her posture—but the sunglasses hiding her crimson eye did nothing to mask the tremor in her hands. She felt every small shockwave from Paras City, each distant rumble like a punch to her gut. Her mind raced back to the hospital bed, the Bermuda Triangle nightmare, Honokage's punch—*I can't lose Astra too. Not him. Not my little brother.*
Yuki lowered her head, whispering through gritted teeth.
"I think… Astra will be okay… Astra… please stay well…"
Wano leaned closer, her short green hair brushing Yuki's shoulder as she placed a gentle hand on her arm, voice soft and steady like a lullaby.
"Don't worry, Yuki… Astra will be okay. He's got your fire in him, Blu's training, Uraka's tricks. And he will definitely fight in the tournament. He's strong now—stronger than we know."
Uraka observed them quietly, her pink hair falling like a curtain over one crimson eye, arms crossed. She said nothing at first—just watched, her usual smirk absent, replaced by a rare vulnerability. Finally, she spoke, voice low and fierce.
"He's a dragon, Yuki. Like me. We don't break easy. He's fighting for you—for all of us. Trust that."
Yuki managed a nod, but her fingers twisted the edge of her jacket, knuckles white. *Please… be safe. Come back to me in one piece.*
Lappa, from his seat in the VIP row, had his hand clenched so tight his nails dug into his palm, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air. He tried to stay calm—leaning back, forcing a smile—but his eyes darted to Leopard on the field, pride warring with anxiety. *My warrior… you did it. But if the next one takes you down…*
Dabura sat confident, a big smug smile plastered on his face, arms crossed like a king on his throne. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction—*Izuko failed, but the damage is done. They fear us now.*
**At the Battlefield – Extended Dimensional Clash**
Leopard and Izuko's dimensional clash raged on—barriers cracking like thunder, magma and ice colliding in a symphony of destruction. The arena floor buckled under the strain, sand fusing into glass where lava met frost.
Leopard was really injured—bleeding through his fur, fur matted with blood and ash—but he was smiling, teeth bared in a feral grin, eyes glowing with unyielding determination. Volcanoes erupted from the ground around him—lava bubbling up in geysers, heat waves distorting the air, turning the arena into a hellish forge.
On the other side, Izuko held his golden staff tightly, teeth clenched so hard his jaw ached, silver hair whipping wildly in the chaotic wind. Ice sparks flew off him like shattered diamonds, his blue eyes narrowed to slits of fury.
Both domains clashed—rising slowly at first, then surging with raw, escalating power. Magma rivers snaked toward icy spires, steam exploding in deafening blasts. The air hummed with energy, the crowd holding its breath as the barriers warped and groaned.
The clash reached its peak—then failed spectacularly.
A massive explosion ripped through the arena—shockwave slamming spectators back in their seats, lights flickering overhead.
Both warriors fell to their knees, dimensional barriers erasing slowly like smoke in the wind. The ground smoked, cracked, fused into bizarre obsidian patterns.
Izuko stood first—breath ragged, voice cold as the frost on his skin.
"You played well… far better than I anticipated. But now… I will end this."
Leopard stood too—cracking his neck with a pop, fists clenching until his knuckles cracked audibly. Blood dripped from a gash above his eye, but his smile widened—wild, defiant.
"This is not ending. I am strong enough to keep up with you… and I will outlast you."
Izuko smiled—dangerous, lips curling like a blade.
"Alright. Then come."
Izuko lowered his staff forward and spelled, voice echoing with power.
Ice chunks erupted one by one from the ground—jagged, razor-sharp, hurtling toward Leopard like frozen missiles.
Leopard snapped his finger—a massive magma hand rose from the ground, swatting the ice chunks aside in a shower of steam.
Izuko rushed and swung his staff—wide arc, ice trail following.
Leopard instantly froze—body encased in a block of ice. The crowd gasped.
Then the ice exploded—Leopard bursting out, breathing fire, fur singed but eyes blazing.
Leopard's eyes glowed brighter and he dashed forward—leaving afterimages of flame!
He landed a gut punch on Izuko's abdomen—fist sinking deep.
Izuko spilled blood, eyes widening in shock, crashed backward across the sand.
Leopard jumped and landed a burning kick on the ground—impact cratering the arena. From four sides, volcanic bullets shot—glowing orbs of molten rock.
Izuko—bleeding, holding his staff like a lifeline—swung it in a circle, the bullets reflected back in a storm of ice-sharded shards.
Izuko—voice strained, coughing blood.
"You are fighting better than I expected. Even after my transformation… I am struggling. How… how are you still standing?"
Leopard smiled—blood on his lips, fur matted.
"I was better in fighting… I just waited for the right moments. Moments like this."
He slammed his leg on the ground—raw magma surged up, covering him fully in a molten armor that steamed and hissed.
Izuko swung his staff—icy slash came, slicing the air with freezing wind.
Then he continued swinging—slashes coming one by one, each faster, sharper.
The magma puddle protected Leopard—slices glancing off in bursts of steam.
