The tension hung heavy in the air as the dust from the previous battle still settled over the field.
The Spiritual King stepped forward once again, his voice calm yet commanding.
"Now—Kenshiro vs. Goro."
Ryju crossed his arms, watching the two step into the clearing."I wonder who's going to win this one."
"Don't you dare go easy on me, you hear me?" Goro growled, clenching his fists.
Kenshiro sighed, stretching casually."Are you sure? I'm warning you... things could get ugly."
"You heard what I said."
Rei leaned toward Kuroyami."I've got a feeling Goro might take this one."
Kuroyami shook his head."I'm with Kenshiro. His strikes are heavier, and he mastered Full Body Spiritual Force first. He's not someone you bet against."
In the background, Shun lay sprawled on the ground."I still can't move..."
The Spiritual King raised his hand."Time's up. Fighters—begin!"
Kenshiro darted forward.
"Full Body Spiritual Force!" they both shouted, their energy flaring to life—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..."