The ground was still shaking when Shinchan finally pushed himself up. Dust clung to his clothes. His ears rang from the impact, but he was alive.
All of them were.
Masao groaned and rolled onto his back."Ow… I think the floor hates me."
Nene sat up sharply."That blast could've crushed us."
Kazama adjusted his cracked glasses, breathing hard."But it didn't."
Everyone went silent.
Bo-chan was the first to speak."…That monster didn't attack again."
They all looked toward the massive doors.
Nothing followed them.
No footsteps.No roar.
Shinchan wiped blood from his forehead and stared ahead."That thing wasn't trying to kill us."
Kazama nodded slowly."It hit us once. Hard enough to stop us—but not finish us."
Nene crossed her arms."So it was a warning."
"A test," Shinchan said.
Masao swallowed."Then why isn't it following us?"
Bo-chan replied quietly,"…Because it believes we won't go further."
Shinchan clenched his fists."They think we'll turn back."
Kazama's voice hardened."Then they don't know us at all."
They gathered closer, lowering their voices.
"We can't rush," Kazama said."They want us tired before the real fight."
Nene added,"And they'll split us if they can."
Shinchan looked at each of them."No powers. No suits. Just us."
Masao nodded quickly."Y-Yeah… just us."
But inside—
Masao's thoughts screamed.
Why am I shaking?I'm a wrestler.I trained my whole life.If I freeze again… if I run again…
His fists tightened.
Next time, he swore silently.I won't hide behind them.Next time, I protect everyone.
Shinchan suddenly grinned."So," he said, "rule one—no panic."
Nene smirked."Rule two—hit back harder."
Bo-chan murmured,"…Rule three—stay together."
They turned toward the path ahead.
And walked.
Inside the Palace
High above them, the villains watched through shifting light.
"They're still moving," Thornfang hissed.
Voltazo laughed sharply."Good. Let them get closer. Fear tastes better when it's earned."
Glacira folded her arms."They're thinking now. That makes them dangerous."
Jokerbane spun slowly in the air."Ooooh, strategy talk already? I miss when Shinchan screamed instead."
Umbra raised one hand.
Silence fell.
"They survived the gate," Umbra said calmly."As expected."
Voltazo scoffed."Then we add another wall."
Thornfang snarled."A deadlier one."
Umbra's voice remained steady."No."
All eyes turned to him.
"I already sent our strongest friend," Umbra said."One who doesn't warn. One who doesn't test."
A slow smile formed beneath his hood.
"When they meet him," Umbra continued,"they will understand."
The villains nodded.
Below, unaware—
The Defense Team walked straight into it.