Then Leopard punched through the puddle—his hand visible from magma, glowing red.
The magma exploded in slow motion—waves of lava radiating outward.
Leopard rose from the center—unscathed, flames licking his fur.
The magma pieces fell over Izuko like fiery rain.
Izuko's eyes glowed as he moved—body blurring with speed.
He dodged all the magma pieces—twisting, leaping, the drops sizzling where they hit the sand.
Then he moved behind Leopard and raised his staff—tip glowing with concentrated frost.
Leopard spun—held the staff—it started breaking under the heat of his grip.
Izuko backed off—cracks already visible on his staff, frost melting into water.
Izuko—tch, frustration cracking his composure.
"You are annoying."
He slammed both palms together—ice arrows came from his hands, a barrage of frozen projectiles.
Leopard slammed his leg—melting magma spikes came up and impaled the arrows, turning them to steam before they could strike.
He closed his eyes. Arms folded—calm, almost meditative.
Izuko moved behind Leopard and slammed the staff down—full force!
Leopard tilted his head—the staff passed through him like smoke, an afterimage.
Then Leopard moved—kicked twice on Izuko's face—once left, once right, each blow landing with a crack of bone.
Then Leopard's tail whipped out—held Izuko's hand and slammed him on the ground, cratering the sand.
Leopard clapped his hands twice—melting magmas shot from behind like homing missiles.
Izuko created an ice barrier around him—thick, shimmering.
But it cracked by the impacts—shards flying, barrier fracturing.
The ground beneath started breaking—fissures spreading like veins.
Leopard jumped high and landed a punch!
It covered with melting magma—fist glowing white-hot!
The punch connected on Izuko's face—impact echoing like thunder.
Izuko crashed through the ground and exploded outward in a burst of ice and blood.
Magma covered his hands and legs like chains—binding, burning.
Leopard sprinted—punched Izuko's whole body in a flurry—each hit landing with sizzle—then kicked him off like discarded trash.
The magma chains exploded—final burst sending Izuko tumbling across the sand.
Izuko tried to stand up but Leopard's tail covered his throat and slammed him on the ground—hard.
Leopard smiled, wiped blood from his head with the back of his hand.
"So you want to continue or this ends there?"
Izuko stood up slowly—voice weak but defiant, body trembling.
"This can't end there… I will win!"
He shot an ice spear but it melted on the way—vaporizing into harmless mist.
Izuko—shocked, staring at his hand.
"No way…"
He looked at his hand—fingers numb, energy ebbing.
"My… my energy is getting lower."
His staff cracked on its own—fissures spreading like frostbite.
Izuko rushed at Leopard—desperate, wild.
Leopard blocked Izuko's punches with one finger—effortless.
Izuko swung his staff—from the ground, melting ice spikes erupted.
Leopard's magma blocked the spikes easily—lava swallowing them whole.
Izuko fell on the ground and kicked with a breakdance move—spinning, leg extended like a scythe.
Leopard moved backward and shot an exploding magma from his palm—orb hurtling forward.
The magma fell on the ground, glowed, and exploded—fireball engulfing the area!
Izuko covered himself from the explosion—arms crossed, ice shield cracking.
From the magma, melting magma tentacles came out—whipping toward him.
Izuko cut the tentacles with his ice spikes—each slash sending shards flying.
He held a sharp spike from the ground—wielding it like a dagger.
Then he rushed at Leopard—speed blurring.
Leopard had already calculated the counter—body tensing.
But midway Izuko disappeared—vanishing in a swirl of frost.
Leopard scratched his head—confused, scanning.
From behind him, Izuko moved with the sharp spike—lunging silently!
Leopard moved backward slowly—the spike cut his hair slightly, a few strands floating down.
Leopard held Izuko's wrist and kicked—leg sweeping low.
But Izuko backed off and dodged the kick—rolling, staff spinning.
Leopard's fist glowed with melting magma powers—fist igniting.
Izuko and Leopard clashed—Izuko throwing his spike and swinging his staff faster.
Leopard punched and countered it—each block sending shockwaves rippling outward.
The ground started cracking—fissures spreading like veins under the arena.
The stadium filled with people talking about it!
They started supporting Leopard—chants rising.
"Leopard! Leopard! Show him!"
**Back to Battleground**
Leopard was getting slower… breaths coming in ragged gasps, fur singed and matted.
Izuko was using his powers faster—desperation fueling him, ice flaring brighter.
Leopard breathed heavily—chest heaving, blood dripping from a dozen wounds.
The stadium was covered with motivation for Leopard—banners waving, chants growing.
Even Yuki, Uraka, and Wano supported Leopard—clapping, cheering.
Leopard roared—deep, primal—and landed a perfect gut punch on Izuko.
The impact felt—thrice! Echoing through the arena like thunder.
Inside Izuko, his nervous system started failing—it blasted outward in a spray of blood and frost.
Izuko exploded and his body covered by raw magma—flames licking his skin!
