"The final match will begin in ten minutes. Ryju vs. Kuroyami," announced the Spiritual King, his voice echoing across the open field.
Kuroyami stood with his arms crossed, his eyes sharp with anticipation. "This is my chance to see if I truly want to become a ninja..."
Ryju cracked his knuckles, his usual confident grin spread across his face. "You ready? I won't go easy on you."
"I didn't ask you to," Kuroyami replied, not even flinching.
From a few feet away, Rei leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "This is the battle I've been waiting for."
Shun stretched, finally feeling the energy return to his limbs. "I can finally move again. But this battle might actually be interesting."
Kenshiro nodded in agreement. "I feel you on that one."
Goro added, "Ryju's senses are top-notch. This should be good."
The Spiritual King raised his hand. "Are you ready? Let the final battle... begin!"
Ryju's eyes lit up. "Let's get started."
"Full Body Spiritual Force!" both shouted in unison as their auras exploded around them, shaking the ground.
Kuroyami rushed forward, blade drawn. Ryju met him head-on, throwing a punch. Kuroyami dodged swiftly, swinging for Ryju's stomach.
"Oh no you don't!" Ryju grabbed the sword mid-swing and twisted, trying to strike Kuroyami with his own weapon.
"What the hell?!" Kuroyami muttered, eyes wide.
With a smirk, Ryju tossed the sword back. Kuroyami caught it instinctively.
"Thanks for the throw," Kuroyami said. "Multi-Spiritual Slashes!"
Blades of energy flew toward Ryju, but he weaved through them effortlessly.
"C'mon, you can do better than that."
"You bet I can!" Kuroyami countered, but Ryju vanished.
"Above you," Ryju said as he appeared above Kuroyami. "Spiritual Punch!"
The blow sent Kuroyami crashing to the ground. Ryju followed up, dropping toward him. "Red Fist!"
Kuroyami's heart pounded. "If this connects, I'm done for..."
BOOM!
Rei's jaw dropped. "What just happened?!"
Kuroyami coughed, barely blocking the blow. "Damn, that was strong."
Ryju blinked. "Oh? He blocked it?"
Kuroyami laughed weakly, jumping away. "That almost got me."
"I swear that was going to finish you off."
"Well, you were wrong."
"Spiritual Arrow!"
"Spiritual Slice!"
The two attacks collided mid-air, causing a deafening shockwave.
Ryju burst forward, slapping Kuroyami's sword aside.
"So, hand-to-hand it is?"
"Yeah, you're right."
They exchanged furious punches and kicks. Kuroyami ducked low for an uppercut, but Ryju's knee struck first, forcing him back.
"I got this," Kuroyami muttered.
"Show me, then!"
Kuroyami flipped over Ryju, landing a clean kick to his face. Ryju snarled, spinning around just in time to take a punch.
"Bro!" he shouted, grinning. "This is the fight I've been waiting for."
He swept Kuroyami's legs and launched him into the air, appearing behind him mid-flight. Another punch sent Kuroyami slamming back into the ground.
"Not a bad combo," Kuroyami admitted, slowly rising.
Kuroyami thought to himself: "I need to get stronger."
He picked up his blade. "Spiritual Cloak Control Slash!"
Ryju sidestepped. "Easy dodge."
"Oh, for real?" The slash curved back.
"What?!" Ryju took the hit, grunting.
"Got you," Kuroyami said. "Now to finish this!"
"Not on my watch!" Ryju jumped. "Spiritual Kick!"
Kuroyami blocked with his sword. The two launched into the air, clashing in a breathtaking aerial duel.
"Spiritual Punch!"
"Spiritual Slash!"
They collided one last time before plummeting to the ground, both exhausted.
Ryju stood. "I think it's time we end this."
"Yeah," Kuroyami nodded.
"All the power I've got — into my fist!"
"All the power I've got — into my sword!"
They sprinted at each other.
"Of all the power I got... may this be the last strike!"
"I'M GOING TO END THIS!!"
Their final clash echoed across the plains.
BOOM!
Shun gasped. "Again?!"
Rei whispered, "Wow."
The Spiritual King nodded. "That was their final attack."
Goro said, "I think Ryju won. I saw his spiritual force overcome Kuroyami's."
Kenshiro agreed. "Yeah, same here."
As the dust cleared, Rei leaned forward. "Who's standing...?"
"It's Ryju," the Spiritual King confirmed.
"1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10! Ryju has won!"
"Let's go!" Ryju shouted triumphantly.
Kuroyami grinned, out of breath. "I almost had you."
"Not even close," Ryju said as they both laughed.
Ryju extended a hand and helped Kuroyami up.
"That was a great battle," the Spiritual King said. "You both fought well to the bitter end. Now, the rankings!"
"Rankings?" Ryju asked.
"Yep," the King confirmed. "Number one, Kenshiro. Number two, Ryju. Number three, Rei. Number four, Goro. Number five, Shun. And number six, Kuroyami."
"How?!" Kuroyami shouted.
"That's based on spiritual force alone. Yours is the weakest."
"So I've got the most spiritual force?" Kenshiro asked.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean much. Most of you are only ten years old — except Rei and Goro. You all have time to grow."
Rei tilted his head. "Quick question. Why did you make it seem like there was a crowd, when it's just six of us?"
The King shrugged. "To hype you up."
Shun pointed at the field. "And what do you mean by 'arena'? We're just fighting in open grass."
"Same answer."
Everyone laughed.
"But seriously," the King continued. "You all get some rest."
"One more question," Goro said. "How old are you?"
"Twenty," the Spiritual King replied.
"TWENTY?!" they all gasped.
"So young..." Rei whispered.
Kuroyami looked down until Ryju nudged him.
"How about we get dinner tonight?" Ryju asked.
"Yeah!" everyone agreed.
"I got a new spot," Rei said.
"Do they have fried chicken and lemonade?" Ryju asked hopefully.
"Is that all you eat?" Rei chuckled.
"And powdered doughnuts," Ryju added proudly.
The Spiritual King chimed in, "Oh, and don't forget about the second challenge tomorrow."
They've gotten stronger so quickly, he thought to himself.
"Okay!" they all shouted in unison.
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