Chapter 36: Show me your blood.
Kenshi and Hayate stood poised for battle, their eyes locked on the hulking figure of Muscular. He was a sight to behold, a colossal behemoth whose muscles rippled under his skin like tightly coiled serpents. Joining the raid at I-Island was no small threat, and they both understood the stakes of this confrontation.
Muscular's quirk was an embodiment of raw power. With each beat of his heart, he could amplify his muscle mass, feeding off adrenaline to become an unstoppable force. Kenshi could already see the confidence radiating from him, aware that he was in for the fight of his life.
"I'll take the lead," Kenshi declared, a fierce determination set in his eyes. He felt the weight of One For All swelling within him, ready to erupt. In a flurry of movement, he flared up his quirk, igniting his body with a luminous energy that made him look like a warrior of legend.
"Be careful, Kenshi. He's not just a brute. He's calculated," Hayate warned, a calm yet serious tone permeating his voice.
He stretched out his hands, tapping into his quirk, absorbing stray metal debris from the battleground around them. His body shimmered with a silvery armor, a testament to his preparation.
With a battle cry, Kenshi charged forward, his feet pounding against the ground like a drum. Muscular smirked, muscles flexing as he prepared to counter. The clash of power was imminent. Kenshi was quick, but Muscular's agility belied his size; he sidestepped deftly, landing a punch that landed like a freight train on Kenshi's ribs.
Kenshi grunted, pain shooting through him, but he refused to give in. He redirected the force, using One For All to launch himself back at Muscular with renewed vigor. A series of rapid punches flew towards the villain, the intensity of Kenshi's blows fueled by his quirk. This was it—the moment they had been training for. Hayate managed to get in a few hits himself, not wanting Kenshi to have all of the fun.
With their hearts pounding and adrenaline surging, they exchanged determined glances, silently reaffirming their resolve. In the early moments of the fight, the two fighters held the upper hand, showcasing their unparalleled skills in an impressive display of agility and strength.
Kenshi's swift moves were complemented by Hayate's strategic thinking. They executed a series of well-coordinated attacks, each one landing with precision. Muscular staggered briefly, clearly surprised by the intensity of their onslaught. For a brief moment, the crowd gasped, sensing that victory was within reach for the two heroes. They pressed on, an unstoppable force fueled by their shared determination to protect what they held dear.
Yet, just as victory appeared tantalizingly close, Muscular's expression shifted from surprise to a chilling grin. In the blink of an eye, he unleashed a torrent of raw power that sent shockwaves through the arena. Kenshi, caught off guard, barely managed to dodge a devastating punch that could have ended the battle in an instant. Hayate, however, wasn't as lucky; the brutal force of Muscular's blow knocked him back, sending him crashing against a stone wall. Muscular walked over the defeated heroes, smirking at his victory.
"Is that all you got?" Muscular asked, "Well if that's the case then I'm certainly disappointed"
"Kenshi!" shouted a voice.
Momo and Rumi were watching Kenshi fight that villain. Muscular noticed them and saw them. He then looked back to Kenshi, who was broken, beaten and scarred.
"I think you still have a little fight in you, kid," he said, malice clear in his voice, "All you need is a little motivation."
He started to walk closer to the two girls who are paralyzed in fear. Muscular towered over Momo and Rumi, a menacing grin stretching across his face as he prepared to unleash chaos. The air around him crackled violently, and the ground seemed to tremble under his weight. Momo's heart raced as she felt the impending danger, while Rumi's instincts kicked in, urging her to protect her friend. Just as Muscular advanced, a sudden flash of light illuminated the battlefield.
"Kenshi?" Momo exhaled, hope surging within her as the familiar figure stepped into view. There was something distinctly different about him - the glow surrounding him was ethereal, starkly contrasting to the chaos that loomed just moments before.
"Stay away from them!" Kenshi shouted, his voice a resonant blend of calm and resolve. His aura pulsed with an undeniable power that made the air shimmer around him. Muscular halted, taken aback for a brief moment, his confidence wavering as he faced this new challenge.
Kenshi squared his shoulders and assumed a fighting stance. "This ends now," he declared, determination evident in his eyes.
