The audience was in shock at the sight. As Masaru's body split apart, he let go of the sword in one hand and, with all his strength, spread his arms, using the strings he had tied around his body to reunite himself. Kano couldn't move his sword; it remained suspended above Masaru's head, held by strings. "This hurt more than I thought," Masaru returned completely to his former state. Kano opened his eyes; such high regenerative power was astonishing. Masaru also understood the difference he sensed.
Masaru took the sword from Kano's hand and threw it to the ground. Kano quickly recovered and created a flow in his arms, but the strings did not break as he expected. There was a smile on Masaru's face. Masaru tightened the strings; blood was trickling from Kano's bound wrists. Thinking fast, Kano redirected the flow in his arms to his leg. Masaru, affected by the kick, stuck to the wall under the spectators. Those witnessing this scene immediately lowered their heads. Masaru was quickly closing the large hole in his abdomen. "I must truly give credit, you're a formidable opponent, but there can be only one winner, and that's me," Masaru said, opening his eyes wide. "A WORTHY OPPONENT."
Kano picked up both swords from the ground and assumed a defensive stance. He couldn't make moves as skillfully as before; the cuts on his arms and wrists hindered him. Masaru couldn't be cut; he had created his defense mechanism. Slowly forming attack techniques in his mind, Masaru, powerful as he was, knew that if he got entangled in those strings again, he would be the loser. Masaru approached him slowly. All the advantages Kano had seen had vanished; he couldn't attack him, and Masaru couldn't catch him. If there was a result to this battle, it was only Kano's defeat; otherwise, it would be an endless chase.
Kano knelt down. "I surrender." "I must admit you were a good opponent," Masaru smiled at Kano. "I expected a strong attack on my heart, then you would lose, but you didn't do that, and you realized everything; that makes you a good opponent." Masaru turned away and left the battlefield. "MASARU WINS!" "I KNEW MASARU WOULD WIN!" Anton shouted with joy. The supporters of Kano looked at Kano's exhausted state with sadness. Finally, Kano silently stood up and left the battlefield.
"You did well, Masaru," Makoto, walking towards his cell, called out behind him. "You must have realized you couldn't stop me then," Masaru turned to look at Makoto. "I knew that from the beginning; what I told you was just a fantasy." "Then enjoy my grand finale, Makoto," Masaru started walking back to his cell. "Why are you only nurturing one side?" Makoto stopped Masaru again. "I have only one side to nurture." "What about Anton, I saw him; didn't that make a difference in you?" "It's the same for you all; what's the point of looking at you differently when you'll all eventually taste the same thing?" Makoto approached Masaru, placing his hands on his cheeks; his eyes suddenly lit up. There was a smile on his face. "Can you appreciate its value?" "You must know that your tricks won't work on me," Makoto lowered his face. "I just wanted to play a little." "Ken won't come back, Makoto; forget that," Masaru turned back to walk to his cell. "I know," Makoto was silently shedding tears from his eyes.