"Round two! Japan Team, Goro Daimon, versus Korea Team, Chang Koehan!"
This time, it was pure power versus power!
One, a silent judo master steady as a mountain.
One, a violent destroyer gone berserk.
"ROOOAR—!"
Chang Koehan bellowed, swinging his massive iron ball like a siege engine aimed at Goro Daimon!
Facing this terrifying strike capable of flattening a tank, Goro Daimon neither dodged nor retreated.
His feet rooted into the ground like an ancient tree, eyes still closed. The instant the iron ball was about to connect, he moved!
"Jiraishin!"
He raised his right foot and stomped down hard!
BOOM—!
The entire stage felt like it was hit by a small earthquake!
A visible shockwave radiated outward from his foot, spreading across the ground in an instant!
Chang stumbled, his massive body losing balance.
NOW!
Goro Daimon appeared before Chang like he'd teleported!
His enormous hands—like palm-leaf fans—instantly grabbed Chang's collar!
"HAH!"
With a low shout, Goro Daimon's seemingly smaller frame erupted with unimaginable, terrifying strength!
He literally ripped the 400-plus pound Chang off the ground—iron ball and all—then executed a clean shoulder throw!
"Arashi no Yama!"
BOOM—!
The entire Colosseum seemed to shake!
Chang's massive body slammed into the stage, the reinforced alloy floor denting with a clear human-shaped impression!
Another... another instant KO!
Japan Team took two straight wins, clinching victory early!
The crowd went absolutely insane!
"Too strong! Japan Team is too strong!"
"They're not even in the same league! Complete domination!"
On the Korea Team side, Kim Kaphwan's expression grew deadly serious. He knew all their hopes now rested on him.
"Round three! Japan Team, Kyo Kusanagi, versus Korea Team, Kim Kaphwan!"
Finally—king versus king!
Kyo Kusanagi strolled onto the stage with that same carefree attitude, hands in pockets, as if he was taking a walk rather than fighting.
Kim Kaphwan assumed his standard taekwondo stance, gaze resolute, spirit blazing.
"Kyo Kusanagi!" Kim's voice rang with righteousness. "Your flames are the power to protect justice! But today, allow me to show you what true... righteous way really means!"
"Oh?" Kyo raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Old man, save your lectures for the next life. In front of me, your so-called 'justice' is worthless."
"Arrogant!"
Kim wasted no more words. His feet exploded with power!
"Hishou Kyaku!"
His figure shot forward like an arrow, becoming a white blur as he descended from the air toward Kyo! His legs kicked out a dense curtain of afterimages, like the wings of a phoenix!
Facing this fierce attack, Kyo didn't even take his hands from his pockets.
He simply... casually raised his right hand and flicked his finger.
CLANG!
A small, seemingly insignificant crimson spark shot from his fingertip.
That spark caught the wind and grew!
Instantly, it transformed into a blazing wall of fire taller than a man, blocking his front!
"Style 100: Oniyaki!"
Kim's Flying Kick slammed hard into the wall of flames!
SIZZLE—!
A sound like meat being seared!
"AAARGH—!"
Kim screamed as the scorching Kusanagi flames blasted him from the air. He tumbled across the ground, his uniform pants burned to tatters!
One move!
A single move broke Kim Kaphwan's signature technique!
The crowd was in uproar!
"Is... is this the power of Kusanagi flames?!"
"Too terrifying! Complete elemental counter!"
Kim struggled to his feet, eyes filled with disbelief. His prized leg techniques were utterly useless against that absolute power of flame!
"We're not done yet!"
"Absolute Domain! 7%!"
In the spectator area, Cloud, Terry, and Ryo all tensed simultaneously!
They clearly sensed it—the unique aura of a "Domain-class fighter"!
Kim roared and stomped repeatedly, transforming into a whirlwind as he charged at Kyo again!
"Hangetsu Zan!"
"Hien Zan!"
A series of dazzling, lethal leg techniques rained toward Kyo like a storm!
This time, Kyo finally got serious.
"Playtime's over."
Slowly, he drew his hands from his pockets.
HUMMMM—!
An aura far more overwhelming, far more scorching than before exploded forth!
Crimson flames burned and surged across his body as if alive!
Absolute Domain 15%!
"What?!"
"As expected of the Child of Destiny... reaching 15% so effortlessly..." Cloud's heart churned with waves of shock.
And Kyo, wreathed in roaring flames, slowly raised his right fist.
"Behold—the martial arts passed down through generations of the Kusanagi clan!"
His figure vanished from where he stood!
"Style 75 Kai!"
Two lightning-fast heavy kicks instantly shattered all of Kim's defenses, slamming into his abdomen!
Kim's body flew into the air!
But it wasn't over!
Kyo's figure followed like a shadow, appearing above him!
"Style 114: Aragami!"
"Style 128: Kono Kizu!"
"Style 127: Yanosabi!"
"Style 125: Nanase!"
A flowing, devastatingly beautiful combo unfolded mid-air like a work of art!
Kyo's fists and feet, wreathed in scorching flames, rained down on Kim like a tempest!
Finally, he leaped high, his right fist gathering a massive fireball blazing like the sun itself!
BOOOOM—!!!
The entire stage seemed to be swallowed by that final strike!
When the light faded, only Kyo Kusanagi remained on the stage, slowly lowering his fist, his back to the audience. The massive sun emblem behind him, illuminated by the flames, looked sacred and utterly overwhelming.
Kim Kaphwan lay in the corner of the stage, charred black, completely unconscious.
His uniform... of course, had exploded down to just his boxers.
KO!
Japan Team, total victory!
...
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