The battlefield was silent, until space itself twisted.
Kenshiro reached into the air, and the void responded. A swirling distortion—a black hole—ripped itself open in front of him. Calmly, he plunged his hand into the rift and pulled out a long, jagged sword. Its surface shimmered ominously, covered in tiny black holes, each one spinning hungrily as if ready to devour the world.
Goro raised an eyebrow.
"Wait… before we start," he said, taking a cautious step forward. "How much can your black hole destroy? And what does that sword even do?"
Kenshiro rolled his eyes.
"What's with the questions, man?"
"Man, it's for my safety."
Kenshiro shrugged.
"At most, I could wipe out a regular-sized village before my Spiritual Force runs out."
"Okay… and the sword?"
"Anything I hit with it gets pulled into a black
hole. Simple."
Goro whistled.
"That sword looks like it came out of a video game… but alright then."
In a burst of movement, Goro rushed forward—his right hand glowing bright orange with Spiritual Force.
Kenshiro sidestepped effortlessly.
"Oh wow. Not bad."
"Hmph," Goro muttered.
"Singularity Slash!"
Kenshiro swung his blade, carving through space itself. A thin, gravitational rift tore open in the air—dark and trembling. Goro barely dodged.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" he snapped.
Then, he felt it.
Why am I getting pulled forward? Goro thought, struggling against the invisible force.
From the sidelines, a voice called out.
"Cool… a gravitational rift," Rei observed. "But it only lasts three seconds."
"Hey," Goro said, panting, "when I found my ability, I created some attacks too."
"Okay?" Kenshiro responded, sword still in hand.
Goro took a deep breath. Steam began to rise from his body.
"Okay… an opening." Kenshiro narrowed his eyes and lunged in.
But as he drew close, Kenshiro stopped in his tracks. Goro's entire body was steaming now—his Spiritual Force burning like a furnace.
What's going on…? Kenshiro thought, hesitating.
From a distance, Shun leaned forward, intrigued.
"I wonder what he's doing…"
Goro clenched his fists.
"Alright. I'm steaming now. That means I can use that move."
"Doesn't matter," Kenshiro said. "Your heat can't compare."
Orange flames erupted behind Goro, a soft flicker at first.
"I realized something… If I master this power, I can control all heat—fire, magma, even lightning. If it burns, it's mine. Someday, I'll control it all."
"What's heat… to a black hole?"
Kenshiro dashed forward, blade poised.
"Take this!"
Goro grinned.
"Blazing Fist Drive!"
His flaming punch crashed into Kenshiro's face, sending him flying backward.
Orange Spiritual Force surged around Goro, flowing upward like fire reaching for the sky.
"I told you… this won't end like last time."
Kenshiro slowly rose from the ground, smoke curling around him.
"No way… You think this ends with one attack?"
"I hope not. That'd be a shame," Goro smirked.
Kenshiro disappeared—then reappeared right in front of Goro.
"Black Hole Punch!"
"Inferno Guard!"
Goro's shield of flames blocked the hit—but the impact still sent him skidding across the battlefield.
"That was kinda hot," Kenshiro remarked.
Goro stood again, eyes burning.
"Scorch Trail!"
He launched forward, flames shooting from his feet, leaving a blazing trail behind him.
"You came all this way… you better do something," Kenshiro taunted.
He swung his blade—Goro flipped over it, landing behind him.
That was close… Goro thought, heart racing.
Then, he grabbed Kenshiro's arm.
Kenshiro turned his head, slowly.
"Heat Grip."
Flames erupted from Goro's hand, burning into Kenshiro's arm.
"Tch… damn it."
Kenshiro tossed his sword to his other hand and turned, slashing. Goro leapt out of reach.
"Close one," Goro muttered.
Dang it. This is too much work, Kenshiro thought,
shaking the burn.
"Looks like you've got the upper hand now," Goro said.
Kenshiro smirked.
Oh, I got something.
He reached forward.
"How about you come a little closer, huh?"
"What?"
"Void Pull."
A tiny black hole opened in Kenshiro's palm. The gravitational force pulled Goro forward slowly but surely.
"Damn it… I can't even resist."
"It's over now," Kenshiro said. "My power has always been above yours."
Why can't I stop moving…? Goro thought, panic rising.
Kenshiro raised his sword toward him.
"Say you quit, and I'll stop."
"No. I'll get out of this!"
"Say it… or your arm is gone."
"Never!"
"Then it can't be helped. Goodbye, Goro's arm."
With a swift motion, Kenshiro slashed—
A black hole opened.
Goro's arm vanished.
"NO!"
Then, Goro grinned.
Just kidding.
The "Goro" in front of Kenshiro faded.
From behind, the real Goro appeared—orange fist glowing, ready to strike.
Kenshiro turned and smiled.
"I knew that was a clone."
"What—?!"
Kenshiro slashed once more.
This time, it was real.
Goro's arm disappeared into the black hole.
"No way…"
To Be Continued.