So then Ryū also started using light by deflecting it and also bending it toward another direction after being shot. Bright beams of concentrated light lanced toward him from Ken's outstretched hands, only for Ryū's muscular arms to sweep through the air with precise, controlled motions. Instead of taking the full force, he channeled his elemental mastery, palms glowing faintly as he caught the incoming rays and redirected them sideways in sharp, curving arcs. The light bent at unnatural angles under his influence, slicing into nearby abandoned walls instead of his body, carving deep, glowing trenches into the concrete that sizzled and smoked on contact. With each successful deflection, the golden dragons embroidered on his dark triad Chinese emperor-style robe seemed to shimmer brighter, as if feeding off the redirected energy.
The SCO agents watching from a safe distance remained tense, their tactical gear and weapons held at the ready. The organization was led and boarded by 7 executives, each one controlling the activities of the SCO for their respective country. There were exactly seven countries where the SCO had been firmly established, and the executive in charge of Japan happened to be Ken's father — a fact that added another layer of gravity to the unfolding battle.
Now back to the present…
Ken stood impressed, his deathly hollow stare momentarily flickering with genuine surprise as he watched Ryū adapt so quickly. In just these few minutes of intense combat, the Dragon Lord had already begun manipulating light in ways that mirrored his own techniques. Ken thought to himself, "Wow… now I know why you're called the Dragon Lord, Ryū," the silent acknowledgment flashing through his mind while his body remained locked in that flat, thousand-yard expression.
Then Ryū backed up to a little distance, his taller, more muscular frame moving with powerful yet casual grace across the cracked pavement. The flowing dark robe billowed around his broad shoulders and defined chest as he stopped, red-and-gold hair catching the Niigata breeze. He looked directly at Ken and said in a deep, mocking tone, "Is this how you go around pestering people's sisters around?"
In a confused moment, Ken tilted his head a little, the movement sharp and mechanical. His deep monotone voice cut through the lingering echoes of their earlier clashes as he replied, "What do you mean? Do you even know me?"
Then Ryū laughed, a rich, confident sound that rolled from his chest and echoed off the surrounding buildings. The golden dragons on his high-collared tunic and robe appeared to coil and shift with the motion. He answered with clear amusement, "Do I know you? The Dragon Lord's knowledge encompasses more than you could imagine."
Then Ken stood stiff, his entire body going rigid for a brief second as the words sank in. In his mind he thought, "Then he would know about my dad being the head of the SCO here in Japan," the realization hitting him like a hidden weight. That connection was kind of a big deal — if this man truly knew all these details, it could complicate everything significantly.
Then he looked at Ryū with narrowed eyes and thought, "Nahh… this guy is lying. He probably has seen me somewhere before but there's no way he knows about my dad." The hollow stare remained firmly in place, giving nothing away on the surface.
Then he struck Ryū again, continuing the fight with renewed intensity. Beams of bent light shot forward once more, followed by sharp claps that unleashed invisible sound waves. But then Ryū started fighting and reacting in a petty manner, jumping and dodging with exaggerated, almost playful movements. His powerful legs launched him high into the air, dodging a searing light blade by inches before landing lightly and sidestepping another sonic blast with theatrical flair. The dragon-embroidered robe flared dramatically with every leap, his red-and-gold hair whipping about as he moved more like someone toying with his opponent than fighting seriously.
Then Ryū was like, "Hey, why do you attack using light too much? It's so annoying… You know if you could just give me a little space I would finish you in a heartbeat, right?" His voice carried clear irritation mixed with teasing arrogance as he landed after another high jump, brushing dust from his sleeve with exaggerated annoyance.
Then Ken replied in his flat, deep monotone voice, completely unfazed, "You're being illogical. Knowing light is my main weapon here I have to use it wisely or else you'd have your way in beating my ass."
The exchange hung in the charged air between them as the fight continued without pause. Ryū's golden eyes sparkled with amusement even as he deflected another light beam, bending it harmlessly into the sky where it dissipated in a bright flash. Smoke still rose faintly from spots on his clothes and skin where earlier attacks had landed, but his muscular frame showed no signs of real damage. Ken pressed forward with mechanical precision, hands weaving patterns that bent and split light into multiple deadly rays while occasional claps sent concussive sound pulses hammering toward Ryū's position.
The ground continued to tremble slightly from the residual force of their earlier sonic clashes, small pieces of debris rolling across the broken street. The SCO agents remained behind Chris's glowing purple line, watching the spectacle with a mixture of caution and frustration. The tall, imposing figure of Ryū in his dark imperial attire moved with a blend of raw power and petty provocation, while Ken fought with that unnerving, emotionless hollow stare, his attacks never losing their calculated efficiency.
Ryū continued dodging in an almost lazy, taunting manner — leaping sideways to avoid a curving light slash, then hopping backward as a sound wave cracked the pavement where he had just been standing. His laughter rang out again between exchanges, clearly enjoying the chance to provoke the younger fighter. Ken, for his part, remained completely composed in his organizational mode, voice flat and movements precise, showing none of the shy, smiling liveliness he displayed when around Chiyo.
The battle stretched on, light flashing brilliantly against the overcast Niigata sky while the occasional boom of colliding sound waves rolled across the area like distant thunder. Ryū's petty taunts mixed with his growing mastery over deflection kept the fight dynamic and unpredictable, even as Ken continued pressing his advantage with relentless light and sound combinations