The forest roared with the sounds of the battle between Yuto and Bloodshadow. Every strike of their blows sent shockwaves through the trees, the ground trembling beneath their feet. The golden and crimson auras of their powers collided like two forces of nature, each vying for dominance.
Yuto's body was bruised and bloodied, but his spirit remained unbroken. His Saiyan blood burned with the need to protect, to defend his new home and those he had come to care for. His movements were faster, sharper now, fueled by the sheer will to survive.
"You should have stayed down, boy," Bloodshadow taunted, his scythe blade dripping with dark energy. "You are strong, but you will never defeat me!"
Yuto wiped the blood from his mouth and grinned. "That's what you said last time," he growled, his golden ki flaring brighter. "And I'm still standing."
With a roar, Yuto surged forward, his fists crackling with energy as he threw a barrage of punches. Bloodshadow parried and blocked with his scythe, but Yuto's speed was unmatched. Each punch that landed created small shockwaves, and the rogue's expression shifted from arrogance to frustration.
Bloodshadow twisted his body, spinning his scythe in a blur. The edge of the blade glowed with a blood-red hue, and he sent a horizontal slash toward Yuto, aiming to cleave him in two.
Yuto reacted just in time, his body twisting midair to dodge the blow, but the sheer force of the attack forced him back, crashing through several trees before he finally landed on the ground in a crouch.
His breath was ragged, but the battle raged in his eyes. He couldn't stop now—not when the sect was at risk. He stood up slowly, brushing dirt off his shoulders. "You talk too much," he spat.
Bloodshadow sneered, twirling his scythe. "Words are the least of your problems. I will show you the true power of the Crimson Wraith Sect!"
With a flash of crimson light, Bloodshadow vanished, appearing behind Yuto in the blink of an eye. Yuto turned just in time to block with his forearms, but the impact of the rogue's strike was enough to send him sliding across the ground, his legs struggling to maintain balance.
Before he could recover, Bloodshadow swung his scythe downward, intent on ending the fight with a decisive blow. Yuto's instincts kicked in. He pushed off the ground and dashed backward, his aura flaring in a desperate bid for speed.
"Not today!" Yuto shouted.
As Bloodshadow's blade scraped the earth, Yuto gathered every last ounce of energy into his fists. His ki swirled around him like a storm as he punched the ground, sending a massive shockwave in all directions. The blast of energy collided with Bloodshadow's scythe, sending a ripple through the air, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow.
Then, the explosion rang out.
Both combatants were thrown backward, tumbling through the forest in a cacophony of chaos. Yuto struggled to his feet, his body screaming in pain, but his resolve was as strong as ever. Bloodshadow, though battered, rose to his feet, his eyes burning with fury.
"You're more resilient than I expected," Bloodshadow spat. "But this ends now."
Yuto clenched his fists, his golden ki surging. "I'm not going anywhere. Not while I still have breath in me."
Bloodshadow's eyes narrowed. He was clearly running out of patience—and so was Yuto. The battle had taken a toll on both of them, but it was clear that one of them would have to make a final move.
Yuto's mind raced. If he couldn't overpower Bloodshadow with brute force, he would have to outsmart him. He remembered Elder Yu's teachings: sometimes, the most powerful strike wasn't the one that landed hardest, but the one that took your opponent by surprise.
As Bloodshadow rushed at him, scythe raised high, Yuto waited until the last possible moment. With a roar, he threw himself forward, his energy flaring brighter than before. The moment Bloodshadow's scythe descended, Yuto used his full Saiyan speed and agility, dodging the blade at the last second.
He wasn't aiming for victory through sheer power anymore. Instead, Yuto aimed for precision. With a burst of golden ki, Yuto closed the gap in a split second and delivered a crushing blow directly to Bloodshadow's chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the rogue's body, and for the first time, Yuto saw a flicker of uncertainty in the man's eyes.
Bloodshadow staggered backward, coughing up blood, his grip on his scythe loosening. "You…"
Before he could finish the sentence, Yuto was already in motion. With a flash, he disappeared and reappeared behind Bloodshadow. His golden aura wrapped around him like a shield, and with a final scream, Yuto released a massive ki blast directly into the rogue's back.
The explosion that followed was deafening. The entire forest seemed to shake as the blast detonated, sending trees flying and the air crackling with energy.
When the smoke cleared, Yuto stood tall, his breathing heavy. Bloodshadow was nowhere to be seen—his scythe shattered and his crimson aura extinguished. Yuto wiped the sweat from his brow and looked around, trying to catch his breath.
He had won. But at what cost?
The Rising Sun Sect moved swiftly through the forest, a massive force of disciples led by Elder Yu. The sky was dark, the moonlight barely piercing through the thick canopy above them. The weight of the impending battle hung in the air, and the air seemed to hum with the collective energy of the sect's forces.
"We must reach Yuto before it's too late," Elder Yu said, her voice cutting through the silence.
Kaito, Mei, and Lin moved swiftly, their senses alert to every sound and shift in the forest. The news of Bloodshadow's attack had spurred the sect into action, and now, with the power of the entire sect behind them, they were prepared to eliminate the rogue threat.
Kaito's thoughts kept returning to Yuto. The younger Saiyan had sacrificed himself to give them a chance, and Kaito wasn't about to let that be in vain.
"We'll get there in time," Mei said, sensing Kaito's thoughts. "He won't let us down."
Lin remained silent, her eyes scanning the path ahead. As the group moved deeper into the forest, they began to pick up the faint traces of battle—the broken trees, the scorched earth, and the remnants of ki energy that still lingered in the air.
"We're close," Kaito said, his heart racing. "Stay sharp."
The forest grew quieter as they approached the site of the battle. The ground was littered with debris, the air still thick with the remnants of the intense clash.
"There," Lin said, pointing toward a clearing up ahead.
As they emerged from the trees, they saw him—Yuto, standing tall in the center of the clearing, his body battered but unbroken. His golden aura flickered weakly, but there was a determined look in his eyes.
"Yuto!" Kaito shouted, rushing forward.
Yuto turned, a weary smile on his face. "Took you long enough."
The group gathered around him, relief flooding through them. But there was no time to waste. The rogue threat was still a reality, and Yuto's victory had only bought them precious time.
"The rogue leader's down," Yuto said, his voice hoarse. "But I think his forces are still out there. We need to prepare for the worst."
Elder Yu arrived shortly after, her eyes scanning the scene. "Well done, Yuto. But we need to move quickly. Bloodshadow's death will only fuel his followers' rage."
The sect prepared for the next battle, but one thing was clear—the Rising Sun Sect had shown its strength, and the rogues would think twice before challenging them again.