Kazuki dashed forward, fist cocked back with fiery determination as he launched a punch at Diablo. But just as his blow neared, Diablo effortlessly caught it with one hand and followed up with a swift kick, sending Kazuki tumbling to the ground.
"You've improved," Diablo said, arms folded as he looked down at Kazuki. "A lot more than the last time we fought."
Kazuki groaned, pushing himself up while brushing dirt off his clothes. "I've been training hard... nonstop."
Diablo nodded slightly. "It shows. But you still have a lot to learn if you want to become truly strong one day. Though I must say, your killer instincts and battle IQ are impressive—for a 12-year-old."
Kazuki, now on one knee, looked up at him with a bored expression. "So? You gonna point out all the things I'm doing wrong now?"
"I'll gladly do it," Diablo said with a smirk.
He raised one finger. "First, your ability to judge your opponent. You act too quickly. Before you attack, you should analyze. Read your opponent's movements, aura, and intent. Don't rush."
Kazuki nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Anything else I should be 'enlightened' about?"
Diablo continued. "When you fight, you only rely on your eyes and ears. That's not enough. All your senses should be open. Unlike you, Alex has more refined sensing abilities... though his problem is that he charges in recklessly."
Kazuki blinked. "What's Alex got to do with this?"
Diablo tilted his head. "Wait... Did I forget to tell you?"
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Forget to tell me what?"
Diablo chuckled. "That Alex is coming to train with us today."
Kazuki's face froze for a second, then twisted into annoyance. "WHAT?!"
From the distance, Alex's voice rang out. "Hey! Diablooo!"
Kazuki whipped around and groaned as Alex waved energetically, calling Diablo's name.
"GO BACK HOME!" Kazuki yelled.
Alex shrugged. "Shut up, shortie. I only came because Diablo said there'd be food after training."
Kazuki deadpanned. "YOU STUPID FUCK!! WE'RE BOTH SHORT!" He yelled "Is food all you ever think about?" he asked
Diablo laughed. "It's good to have you here, Alex."
He turned to him. "How're the injuries?"
Alex nodded. "Healed up faster than I expected... I'm just glad I'm still alive."
"Good," Diablo said. "Because we're done talking. You two are gonna train with me."
Both Kazuki and Alex paused for two seconds.
Then sighed.
"HUH?!" they both shouted in unison.
Alex glared at Kazuki. "Why do I have to work with him? This purple haired freak!"
Kazuki shot back. "I'd rather die than team up with this white haired numbskull."
Diablo raised his voice. "Enough. I don't know what issues you two have, but like it or not, you're a team now. Unless, of course, you want to get yourselves killed."
He turned to Alex. "You've got amazing technique. Your energy fists are powerful, especially with the massive energy you generate. Plus, your flash step makes you unpredictable."
Alex gave a confident grin, trying to play it cool—until Diablo continued.
"But you've got a serious weakness."
Alex's grin faltered. "What weakness?"
"Your close combat is poor. You're strong, but you lack form. And like I said—you rush in without thinking."
Alex sighed. "I don't really know any other way…"
"You've got good battle IQ," Diablo said. "You can plan on the fly just by observing your opponent. That's rare."
He turned to both of them. "You two have what the other doesn't."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "What's your point?"
"My point is," Diablo said, "if you both fix your flaws and learn to work together—you'll become the strongest fighters this world has ever known."
The words stunned both Alex and Kazuki. The words of diablo repeated under their ears, they were surprised.
"Now," Diablo smiled, "fight me."
Kazuki took a step back. "Yeah, I think I'll pass."
Alex raised a hand. "I, uh... got something to do at home."
"Weaklings," Diablo taunted.
Triggered, Kazuki flung a dagger high into the air.
Alex flash-stepped up, caught it mid-air, and came crashing down with force. Diablo leapt aside just before Alex slammed into the ground, causing a massive explosion of dust and rock.
From the smoke, Diablo chuckled. "Didn't expect that. These kids... they're going to surpass everyone." He said to himself
Alex emerged, energy flaring. Kazuki appeared beside him, steady and calm.
"You ready?" Kazuki asked.
Alex nodded. "I'll take him from the back."
"I'll go head-on."
Kazuki charged in at the speed of sound. Alex zipped behind Diablo using flash step. They unleashed a barrage of attacks from both sides. Diablo dodged with ease as Alex struck with glowing fists that were strong enough to break down buildings in a go.Kazuki suddenly yelled:
"MOVE!"
Alex leapt back as Kazuki launched his Spiritual Explosion, engulfing Diablo in a massive blast that destroyed a line of trees and burned the ground below.
"Did we get him?" Alex asked.
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "No idea…"
The smoke cleared—and Diablo stepped out, completely unscathed.
"I'm impressed," he said. "That was a good stunt."
Alex turned to Kazuki. "Your move didn't work. What now?"
Kazuki smirked. "Got a smoke bomb?"
Alex pulled one from his pocket and tossed it. A thick, purple smoke covered the battlefield.
Diablo's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Alright... what are they up to?"
A single shuriken zipped past his face. He dodged it with ease. Then more followed—dozens—each moving at incredible speed. Diablo moved gracefully, hands in his pockets while dodging shurikens and daggers.
Suddenly, a Spiritual Explosion rained down from above at rapid fire. Diablo jumped out of the smoke as the Spiritual explosions were causing explosions that could nuke buildings at the speed of sound.
He laughed. "Nice! But you'll have to do better—"
Two hands grabbed his legs from beneath him—Alex and Kazuki.
"NOW!" Kazuki yelled, releasing his most powerful Spiritual Explosion yet.
BOOM.
An enormous shockwave rocked the field.
Kazuki coughed through the smoke. "Alex! You alright?!"
Suddenly, Alex flash-stepped behind him. "Yeah... I'm good."
They both turned—only to feel a hand pat their backs.
They yelped and spun around in comedic panic. Diablo stood there, untouched, grinning.
"Not even a scratch?!" Alex shouted.
Diablo smirked. "Did you really expect to beat me?"
He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "You two need to keep working together. You make a good team."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving them stunned.
Alex dusted off his clothes. "I'm going home. Got something to finish."
Kazuki flopped onto the ground of the training field, staring up at the sky "Jesus Christ. I can't help but to feel toyed with!"
Later That Night
In his room, Kazuki sat on his bed, replaying Diablo's words in his mind:
"You both make a good team."
Across the city, Alex stood on his balcony, gazing out over the glowing skyline. The darkness lit only by the houses, shops, and streetlights below.
He leaned on the rail and whispered to himself:
"One day... when I become the lord of this city... I want to look at it like this."
END OF CHAPTER.