The air between them was electric. Ikku and Momo stood face to face, motionless, but this time their duel felt different.
No banter. No wasted movement. Both fighters were locked in, their eyes sharp, their bodies coiled like springs.
No doubt… he's a positive type, Ikku thought, studying his opponent. And his style is close combat, same as mine. But he's dangerous… I can't let him grab me. If I keep Turbo on, I'll burn out too fast. Better shut it off for now… In pure hand-to-hand, I've got a shot. He's not as dangerous as Koolio, not as fast as Tenma, and nowhere near as vicious as the beasts in the forest. This fight… is mine to win.
With a breath, he cut Turbo. The red aura flickered out like a candle flame, but his fighting spirit didn't waver for a second.
The clash resumed in an instant.
Momo lunged, swinging his bat in a vertical arc. Ikku spun aside, dodging cleanly, and countered with a swift roundhouse kick. The bat intercepted with a sharp crack. Momo seized the moment, catching Ikku's raised leg and throwing him toward the ground. But Ikku reacted on instinct, whipping his other leg into a counter-kick. Momo blocked, yet the impact forced him back several meters just enough for Ikku to get to his feet and ready another attack.
Momo had already shifted his stance. Arms outstretched: bat held horizontally in his right hand, the tip pressed by his open left palm. A green glow began to pulse from the wood.
A Mantra…?! Ikku's eyes narrowed. Same as last time… that bat must be made from Yggdrasil wood.
Confirmation came fast.
— Level 5 Mantra: Dodompa! Momo roared.
The bat cut through the air, firing a glowing green sphere. It shot toward Ikku like a bullet. He leapt sideways… only for a second sphere to appear in his line of sight before his foot even hit the ground faster this time. No room to dodge. He crossed his arms to brace. The orb smashed into him, exploding on contact and blasting him back.
He landed on his feet, just in time for a third sphere to slam into him full force. No guard. The air rushed out of his lungs as he hit the ground hard.
He pushed himself up almost instantly, brushing off a few scratches.
"Gotta hand it to him… the guy can fight."
Momo was already in front of him again, bat raised for another blow. But this time, Ikku's lips curled into a faint smile.
— I've already memorized your moves, he said.
With a sharp palm strike to Momo's wrist, he knocked the bat loose. In the same motion, he spun and delivered a powerful back kick. The strike landed flush, hurling Momo against the wall, where he stayed, dazed.
— TURBO!
Ikku's energy burst around him like a crimson wave.
— Time for the finishing blow.
He charged, lightning-fast. But as he closed in, Momo lifted his head with a sly grin.
Ikku's fist cocked back then a cloud of smoke poured from Momo's mouth. The smell told him everything.
Damn it… he still had a cigarette!
His punch smashed into the wall. Momo, already in smoke form, reappeared behind him, clamping an arm around his neck in a rear choke.
— You really don't watch your back enough, Ikku, Momo taunted.
— Not this time! Ikku shot back.
He broke free with ease, tossing Momo forward. The man landed smoothly on his feet. Once more, the two stood across from each other.
— Now this is what I call a fight, Momo said.
— I didn't expect you to be this strong, Ikku replied. But I'm not done yet.
— Hate to break it to you, but this fight's already about to end.
— What are you..
Ikku didn't finish. His vision blurred. His legs felt like lead, balance slipping. The world dissolved into a hazy smear.
What… what's happening to me? My body's not responding… Turbo won't hold in this state… What did he do to me?
— What's wrong, Ikku? Not feeling too good? Momo's voice dripped with mockery.
He strolled forward until only two meters separated them.
— You look kinda… wasted, man. No one ever tell you not to mess with drugs?
— S…So… it's… y-you… who… did this… Ikku stammered.
— Bingo! I can turn into smoke, sure, but I can also change the properties of the smoke I breathe out. And you walked straight into my trap. Rookie mistake.
— D…Damn…
WHAM!
The bat came down hard on his head. Silence. Ikku collapsed, unconscious.
— You could've waited for him to pass out instead of doing that, came a voice from behind.
Missak stepped into view.
— Sorry, bro… couldn't help myself, Momo shrugged.
— Forget it. We'll just wait for him to wake up.
Missak lifted Ikku carefully, slinging him over his shoulder. Then he turned to the others.
— We're heading back, boys. Ikku will keep his word. Until then, better to keep a low profile.