Path to Strength

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Pickle had faced countless creatures during his time in the Cretaceous period.

From Tyrannosaurs to powerful aquatic beasts, and even the largest land creature ever to walk the earth, the Supersaurus.

The attacks of these creatures were devastating, and even Pickle would suffer damage if hit directly.

But since reaching adulthood, none of these beings had been able to put his life at risk.

He had unquestionably reached the top of the food chain.

But...

In front of him, that small creature, which shouldn't be half his size, was standing as if it could match the enormous creatures Pickle once defeated.

Should Pickle feel offended? Challenged? Insulted?

Pickle didn't know, but if that creature was there, confidently facing him, it could only mean one thing.

He was there to play.

Boom!

But when the first punch struck his jaw, Pickle froze as the impact reverberated through his body.

In that single attack, everything Pickle had previously believed crumbled in the blink of an eye.

The small creature wasn't there to play.

It was there to bare its fangs at him.

Boom! Boom!

And as quickly as the first punch, other attacks struck Pickle squarely, a sharp pain spreading through his body, making him grit his teeth in agony.

With such a small size, with such a fragile body, the small creature, without changing its appearance or size, hit Pickle with a force comparable to the enormous creatures the prehistoric man had once faced.

A force that truly hurt Pickle.

Boom!

With a powerful punch that crushed Pickle's abdomen, Katsumi retracted his fist with steam escaping from his skin, his eyes fixed on Pickle's form, who winced in pain from the last hit.

He was causing damage. He could see it. Victory wasn't out of reach.

'I just need to keep attacking—'

!

But being hit before he could complete his thoughts, Katsumi gritted his teeth as a kick pushed him back, a mark forming on his forearms.

'My defense was perfect!' Falling backward onto the ground, he quickly rolled back and stood up, his breathing heavy as he felt his body pleading. 'But even so, the damage reverberated throughout my entire body.'

Pickle's strength was intimidating, Katsumi felt it firsthand. Even with perfect defense, he still suffered considerable internal damage. He didn't need another attack to realize he couldn't withstand many more blows like that.

Such was the power of this beast.

How had God allowed a creature like this to come to his time? Katsumi couldn't help but complain.

With a sigh, Katsumi narrowed his eyes as he noticed Pickle moving, the massive man's arms spreading in a predatory pose that sent chills down the spines of most of the fighters watching.

Pickle officially saw Katsumi as a worthy opponent, someone who should become his prey.

He would start his hunt, whether Katsumi was ready or not.

"It seems things are going to speed up now." From the stadium corridor, Yuji spoke with interest. "Pickle seems to have officially considered Katsumi a worthy prey."

Doppo just stared silently, his gaze as stern as ever, while he seemed to have his own thoughts about the battle.

"I can see from here that the first attacks left marks on Pickle." Yuji raised an eyebrow as he noticed small bruises in the areas hit by Katsumi, certainly a reward for the karateka's hard work. "If he can land a critical hit with full force, he'll certainly have a chance."

And as if hearing his words, Pickle took a step forward, Yuji smiling. "It's about to start."

!

With an explosion of speed, Pickle surprised everyone as he deliberately rushed toward Katsumi, his fangs bared as if he wanted to bite the karateka.

But Katsumi, noticing the approach with a focused gaze, simply waited as he meticulously adjusted his posture.

"Focus all your muscle power in the center of your body, and release it all at once. Remember to release everything simultaneously, or your muscles will tear. It will cost you a long month of rest."

Katsumi remembered every word of Yuji's, from the big to the smallest details.

He didn't have the luxury of making mistakes in a situation like this.

He would hit with everything he had, in a single...

And decisive punch!

Boom!

About to bite Katsumi's shoulder, Pickle's eyes widened as a powerful impact struck his abdomen, his eyes widening as excruciating pain made him roar in agony, his body being thrown backward, causing him to fall on his rear.

Pickle had fought countless battles, devoured countless beasts, from the small to the large, and even so, he was fully confident when he thought...

Never before had he been hit with such force.

The tail of a T-Rex? No, there was nothing to compare it to. The strength that hit him was something completely new, a power that made Pickle's entire body tremble.

To have so much strength in such a small body, the male creature in front of him couldn't be compared to anything Pickle had faced before.

He was on a completely different level.

"I'm not done yet, Pickle!"

Widening his eyes as that voice brought him back to reality, Pickle turned to see Katsumi closing the distance between them, the human beast unable to react as a fist struck his jaw.

Boom!

The shockwave spread through the stadium, the ground beneath the two fighters' feet cracking with the sheer power behind the attack.

Pickle, directly hit, could only grit his teeth as his 130kg body was tossed away like a ragdoll, blood flying from his mouth.

Never before had a creature made Pickle feel like this.

Oppressed by a tiny being... Was this indeed real?

"..." The tremendous pain in his jaw left no room for doubt.

Pickle had been hurt.

!

Rising in a single motion from his legs, Pickle turned as Katsumi charged toward him, his animalistic face filling with fury as he kicked at the karateka.

But Katsumi knew the danger of this simple attack, and with mastery, he dodged the kick with a jump, his body suspended in the air, positioning itself in front of Pickle.

'I can't use the Blast Core from here, but...' And rotating his body, he kicked Pickle's face with enough force to push the prehistoric man. 'I can still cause damage!'

Landing on the ground, he advanced, barely caring as Pickle turned and punched in his direction.

'I can win!' Smiling excitedly, Katsumi readied his own fist and punched, the two attacks clashing to cause a tremor that shook the entire stadium.

Pickle was pushed back, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed the skin of his fist torn.

"Pay attention, Pickle!" And appearing in front of him, with his fist dripping blood, Katsumi flashed a beastly smile.

The fight was far from over.

Boom!