The tournament had flown by. Ro and Zack had crushed their competition with ease, and now the finals had arrived.
"NOW I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE NOT BORED YET! EVEN IF YOU ARE, THIS IS THE FINALS! FROM MY LEFT, OUR CHAMPION OF THE SWORD, ZACK!"
The crowd erupted as Zack stepped forward, his trademark arrogant grin in place.
"FROM MY RIGHT, THE OUTSKIRTS' GREATEST MOHAWK… RO!"
Ro strode confidently onto the stage. He grinned at Zack, who smirked in return, his wooden sword still sheathed at his waist.
"NOW… BEGIN!"
The two circled each other cautiously.
"I heard you're the genius of Chief Anna's village," Zack said, eyes narrowing.
Ro frowned, sliding into his stance. "You heard that? Let me show you why I'm a genius." With a burst of speed, he lunged at Zack.
Zack didn't hesitate. He swung his sword toward Ro's neck, but Ro blocked it with his fist, following up with a kick aimed at Zack's face. The young swordsman caught Ro's leg mid-air.
Zack's brow furrowed. "Your blow isn't infused with Hashi?" he asked, eyeing Ro.
"Why are you upset? You're not even taking this seriously, jerk!" Ro shot off the ground with his other leg, kicking toward Zack's face again.
Zack barely dodged. Ro seized the moment, grabbing Zack's sword and yanking it toward himself, not to harm but to disorient. Landing roughly, Ro quickly regained his footing. Zack staggered slightly but grinned.
"Okay… let's take this seriously," Zack said, his air shimmering as Hashi energy surged.
Ro smirked. The air around him shimmered too, Hashi coursing through his body. Both fighters now radiated the power of the Intermediate Rank of the Hashi Arts, where their bodies were enhanced, strength and reflexes heightened by their energy.
The two charged at each other, speed far beyond anything the audience had seen before. Zack spun, aiming to slash Ro's neck, but Ro dodged and launched a fist at Zack's gut. The blow landed brutally.
Zack grunted, eyes widening as he felt the surge of Hashi in Ro's body.
"Way of Nature Technique: Rapid Flux Movement!"
Ro's body fully energized by Hashi. The surrounding air rippled wildly. He grinned ferally, ready to finish this.
"Way of Nature Technique: Heavenly Soaring Wave!"
Ro's enhanced fist rose like a crashing wave, landing squarely on Zack's chin and snapping his head upward. The impact sent shockwaves through the arena. Spectators rose, staring at Zack, who teetered on the edge of falling.
I got you, you arrogant bastard, Ro thought victoriously.
But Zack steadied himself, his voice bored yet amused. "I see why they call you a genius." He smirked down at Ro.
Ro froze, disbelief and caution mixing in his expression. Normally, this combo a full body enhancement followed by a devastating strike was enough to finish an opponent. It was like wrapping one's head in iron before punching. Yet Zack remained standing.
Oi… where the hell has this monster been? Ro thought nervously, though he forced a brave grin.
The final battle was far from over.