Chapter 3 – Shadows in the Thunder
Mysterious Figure: "DON'T SCREW WITH ME, ASSHOLE."
Mysterious Figure: "Don't get too full of yourself now."
Hakihito: "You're the one who shouldn't underestimate me."
Despite the block, Hakihito strikes again with a powerful kick that shatters the ground, but the mysterious figure manages to block it once more and counterattacks.
Their blows explode like bombs, tearing through the sky with unmatched power.
The mysterious figure begins to fly, but Hakihito quickly reaches him and lands a powerful punch—again blocked.
Mysterious Figure: "Your attacks have improved since before, I'll give you that... but you'll need more than that to beat someone like me."
Hakihito: "Don't worry... I've got more than enough power to obliterate you."
The mysterious figure hits Hakihito, who manages to block the strike.
Mysterious Figure (thinking): "He blocked it..."
Hakihito responds with another kick, which is again blocked but sends the figure crashing into a skyscraper, completely destroying it. The figure emerges unharmed.
Mysterious Figure: "Congratulations... you managed to dirty my outfit."
Hakihito launches at him again, this time charging a massive punch… but something's different. A strange purple aura surrounds it, and the closer he gets, the stronger it seems.
Mysterious Figure (thinking): "What kind of power is this...? Wait a second… could it be...?"
Hakihito: "YOU'RE FINISHED, BASTARD!!"
Mysterious Figure: "DAMN IT!"
Then… BOOM.
Hakihito hits the figure dead on, destroying part of the city—total silence.
A massive dust cloud drowns out the screams of frightened, terrified people.
It seems like it's over, but…
Mysterious Figure: "Very interesting… I had no idea you could use that power."
Hakihito (thinking): "Damn it... I put everything I had into that... and he still blocked it."
Mysterious Figure: "You're more dangerous than I thought... If we had known you could tap into that kind of power, we would've dealt with you a long time ago."
Mysterious Figure: "You're a threat to all universes—now more than ever."
The figure, having blocked the blow, grabs Hakihito by the arm, lifts him into the air, and hurls him into the city, demolishing several buildings.
Hakihito: "What the hell is happening… he's even stronger now…"
He spits blood but still stands.
Hakihito: "If I don't find a way to counter him soon, I'm finished…"
Mysterious Figure: "I'm sorry, but this is the end for you."
The figure appears behind Hakihito and strikes again, smashing him through more buildings.
Hakihito (thinking): "Shit… what do I do now...? Should I run...? No, absolutely not. I'm not a coward. But if this keeps up, I'll be dead. I need a plan fast…"
Mysterious Figure: "There's no way you're getting out of this. Now that I know who you really are, I can't let you live."
Hakihito: "As if you were planning to spare me before."
Mysterious Figure: "Shut up, monster. I can't let you continue to exist."
Hakihito (thinking): "Shit shit shit shit shit… I've got a really bad feeling right now…"
Hakihito: "—"
Mysterious Figure (thoughtful): "I never imagined Hakihito possessed this power. I've definitely underestimated the situation. Fortunately, he seems unaware of what he's unleashed—and inexperienced both in combat and in using his power. That's good. It'll be easier to eliminate him now before he gains full control."
Hakihito (thinking): "What's his next move? I thought I'd taken him down with that last hit, but I have to admit he's way too strong for me. I'm out of tricks... Damn it. If I don't figure something out soon, this really will be the end for me…"
Mysterious Figure: "Vhak'ra thal'nori ek-zurakai."
Hakihito (thinking): "I don't know what the hell he's saying, but I've got a feeling it's nothing good."
Mysterious Figure: "Hakihito Kurozaki, your end has come."
Hakihito (thinking): "WHAT?! HOW THE HELL DOES HE KNOW MY NAME?!"
Mysterious Figure: "Whether of the Celestial Realm, Earth, or the lowly tribal scum—I, (unknown name), Divine Destroyer of Universes and Bearer of Balance across the cosmos, solemnly vow before all divine beings that you, Hakihito Kurozaki, will be eliminated on the spot, without appeal."
Hakihito (nervously smiling): "Well, things are really getting worse now…"
The figure moved so fast that he vanished from sight. A moment later, he reappeared in front of Hakihito and struck him in the stomach with monstrous force, launching him through multiple skyscrapers like a rag doll.
Hakihito tried to get up, but was immediately struck again with overwhelming speed and power.
Hakihito: "I can't read his movements anymore… He's become way too fast and strong."
He gets hit again with inhuman force, then kicked into a district, destroying it.
Hakihito: "Is this really my end...? Am I really… going to die? Is it truly over for me…?"
Hakihito (thinking): "Everything hurts… my ribs, my arms… I can barely move. How can he be so powerful…?"
Suddenly, the figure vanished again.
Hakihito: "He disappeared again…"
In less than a second, he reappeared next to Hakihito and struck him with a brutal elbow to the back. The ground cracked as Hakihito was slammed into it.
The mysterious figure didn't give him a second of rest, continuing to hit him harder and harder with each blow, leaving Hakihito completely at his mercy.
Mysterious Figure: "What a disappointment. I expected more from someone with such potential. I wonder how someone like you even inherited that power. But it's clear you can't control it yet. Not that I mind, of course. In fact, I'm glad. That way, once the power falls into the right hands—mine—I can use it however I want. And you… You are the tool that will make it all possible."
Hakihito (whispering): "Just shut up already. I'll say it again, pal—you talk way too damn much…"
Hakihito: "I don't know what this power is, where it comes from, or what it means. I don't even know who the hell you are or why you want me dead. But if I have to die… then I'll die standing, fighting with all I've got. I'm not giving in so easily to a loudmouth like you. And if it's any comfort… at least before I go, I'll take a piece of you with me, bastard."
Mysterious Figure: "Mhmhmhmhmhmh… HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! THAT'S THE SPIRIT! GO ON, UNLEASH IT! SHOW ME YOUR TRUE POWER, BOY! THAT WAY, MY VICTORY WILL BE EVEN MORE SATISFYING WHEN I FINISH YOU OFF!"
Hakihito: "COME ON, BASTARD! LET'S SEE IF I CAN HOLD MY OWN AGAINST YOU NOW, HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"