The morning sky burned a bright gold, clouds drifting lazily as if unaware of the intensity about to unfold on the training grounds. The air buzzed with anticipation, every step Ryju took crackling with adrenaline.
It's finally today… The sparring matches.
He looked around at his companions—some stretching, others meditating. All of them were preparing in their own way.
"What's the training today, Spiritual King?" Ryju asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it aloud.
The old master stood with his arms crossed, his presence as still and commanding as a mountain.
"Today's training is sparring."
"Between us?" Rei asked, eyes narrowing.
"Yep," he confirmed. "You'll be matched up against each other. Here's the lineup: Rei vs. Shun, Goro vs. Kenshiro, and last but not least—Ryju vs. Kuroyami."
Ryju cracked his knuckles, a slow grin spreading across his face. So I battle last… Good. I get to watch first.
"Matches start in ten minutes. Warm up and focus," the Spiritual King ordered.
Rei tied her hair back. "Don't go easy on me just 'cause I'm a girl."
"Believe me," Shun said with a smirk, "I'm not."
Kuroyami crossed his arms. "Going against Ryju… this is perfect. I can finally prove my strength."
"Man… I wanna go home," Kenshiro muttered, already regretting his existence.
"I'm fighting him?" Goro blinked. "Great…"
The ten minutes passed in a heartbeat.
The Spiritual King raised his voice. "Time's up. First match—Rei vs. Shun!"
The crowd took their places in a wide field of grass. The wind had calmed, as if the world itself was watching.
"Let me explain the rules." The Spiritual King's voice carried across the field. "All battles take place within this open area. If you're down for more than ten seconds, you lose. That's it. Now… begin!"
Rei grinned. "Ready?"
"When you are," Shun replied.
They bolted forward at the same time.
"AHHH!" "AHHH!"
"Full Body Spiritual Force!" they shouted in unison, their auras flaring to life—silver and green clashing midair.
Shun lashed out with a swift kick. CLACK! Rei blocked with her forearm.
"Not bad," she said, steadying herself.
"I know," he replied, his tone cocky.
"Then take this!" Rei shouted. "Full-body punch!"
Shun ducked and sidestepped. "Too slow. Even a baby could dodge that. Let me show you real speed."
"Huh?!" Rei blinked. "Where'd he go—"
"Up top! Speed Kick!"
THWACK! The blow landed squarely on her shoulder, knocking her back.
"Oof—that one hurt," she admitted.
From the sidelines, the Spiritual King narrowed his eyes. She could've dodged that… What is she planning?
"Come here!" Shun shouted, charging again.
But Rei didn't move.
She smiled.
"Have you noticed something?"
Shun hesitated, his instincts screaming. "What are you talking about…?"
And then—
"Got you."
A second Rei exploded out from beneath the ground, her fist flying straight into Shun's chin.
"Uppercut!"
"W-What?!" Shun staggered. "Who's the real one?!"
"A true ninja never shares her techniques," Rei said cheekily.
Shun growled, wiping blood from his lip. "That's funny. Because I'm ending this now."
They sprinted toward each other again.
"Full-body punch!"
"Full-body punch!"
BOOM! A shockwave rippled across the field from their clash.
Rei skidded back, eyes darting. "Not bad—"
But Shun vanished again.
"Behind you."
Rei spun, smirking. "Think you can land the same trick twice?"
WHAM!
A clone dropped from above, smashing Shun into the ground.
"Ugh—these clones… are so annoying!" Shun grunted.
"Still standing?" Rei teased. "Then try this—Spiritual Clones!"
POOF! Three more copies of Rei appeared, encircling Shun.
"Secret Attack—Four Clone Style: All-Around Punch!"
Shun's eyes darted wildly. "One from the top… one from below… one in front… one behind—I'm trapped!"
He roared. "I'm not going out without a fight! SPIRITUAL PUNCH!"
Fists flew. Rei and her clones surged in, striking like thunder.
Shun fought back, but the numbers overwhelmed him.
"Gah!" "AHHH!"
His knees gave out.
The Spiritual King counted. "1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9… 10."
Silence fell.
"Winner: Rei!"
The others clapped and cheered. Rei stood tall, panting, but smiling wide.
"Let's go! I won!"
Ryju jogged over. "Shun, you good?"
"I think so…" he groaned, still catching his breath.
