In the Laybirth Kingdom, near the outer walls, a fierce standoff was underway: Hiro vs. Judo.
"Show me what you got," Hiro said, cracking his knuckles.
Judo threw off his brown jacket with a grin. "Oh, really now?"
He lifted his arm—and it suddenly grew ten times larger than a normal human's.
"Smash!"
Both of Judo's massive arms came crashing down—but Hiro just smiled.
Before they could land, Hiro vanished in a flash of blue lightning.
BOOM!
The ground cracked violently, smoke exploding outward as Judo's blow landed.
But Hiro was already behind him, lightning ball in hand.
Before Judo could even turn—
CRASH!
The lightning sphere smashed into his ribs, launching him through a nearby building. His gigantic arms shattered into debris as he flew.
"Damn… he's fast…" Judo coughed, pulling himself from the rubble.
His arms shrank back to normal as he staggered upright.
Behind him—Hiro stood with hands pressed together.
"Lightning Strike!"
"Huh?" Judo spun around just in time.
SLASH!
A bolt of lightning grazed his cheek.
"Damn you!" he shouted, throwing a wild punch.
But Hiro moved at lightning speed.
Damn it, Judo thought, teeth gritted.
Again—Hiro appeared behind him.
"You've got to be faster than that."
"I know…" Judo clenched his fists. "What I've got to do… is increase my reaction time."
"You think that's easy?"
"I don't know," Judo replied with a smirk.
Out of nowhere, Hiro vanished—reappearing in front of him with a punch to the face. Before Judo could hit the ground, Hiro struck his back, then his gut, sending him crashing down hard.
"I thought it was easy, huh? You can't stop my strikes."
Hiro grabbed Judo's leg and hurled him into the air. In an instant, he was above him, ready to deliver a crushing blow.
But Judo caught his arm mid-air.
"Huh?" Hiro blinked.
With a roar, Judo slammed Hiro into the ground. Hiro landed on his feet, but the impact shattered the earth beneath.
High above, Judo raised his leg—now ten times its size—and brought it down.
"C'mon… too slow," Hiro muttered.
BOOM!
The kick demolished nearby buildings and left a massive crater in the ground.
Judo touched down, panting.
Did I get him? No… of course I didn't. He wouldn't let me hit him. Where is he? he thought, squinting through the smoke.
Far away, Hiro narrowed his eyes at the damage. "Man… come on. You've gotta keep the collateral damage to a minimum."
"Where is he?!" Judo called out.
Suddenly, Hiro came crashing down with both fists cloaked in lightning.
Judo sensed it and leapt aside.
Close, he thought, landing.
Hiro burst out of the smoke, throwing a punch—Judo dodged, countered with a kick, but Hiro caught it and swung him into the air several times before slamming him into the dirt.
Blood spilled from Judo's mouth.
Damn it…
Hiro grabbed him by the neck.
"Even though we're both B-rank, you're barely even that. Like—barely."
He started laughing as Judo struggled, his legs dangling in the air. Then, with a shout, Judo's legs grew enormous—and he kicked Hiro in the stomach, sending him flying.
Coughing and gasping, Judo clutched his neck. "Yeah… he's definitely stronger than me."
Hiro stood, grinning. "There we go. Keep trying to beat me. You've got no chance."
But so what? I won't give up, Judo thought. I'll keep fighting… no matter what!
Suddenly—Hiro was beside him.
"Huh—" Judo barely reacted before Hiro's punch sent him crashing into a wall.
Man… I need to upgrade my reaction time.
Judo staggered to his feet, face bloodied.
Hiro appeared in front of him in a punching stance.
I see it. I see the punch—body, move. Body, move!
BOOM!
The punch connected, knocking Judo to the ground again.
Blood poured from his face as he slowly got up.
I saw it… I just need my body to react.
Hiro reappeared behind him, punching Judo forward. Before he could hit the ground, Hiro delivered an uppercut, caught his body mid-air by the hair, and kneed him savagely, launching him backward.
Judo crashed to the ground, groaning.
I see it… I see every punch. My eyes can track lightning speed. Now… I need my body to match it!
He forced himself up, trembling.
"So you can still move, huh?" Hiro said, amused. "Not bad."
Judo stood fully, breathing hard, spitting blood, several teeth missing.
"Bring it on."
"Let me put you out of your misery," Hiro said coldly.
He vanished again—appearing in front of Judo, fist cocked back, cloak crackling with lightning.
Bye-bye, Hiro thought, smiling deviously.
I see it! Body—move! Move!! Judo screamed in his mind.
BOOM!
Smoke exploded between them.
Hiro blinked—and suddenly found himself just inches from the Judo's face.
Hiro's eyes widened.
Judo stood where he was, eyes closed, blood dripping from his chin.
He blocked it... Hiro realized.
Judo, with Hiro's lightning-charged fist in his hand, opened his eyes and smiled wide.
"I told you… I'd do it."
"Wha—wha—?"
"Now it's time I defeat you," Judo said, his voice rising.
"You fast bastard."
TO BE CONTINUED