"Haha, Steve, looks like you're about to lose. Careless as always—your shield's on the ground!"
Ryuuto grinned, fists encased in massive rock-like energy, ready to strike decisively.
"Ryuuto! Don't get cocky! The fight's far from over!"
Steve's voice carried a surge of battle fervor. His shield may have been dislodged, but his fighting spirit was unshakable. In an instant, he vanished from sight, leaving only the faint shimmer of anticipation hanging in the air.
The man was calm, fearless, and utterly alive with excitement—as if he'd finally found the rival he had been searching for.
"Don't underestimate me!" Steve shouted, his legs springing like cannonballs off the ground. He arced beautifully through the air, dodging Ryuuto's rock-hard fist with perfect precision.
Bang! Rocks and dust erupted from the ground where Ryuuto's punch smashed into the pavement, scattering debris and startling birds into flight.
"Alright, let's see how you handle this!"
Steve descended like a meteor, meeting Ryuuto mid-air with a devastating punch.
Ryuuto's eyes narrowed, a small smile tugging at his lips. The thrill of battle surged through him—this fight was finally becoming interesting.
"I'll show you whose fist is stronger!"
"I won't lose!"
They charged at each other like titans, fists colliding with explosive force. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to fall silent—only the thunderous impact of their blows remained.
Boom!
Their fists clashed, metal against rock, sending sparks scattering. Ryuuto locked eyes with Steve, who returned the gaze with unyielding pride. They were equals—warriors in their purest form.
Ryuuto thought, Not bad… he can actually trade blows with me.
He'd combined Ohnoki's Light and Heavy Rock Technique with Rock Lee's physical strength and Kakashi-level combat prowess. Hand-to-hand combat had always been his domain—but Steve? This guy was no joke. Truly a Captain America worthy of the title.
Still, Steve's face contorted in pain. His right hand felt numb, as if his very strength was rebelling. Normally, he'd have screamed in frustration—but now, facing Ryuuto, he gritted his teeth instead.
"Ryuuto! This isn't over! Take another blow!"
He leveraged his body to retreat, snatched his shield embedded in the earth, spun 360 degrees, and hurled it like a broken bamboo spear—a blur aimed straight at Ryuuto. The speed was terrifying, almost impossible to counter.
"Good luck with that!"
Ryuuto didn't try to block. Instead, he activated his high-speed movement, dodging the lightning-fast shield while continuing his advance.
"Haha! Ryuuto, the real offense starts now! Brace yourself!" Steve's eyes blazed with war spirit. Even when his shield missed, his aura grew hotter, fiercer, like a roaring fire.
Ryuuto leapt toward him, but Steve vaulted into the air, evading the incoming kick. Both hands gripped the spinning shield, stopping it mid-air, then charged toward Ryuuto with all his strength—his ultimate move.
Steve thought he had the edge this time—but Ryuuto didn't flinch. His eyes sparkled with deadly focus, each movement precise.
A shiver ran down Steve's spine. Something about this ninja—this Red Mirage—felt terrifyingly dangerous. Sparks flew as the two collided again.
"This time, let's see how tough your shield really is!"
Ryuuto's grin widened. He switched to Tsunade's data packet in a blink. Power surged through his arms, explosive and unstoppable. Every strike felt like it could tear through the world itself.
He swung, meeting Steve head-on.
Steve felt as though he was smashing into an immovable mountain. The recoil rattled his mind, forced him back, feet sinking into the mud as the force dragged him along.
"Mystery of Shinobi! Thousand Years of Death!"
Ryuuto's cold voice echoed in Steve's mind, sharp and suffocating, like ice in his lungs. The battlefield had shifted—this fight was no longer about skill alone. It was a clash of will, power, and unbreakable determination.