The commander's car sped out of the shopping district and onto the main road.
Ron accelerated his bike, pushing it to its limits — but the car was faster.
"Damn it… how am I supposed to reach him?" Ron muttered.
The commander noticed him through the rearview mirror.
"Get ready. I'm almost there," he said into his communicator.
"Yes, Commander."
The commander smirked. "Prepare for a surprise."
Suddenly, he drifted the car in a full 360-degree spin and slammed the accelerator. The vehicle shot forward — straight toward Ron.
"Got you," Ron said calmly.
He performed a stoppie, launched himself forward, and thrust his leg out. The commander leaped out of the car at the last second.
Ron's kick smashed through the front windshield, tearing through the car and ripping off the roof as he burst out the back. Xentan tumbled out alongside him.
"Ouch…" Xentan groaned, staring at Ron.
"Finally. We got you," Ron said.
The commander laughed darkly.
"Xentan… our boss never does anything without expecting something in return."
"What are you talking about?" Xentan asked.
"Leaving Eclipse comes with a price."
The commander's laughter echoed menacingly.
"Don't let him get to you," Ron said and rushed forward.
But before he could reach the commander, someone tackled him to the ground.
"Who are you?" Ron demanded, kicking the attacker away.
The masked man flipped backward and landed lightly.
Ron noticed something unusual — a device over his right eye. His left eye glowed red.
Ron's eyes widened.
Meanwhile…
The woman spoke sharply into her phone.
"Why didn't you follow my orders? I said to let Shadow rest."
"He jumped from the plane onto a futuristic car. Took our most advanced rocket launcher and started firing mid-air."
She sighed.
"Does my father know about this?"
"We sent the report. No response yet."
Back to Ron.
"What's he doing here?" Xentan whispered.
"You recognize him?" the commander said. "Yes. That's Shadow. Eclipse's most prized possession. Trained by our leader… and someone even stronger."
"Shadow?" Ron said, stunned.
"So… you're alive."
The moment Shadow heard those words — You're alive — he grabbed his head violently.
"I'LL KILL YOUUU!!!"
He lunged at Ron, delivering a powerful kick. Ron blocked with both arms and countered, pushing him back.
"He… left me… to die…" Shadow muttered, clutching his head again.
"I WILL KILL YOUUUU!!!"
Blood streamed from his eyes. He collapsed to his knees.
He was about to fall — but Ron caught him.
Shadow looked at Ron. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes — a memory of when he was first found as a child.
"He's unconscious," Ron said.
Suddenly —
A brutal kick slammed toward his face.
Ron blocked it with his palm but was forced backward.
"Unit X, come to my location. Retrieve Shadow. He's unconscious. And don't report this," the commander ordered.
"Roger."
Seconds later, an Eclipse-marked helicopter hovered above them.
Three men jumped onto nearby rooftops — then dropped down.
One lifted Shadow onto his back.
Neither Ron nor Xentan moved to stop them.
The man disappeared into the darkness.
The other two remained.
One had long black hair and an athletic build — Code Name: Qatx.
The other held a katana, short-haired and equally athletic — Code Name: Jalo.
"Jalo, Qatx. Handle the other one. I'll deal with Xentan," the commander said.
Both men approached Ron.
"Jalo… Qatx. Long time no see," Ron said.
They didn't recognize him. They exchanged a silent nod.
"Is that some kind of secret langu—"
Ron was cut off as Qatx tackled him, smashing him through the wall behind.
Ron grabbed Qatx's head and hurled him across the street.
Jalo swung his katana at Ron's head.
Ron leaned back — the blade missing him by an inch.
Ron drove a punch into Jalo's abdomen, then followed with a devastating kick that sent him crashing across twenty houses.
Ron turned.
Xentan and the commander were locked in combat, exchanging rapid blows.
Xentan aimed for the commander's face. The commander dodged and countered with a flurry of punches.
One strike landed cleanly — followed by a barrage.
Xentan was pushed back, blood dripping from his mouth.
"You've gotten rusty," the commander said.
Xentan wiped his blood away… and smiled.
He picked up a crowbar.
"You forgot," he said. "I'm a weapon user."
He charged.
The commander sidestepped — but Xentan vanished and reappeared behind him.
"I've gotten stronger."
A strike landed on the commander's left arm.
The commander smiled.
"You're not the only one."
In an instant — his fist smashed into Xentan's face.
Xentan tore through three walls, crashing into a house.
He stood, gripping his crowbar.
He's stronger… I fought him years ago, Xentan thought.
Thud!
The commander leaped to the third floor.
He grabbed Xentan by the throat, hurled him upward, and punched him mid-air.
Xentan blasted through another wall and crashed to the ground below.
Thud!
Ron turned.
Xentan… is down?
His eyes widened.
Xentan slowly stood.
Ron rushed over and supported him.
The commander looked down from the shattered third floor.
Suddenly — his phone rang.
He answered.
"Return at once," a voice ordered.
"Understood."
He looked down.
"Jalo. Qatx. We're leaving. Message from the leader."
Both were heavily wounded.
They smashed a white gas capsule on the ground.
Smoke engulfed the area.
A helicopter appeared.
A rope dropped.
The commander grabbed it as the helicopter lifted.
He pointed at Ron.
"You."
Ron glared back.
"I'll be back for you."
Ron clenched his fists.
"No. I'll be the one hunting you."
The commander smirked.
"I'll be waiting."
The helicopter disappeared into the night.