### **Chapter 13: The Awakening of Kenji**
The battlefield was still buzzing with the aftershocks of the clash between Ryu and Void Blade, the air heavy with tension. As the dust began to settle, Kai, Nohara, and Kenji stood silently, their gazes fixed on the motionless form of Void Blade lying crumpled on the ground. For a brief moment, a calm silence blanketed the scene.
But it didn't last.
Kenji, who had been watching the entire fight with a look of stern focus, stepped forward. His demeanor was usually relaxed and carefree, but now his eyes were sharp, filled with determination. His dark hair, usually disheveled, fell over his face as he glared into the distance. Something had shifted within him.
"Kai," Kenji said, his voice unusually serious. "We're not done here."
Kai blinked, still catching his breath from the battle. "What do you mean?"
Kenji's gaze drifted away from Void Blade and focused on the shadows behind them. A faint rumble echoed in the distance, and Kai followed his line of sight to see a new figure emerging from the darkness. This man was taller than Void Blade, with a rugged, scarred face and a wicked grin. His muscles rippled under his tattered cloak, and an aura of malevolence radiated from him.
"He's not alone," Kenji said, narrowing his eyes. "We've got company."
The new figure approached with slow, deliberate steps, his boots crunching the gravel beneath him. His voice was gravelly as he spoke. "So, you're the brats who took down Void Blade? Impressive, but let's see how you handle me."
Kai's heart sank as the man stepped fully into view. There was no doubt about it—this new threat was powerful, and the way he carried himself told Kai that this was no ordinary opponent.
"I'll take care of him," Kenji said, stepping forward with a confidence that surprised both Kai and Nohara.
"Kenji, wait—" Nohara began, but Kenji cut her off.
"I've been watching for too long," Kenji said, his voice steady. "It's time for me to fight."
Kai hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Kenji had always been the laid-back one, the one who seemed more interested in jokes than battles. But now, something had changed. Kai could feel the intensity radiating from him, and he realized that Kenji wasn't just talking—he was ready.
The new opponent grinned. "You think you can take me on, kid?"
Kenji smiled back, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, I don't just think so. I know so."
**Part 1: The First Clash**
Kenji wasted no time. He dashed forward, his speed catching the scarred man off guard. In an instant, Kenji closed the distance and aimed a powerful punch at the man's chest.
The man blocked the punch with his forearm, his grin widening. "Not bad, kid. But you're gonna have to do better than that."
With a quick twist, the man swung a massive fist toward Kenji's face, but Kenji ducked under the blow with ease. He spun around, delivering a swift kick to the man's side, but the man barely flinched.
"You've got spirit," the man said, cracking his neck, "but I've got experience."
Kai watched in awe as Kenji danced around the battlefield with surprising agility, his movements fluid and precise. He hadn't seen Kenji fight like this before—there was a grace to his movements, a control that Kai hadn't expected.
But despite Kenji's speed, the man was relentless. He pressed forward with powerful strikes, each one aimed to overpower Kenji. The ground shook with every blow, and Kenji was forced to dodge and weave, barely keeping up with the onslaught.
Kai clenched his fists. "Kenji, be careful!"
Kenji smirked over his shoulder. "Don't worry about me, Kai. I've got this."
**Part 2: The Unleashing of Power**
As the fight continued, it became clear that Kenji was holding back. His usual playful nature still lingered in his fighting style, but there was something else—a hint of power that he hadn't yet revealed.
The scarred man sneered. "Is that all you've got? You're fast, kid, but speed alone won't save you."
Kenji's eyes flickered with a new intensity. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took a deep breath. "Alright," he muttered to himself, "I guess it's time to get serious."
He took a step back, and for a moment, the battlefield seemed to still. Kai and Nohara watched with bated breath as Kenji's body began to glow with a faint, golden light. His spirit energy flared around him, swirling like a golden flame.
Kenji clenched his fists, the energy crackling around him. "Spirit Energy: Lightning Surge."
With those words, Kenji's entire body became enveloped in crackling electricity. Bolts of lightning danced across his skin, illuminating the battlefield in a brilliant glow. His eyes gleamed with power, and the air around him buzzed with electricity.
The scarred man's grin faltered for the first time. "What the hell...?"
Kenji's smile returned, playful yet dangerous. "You wanted to see what I'm really made of? Well, here it is."
**Part 3: The Electric Onslaught**
Kenji shot forward, faster than before. His body crackled with electricity as he closed the distance between him and the scarred man in the blink of an eye. He aimed a punch at the man's chest, and this time, the impact was far more devastating.
The man cried out in pain as the lightning-infused punch sent him flying backward. He crashed into the ground, a cloud of dust rising around him.
Kai's eyes widened in shock. "Kenji... what is this?"
Kenji didn't take his eyes off his opponent as he answered. "This is my spirit energy, Kai. I've been holding back until now, but it's time to let loose."
The scarred man struggled to his feet, glaring at Kenji with a mixture of anger and fear. "You little brat... I'm not going down that easily!"
Kenji shrugged. "I wouldn't expect you to. But that just means I get to have a little more fun."
With a flick of his wrist, Kenji summoned a bolt of lightning and sent it hurtling toward the man. The lightning struck with a deafening crack, sending shockwaves through the air.
The man barely managed to dodge in time, rolling to the side as the lightning scorched the ground where he had been standing. He pushed himself to his feet, panting heavily.
"You've got some tricks," the man growled, "but I'm not done yet!"
**Part 4: The Dance of Lightning**
Kenji moved with a newfound grace, his body shimmering with lightning as he darted around the battlefield. Every movement was accompanied by a crackle of energy, every strike infused with electric power. He weaved in and out of the man's attacks, landing blow after blow.
"Spirit Energy: Thunder Strike!" Kenji shouted as he brought his fist down on the man's shoulder.
The man howled in pain as the electricity surged through his body, forcing him to his knees. His muscles twitched uncontrollably, his body struggling to withstand the force of Kenji's power.
But even as he staggered, the man's determination didn't waver. With a roar, he swung his arm in a wide arc, aiming to catch Kenji off guard.
Kenji ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the powerful blow. He stepped back, his breathing heavy but his smile still intact.
"Not bad," Kenji said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You're tougher than you look."
The man gritted his teeth, his body still trembling from the lightning. "Don't get cocky, kid. I'm not going down without a fight."
Kenji nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Good. Then let's see what you've really got."