The glow of Ultra Instinct enveloped him, heightening his senses and sharpening his reflexes. He couldn't afford to lose this battle; his loved ones were counting on him.
"I think its time for you to be introduced to the power of Ultra Instinct," Kenshi said.
"Ultra Instinct?" Muscular scoffed, his bravado returning as he cracked his knuckles. "You think that glow is enough to save them?" He lunged forward, muscles bulging with power, aiming to crush Kenshi in one decisive blow.
As Muscular lunged forward, his fists coiling like springs ready to unleash a storm, Kenshi stood calmly, a serene expression etched across his face. The air crackled with tension, each heartbeat amplifying the gravity of the impending clash. In a split second, just as the hefty punch was about to connect, a shimmering aura enveloped Kenshi. He had activated Ultra Instinct, the legendary technique that allowed him to transcend his own limits.
With a graceful pivot, Kenshi slipped to the side, seamlessly avoiding Muscular's massive fist. The ground trembled as the punch whistled past him, missing its target by mere inches. The moment felt suspended in time as Momo and Rumi, watching from the sidelines, held their breath in anticipation. Their boyfriend was in a lethal dance, and every movement counted.
Kenshi wasted no time; he retaliated immediately. With fox-like speed, he unleashed a flurry of punches, each one connecting with precision. Muscular staggered under the rapid assault, a look of surprise flashing across his features. Kenshi's fists flew in a symphony of strikes, a whirl of motion that left even the most seasoned fighters in awe.
In the stands, Hayate watched closely, his heart racing. A mixture of pride and disbelief surged within him as he saw his friend fight valiantly against the powerful menace. He knew the risks; he had faced Muscular himself and felt the brute force of that might firsthand.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Muscular said.
He increased his muscle fiber by 100. His entire body was covered in fiber. Sometimes his quirk is so strong, his own skin can't contain it. He was turning into some kind of monster. With a swift motion, Muscular launched himself forward, his fists clenched, embodying the raw ferocity of his strength. The first punch was a testament to his prowess—an onslaught aimed directly at Kenshi's midsection. The air sang as his fist sliced through, a blur to the untrained eye. But Kenshi was not untrained; his reflexes kicked in, and he sidestepped at the last possible second. Muscular's punch collided with the ground instead, sending shards of debris erupting into the air.
Unfazed by the near miss, Muscular growled, his resolve unshaken. The real fun for him began when his strikes met resistance. He charged again, this time unleashing a flurry of punches that were a cacophony of sound—each hit ringing out like thunder claps. Kenshi evaded with eloquent precision, a dance of agility meeting brute force. Still, Muscular's relentless pursuit began to wear down Kenshi's stamina; each close call made it evident that he could only dodge for so long.
It wasn't long before Muscular bridged the gap, a massive fist connecting squarely with Kenshi's side. The impact resonated through the arena, causing Kenshi to stagger for a brief moment, as he lost his Power-up.
"Once I get rid of you, I got my own agenda," Muscular said, "I'm on a mission to find the long lost son of the Water Hose Duo."
Kenshi knew who he was talking about; Kota. Things started to click for him now. Muscular was the one who killed my parents.
Muscular stood poised for another strike, the air around him thick with tension as he scanned the area for his target. His muscles rippled with anticipation, ready to unleash chaos once again. But then, something unexpected happened. A splash of water hit him from behind, momentarily distracting him. He pivoted quickly, his fierce expression softening into a grin as he recognized the source of the disruption.
Standing there, trembling and soaked, was Kota. The boy's eyes were wide with fear, but there was something about the defiance in his stance that intrigued Muscular. "Finally," he thought, "this might just be the moment I've been waiting for." Muscular sauntered closer, the eagerness of victory surging within him. A sense of victory washed over him like the very water that drenched the boy.
Kota felt the weight of Muscular's imposing presence as he approached. His heart raced, an instinctual urge to flee coursing through him. Yet, he stood firm, knowing that simply running would not help him now. Muscular's grin widened—he could see the fear, but also the determination. This was a challenge he was relishing.
"Why so scared, kid?" Muscular asked, his voice low and taunting. "You've got me right where you want me!" He laughed, the sound echoing off the walls of their surroundings. The more Kota hesitated, the more Muscular felt empowered. Kenshi then dashed at Muscular, punching him hard.