His staff fell, the spike melted instantly—pooling into slag.
Leopard held Izuko's throat tightly—claws digging in.
Izuko's pupils gone, blood coming faster than ever. Face went pale—skin cracking like dry ice.
Izuko—desperate, voice a rasp.
"Stop it… Stop it right nowwww!! You moron!"
Leopard's eyes glowed, teeth gritting sharper—fangs elongating slightly.
Then he slammed a last punch on Izuko—fist wrapped in magma, connecting with a sickening crunch.
Izuko exploded in slow motion!
His body broke into pieces—limbs flying, torso shattering—and then it burned off in a burst of flame and ash.
Ashes fell on Izuko's cracked staff like dirty snow.
Then Leopard slammed his leg on Izuko's staff—it broke and dissolved by magma, hissing into nothingness.
Leopard raised his head—voice booming, echoing across the stadium.
"No one… I mean no one can stop me from protecting the pride of my president Lappa."
Dabura stopped—for the first time ever, he felt insulted—face twisting in rage, fists clenched.
Lappa stayed shocked, in disbelief—eyes wide, mouth open.
Lappa—whispering, voice breaking.
"Did… we win?"
The stadium got quiet…
Even the announcer stopped for a moment—mic trembling in his hand.
Wano screamed—voice cutting through the silence.
"You did it Leopard!!!"
Then the announcer said—voice booming back to life.
"So this match's winner is… Leopard from Lappa's side!!"
The stadium filled with claps! Everyone cheering Leopard—waves of sound crashing like thunder.
Other presidents also reacted—John clapping slowly, Mairun nodding with respect, Triel raising her tea cup in salute.
Even Blu smiled for a moment—genuine, proud.
Leopard stood on the ground with his bloody body—fur matted, wounds smoking.
Smiling—tired, triumphant.
With the evening time the sun slowly set—sky deepening to indigo.
Yuki's smile softened—voice soft.
"He really protected the pride of his president… no matter the cost."
Dabura stared at Lappa constantly—eyes burning.
"This is insane…"
Lappa—still shocked, standing now.
"You did it… Leopard… You really have done it."
The stadium was cheerful until…
The announcer said—voice rising.
"Okay… before the break time let me announce the opponent of Leopard… and he is Astra, a dragon from President Blu's side."
The stadium got quiet…
People whispered—murmurs spreading like wildfire.
"He wasn't a kid? Is a kid fighting now!?? That's not fair… How can the president let a kid fight in this deadly battle? Are they insane or something!!? Stop the fight now!!"
Yuki's smile faded instantly…
Yuki—standing up, voice shaking with panic.
"Astra!? This early??? No—!! If Astra ever loses… will he get the death in the same way the others get? This can't be!!"
Even Uraka couldn't control herself from anger—standing, fists clenched.
Blu was hearing insults, anger, conversations about Astra—why Blu had even chosen him for the fight…
Blu didn't lose his composure, but inside his mind:
*Astra… you have to win this…*
Leopard on the ground smiled—wiping blood from his mustache.
"A kid gonna fight me?"
The gate of the stadium opened—creaking like a death knell.
Astra walked in—hands in his pockets, steps deliberate despite the limp.
His silver eyes were dull now, scratches, cuts, blood all over his body, fully torn jacket hanging in rags, even beneath his gi also torn, bleeding from his head, tired—exhaustion etched into every line of his young face.
Yuki at first glance felt wrong—really wrong…
Her heart stopped—breath catching.
"Astra… no…"
She started screaming, arguing to stop the fight—voice raw, desperate.
"Stop! He's injured! Look at him! This is madness!"
Blu showed that he didn't care about Astra being injured… but underneath he asked himself what happened and why he was injured—golden aura flickering faintly in his clenched fists.
Even the announcer got no words for Astra—mic hovering, voice faltering.
Astra pulled his hand from his jacket, raised a finger—slow, defiant.
His expression was serious—jaw set, eyes hardening despite the pain.
Astra—voice steady, cutting through the murmurs.
"I don't care if I'm injured, tired or whatever… I will fight. With you."
Leopard—smiling wider, eyes narrowing.
"Oh… I see the confidence… But don't be overconfident, kid."
Astra glared at Leopard, and Leopard glared back at Astra—tension crackling like lightning.
The announcer felt the weight, then said—voice strained.
"Alright everyone… it's a break time for 45 minutes. Let the warriors heal, eat and fight freshly."
Astra moved first—limping slightly.
"I will see you after the break."
Leopard—nodding, respect flickering in his eyes.
"Same."
The stadium got quieter—murmurs rising again.
Yuki stood up—voice breaking.
"Wait Wano and Uraka here… Let me take care of Astra for this 45 minutes… I can't save him, I can't stop the tournament… But at least… I can motivate him."
Wano smiled—tears in her eyes.
"Sure. Go… he needs you."
Yuki nodded—rushed down, weaving through the crowd, heart pounding.
*Hold on, Astra… I'm coming.*