Kuro attacked relentlessly, each blow precise. His Thunder Clap made his strikes even stronger, the electrified hits pounding Ichigo's defenses. But Ichigo was tough. He moved smoothly, almost like a human, and his mechanical strength gave him a huge power advantage.
"One last time," Kuro said, his voice steady even though he was breathing harder. He dodged another swing from Ichigo's blade arm and kicked the cyborg, making him stumble back. "How did you get here?"
Ichigō laughed, his tone cold and sharp. "You think I owe you answers?" he sneered, blocking Kuro's next strike with a sweep of his arm. "Fine. I'll give you one. Ask Xaker."
The name froze Kuro for a fraction of a second—just long enough for Ichigō to press the advantage. He lunged forward, his blade whistling toward Kuro's midsection. But Kuro's instincts saved him, his body reacting before his mind could catch up. He spun away, his fist lashing out in a counterstrike that landed squarely on Ichigō's shoulder, sending a burst of electricity through his frame.
Ichigō barely flinched, though his smirk widened. "He's watching you right now," he added, his words carrying a venomous satisfaction.
The revelation hit Kuro hard, like a punch to the gut. Xaker—the man who'd orchestrated his displacement, one of the people responsible for the mess his old life had become—was here. Not just here, but actively targeting him, watching him even now.
For a moment, the sounds of the forest seemed to fade, drowned out by the storm of thoughts roaring through Kuro's mind. Xaker wasn't just a specter of the past anymore. He was here, in this world, pulling the strings of whatever game he was playing.
Kuro's fists tightened, the crackling energy around them flaring brighter. "If Xaker's watching," he said, his voice low and resolute, "then I'll give him a show he won't forget."
Ichigō raised an eyebrow, his smirk faltering for the first time. "Big talk," he said, though there was a flicker of caution in his gaze now.
"You're just the opening act," Kuro shot back, his movements shifting as he prepared to press the attack. The pause had passed, and now he was more focused than ever. If Xaker was truly watching, then this battle wasn't just about survival anymore—it was a message.
The forest seemed to darken around them, the tension between the two fighters building to a breaking point as the battle resumed with renewed ferocity.
Meanwhile, Xero and Reika fought valiantly against the unrelenting swarm of Cerberus Children. The air around them was a cacophony of clashing metal, snarling wolves, and the hum of energy blasts, a chaotic symphony of destruction.
Xero was a force of nature, his massive blade moving in a deadly arc with each swing. Sparks flew as the weapon cleaved through the cybernetic wolves, their metallic bodies crumpling under the sheer force of his strikes. His movements were wild but precise, each attack powered by raw strength and adrenaline.
"This is too easy!" he shouted, laughter in his voice as he swung his blade in a wide sweep, taking out three wolves in a single motion. The remnants of their bodies scattered like broken machinery, but his grin only widened as more wolves surged forward. "Keep 'em coming!"
Reika fought with the sharpness of a scalpel, every motion deliberate and efficient. Her hands glowed with crimson energy, forming shimmering shields that deflected the wolves' razor-sharp claws and snapping jaws. With a flick of her wrist, she sent waves of concentrated projectiles slicing through the air. Each blast struck its target with pinpoint accuracy, ripping through the wolves' bodies and leaving behind nothing but smoldering wreckage.
"You call this easy?" Reika retorted, her voice cool but edged with exertion. "I think you're enjoying yourself too much."
Xero laughed again, sidestepping a lunging wolf and slamming his blade down with a thunderous crash. "You bet I am!"
Despite their overwhelming skill, the tide of wolves didn't relent. For every one they destroyed, two more seemed to rise from the shadows, their glowing red eyes unyielding as they advanced. The forest floor was littered with the debris of their fallen, but the swarm showed no signs of slowing.
Reika's breath came quicker now, her movements still precise but tinged with growing frustration. "Xero," she called out, her voice sharp, "these things aren't running out anytime soon. We need to thin their numbers faster."
"Working on it!" Xero replied, planting his foot firmly and swinging his blade in a devastating horizontal arc. The resulting shockwave tore through a dozen wolves, their metallic forms crumpling under the force.
Kuro, standing a short distance away, caught glimpses of his teammates' battle through the chaos. His expression remained unreadable, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. He saw the precision in Reika's strikes, the raw power in Xero's attacks—and the endless tide of enemies wearing them down, bit by bit.
Ichigō's smirk widened as he followed Kuro's gaze. "Impressive, aren't they?" he said, gesturing toward the Cerberus Children with a casual wave. "Fire Fly's finest work—efficient, tireless, and infinitely replaceable. Your friends can fight all they want, but they're only delaying the inevitable."
Kuro turned back to Ichigō, his jaw tightening. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but it only hardened his resolve. He knew his team couldn't keep this up forever. This battle wouldn't be won by endurance—it would take decisive action.
"This ends now," Kuro said, his voice low but resolute.
Electricity crackled to life around him, the air growing charged as he began to channel every ounce of energy at his command. The faint hum of his Thunder Clap skill grew into a roar, arcs of lightning dancing across his body like living serpents. The forest seemed to respond to his power, the shadows retreating as the space around him lit up with electric brilliance.
Ichigō's expression flickered, his confidence dimming for the first time. "Oh?" he said, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "What are you planning, Kuro?"
Kuro didn't answer. His focus was absolute, his body tensing as the energy built to a crescendo. The electricity around him surged outward, forming a storm of crackling power that made the very air vibrate.
Reika and Xero felt the shift immediately. Both glanced toward Kuro, their battles momentarily forgotten as they saw the surge of energy radiating from their comrade.