The sun still high and silence filling the air, Itami stretched as he looked what's ahead of him. Akumas words replaying in his head.
"Itami for you to pass this final Exam, you have to beat me" Akuma said as he stopped before the gate. The bus humming engine filling the brief Silence.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean there are no exits to escape and passing your final that way. Your only way to pass— is through me. That's what they want." Akuma stood their more serious as he looked at Itami. "I mean it when I say don't hold back, because I'm not."
Itami looked at him back meeting his eyes, taking in the seriousness of him. "It's like you said, we'll put on a great show."
Stretching his arms Itami waited for the signal to start to exam, looking at the concrete jungles that's ahead of him.
The test site looked like a quarantined city block, rows of tall corporate buildings sealed off by concrete walls and steel gates. The kind of place where shadows stuck to the ground like oil, and every alley had a history of fire drills and forgotten screams.
Itami stood at the far end, while Akuma stood at the other. As a buzzer screeched through the empty city.
Itami moved first. Steps echoing through the now silent city.
He sprinted down the cracked sidewalk, scanning every metal stairwell and rooftop. Spotting a ladder on the side of a building, he gripped the rungs and scaled fast, pulling himself up onto the rooftop with ease. A gentle breeze hit his face as he scanned the area ahead.
The concrete jungle stretched around him in all directions.
Now where can he be? There are way to many angles of attack if I stick to the streets. Ill stick to the rooftops.
He began leaping from rooftop to rooftop. Quiet, calculated steps. His boots hit the edge of an AC unit, then launched again. Eyes darting. No sign of Akuma.
A sudden blast of fire spiraled into the sky.
Itami flinched at the burst of heat and light erupting a few blocks ahead, a vertical vortex of white flame churning skyward like a beacon.
Cocky bastard…
He dropped low, sticking to the shadows cast by rooftop antennas and ventilation boxes as he made his way closer. Slipping along the side of a ledge, he peeked down into the lot where the fire had come from.
An open space. Flat. Concrete cracked under moss and wild grass. And standing dead center—
Akuma.
Arms crossed. Head up. Waiting.
"I know you're there," Akuma called out, not turning. "Stabbing me in the back won't win you this match."
His voice echoed off the buildings.
"I can see where you are," he added, raising his hand and pointed.
But the direction was off.
Itami narrowed his eyes as he couldnt believe what he saw.
Does he think I can't see him?
He moved fast.
He lunged from the rooftop, kicking off the concrete lip and diving down with his fist ready to strike, using the momentum to end this fight.
I GOT YO–
FOOM
A flame bursted from Akumas suit, his left elbow part of the suit blasted flames twisting him in place. His flame propelled boost completed at the right moment to use its momentum to sock Itami with a devastating left hook to the chin.
CRACK
Itami's body flew sideways, crashing into the ground rolling, scraping through patches of wild grass then crashing into a building.
Itami sat in the rubble as the counter attack stunned him, and when he finally got to his senses—he saw Akuma walking towards him.
He then stopped as limbs made from fire came from his back..
"Told you," he said casually. "The exit is through me."
Itami grabbed his jaw as he looked at Akuma with bewilderment.
Hes a monster when hes serious…
Itami wiped the blood from his lip and pushed off the rubble. Every joint ached but launched a sudden wall of flame.
Akuma didn't flinch. He stepped through the blaze, unfazed.
But—
Itami was gone.
The fire vanished in the wind, and the plaza was empty.
Akuma's eyes narrowed beneath the mask. He turned slowly.
"Hiding again?"
No answer.
His boots scraped the ground as he stepped forward, slow, calculated. The white flames on his gauntlets dimmed slightly, flickering in rhythm with his breath.
Then a shadow zipped between two buildings.
Akuma turned—just in time to deflect a strike from above. Itami came flying down with a kick, electricity sparking as Akuma blocked it with his forearm guard.
He tried to counter Itamis attack but—Itami was gone again.
Another strike. From the left this time.
Akuma deflected it with a twist of his body, then threw a blast of fire—
Too slow. Itami had already vanished.
Akuma's boots hit the ground hard, scanning the wreckage, listening.