"You will not lay a hand on my son!" Kenshi said.
"Your son?" Muscular asked as he laughed, "You think you're his father?"
The clash between Kenshi and Muscular roared on, each fighter pushing their limits, but the tide was beginning to shift. Ever the determined combatant, Kenshi felt a surge of power coursing through him. The flickering energy around him became more pronounced; Ultra Instinct had been awakened.
Muscular, with his formidable physique and relentless strength, threw powerful punches, but Kenshi danced around them with a surreal grace. Every attack from Muscular seemed to move in slow motion, and Kenshi capitalized on this, weaving through the chaos with precision.
With each pass, Kenshi's confidence grew. He could sense Muscular's frustration building; Kenshi's superior reflexes were now countering the brute force that once dominated the arena. It was as if the battlefield itself had transformed into a chessboard, with Kenshi orchestrating each move deliberately.
Kota, Rumi, and Momo were cheering on Kenshi as he continued fighting this muscular menace.
"Go Kenshi!" Momo said.
"Kick his ass Dad!" Kota said.
"Yea Kenshi take him down!" Hayate said.
As Muscular unleashed a series of devastating blows, Kenshi evaded seamlessly. The aura of Ultra Instinct draped around him like a second skin, allowing him to read his opponent's intentions. He could feel every muscle in his body react before Muscular even unleashed his full force, each moment stretching into infinity.
Kenshi's mind was clear, free from distractions. He began to exploit every opening in Muscular's defense. Strategic feints directed Muscular's attention away as Kenshi prepared his next move. The younger fighter was no longer just reacting; he was attacking with intention and strategy.
Kenshi could see Muscular's resolve starting to waver. He took a deep breath, channeling the powers of Ultra Instinct into one final, explosive attack. With a powerful surge, he gathered his energy, focusing everything on the technique to end their fierce encounter.
He yelled out the name of his move, "Ultra Instinct Improvised Move: Columbus Smash!" The air crackled around him as he launched forward. Time seemed to freeze, and in that moment, Kenshi became a blur, striking with impeccable timing and intensity.
The impact was monumental. Kenshi's fist connected squarely with Muscular, the force of the blow sending shockwaves throughout the area. Muscular stumbled back, caught off guard by the sheer power of the attack fueled by Ultra Instinct.
As the dust settled, it was clear—Kenshi had triumphed. He raised his fist up high in the air, and his arm was bruised by how much of One For All he used. Muscular fell to the ground, a testament to the incredible growth and mastery that Kenshi had to achieve.
Kenshi took a deep breath, his pulse still pounding in his ears as the adrenaline from the match began to fade. Momo and Rumi rushed toward him, their faces alight with concern, love, and relief. The moment he spotted them, he felt his chest tighten with emotion—today's victory was not just for him but for them as well. It was as if the weight of the world had lifted, allowing him to finally exhale and let the moment wash over him.
Momo reached him first, throwing her arms around him tightly, her voice a mix of laughter and tears. "I was so worried! I thought... I thought you wouldn't come back to us."
Her words wrapped around Kenshi like a comforting blanket, soothing the remnants of fear that had clung to him during the fight.
Rumi, always the steady presence, joined them shortly after, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You did it, Kenshi! You showed that muscle-bound bastard who was. You fought hard and came out on top." Her genuine joy in her tone affirmed his success and reminded him why he fought in the first place—his family.
Then, as if summoned by the electric atmosphere, Kota appeared, running toward them with all the speed his little legs could muster.
"Papa! You're okay!" he shouted, his small arms reaching for Kenshi eagerly. Kneeling, Kenshi embraced Kota, lifting him off the ground in triumph.
"Of course I am! You always believed in me, didn't you?" The proud grin on his adoptive son's face lit up the moment, making this victory feel even more meaningful. Surrounded by his loved ones, Kenshi realized that every challenge faced was worth it, as long as he had them by his side.
Hayate was relieved that his friend was okay. Kenshi was happy that the ones he cared about were safe and sound.
"I love you guys," Kenshi stated.
"We love you too Kenshi," Rumi said with a smile.
Suddenly Kenshi remembered something.
"Deku!" he said as he stood up.
Momo and Rumi looked at him, then at each other, nodding.