A massive coliseum carved from glowing reefstone and ancient leviathan bone stood at the heart of the underwater capital. Thousands of merfolk, nobles and warriors alike, filled the amphitheater, watching with curiosity, skepticism, and bloodthirst.
At the center of the arena stood King Neryth, shirtless now, revealing a warrior's build rippling with scars and ceremonial tattoos. In his hands, a great twin-bladed trident pulsed with ancient oceanic energy.
Facing him stood Shisui, his cloak removed, his stance steady and silent. The Void Crescent Fang hung loosely in his hand, its runes softly humming in anticipation.
"By right of the ancient accord," Queen Aelyra declared from her high seat, "this trial shall determine whether the outsider may claim Princess Liryssa's hand… or be claimed by the ocean's abyss."
Neryth's voice echoed. "Show me your resolve, boy. Prove you are worthy."
The gong rang.
And the ocean exploded.
Neryth struck first, dashing with surprising speed for his size, his trident crashing down with enough force to part the arena's floor. Shisui sidestepped, eyes glowing—a trail of afterimages flickering from his Aetherion Eye, distorting reality.
Genjutsu – Phantom Mirage Bloom.
A forest of spectral blades surrounded Neryth, but the king snarled and released a wave of raw chakra, dispersing the illusion with brute force.
Shisui countered, forming hand seals mid-air:
"Water Style – Aqua Fang Barrage!"
Dozens of shark-like blades burst from the misty ground, aimed at Neryth's blind spots. The king blocked some, dodged others, but one scraped his shoulder. Blood mixed with seawater.
"Not bad," Neryth grunted, now smiling.
He launched a hydro vortex, spiraling at high speed, but Shisui activated his second kekkei genkai—Iron Tempest.
The very air and water bent to his will, deflecting the vortex as he appeared above Neryth in a corkscrew dive.
Taijutsu – Raijin Spiral Breaker!
His heel struck the king's shoulder with a shockwave of concentrated wind and chakra. Neryth was forced to one knee.
But the king roared and erupted into his Beast Form—a towering sea-dragon hybrid cloaked in divine scales.
"You will not take my daughter that easily!"