"So there's no room for talk, huh? Fine by me. I just hope you survive this, because my old man doesn't let me kill anyone."
Daken's lips twisted into a grin as his stance shifted—muscles tightening, aura flaring. With a loud snikt, two gleaming bone claws shot from his fists. He lunged like a wild beast, speed blurring into afterimages.
"Yeah, that's fine by me."
Ryuuto planted his feet and rocketed forward, his fists glowing with earthy chakra.
Rock Armor Technique!
A layer of stone coated his skin as he met Daken head-on. Claws met fists with a crack that split the air. Daken had absolute faith in his adamantium-infused bones—until pain screamed through his arms.
His eyes widened. What the hell—?
The impact hurled him backward, boots grinding against the floor as shock rippled through his nerves. It felt like punching a titanium wall. Ryuuto's strength was monstrous—inhuman.
"What… what kind of freak are you!?" Daken spat, trembling.
Ryuuto's voice came from behind him before he even realized the guy had moved. "Careful, pup. I bite back."
Leaf Hurricane!
Ryuuto's heel smashed down like a meteor. Daken barely crossed his arms in time, his knees buckling under the force.
"Damn you! Don't you dare hold back—I'll kill you if you do!"
"Funny, you talk like you've got a chance."
Furious, Daken roared, pheromones surging as his mutant blood burned. His claws flashed in a frenzy of slashes that lit up the room in white arcs. The air itself cracked from the pressure.
Spectators fled in terror—this was no spar, it was a warzone.
"I'm not looking down on you," Ryuuto said calmly, sidestepping another strike, "but I've got my reasons to win today. Let's just call it destiny."
"Destiny my ass!"
Daken lunged again, reckless and raging. His claws tore into Ryuuto's chest—
—or so he thought.
His strike hit sand.
Pfft! The clone dissolved into a golden swirl of dust.
Ryuuto's grin appeared above him, hanging upside-down from the ceiling. "Close one. But looks like you're out of moves, pup."
Sand Coffin!
Sand burst from the ground, swirling around Daken like a living creature. It tightened, locking him in place until even breathing was a struggle.
"W-what the hell are you doing?! I'll never yield to you!"
Ryuuto tilted his head, half-smiling. "You've got guts. I like that."
He landed lightly, resting a hand on Daken's shoulder. "Relax. I'm not gonna kill you. Your old man Wolverine's an acquaintance. Guess it runs in the family—both of you are stubborn as hell."
"Don't compare me to him!" Daken snarled, veins bulging in fury.
"Yeah, yeah. Same temper, same pride," Ryuuto muttered, spreading his hands. "Anyway, I've beaten him before too, so you're just keeping tradition alive."
"Liar!"
"Believe what you want, kid. Some lessons you only learn by getting knocked on your ass."
Time was ticking. Ryuuto sighed and spoke inwardly.
Shion, you seeing this? I've already taken him down. That's mission complete, right? You're not seriously gonna make me rough him up just to trigger the reward?
[Haaah… fine, fine, Master. I've logged your victory. Let the system catch up.]
Ryuuto smirked faintly. Finally, something goes right today.