Chereads / Highschool DXD: Reborn as a true phoenix / Chapter 5 - Chapter:5 A clash of flames and fists

Chapter 5 - Chapter:5 A clash of flames and fists

The air in the Phoenix Clan estate was tense, heavy with anticipation. Servants whispered among themselves as news spread like wildfire—Raizer Phoenix, the third son of the family, had returned after six long years.

Gone was the boy who had left the estate as a determined but unproven child. In his place stood a warrior who radiated confidence and strength, his once-boyish features hardened by years of brutal training and countless battles.

Yet, it wasn't just Raizer who drew attention. Walking beside him, with a grin as wide as the sky and an aura that seemed to shake the very ground, was Monkey D. Garp.

The Hero of the Marines, a man of legend, had returned to the estate alongside Raizer. And though Garp's expression was as casual as ever, the devils in the estate could feel his overwhelming presence. Even those who hadn't seen him fight were instinctively wary, as though the primal parts of their minds screamed at them to avoid this man at all costs.

Raizer stopped just before the grand hall where his family awaited, his golden eyes burning with determination. He turned to Garp, who stood beside him, arms crossed and still grinning.

"Ready to give them a show?" Raizer asked.

Garp's laugh boomed. "BAHAHAHA! Always, kid. Let's see if you're ready to keep up."

A Son Returns

The grand doors of the hall swung open, and Raizer stepped inside with Garp at his side. The room was just as he remembered it—grand, imposing, and filled with his family.

At the head of the long table sat Lord Phoenix, his golden eyes sharp as they studied his son. Lady Phoenix sat beside him, her elegant features calm but unreadable. Ruval, Riseria, and Ravel were seated further down, each reacting differently to Raizer's return.

Ruval raised an eyebrow, his smirk betraying a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Riseria leaned back in her chair, her gaze calculating as she took in her brother's new demeanor. Ravel, on the other hand, looked genuinely surprised, her mouth slightly open as she stared at him.

"You've returned," Lord Phoenix said, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "And you've brought a guest."

Raizer stepped forward, his movements steady and deliberate. "This is Monkey D. Garp. He's been my teacher for the past six years."

The room fell silent.

Ravel was the first to break it. "You mean that human you brought here all those years ago? He's still with you?"

Raizer's lips twitched into a small smirk. "He's more than just 'that human.' If you don't believe me, you'll see soon enough."

Ruval leaned forward, his arms resting on the table. "You've been gone for six years, and now you walk in here with this… man, acting as though you have nothing to prove?"

Raizer's gaze sharpened. "I've been proving myself every day for the past six years, Ruval. If you doubt me, then you're welcome to test me."

Before Ruval could respond, Garp's booming laugh filled the room.

"BAHAHAHA! You've got a feisty family, kid. I like it. But if you're looking to prove yourself, there's only one person you need to face."

Raizer turned to Garp, his expression serious. "You mean you?"

"Damn right I do," Garp said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if all that training has paid off."

The Challenge

The announcement sent ripples through the estate. A duel between Raizer Phoenix and Monkey D. Garp was unthinkable—an impossible clash between student and teacher, devil and human. Yet, it was happening.

The family gathered in the estate's massive arena, a sprawling open space surrounded by flames and carved from volcanic stone. Servants lined the edges, whispering in hushed tones as they watched the two combatants step into the center.

Raizer stood tall, his golden flames flickering around him like a living aura. His body was lean and powerful, every movement radiating control and confidence.

Garp stood opposite him, his grin as wide as ever. His stance was casual, his hands resting on his hips, but there was a tension in the air around him—a sense of coiled power waiting to be unleashed.

Lord Phoenix rose from his seat, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "This is a battle of strength, discipline, and will. Let the duel begin."

The First Clash

The moment the words left Lord Phoenix's lips, Raizer moved.

He disappeared in a blur of speed, his mastery of Soru propelling him forward faster than the eye could follow. In an instant, he was in front of Garp, his fist coated in Armament Haki as he aimed for the marine's chest.

Garp caught the punch with ease, his grin never fading. "Good start, kid. But you'll need more than that!"

With a laugh, he retaliated with a punch of his own. The force of the blow sent Raizer skidding backward, his boots digging trenches into the stone floor.