He muttered. "You're starting to move like Lyra…"
Then—a jolt to his back.
Itami had landed behind him, fist slamming against the base of Akuma's armor, electricity discharging in a loud snap.
Akuma grunted as the voltage surged through his suit, slowing him for just a second.
Itami hit the ground, slid under Akuma's next strike but before he could get away, a limb of fire grabbed him and flung him towards a wall. Before Itami could recover, he was hit with a slam with the limbs of fire. Repeatedly beating him down and burning him.
Itami slowly got up as he looked up at Akuma. Standing broad and tall. He only smiled back as adrenaline started to rush into his blood, he had this feeling before. After the fight against Tetsutetsu, joy was washing over his body.
He's right, I can't win this how I want too.
Itami wiped the blood from his lip and pushed off the rubble. Every joint ached—but his grin widened." Looks like you were serious after all"
Akuma didn't move. Just stood there, those flame-limbs flickering behind him like wings of war.
"I told you not to hold back," Akuma said, voice deeper now. Steady. Focused.
Itami rolled his shoulders, cracking the tension loose. "Yeah well," he muttered, "guess I needed a little motivation."
Lighting ran across his body, the feeling of static going across his body as he charged at Akuma. He was faster, more agile as Itami was fighting with all his wits.
Akuma blocked the first few, a simple combo attacked but with every fist and leg thrown, Itami was getting faster. Akuma's guard shifted tighter as Itami blurred forward.
Crack. Zip. Snap.
The electricity lining Itami's body sparked with every move — his limbs moving faster, sharper, arcs of lightning trailing behind like afterimages.
WHAM. A hook to Akuma's side.
CRACK. A low kick to his calf.
Each hit landed — not deep, but clean. And each one stalled Akuma's momentum for half a second. Long enough for Itami to slip past, circle, reset.
He was fast now. Faster than he'd ever been. And he knew it.
His body buzzed with static. His veins humming with it. The hits didn't matter. The sting in his knuckles. The aching ribs from earlier. Not right now.
Right now, he was enjoying it.
Akuma narrowed his stance. "You're quicker."
Itami only responded with his smile, pivoting around again.The feeling concentrated in his left eye now.
Another hit — a feint then an elbow to the side of Akuma's helmet. Itami didnt let off from the pressure. Then–
Akuma let out a roar as white Flames began to surround him, causing Itami to jump back as the intensity of Akumas heat burned Itami.
White fire erupted from his arms and shoulders, twisting skyward like a jet engine. Heat washed across the concrete lot, warping the air around him.
Akuma's eyes glowed behind the mask. His voice wasn't calm anymore — it was heavy like he's holding something in from loosing control.
"Alright then…"
He roared again. A primal, ground-shaking roar — more beast than man.
The fire behind him exploded, turning the air white-hot. The grass withered. The moss peeled off the broken walls. Windows from nearby rooftops cracked.
Itami's smile only grew, his eyes widen in amazement.
Shit—
He dashed backward, flipping off the wall and landing several meters away, breathing heavier now. His boots hissed against the pavement, the heat clinging to him like oil.
He glanced at his arms — the electricity still danced along them, but the intensity was flickering. He glanced up at Akuma.
I knew every time we spared you held back but is this what you're capable of? This form of yours…
Akuma stepped forward through the flames, eyes locked onto him.
"You wanted a real fight," he said, flame-limbs snapping behind him like scorpion tails. " Don't run now, it's my turn."
Itami crouched low, hand against the ground, breathing shallow. Pressing his hands against each other as Itami focused and pressured both fire and electricity.
Akuma slowly walked toward Itami. The metal poles started to melt as the massive heat wave hit Itami.
Akuma stepped forward through the flames, eyes locked onto him.
"You wanted a real fight," he said, flame-limbs snapping behind him like scorpion tails. "Don't run now. It's my turn."
Itami crouched low, hand against the ground, breathing shallow.
He pressed his palms together, slow and steady—fire building in one hand, electricity in the other.
Heat surged through his veins. Sparks arced off his shoulders.
