Chapter 11 – Ryuzen vs Xoro
The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena.
“Now, we begin the opening match! The battle between the senior Dojo Awan’s top disciple under Master Troy—the ninja student, Ryuzen!”
Cheers erupted. A teenage boy with a half-mask, a lean but muscular build, and dark blue-black hair strode into the arena. At his waist hung a pouch of ninja tools, and across his back, two short swords were crossed.
The announcer continued:
“Facing him… a mysterious warrior from the far West, representing the Order of the Obsidian Claw—known only as ‘Xoro’!”
A black mist materialized in the center of the arena. From it emerged a fully masked figure, glowing red eyes piercing the crowd. His robe fluttered like shadows alive, and in his hand, a dual-bladed crescent spun menacingly. Silence fell. Even before stepping forward, his aura weighed heavy.
Troy, at the arena edge, called out:
“Ryuzen… stay calm. He’s no ordinary opponent. But don’t fear. Use your mind, not your muscles.”
The gong sounded. The match began.
Phase 1: Swift Assault
Xoro lunged first, his crescent blades scraping the floor, sending dust swirling into the air. A relentless barrage from all angles made his weapons blur into a flurry. Ryuzen could only dodge and parry with lightning speed.
Suddenly, Ryuzen leapt back—and split into four!
“Shadow Illusion Technique: Confusion!”
Four clones circled Xoro from every direction. Shuriken flew simultaneously, curving perfectly toward their targets.
“Auto-Targeting Shuriken: Senpatsu Engetsu!”
Xoro obliterated three clones in an instant, but the fourth struck his shoulder. He slipped, and in that moment, the real Ryuzen vanished.
Phase 2: Encirclement Tactics
Xoro whistled low. Dark shadows slithered from his body, trying to shroud the entire arena in darkness.
Troy shouted from outside:
“Use the Chasm Formation! Don’t let him hide!”
Ryuzen formed a rapid hand seal.
“Ninja Invocation: Ryuu-Orochi!”
A plume of smoke erupted. A dragon serpent of obsidian scales appeared, coiling around the arena. Its piercing blue eyes tracked every movement, and its scales exuded a pressure aura.
Xoro was trapped—movement blocked. He tried to leap high, but…
Phase 3: Smoke Finisher & Lightning Strike
Ryuzen tossed something to the ground—a smoke bomb exploded!
Xoro was blinded completely. From the thick mist…
“Final Kick!”
The wind roared as Ryuzen descended, a flurry of kicks like human-guided missiles, smashing Xoro into the ground.
Xoro crashed hard. His weapon slipped from his grasp.
The announcer roared:
“KO!!! Winner—Ryuzen of Dojo Awan!!!”
The crowd erupted. The phantom dragon vanished. Xoro slowly rose—and bowed in respect.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Whispering:
“Ninjutsu… impressive. You deserved that victory.”
Troy smiled proudly.
“This kid is ready for the next level…”
Chapter 12 – Ryuzen vs Shinin
Ryuzen descended from the arena, breathing hard. Dust clung to his clothes, and a satisfied smile lingered.
But his steps halted. A strange group sat cross-legged beneath a massive tree at the arena’s edge.
Some were furry, like giant cats. Some scaled, tails glowing. And one… half rooster?
A half-rooster beast crowed loudly:
“Kokekkooo!! Let me fight next!”
Ryuzen raised an eyebrow.
“…Uh, Pokémon?”
Among the group, a boy with messy hair and fierce eyes chewed a burger, completely nonchalant. Oddly, he wore a leather jacket, torn pants, and… laughed with the cackling sound of a hyena.
“Hehehe… Hyaaaa Hya Hya Hyaaa!”
Ryuzen chuckled.
“Oh… no wonder the aura’s weird. A hyena, huh.”
Zedwan glanced at them, nodding.
“That’s Shinin. One of my strangest students, but a genius in impromptu combat. His… personality, though…”
He trailed off. Everyone understood.
Shinin stood, arms crossed, eyes locked on Ryuzen.
“You won just now, right? Smart-looking… but can your brain handle me laughing at you through the fight?”
Second Match: Ryuzen vs Shinin
The gong sounded again.
Shinin leapt into the arena with a bizarre somersault, landing with one foot on a short pillar, tongue out.
“RAWRR!!” he roared—and shifted form!
A were-hyena emerged—tall, lean, muscles taut, fur upright like a mohawk. Eyes glowed amber, mouth perpetually grinning mockingly.
Shinin:
“Time to laugh you out—KO!!”
Phase 1: Tornado of Laughter
Shinin attacked unpredictably—Nonstop Tornado Kick!
360° spins, flurry of kicks, all while laughing uncontrollably.
“HYAAA HYA HYA HYA!!”
Ryuzen tried to block, but each spin altered trajectory—legs, arms, elbows—all hit!
Followed by a Lightning-Fast High Kick—a vertical strike faster than lightning—landing on Ryuzen’s chin!
Ryuzen tumbled, rolling across the floor.
The audience froze. Troy stood, worried. Zedwan smiled confidently.
“He’s about to crush that kid…”
Phase 2: Shinin’s Overconfidence
Shinin perched on a rock, watching Ryuzen rise slowly.
“Heh! Your fancy ninjutsu isn’t enough to match my laughter. Want a secret? When your opponent feels annoyed—they panic.”
He stepped forward, ready for the finishing blow.
But Ryuzen smiled faintly.
He gripped the hilt of his short sword.
“True… but you know? Your laugh… sounds like a hungry rooster.”
Shinin froze.
“WHAT?!!”
“Secret Blade Art: Suiseiken—‘Water Fragment Splitting Wind!’”
Ryuzen lunged forward—an Aisha-style sword technique he had just learned, silent and fluid like flowing water, blade slicing through Shinin’s defense.
Criiing!
Shinin halted mid-attack, eyes wide.
Slowly, he reverted to human form. He fell, still conscious.
The announcer:
“KO! Winner—Ryuzen once again!!!”
Zedwan exhaled.
“Hmm… Shinin was far too confident.”
The Beasts surrounded Shinin.
Half-rooster Beast:
“Bro… you were insane earlier, why’d you lose? You were about to win~”
Shinin:
“…He tricked me. I don’t think that sword even existed. But… he’s skilled.”
Shinin chuckled softly.
“Hya… hya… haha… I lost to my own comedy…”
Ryuzen extended a hand.
“Next time, don’t laugh at people so much… or you’ll get laughed at back.”
Shinin took it.
“Deal. But I’m still the funniest character here.”