Raizer didn't hesitate. He leaped into the air, using Geppo to propel himself higher as golden flames erupted from his hands. He rained down a barrage of fiery blasts, each one exploding against the arena floor with enough force to shake the ground.

Garp weaved through the attacks with surprising agility for a man of his size. When Raizer landed, Garp was already waiting for him, his fist cocked back.

"Too slow!" Garp roared, his punch connecting with Raizer's side.

The impact was like a cannonball, sending Raizer crashing into the far wall of the arena. The stone cracked under the force, and a cloud of dust rose into the air.

The Battle Intensifies

Raizer pushed himself to his feet, coughing but undeterred. His flames burned brighter as he steadied his breathing, his Observation Haki sharpening his senses.

"You're not holding back," Raizer said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Damn right I'm not!" Garp replied, his fists glowing with Armament Haki. "If you want to beat me, you'll have to give it everything you've got!"

Raizer surged forward again, his attacks coming faster and harder. He used every technique at his disposal—Shigan, Rankyaku, and a flurry of flame-enhanced strikes.

Garp countered each one with brutal efficiency, his punches sending shockwaves through the arena. The two clashed again and again, their blows shaking the very foundations of the estate.

The air grew thick with the heat of Raizer's flames and the raw power of Garp's fists. Sparks flew as their Haki-coated strikes collided, the force of their battle creating massive craters in the stone floor.

Unleashing Conqueror's Haki

As the fight stretched into its second day, it became clear that neither was willing to back down.

Raizer's body was battered and bruised, his ribs aching with every breath. Yet, he refused to fall. His flames burned hotter than ever, his determination fueling his every move.

Garp, meanwhile, seemed as unyielding as a mountain. His punches came with the same crushing force as they had at the start, his energy seemingly endless.

On the third day, as the sun hung low in the crimson sky, Raizer made his final stand. He unleashed a roar that echoed across the arena, his Conqueror's Haki exploding outward in a wave of sheer willpower.

The servants watching from the sidelines collapsed, their minds overwhelmed by the sheer force of his spirit. Even Ruval and Ravel staggered, their eyes wide with shock.

Garp grinned, his own Conqueror's Haki surging in response. The two waves of energy collided in the center of the arena, creating a storm of pressure that cracked the walls and sent debris flying.

The Final Blow

Raizer charged forward, his flames and Haki blazing as he aimed a final punch at Garp. The marine met him head-on, his fist glowing with an aura of raw, unstoppable power.

Their fists collided, and the resulting shockwave was deafening. The ground beneath them shattered, the arena floor collapsing under the force of their clash. Flames and dust filled the air, obscuring the combatants from view.

When the smoke cleared, Raizer was on the ground, his body broken and battered. His ribs were cracked, his arms limp at his sides, and every inch of him screamed with pain. Yet, his golden eyes burned with defiance, refusing to close.

Garp stood over him, his grin as wide as ever. He extended a hand, his voice booming with laughter. "You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that."

Raizer reached up, his fingers weak but steady as he took Garp's hand.

Shock and Respect

The spectators were silent as Garp helped Raizer to his feet. The Phoenix family, who had once dismissed Raizer as weak and unremarkable, now looked at him with a mix of awe and respect.

Even Ruval, who had always been quick to mock his younger brother, couldn't hide his shock. "He fought Garp for three days," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Ravel's expression was unreadable, her gaze fixed on Raizer's battered form.

Lord Phoenix rose from his seat, his voice carrying across the ruined arena. "Raizer, you have proven yourself today. Your strength, your determination—they are worthy of the Phoenix name."

Raizer met his father's gaze, his expression calm despite the pain coursing through him. "Thank you, Father."

As Garp led him out of the arena, the whispers began to spread. The Hero of the Marines and the rising Phoenix had left an indelible mark on the estate, and their battle would be remembered for generations.

A New Chapter

That night, as Raizer lay in bed with his injuries bound and his body aching, he couldn't help but smile. He had lost, but he had gained something far greater: the respect of his family and the validation of his efforts.

And this was only the beginning.

This concludes Chapter 5, focusing on Raizer's climactic battle against Garp, the dramatic awakening of his full potential, and the impact of their clash on the Phoenix family. Let me know if you'd like further expansions!