In the heart of a silent valley, Kazuki and Shinki clashed in a violent storm of power. Kazuki fired spiritual explosions at rapid speed, the blasts tearing through the terrain with deafening intensity. Shinki, however, danced through the chaos—dodging effortlessly, slicing the blasts apart with swift, calculated movements.
As Shinki weaved through the storm, his expression hardened.
"Tch... I can't even use my full strength with this cursed restraint mark," he thought, glancing at the strange glowing seal on his hand. "The moment he came in, he touched me on the shoulder, and some kind of mark appeared on my arm. What the hell?"
Suddenly, Kazuki lunged from above, attempting a heavy punch, he had blood lust in hjs eyes—but Shinki sidestepped it and delivered a punishing kick, launching Kazuki into a distant hill.
"Kazuki!!" Alex roared.
From a blur of crimson and darkness, Alex—still in his demonic state—charged towards Shinki at full speed, eyes glowing, red hair flaring like fire, nails and teeth sharp with monstrous rage.
Kazuki, still recovering, shouted, "Alex! Don't just rush in like that!"
Ignoring the warning, Alex conjured a massive barrage of Flash Fist—blazing fists of energy that shot toward Shinki like cannon fire. He flash-stepped with blinding speed, appearing around Shinki from all directions, launching over twenty fists simultaneously.
But Shinki remained unfazed. He twisted, dodged, and swerved past every single strike, slipping through the storm of energy that were causing huge explosions with unnatural grace.
"You've certainly grown strong in that demonic form," Shinki said with a cold smirk. "But even if you awaken every transformation you have… you won't win. That's a given fact. Although, the fact that you've been able to weaken me gives you an advantage."
Kazuki, watching Alex's ferocity and speed, clenched his fists.
"Even in a fight like this… he's still pushing forward. He's battered and beat up, but yet he's still fighting like a fucking monster."
With a frustrated yell, Kazuki punched the ground. "If he's still fighting… then I have no right to just stand here like I'm useless!"
Fueled by determination, Kazuki soared into the air and unleashed a barrage of spiritual shurikens at full speed towards Shinki. Alex quickly moved aside seeing the rapid blasts of spiritual shurikens falling like rain, letting the blades rain down on Shinki—who dodged with perfect timing, weaving between both sets of attacks.
Together, Kazuki and Alex launched into close combat—Kazuki striking with spiritual shuriken's, Alex diving with speed-enhanced punches. Shinki began countering with precise energy beams, but Alex evaded each one while Kazuki fired back with spiritual explosions, their collisions turning the battlefield into a thunderous warzone of fire and smoke.
Within the smoke screen, Shinki suddenly noticed glowing spiritual shurikens closing in. He leapt upward—only to see an army of Flash Fists streaking toward him at lightning speed.
"Tch… annoying," he muttered.
Shinki unsheathed his blade and used his technique—"One Tap Slash"—cleaving through the incoming fists with a single sweeping motion.
From opposite directions, Kazuki and Alex emerged—Alex wielding his Blade of Death, overflowing with deadly energy, and Kazuki holding purple flames, more ferocious than ever.
"They've gotten faster…" Shinki thought as the two charged at him. He raised both arms, blocking their strike with effort, the force sending cracks through the earth beneath.
"This seal…" he growled internally. "If I don't get this restraining mark off soon, I won't be able to go all out. I could end this in a second without it… But now my strength is at a pathetic low end C- rank! Sneaky moves from kids who aren't older than 13 yet!"
Unable to withstand the force, Shinki was blasted through several hills, the landscape trembling from the blow.
As the dust settled, Alex returned to his normal form, panting, while Kazuki collapsed to his knees, exhausted and bruised. He looked over at Alex and gave a tired smile.
"We did it… we beat em."
Alex grinned back. "Thanks… Kazuki. Seriously, thanks. You being here saved my ass"
Kazuki said to Alex with a slightly wierd smirk "So, you gonna admit it? Me being stronger than you."
Alex replied slightly annoyed "As if!"
But then—
"Why are you two celebrating?" a voice asked calmly.
Their smiles vanished. Standing amidst the rubble was Shinki—his clothes battered, but his expression twisted with amusement.
Alex's eyes widened. "H-How are you still standing? You took both the Blade of Death and Kazuki's purple flames head on.". Kazuki added whils being annoyed "Fuck still standing. How are you still alive?"
"I told you already, you kids can't beat me.You're starting to piss me off" Shinki growled—and then, a massive burst of red energy exploded from his body.
Kazuki stumbled back, his eyes trembling. "That's… that's impossible. No one should have that kind of energy with a restraining mark still active. The restraints mark skill was something I thought off after going back to watch the fight between Alex and Son. I learnt it the moment I saw the video of Sōn using the burning limiter. The only difference is that Sōn version reduces the users energy while my restraining mark doesn't. So how? How is he still this strong?!"
In the blink of an eye, Shinki vanished and appeared before Kazuki, delivering a kick so powerful it sent him flying across countless hills.
Alex rushed in to help ''KAZUKI!", he exclaimed, but Shinki was already there. Without hesitation, he plunged his sword into Alex's chest. "AHHHH!" Alex exclaimed in shock.
Blood erupted from his mouth and chest.
"Kazuki…" Alex muttered as the blade was yanked free from his chest. His body tossed aside like a broken doll.
Kazuki's eyes widened in horror.
"ALEX!!!" he screamed.
Shinki sighed, turning his blade toward Kazuki. "I hope he's not dead… I still need him for the kidnapping. Now—" His sword glowed red. "If you want to survive this, Kazuki, you should surrender. Otherwise, you'll only suffer worse."
Shinki raised his hand and unleashed his ultimate move: God Spear.
Kazuki tried to stand—but pain screamed through his body. His legs were broken.
"No way. Is this where it ends for mem". Everything turned black "I give up," he whispered as the attack raced toward him.
Just before the light consumed him—memories flooded in.
The orphanage.
The beatings.
The cruel and mocking voices.
"You're so weak. So small and useless"
"Not even fit to be the lowest assassin."
"Weakling."
Tears welled in his eyes. His fists trembled.
"No… NO!!"
With a roar of purple energy, Kazuki slapped Shinki's God Spear away with his bare hand, purple flames bursting around him. His spirit mark shifted—two dots becoming three.
Power unlike anything he'd ever felt surged from within. Kazuki had the look of anger on his face as an unbelievable amount of purple lightning was surging through his body at an insane and powerful rate.
In his hands formed two daggers—one crafted from purple flame, the other from pure purple lightning.
"There's no way in hell I'm giving up now.", Kazuki growled.
Shinki's eyes widened for a moment—and then a grin curled on his lips.
"Heh… So your spirit mark evolved…" he said proudly. "Good for you kid. If you really think you can beat me… then come at me with everything you've got!"
To be continued…