The Spiritual King nodded, satisfied. "Well done, Rei. You fought smart—trapped your opponent and took advantage of his overconfidence. That was impressive."
"Thank you," Rei replied, beaming.
The master stepped forward again. "Now prepare yourselves… The second match is about to begin. Goro vs. Kenshiro!"
Tension hung heavy in the air as the dust from the previous battle settled over the field.
The Spiritual King raised his hand. "Time's up. Fighters—begin!"
Kenshiro darted forward.
"Full Body Spiritual Force!" they both shouted, their energy flaring—Kenshiro's dark and sharp like obsidian, Goro's blazing orange like molten stone.
"Coming at me, huh?" Goro grunted.
Kenshiro slashed with his spiritual sword, a silver arc cutting through the air. Goro ducked and grabbed him mid-swing, lifting and hurling him across the field.
"His grip is insane…" Kenshiro muttered, rolling to a stop. He rose to his feet, brushing the grass from his jacket. "That hurt."
Charging again, Kenshiro formed a blade of energy in one hand. "Spiritual Strike!"
"I can dodge that!" Goro shouted.
But just as he moved, Kenshiro whispered: "Split."
The blade fractured midair into five shards, one of which struck Goro's leg.
"Gah! Not bad…" Goro hissed, staggering slightly. "That was clever."
Kenshiro wiped sweat from his brow. If he grabs me again, I'm done.
"Come here!" Goro roared, dashing forward.
He swung a powerful arm, but Kenshiro leapt onto it, flipping into the air.
"Black Slash!"
The dark arc screamed toward Goro, who narrowly twisted out of the way.
But Goro didn't fall back—he jumped up with Kenshiro.
"Spiritual Punch!" His fist met Kenshiro midair and sent him crashing down.
"Got him!"
Kenshiro lay in the dirt, fuming. "He's really starting to piss me off."
With a shout, he launched himself again.
Goro smirked. "Got him!"
He caught Kenshiro mid-charge, locking his arms.
"Full Body Slam!"
Kenshiro gritted his teeth. "Not on my watch!"
SLASH! Blood sprayed. Goro's hand released.
Kenshiro had sliced off four of his fingers.
Both men dropped to the ground, panting.
"Damn it… I almost had him. But my fingers…" Goro winced, clutching his hand.
Kenshiro rose, expression cold. "This is over."
He raised his sword. "Spiritual Slash!"
Goro threw up both arms. "Spiritual Wall!"
CRACK! The blade clashed with the barrier, sparks flying.
"Don't defend… just DIE!" Kenshiro shouted, pushing forward.
Goro's eyes widened. He's different…
"I need time. That wall won't hold forever."
Kenshiro vanished.
"Behind you."
Goro ducked instinctively and kicked backward. Kenshiro stumbled.
"You're so annoying!" Kenshiro snapped.
Goro clenched his jaw. Think! Five seconds… I just need five seconds…
"Spiritual Punch!" He struck the ground hard, sending dust swirling into the air.
"You really think that'll work?" Kenshiro's voice echoed.
Goro dashed through the haze.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Goro froze. "How… how did you get here so fast?"
Kenshiro swept his leg. THUD! Goro slammed into the dirt.
Kenshiro stood over him, blade raised.
"I'm the strongest… I am Justice. Now die."
But just as the blade came down—
"STOP!"
"That's enough!"
Ryju and the Spiritual King appeared like lightning, each grabbing one of Kenshiro's arms.
"I… I lost it," Kenshiro muttered, coming back to himself. "I was really about to kill you… Sorry, Goro."
Goro chuckled, wincing. "It's okay. I told you not to hold back. Heh… So this is your true power, huh?"
The Spiritual King knelt beside Goro. "Do you accept defeat?"
"Yep."
The Spiritual King placed a glowing light over Goro's hand. "Then allow me to heal you."
Light shimmered. The fingers regrew before their eyes.
"Whoa… My fingers are back!"
Kuroyami watched in stunned silence. "Ryju didn't hesitate… He moved before I could even process what was happening."
"So fast…" Rei whispered.
The Spiritual King looked to Ryju. "You're fast, Ryju."
Ryju shrugged. "Just came to protect both of my friends."
The Spiritual King stepped forward. "Kenshiro is the winner of this match!"
He looked out over the field.
"Next match begins in ten minutes!"
Kuroyami cracked his knuckles. "I'm next…"
To Be Continued