Hero For Lust

Garou coughed up blood as his former master sent him flying once again.

I won't lose here!

"Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist!"

He glanced up.

A razor-sharp whirlwind exploded just ahead, aimed toward the ninja — Speed-o'-Sound Sonic — who slipped past it with ease. In the same motion, the ninja hurled a flurry of exploding shuriken to counter Bomb's advancing strike, smoke and flashes lighting the street.

"What the hell happened to you? I'll finish this. Get up!" Bang commanded.

Garou forced himself upright, limbs trembling. He noticed a strange sensation—his clothes had twisted around his torso like a spiral, almost fused to his skin.

He needed strength. More than ever.

But Bang offered no pause. A hail of strikes came crashing down, each blow honed and perfect. The pressure alone was enough to shatter hope. But he would never give in!

Garou dashed back, instincts snapping. He dropped to all fours, channeling what he'd learned from Watchdog Man. His movement turned erratic, animal-like. He rebounded from the wall, twisted midair, and vaulted off a nearby railing, narrowly dodging a strike that would have caved in his chest.

"What is that preposterous style?" Bang's voice followed him. "You're moving like a wild animal."

Even so, Garou couldn't turn the tide. Bang closed the distance again, relentless, overwhelming.

He's going to kill me. That damn geezer!

His breath came shallow. Consciousness flickered. Blood trickled down his brow. The world collapsed into shadow and haze, grey streaked with red.

Then it hit — a violent blast of wind, pressure folding the surrounding air. The force launched him skyward, limbs limp.

Before the ground could reach him, something sharp gripped his shoulders: talons. He was airborne, lifted through the air like a ragdoll.

Garou barely registered the voices shouting in the distance.

"Don't let him escape!"

Followed by a call that cut through everything:

"Exploding Shuriken Ferocious Barrage!"

¤ ¤ ¤

Good work, Sonic. I saw enough of Bomb's 'Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist.' Now it's time to save you.

Caspian doubted Sonic's chances against an enraged Bang and Bomb. He should be able to escape, but the ninja showed no signs of attempting to do so.

He pinched his fingers together and spawned a 'Hyperspace Gate,' timing it just as the old masters unleashed their 'Whirlwind Water Stream: Cross Fang Dragon Slayer Fist.'

Perfect.

The blast went wide as Sonic vanished through the gate.

This clarity was another benefit of 'Omni-Sense'—he could perceive everything happening around the lifeform he chose to focus on.

Caspian exhaled, satisfied, and stepped away from the wall he'd been leaning against. He turned and headed toward the arena entrance, for his next match had arrived.

His spirits soared with each step.

After everything that happened in the Mind Room, things were coming together. Honesty had set off a ripple of good fortune.

¤ ¤ ¤

Only a brief delay passed before the Super Fight tournament resumed in full swing.

Most battles wrapped up fast, each one narrowing the field until only the last match remained.

Among the highlights? Charanko versus Charanko.

The 'Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist' clashed with the 'Water Polo Carbonated Fist.'

Which moist martial art would triumph?

The answer…

"Welcome to the Super Fight finals! Both Charankos entered the bracket as underdogs, but we may be looking at the upset of the century!

By the sound of it, the stadium crowd senses something, too!

But this man will have no part in it! It seems unthinkable that he'd struggle against anyone!

Suiryu of the 'Void Fist,' versus Charanko and his 'Water Polo Carbonated Fist!'

Who will emerge victorious? Oh! Suiryu is grinning! Has he sensed he's got his opponent outclassed?

Charanko seems to be trying to hide his nervousness by looking like a doofus!"

Please go easy on my brother…

Suiko bit her lip. As expected, her idiot brother challenged Caspian; she'd expected that much. She just didn't expect this to be how it happened.

The Super Fight announcer's heated words boomed across the packed stadium. "The fight begins!"

¤ ¤ ¤

Three people in this tournament had caught Suiryu's attention: both Charankos and Lin Lin.

One of the Charankos wanted to be his brother-in-law. The problem? He had no idea which one. Either the man standing across from him was the guy… or the one who had already lost.

What sort of ridiculous situation was this?

Did they plan this together? Suiryu narrowed his eyes. This broke a clearly stated rule. Not that it bothered him.

The simplest solution? Aim for the head. One of them had to be wearing a wig. If he could expose that, then he'd know who he was dealing with.

Either way, he would win.

"The fight begins!"

I won't even need to make contact.

Suiryu twisted into a controlled spinning kick, his heel slicing through the air—stopping inches from Charanko's face before he sprang back, creating space.

Charanko's hand shot up in response.

He's covering his head… Bingo.

"Suiryu takes the offensive! But for some reason, he stops short!"

Next he sent out a snapping high kick, quick and clean, whipping the air into a sharp gust that swept past Charanko's face.

"H-He's attacking with such speed!"

Does he realize I'm doing it on purpose?

No words were exchanged, but understanding passed between them. Maybe.

Suiryu raised his leg again and began a rapid barrage; every kick a blur, each one striking the air on either side of his opponent.

"Kick after kick! But he's stopping just short every time! All Charanko can do is guard his head."

The ring announcer is clueless as to why he's protecting his head.

Suiryu dropped into his stance, fists rising. He would increase the fight's tempo now. The announcer remained oblivious to another crucial detail.

Charanko had defeated every opponent by mirroring their fighting style. All of his matches concluded with such speed that the pattern went unseen.

"Shall we begin?" The stone floor of the oval arena cracked under his foot as he shot forward. "Here goes!"

Suiryu's kick came high and swift. To his surprise, Charanko spoke, his words ushering in an attack Suiryu recognized — one that stopped his own kick in its tracks.

"Bear Killer Mid Kick."