Across the lot, Akuma's steps came slow and deliberate. Each footfall kicked up steam. The metal rails around the buildings began to wilt under the pressure. Concrete hissed and cracked beneath his boots.
The temperature climbed like a furnace on overdrive.
Itami gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his chin. Every instinct screamed to move—to strike before Akuma got in range.
But then—
Everything dropped.
The heat vanished.
In a single blink, the blistering world went cold.
Itami froze.
His breath caught mid-exhale.
The air wasn't hot anymore—it was empty.
Like something had sucked the oxygen out of the space between them.
Like the world blinked—and forgot to unfreeze.
The ground beneath him felt softer. The way it does in dreams.
His body went weightless for half a second. Like gravity just stepped out of the room.
A ringing echoed in his ears.
No—not ringing.
Whispers.
Low. Scraping. Mocking
.
Words he couldn't make out… but knew were aimed at him
.
"See? Even now… you hesitate."
His heart kicked against his ribs.
"Do it."
He blinked again. The heat snapped back in a rush, like the air caught fire all over again.
Akuma was still walking. Now only a few feet away. He then releases his attack as the pressurized attack hits Akuma square in the chest.
It did nothing as he continued to walk.
Itami only smiled nervously as Akuma lunged in for an attack. Releasing a fury of punches. A hook to the gut, then a punch to the face, a chop at his shoulders.
Itami tried to block and counter but failed as Akuma would simply push through. He would be sent flying across the lot again scraping and tumbling on the concrete.
Itami used a buildings wall to get himself up as the feeling of bones were on the verge of snapping. Leaning against the building with his back, he looked ahead as Akuma is walking towards him.
Whispers flooded his mind as he tries to catch his breathe, the heat emitting from Akuma sucking oxygen away.
"Give up"
"Your weak"
No… I'll keep fighting…
Itami raised both of his hands forward as he releases a wave of flames.
Akuma did the same as he used his arms and the extra limbs. The flames clashed against eachother but it was clear who was winning. Slowly Akumas white flames began to overpower Itamis as it gets closer and closer to him.
Itami let out a shout putting everything he has to this attack. His arms trembling and the palms of his hands began to burn, skin swelling as he feels the last of his oxygen and power fade away. The whisper came back once more as it crowded his mind.
Stop it. Shut up. IM GOING TO WIN.
Itami let out a guttural shout that turned into a roar. Contorted as the cooling sensation washed over him. The feeling of anger and fury washed over him as the feelings intensified.
Itami's right eye started to glow as black veins started to appear across his body. His arms stopped shaking as once the black veins reached his hands.
Itami let out another roar as his flames suddenly turned black. Immediately pushing back Akumas Flame.
Akuma moved as Itamis fire consumed his. The attack going past where they were and going through a building. Akuma looked back at Itami stunned.
"Is that you? Itami?"
Itamis right eye glowed purple as the veins emitted the same glow but lowered. Itami began to walk towards Akuma as the black fire disappeared. Surges of electricity flowed through Itamis body as a spear of black flames formed in his hand.
"It's like you said right? No holding back?"
Itami then threw the spear as Akuma barely managed to dodge it.
Akuma barely cleared the blast radius as the spear detonated behind him — a sharp burst of black flame, heatless yet hungry, devouring the wall it struck.
Dust and debris showered the space. Akuma skidded to a halt, sliding across scorched pavement, chest rising and falling beneath his armor. He looked up.
Itami kept walking.
No sprint. No yelling. Just steady, unrelenting steps.
The glow in his eye flickered once, like a pulse syncing with a deeper rhythm. The black veins had faded slightly — but they were still there. Threading down his neck, vanishing behind his jaw, like lightning inked beneath skin.
The only sound was the crackle of fading fire. And the pulse of electricity. It buzzed along Itami's arms, licking off his shoulders in sharp flickers. His boots stepped through scorched concrete—each step heavier than the last.
"…Itami," Akuma said again, voice edged now. "What is this?"
Itami stopped.
Head tilted slightly. Calm. Too calm.
"The result of being pushed," he said, low and controlled. "It's what the clan wanted… right?"
Then—he was gone.
Akuma turned—too late.
