Moonlight stretched across the abandoned bridge outside Hogwarts.
The lake beneath it rippled softly in the cold night air.
Julian stood alone.
He already knew someone was coming.
Slow clapping echoed behind him.
Banko stepped from the shadows.
"You're the interesting one," he said calmly.
Julian didn't respond.
Banko sighed.
"Fine."
The air suddenly compressed.
Banko released his willpower.
Invisible pressure exploded outward.
Stone cracked beneath their feet.
The bridge trembled.
Water in the lake below churned violently.
Julian felt the crushing weight pressing against his body.
But he didn't move.
Instead, he smiled slightly.
Then he answered.
His Conqueror's Haki surged outward.
The collision between the two pressures was immediate.
A violent shockwave blasted across the lake.
Windows shattered in distant towers.
Dust rained from the bridge supports.
For several seconds, the invisible forces slammed against each other like colliding storms.
Banko grinned.
"So it's real."
Julian stepped forward.
The pressure intensified.
But suddenly lights flickered across the castle walls.
Teachers were approaching.
Banko relaxed instantly.
"Another time."
Then he vanished into the shadows.
Julian stood alone again.
Both fighters now knew the truth.
The other was not someone to underestimate.