The instant their powers collided, the resulting shockwave made the Kagura clan's legendary Yata Barrier groan under the strain!
"Too... too strong..."
"These two... are they even human?!"
In the stands, Terry Bogard, Iori Yagami, and every other elite fighter stared at the two warriors whose mere presence warped the very fabric of reality around them. Their expressions had never been more grave.
They understood—this battle had transcended mere "fighting."
This was a clash of Dao.
Ryo struck first.
No flashy techniques. Just a single step forward and a simple, unpretentious straight punch.
A sphere of condensed golden light—no larger than a fist but solid as diamond—flickered and vanished.
Yet this seemingly plain attack embodied the martial principle of "great simplicity"—the purest expression of combat refined to its essence!
"Ko'ou Ken!"
That hyper-compressed orange fist-force tore through the air instantly, carrying enough power to pierce a mountain, hurtling toward Kyo with devastating speed!
This wasn't the massive energy blast of before. Every ounce of qi had been concentrated at the fist's tip.
Faster than sound.
Kyo's pupils contracted.
Under Ryo's Domain suppression, his reaction speed had dropped by at least 10%. There was no dodging this!
In that split-second, he made the only correct choice.
"Style 100: Oniyaki!"
He didn't retreat—he charged.
His body spun like a top, crimson flames erupting into a rising dragon of fire, meeting attack with attack!
BOOM!!!
Golden fist-force and crimson flame dragon collided at center stage.
No spectacular explosion—just a muffled impact that seemed to shake the observers' very organs.
A visible ring of white shockwave expanded outward, shaving a layer off the reinforced arena floor!
Kyo shook out his tingling right arm. His school uniform sleeve had been incinerated.
Ryo's knuckles bore a faint scorch mark.
A single probing exchange—yet the level of offense and defense displayed was absolutely suffocating.
"Holy shit." Backstage, Sie Kensou's meat bun tumbled from his slack jaw. "What just happened? I saw a flash and then they separated? Did Ryo just flash that punch?"
Athena's expression was equally grim. "No—it was simply too fast. Ryo-san compressed all his power into a single point, sacrificing range for extreme speed and penetration."
"And Kyo calculated in a fraction of a second that he couldn't dodge. He used the Oniyaki's rotational force field to deflect most of the impact—otherwise his arm would be broken right now."
"Monsters..." Terry pulled off his treasured cap, face more serious than anyone had ever seen. "Both of them are absolute monsters."
On stage, the battle erupted anew.
Ryo's offense crashed forward like a tsunami—wave after relentless wave.
Every technique he used was stripped down to fundamentals. The most basic Kyokugenryu moves became lethal weapons in his hands.
"Flying Swallow Hurricane Kick!"
He launched skyward, legs wreathed in golden qi, descending like a massive battleaxe aimed at Kyo's skull.
"Style 75 Kai!"
Kyo answered in kind—his legs blazing with flame as he met Ryo in midair combat.
Every collision unleashed blinding light and thunderous roars. This wasn't martial arts anymore—it was two Gundams clashing beam sabers!
They landed. The assault never paused.
"Zanretsu Ken!" Ryo's fists blurred into afterimages, golden qi-force raining down like a monsoon.
"Aragami!"
"Dokugami!"
"Batsuei!"
Kyo unleashed the Kusanagi ancient arts combo to its fullest—crimson flames dancing in his hands, shifting forms: serpent's strike, tiger's pounce, precisely blocking and countering Ryo's every attack.
Their battle had completely exceeded normal comprehension.
This was top-tier, precision combat in the smallest of margins.
Orange dragon against crimson dragon—clashing on this stage in the most primal, blood-pumping mythical showdown!
Fist against fist—a contest of raw power!
Domain against Domain—a test of will!
Both pushed their understanding of martial arts, their mastery of power, to the absolute limit!
Speed against speed! Hardness against hardness!
Both were drenched in blood, gasping for breath.
Yet their eyes—locked on each other—burned with identical flames of fighting spirit and mutual respect!
They saw themselves reflected in the other.
They saw that same pure obsession with the martial path!
"Ryo..."
Kyo slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"You're the best... opponent I've ever faced!"
"But..."
The crimson flames around his body blazed higher than ever!
"This ends now!"
"Let me show you... my true sun!"
"Orochinagi—!"
BOOOOOM!!!
A pillar of pure scarlet flame—more condensed, more terrifying than anything before—erupted from his fingertips!
That power was so pure. So overwhelming.
Like a newborn sun!
Facing this attack that could make gods and demons tremble, Ryo's usually stoic face showed no fear.
Instead—a wild, ecstatic grin.
...
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