The wholesome vibes vanished instantly as the cameras cut to Ring 18. It was a dark, blood-stained martial arts dojo lit only by flickering torches.
"Match Number Thirty-Five!" Heimdall yelled nervously. "The martial arts prodigy, Garou! Versus the Upper Rank Three demon, Akaza!"
Akaza slammed his fist into his open palm, a maniacal grin on his face. A giant snowflake-shaped compass appeared beneath his feet. "You have a beautiful fighting aura, human! Become a demon, and we can fight for eternity!"
Garou cracked his neck, leaning forward like a predator. "A demon? I'm aiming to be a monster. And you're just in my way."
Akaza vanished, launching a barrage of shockwave punches. "Destructive Death: Air Type!"
Garou's eyes widened. He was hit several times, blood flying from his mouth as he was pushed back. But instead of falling, Garou started laughing. His hands began to move in flowing, circular motions.
"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist," Garou whispered.
Akaza charged in for a close-range kill, aiming a fist straight through Garou's chest. Garou didn't dodge. He caught Akaza's wrist, redirecting the demon's immense force right back at him, and delivered a brutal knee strike that shattered Akaza's jaw.
Akaza regenerated instantly and swung a kick. Garou flowed around it, his speed increasing exponentially. He was adapting. Every time Akaza hit him, Garou hit back twice as hard, his martial arts perfectly countering the demon's brute force.
Finally, Garou stepped inside Akaza's guard. His hands became a blur of lethal strikes. He hit every pressure point, shattered every bone, and finally drove a glowing, perfectly executed strike right through Akaza's neck, completely obliterating the demon's head. Akaza's body crumpled, unable to regenerate fast enough before the ten-count.
"Match Thirty-Five winner... GAROU!"
"Brutal! Bloody! Beautiful!" Deadpool screamed, throwing phantom punches. "Garou just styled on a demon!"