"I guess this is one of the best ways to train after all," Jackson said after a long silence, watching the roaring crowd from where they stood.
"Now you're giving me the vibe I want, redhead," Alfie replied with a grin.
"Hey, Alfie," Sasaki said, crossing his arms. "You're up first—since this was your idea."
"Hah, that's no problem with me." Alfie smirked, stepping forward confidently. "I've got this under control. Those months of training under Master in Ashura weren't for nothing. We've already faced tougher situations—this is just a piece of cake."
"I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation, but you can't start the battle, kid."
A voice came from behind them. The three turned quickly, startled.
"Don't go sneaking around like that," Sasaki said with a frown. "Why not? What's the problem?"
"Are you not a little ashamed?" the voice replied—a calm, deep tone filled with quiet authority. It was the same pro Darkside Knight who had escorted them from the border. "A kid stepping up to fight while a grown man like you stands here watching?"
"Shut it. Don't piss me off," Sasaki said quietly, his cheerful expression fading.
"Ohh, that's how a real man reacts to provocation," the pro darkside knight said with a grin. "Get in the ring. The last battle's over. You're up next—with that man."
He pointed toward a towering, eight-foot-tall fighter standing across the cage gate, muscles bulging and confidence radiating off him.
"Hmph," Sasaki muttered, his eyes narrowing. "You think you can scare me with height and muscles? I've got some too."
"Don't underestimate Mister Reaper," Alfie said quickly. "You know nothing about him!"
"Calm down, Alfie," Sasaki said, his tone steady. "This world only responds to strength—you said it yourself. There's no room for weak people anymore."
He walked toward the iron gate guarded by two Shinras. All around, the crowd roared and stomped, their cheers shaking the ground.
"TITAN! TITAN! TITAN! TITAN!"
Almost everyone was chanting the muscular man's name.
Sasaki stopped before the gate and turned slightly toward the pro darkside knight. "You know what? I'll fight you after this round," he said calmly. "I don't want to cancel the match and make these idiots think I'm afraid of someone who's not even close to my level. Their shouting is really pissing me off."
The guards swung open the gate. Sasaki stepped inside as it clanged shut behind him.
"Don't go spouting big words, you moron," one of the guards said. "There's no way you stand a chance against Titan. Your defeat was certain the moment you entered."
The pro darkside knight remained silent, watching from near the front row where Alfie and Jackson stood.
Inside the cage, Sasaki stood with his hands in his pockets.
The referee, perched atop the iron net roof, raised his whistle and blew sharply.
The match began.
Titan roared and charged forward, his massive legs propelling him with frightening speed. No Switch Mode, just raw strength. He swung a double punch and followed with an overhead kick.
Sasaki calmly shifted, dodging each strike with minimal movement—no Switch Mode either.
"I see you're not using Switch Mode," Sasaki said with a faint smirk. "You really underestimate me, huh?"
He dashed forward. Titan did the same. Their fists met with a thunderous impact.
Sasaki's punches landed first—two clean hits to Titan's face. He tilted his head to avoid the counterattacks, then launched a fierce flurry of strikes that forced Titan onto the defensive.
The once-cheering crowd fell silent.
"What's going on?!" someone shouted from the stands. "He's pushing Titan back!"
Titan suddenly stopped blocking. Sasaki paused instantly, sensing something was wrong, and leapt backward.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the pro darkside knight called from below. "Titan's just testing you out."
"Hey, Jack," Alfie said, eyes wide. "Why did Mister Reaper stop attacking? Is it because that guy stopped defending?"
"Of course, Alfie," Jackson replied. "A normal opponent wouldn't stop blocking when they're being pushed back. Something's off. Mr. Sasaki needs to be careful."
Inside the cage, Titan chuckled.
"You see," he said, voice deep and controlled, "I always do this trick when I face a new opponent. I let them show their strength… then I use it against them. Now, gentleman—shall we?"
He inhaled deeply. Switch Mode—Activate.
In a blur, Titan vanished and reappeared behind Sasaki, launching a massive punch.
Sasaki smirked, turning halfway and catching the blow in his palm. The impact cracked the air, sending a shockwave across the arena.
"You see…" Sasaki said, his tone cold and controlled. "I hate getting angry and serious. My Renshi sometimes went out of control before. But now…"
His aura flared, faint wisps of wind circling him.
"Now I can control it—so when I'm angry it boil inside my body, strengthen my force energy… and right now, Titan—"
He disappeared and reappeared behind the giant, his voice low and dangerous.
"—I'm in that mode."
A single kick thundered into Titan's back, sending him crashing into the iron cage wall with a metallic roar.
"Come on, Titan," Sasaki said, brushing dust from his hands. "Don't tell me you're still testing me. You just used Switch Mode—that means you were serious."
Titan groaned, pushing himself up. "I analyzed your strength… I'm sure of it now. You were holding back, weren't you?"
He tightened his fists, veins bulging. "Let's see how long that calm face lasts."
With a fierce yell, Titan charged again—Switch Mode fully active. He vanished and appeared before Sasaki in an instant, his punch tearing through the air.
Sasaki crossed his arms to block, the blow slamming into him with such force that his feet skidded backward, carving deep marks in the dirt.