The air was thick and heavy inside the cave. Silence filled the space, but it wasn't peaceful. It was tense—charged with energy that made it hard to breathe. Deep in the chamber, Yamato stood face-to-face with Rujer.
Yamato's eyes burned with rage. His face was tight, jaw clenched, and his hands trembled—not from fear, but from the storm building inside him. His aura swirled around him like a violent wind, making the cave walls tremble.
Rujer stood tall across from him, arms hanging calmly by his sides. He narrowed his eyes, watching Yamato. Sweat ran down his neck, but he didn't let it show. He kept a firm expression, though the crushing weight of Yamato's rage made his knees want to buckle. He knew he was in danger, but he refused to step back.
They stayed where they were, sensing that something important was about to happen. No one dared interrupt.
Yamato took a single step forward. The stone cracked beneath his foot.
With a voice that cut through the silence, he asked, "What did you do?"
No reply.
Yamato's tone changed—louder, more forceful.
"I said, what did you do?!"
Rujer finally smirked, tilting his head. "Do? Those friends of yours... they're strong. Full of potential. But in the end, just pawns in the game."
Yamato's eyes flared brighter. His fists clenched tighter, and his aura flared wildly.
"The girl you almost killed... what's her power?" he asked through gritted teeth.
Rujer turned slightly, glancing at the group. His finger casually pointed at Chella. "That girl?"
Before Yamato could react, Ozaki stepped forward. He calmly removed his cloak and handed it to Ichiha without a word. Then he walked forward slowly, each step sending tiny cracks through the ground.
Ozaki's God Form activated. But this time, it was different. His aura didn't explode—it slid out slowly like thick smoke, dark and cold. It crept across the ground, chilling the air.
Sora's eyes widened. "What... what is this?"
Ichiha blinked. "This is different."
Lumei grinned, his eyes locked on Ozaki. "Now we get to see Master Ozaki in action."
Chella turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"Watch," Lumei replied, still smiling.
Ozaki approached Yamato, walking directly into his raging aura. It was like walking into a storm, but Ozaki didn't flinch. He reached out and placed his hand on Yamato's shoulder.
CRACK.
The sound echoed through the cave. Yamato screamed out in pain as his shoulder dislocated instantly. His body dropped to one knee.
His rage vanished. The pain had brought him back.
Ozaki looked down at him with calm eyes.
"Yamato, go back to the team. I've figured out Kaku's plan."
Yamato's breathing was heavy. Sweat dripped from his chin. But the glow in his eyes faded. His mind was whole again.
The others ran to him. Sora and Ichiha helped him sit up. Lumei quickly reset his shoulder with a quick push—Yamato grunted but nodded in thanks.
Sora knelt beside him, her hand gently resting on his arm.
Ozaki turned to the group.
"Kaku's plan is simple," he said. "He wants to see how you fight. He already knows your powers and he knows how you use them in battle. That's what he's been trying to figure out."
His aura pulsed again—calm, yet so powerful that it silenced the room.
Far away, in Regns' realm, Regns stood from his throne.
"I can't feel the rage anymore," he said. "But... that's Ozaki. Who could force Ozaki to use his God Form?"
Back in the cave….
Ozaki continued, "These last battles were traps. Tests. Kaku wanted to watch and learn. Now he knows enough to try something bigger."
Ichiha clenched his fist. "Let him try. I'll still beat him."
Ozaki gave a small smile, then turned to face Rujer.
He took a step closer. The ground cracked.
Rujer, for the first time, stepped back.
"Ozaki... so you're finally serious," Rujer said. "I thought you'd always hold back your power for the sake of those kids."
Ozaki chuckled.
"These children, you say?"
He laughed, soft but sharp.
"Their power is low now, sure. But I'll show them something. They don't need Form One. Or Form Two. They can still defeat you."
He took another step. His aura thickened.
Then he raised his voice, speaking into the shadows.
"Kaku. I hope you're listening. I'm going to make them your equal."
Silence followed.
Yamato looked up, breathing steady now. The team stared at their master.
Ozaki stood tall, silent, and unshakable. He was no longer just their teacher.
He was a storm, waiting to strike.