A few hours go by since Rai left the Optimus Groups' Hideout making his way to the Value City. Rai would be nervous since he is normally with Lee on these types of missions.
Rai would finally arrive just outside the city and it looks half destroyed and half intact. There's military troops going around taking cargo crates from the City that belonged to the Optimus Group which is now taken by a red mysterious insignia which is displayed on each soldiers shoulder
Rai moved through the ruins with cautious steps. Every sound, every echo of movement, set his instincts on edge.
"Zafina was right," he murmured. "This place feels… wrong."
"Who even are these guys, I've never seen them before…"
His communicator crackled faintly, Lucia's voice breaking through the static. "Still alive, rookie?"
"Yeah," Rai whispered. "Value City has been invaded by these guys, they have a red insignia on their shoulders"
"Red insignia? Man…there are so many groups with Red insignia, try to find some more clues if you can. Don't try to be a hero, kay?" she replied.
The communicator would cut off completely.
Rai would walk inside ruined buildings where he could get close to the soldiers and listen in.
The soldiers in that area left and would go to the North side of the City. He makes sure that nobody else is on the streets and he jumps out of the building landing on the streets.
Before he takes his first step forward a cloaked figure would land behind Rai a few meters away from him.
Rai turns around and notices the blacked out figure and jumps back thinking he's been caught.
The figure would begin to speak.
"You're not one of us?"
"And who are you supposed to be?" Rai would comment.
The stranger would begin to take of his cloak and revealing himself.
"I would assume you're from Optimus Group, right?
"My name is Kaiba. Valiant Division. We're here to reclaim what's rightfully ours. This city's under new ownership."
Kaiba would continue.
"So the Optimus sent someone like you to fight us?"
"You could say that. But I'm not here to talk." Rai said.
"Neither am I," Kaiba replied.
For a brief second, silence then the air erupted.
Rai launched forward, boots shattering the ground beneath him.
Kaiba moved almost lazily, sidestepping the first punch with ease before countering with a palm strike aimed for Rai's chest.
Rai deflects the blow with his forearm and spinning into a low kick. Kaiba blocked it with his knee
Their movements were fast. Each clash left shockwaves rippling through the air.
Rai ducked under a strike and countered with a quick jab combination. Kaiba parried effortlessly, his expression calm, analytical. He moved like he'd already seen every move Rai could make.
"Not bad," Kaiba murmured. "But you fight like an amateur."
Rai gritted his teeth "Don't underestimate me!"
He rushed again, faster this time weaving, feinting, adapting. His fists struck in rapid succession, each one finding small openings Kaiba hadn't left before. A punch grazed Kaiba's jaw, light but solid. For the first time, Kaiba's smile faded slightly.
"Oh?" he said softly. "You learn quick."
Rai took a step back, exhaling sharply. "Thanks to my training."
Kaiba tilted his head. "Training? That explains your form. Someone taught you well."
"His name's Lee. And he taught me how to read opponents like you." Rai said.
Kaiba's expression darkened slightly. "Lee… so he's still alive."
The air shifted heavier now. Without warning, Kaiba's energy flared, faint black streaks rippling around him. The pressure was too much like gravity itself had increased.
Rai braced himself as Kaiba vanished from sight, appearing behind him in a blur. Rai barely turned in time to block the kick aimed at his ribs. The impact sent him crashing into a concrete wall, dust exploding outward.
Rai coughed, pushing himself up, wiping blood from his lip. "Tch… you're faster than you look."
Kaiba's tone was calm again. "And you're still standing. Impressive."
Rai smiled faintly. "You're not the only one who's fast."
He dashed forward again, channeling faint blue energy through his arms. Sparks ignited as he struck each blow quicker, sharper, more precise. Kaiba countered smoothly, but Rai's rhythm had changed. He was adapting in real time.
Their fists collided midair, the explosion of force sending ripples through the ruined street. Windows shattered. The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Kaiba slid back, boots grinding against the concrete. He flexed his fingers, a faint glow of black energy tracing his knuckles. "You've got talent," he admitted. "But you're not ready."
"Ready for what?" he asked
Rai surged forward, unleashing a barrage of strikes that forced Kaiba on the defensive. Each blow echoed like thunder, each block sending sparks flying.
For a moment, it looked even. Rai's foot connected with Kaiba's shoulder, forcing him back. Kaiba retaliated with a sweeping strike that Rai narrowly dodged. The clash sent both sliding across the cracked street.
They paused, breathing hard, eyes locked.
Rai would grow cocky and he would comment, "You finally taking me seriously now?
Kaiba exhaled softly and would grin. "The battle hasn't even begun clown."
The faint aura around him began to deepen, the air vibrating with energy. Rai felt an instant shift in power so dense it made his skin prickle.
"Looks like playtime's over," Kaiba said.