In a forest south of the great city of Kikori, an unprecedented battle was raging. The earth trembled in sync with the visible shockwaves, followed by powerful explosions that echoed all the way to the heart of the metropolis.
Hiraoki Matsuri was one of the fighters involved—a man known as the Living Legend. His long white hair flowed behind him, and the distinctive tattoo of a serpent coiled around his left arm, extending across his back.
The battle seemed to be reaching its climax when a catastrophic bolt of lightning struck from the sky, unleashing a shockwave that scattered hundreds of trees in all directions.
Hiraoki was sent flying at immense speed until he crashed into a massive rock, carving a deep crater into the ground. His body, once revered as legendary, was now battered and mutilated, covered in wounds and drenched in blood. After a few seconds, he slumped to the ground, leaning against a broken piece of rock.
"Agh!" Hiraoki groaned, spitting blood from his mouth. His half-open eyes struggled to stay focused—his body refused to move.
After several seconds, two men approached. Their faces remained hidden in the shadows, but one of them stood out due to his imposing stature and the massive greatsword resting on his right shoulder.
"So this is how the Living Legend, Hiraoki Matsuri, meets his end," one of the mysterious figures remarked, stepping closer. "It's incredible that you managed to fight on equal footing with us in that condition, don't you think, Odor?"
"Just how far did he push his body to attain such power?" Odor muttered, remaining in the shadows with his greatsword resting on his shoulder. "But everything comes to an end. No one can be the strongest forever… and your own health was your downfall."
One of them appeared to be carrying a scroll filled with indecipherable writings. Taking a few steps forward, he unfurled it and placed it on the ground, pressing his right hand against it.
A powerful gust of wind swept through the entire area. Small electric sparks crackled in the air, accompanied by a quake of seismic intensity—the very force of gravity seemed to waver, causing even the heaviest rocks to rise like fallen leaves.
Massive storm clouds gathered over the forest, drawing the attention of those in the surrounding areas. A vast circular pictogram began to emerge from the scroll, spreading across the land.
At that precise moment, Hiraoki's eyes snapped open, catching a glimpse of a shadow—one that resembled a dear friend.