In the arena, Sol Mirek and Doppo Orochi faced each other, tension thick in the air.
"Mr. Orochi, your defense is impressive," Sol said with a slight nod.
"I'm going to get serious now," he added, stretching and tensing every muscle to its limit, taking a deep, controlled breath.
Doppo Orochi exhaled slowly, eyes locked on the young man before him. "Come on! Show me your full power!"
"Bang!"
Before Doppo could react, a lightning-fast punch struck his chest, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing backward.
His pupils widened in shock. Sol had barely moved—he had been standing in place. It was an afterimage, a blur that Doppo couldn't track.
Doppo slammed against the stone arena wall, dust erupting around him. The audience exploded with frenzied cheers.
"So fast! I can't even see him!" one fighter in the stands exclaimed.
"How did that bald guy get sent flying?" a girl asked, turning to the boy beside her.
"I… I don't know, but it was incredible!" he said, clapping and cheering for Sol.
The commentator's voice shook with excitement. "How is this possible! Sol's speed is so fast he leaves afterimages!"
In the Japan-America Alliance Team's preparation area, Baki Hanma's eyes narrowed. This was the same "teleportation" technique he had once shown Sol—but now, it had been perfected to an unrecognizable level. Even Baki, the creator of the move, struggled to follow it.
Oliva's forehead glistened with cold sweat. "This speed… no human should be able to achieve it…"
Yujiro Hanma trembled with excitement. "Hahaha! This is what makes it interesting! The stronger Sol gets, the more thrilling it is to face him!"
Doppo struggled to rise from the rubble, chest caved in and blood dripping from his mouth, but he forced himself upright. This time, he abandoned pure defense and assumed an offensive stance. He knew technique alone could not stop a monster like Sol.
"Mr. Mirek, give up," Sol said, his voice calm, tinged with surprise at Doppo's resilience.
"What are you talking about?" Doppo spat out blood. "I am the head of Shinshinkai! Giving up is not an option!"
He inhaled deeply, summoning every ounce of strength, and charged, right fist whistling toward Sol.
Sol exhaled lightly and struck back like lightning. Doppo flew backward again, slamming against the arena wall, head lolling as he lost consciousness.
"Oh oh oh oh—!!!" The crowd erupted.
"Incredible! A complete rout! The legend continues! Sol has defeated two top-tier fighters in a row!" the commentator shouted.
"He's unstoppable! The ultimate weapon's power is unmatched! And he hasn't even shown his full strength yet!"
Medical personnel rushed in, lifting Doppo onto a stretcher, while the audience roared, stunned by the sheer dominance of Sol's display.
Amid the cheers, Sol sat cross-legged in the arena's center, calm and composed. It was clear he intended to continue.
"Unbelievable! Two consecutive victories and Sol still wants to fight! He's aiming for a feat perhaps never before seen!"
In the front row, a white-haired man in black martial arts attire trembled, gripping the railing. "I've trained for over sixty years and never seen such a martial artist…"
"Dad, look! He's amazing! I want to be like him!" a little girl tugged at her father's sleeve, flushed with excitement.
"Yes… He's practically a Martial God," the man said, eyes gleaming. "A pillar of the martial world."
Back in the preparation area, the Japan-America Alliance Team's atmosphere was tense.
Baki Hanma's gaze burned with determination. "Who's next?"
Oliva cracked his neck. "Looks like it's my turn."
"Wait," Yujiro Hanma said, stopping him. "Let Baki go first."
Baki blinked, surprised. "Me?"
"Yes," Yujiro said, face breaking into a ferocious smile. "I can feel you want to fight him badly, don't you?"
Baki inhaled deeply, eyes igniting with fighting spirit. "Good. Then I'll go."
He strode toward the tunnel, the crowd erupting in anticipation.
"The Japan-America Alliance Team has sent out Baki Hanma, the seventeen-year-old prodigy and former classmate of Sol Mirek. Can he stop Sol's streak?" the commentator shouted.
Sol stood slowly, watching Baki approach. "Long time no see. Looks like you've recovered well."
Baki grinned. "Thanks to Retsu and Lahan. Sol Mirek, let's see how much you've improved in four months."
Sol nodded. "I'm curious to see your progress too."
"Dong!" The gong echoed across the arena, signaling the start of the next battle.