CRACK. A black-flame-charged punch slammed into his ribs.
Akuma's body twisted midair, but he caught himself, flipped—landed on all fours, boots grinding to a stop. Flames whipped out from his back.
"Let's go then."
They collided.
BOOM.
Fist to fist.
Black flame met white.
Shockwaves rippled through the plaza, scattering ash and dust in all directions.
Itami ducked under a right hook, pivoted—jabbed Akuma in the gut, then swept the legs. Akuma caught himself mid-fall, launched himself upward with a blast of fire from his palms, and crashed down with a burning heel.
Itami blocked with crossed arms, but the force cracked the ground beneath him.
Akuma pressed in, his punches heavier now. He wasn't holding back anymore.
Left jab. Right hook. Uppercut. Fire burst.
Itami weaved, ducked, countered—his knuckles landing clean against flame-armored plating, sending sparks and embers flying. His voltage lashed out with each strike, stalling Akuma's movements for microseconds at a time.
"That the best you got?" Akuma growled, blood trailing from the side of his mouth.
Itami said nothing. He just smirked.
They charged again—
BOOM.
Another clash of flames—black and white, spiraling outward like a star gone nova.
Akuma got in close—headbutted Itami with his helmet, then fired a blast point-blank.
Itami flew back—slammed into a wall—but didn't stay down.
He launched himself off the wreckage, landed a crushing blow to Akuma's side that sent a dent rippling through his armor.
Akuma stumbled.
Another punch—
This time, to the helmet.
CRACK.
The mask fractured down the center.
"Tch… Is that all you got?" Akuma steadied himself. His breathing was ragged now. One eye peered through the cracked visor.
"I ain't—done yet," he grunted.
But Itami didn't hesitate.
He stepped in—close—drew back a fist brimming with lightning and flame—and drove it straight into Akuma's chest.
BOOOOM.
The fire behind the hit exploded out like a cannon—sending Akuma flying across the lot and crashing hard into a stone pillar.
The column cracked.
Then collapsed.
Akuma was still standing. Barely.
His armor hung in scorched pieces. Helmet cracked in two at his feet. He took one step forward, then another—
Breathing ragged.
"What… you think that's enough to stop me?" he muttered.
Itami didn't answer.
Black flames still danced faintly along his arm, but his stance wavered.
Akuma took one more step—then pitched forward.
Itami lunged, catching him before he hit the ground.
Akuma was unconscious.
The veins faded. His right eye dimmed back to normal. The flame in his hand flickered out.
"I won," Itami breathed. "Damn, you're heavy… Wake up. Hey wake up your heavy ma—"
They collapsed together.
Itami managed to push him tot he side as they both layed there. Itami staring at the cloudless sky above.
Silence. The followed by a loud buzzer going off.
I actually won.
In the distance, three figures watched.
Perched high above the ruined exam zone. Black cloaks blending into the skyline. Shadows behind the shadow.
"So he really does have a dark affinity," Kael muttered, rising from his crouch. His voice was low, almost disappointed. "Damn I owe Sauske money."
Riven said nothing. Just guided his drone back, the tiny machine buzzing softly as it docked in a case at his feet.
"How the hell are we gonna explain this to the elders?" he finally asked, snapping the container shut.
Drex didn't move. His arms were crossed, eyes fixed on the scene below.
On Itami — bruised, bloodied, unconscious — being lifted into the arms of recovery drones. Akuma beside him, just as wrecked.
Kael gestured to the sky. "You only had one drone running, yeah?"
Riven followed his finger.
One drone hovered silently above the wreckage.
"School's," he said. "Probably kicked in when their feeds went dead. We're clear to head out."
Drex finally turned from the edge, slow and heavy. He exhaled through his nose, the sound more like a sigh than a breath.
"…They'll see it. All of it," he said. "No way to spin this."
A long pause. Then
"They'll want his head."
Neither of the others spoke. The words hung cold in the air.
"I'll take the footage," Drex said, almost to himself. "And I'll do what I can. Try to keep them from rushing to the same damn answer they always do."
They all stood and disappeared inot the shadows, not a trace of them left.