"What? You, Shinji? Who would have thought you had ambitions? I'm going to deal with you!" Pit declared, stepping forward to take center stage.
Shinji scoffed. "You're all nothing to me. That's why I came here personally—to warn you. Step down and stay out of my way. No matter who becomes the new leader of the underworld, I've already secured my place among the elites. No one can stop me."
"That's a lie! You're going to pay for what you did to my brother! I won't back down! Now tell me—what did you do to Sosai?" Ichigo burned with anger.
"Huh? Who is Sosai?" Shinji asked mockingly.
That was all it took to push Ichigo over the edge. He charged at Shinji recklessly, only to be shut down by a brutal hook to the jaw. The impact sent Ichigo crashing to the ground.
"Oh, you—I won't spare you now!" Pit roared, releasing his fighting spirit and preparing to strike.
Before he could move, Ichigo, now back on his feet, held out a hand to stop him. His nose was bleeding, but his stance was strong.
"This is my fight," Ichigo said, raising his guard, eyes locked on Shinji.
Meanwhile, Daizen dusted himself off as he emerged from the wreckage, completely unfazed. His eyes now carried a rare look of seriousness as he stepped back into the battle.
He took his stance.
"I was going to inherit the tiger mantra, the master told me I was the one and I knew it, It was a perfect hero story, an orphan boy rises to power by sheer grit, strength and Hardwork, the tiger mantra promised me strength beyond measure, but it never happened, I showed strength and it frightened the old geezer, Looking back, I realized I was always stronger, better, faster without the tiger mantra, I became my own mantra! "
performing the first half of the 1st Tiger Form, then seamlessly integrated an unknown martial spirit technique. His hands gleamed gold.
"I call it the Golden Trophy Tiger Fist - 1st Mantra," Daizen said with a grin. His muscles tensed with power, and even the air seemed to move in harmony with his hands.
Ten-Kai's eyes narrowed. How was this possible? He had just witnessed someone fusing two martial spirits into a hybrid mantra?
"I guess you're finally showing me some respect," Ten-Kai muttered.
"Respect?" Daizen laughed coldly. "Do you really think so?"
Ten-Kai smirked. "Well then… maybe it's time I show you what I can really do."
For years, his strength had increased, grown and made him better. He had also discovered something else, something else even haido knew nothing about.
"11th Martial Spirit - Eternal Tiger"
"Impressive," Kento murmured from the shadows, watching the battle unfold.
Daizen's expression shifted slightly as he observed Ten-Kai's transformation. His form changed into something eerily familiar—something Daizen had only seen in the ancient paintings that lined Master Haido's dojo walls.
" That silly old bastard…" Daizen muttered.
Ten-Kai summoned nine spirit arms, each wielding a spirit katana** that crackled with power. His very steps scorched the ground beneath him.
With a flash of steel, Ten-Kai swung his swords at Daizen. But before his blades could find their mark, Daizen struck first—driving a devastating Golden Uppercut into Ten-Kai's jaw. The force sent him soaring into the air.
Daizen was already ahead of him. Moving at impossible speed, he appeared mid-air, intercepting Ten-Kai's flight. With a single, thunderous kick to the chest, he sent Ten-Kai crashing into the ground, shattering his mantra and rendering him immobile.
Ten-Kai struggled to stand. His body trembled, unable to endure any more damage. The 11th Martial Spirit had drained him, and his inexperience with its power was now taking its toll.
Then, something even more terrifying happened. His body began turning to solid gold.
"What… What's happening to me?" he gasped.
Daizen smirked, flexing his fingers as his hands returned to normal.
"You're my trophy now, Ten-Kai."
Ten-Kai gave a weary, defeated smile. His transformation into a golden statue was painless, yet he knew—Daizen had never even shown his true power.