Path to Strength

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Pickle had hunted dinosaurs, faced the unstoppable hordes of Earth's greatest predators.

And yet, there he was, the only one still standing, even after thousands of years.

He had survived things that dinosaurs could only dream of surviving.

Given these facts, then why?

Why was such a small creature able to hurt him?

Boom!

When Katsumi's fist struck Pickle's face, a shockwave spread across the dome, the prehistoric man rolling backward as blood spurted from his nose.

Pickle was far from being the most rational creature. He lived in a time when he needed to rely on his instincts to survive, a time when the only way to stay alive was through constant battle.

But faced with such an improbability, something deep in his mind told him.

This didn't make sense.

A small creature, with its tiny fist heavier than a T-rex's tail? With its short legs, faster than a velociraptor?

It made no sense.

!

Standing up with a burst of energy, Pickle growled as his animalistic gaze fixed on Katsumi's confident form.

No... But it didn't matter.

In his entire life, there was only one rule Pickle followed.

Devour or be devoured.

This was no different.

If this creature wanted to devour him, Pickle only needed to show that his fangs were bigger than his opponent's.

He would show what the power of a body sculpted by the gods could do.

"Things are about to get complicated." From the arena corridor, Yuji narrowed his eyes as he noticed the entire tone of the battle change. Pickle's serious look sent chills down his spine. "Pickle doesn't want to play anymore."

!

In the arena, Katsumi's eyes widened as Pickle lunged toward him, his teeth gritting as he kicked the ground to push himself away, the prehistoric man shooting past him like a bullet.

'What speed is that?!' Katsumi dug his fingers into the ground to stop his momentum, his eyes fixed on Pickle's back as he reached the edge of the arena. 'That was just with the strength of his legs?!'

Pickle, who had barely missed his target, slowly turned around, Katsumi's hair standing on end when he saw a predatory gleam in the Jurassic man's eyes.

'He's different.' A frown formed on Katsumi's face, his fist clenching tightly as he took a stance. 'He seems even more dangerous.'

Beginning to walk slowly, Pickle positioned himself in front of the karateka, his predatory gaze never fading as he opened his arms.

"..."

The audience fell into complete silence as, in a strange manner, Pickle got down on all fours.

Not like a wrestler, or a martial artist...

But like an animal.

His feet were firmly planted on the ground, his nails tearing the earth as a growl reverberated throughout the arena. His fangs were bared, hot breath escaping from his mouth.

Retsu Kaioh, in the stands, immediately recalled that movement.

The movement that knocked him out when he faced this beast.

A decisive move, an attack that could determine the winner in an instant.

A devastating attack, emanating danger.

Katsumi could sense it.

*Sigh.

With his irregular breathing, Katsumi slowly calmed himself as he changed his stance, his lips pressing together as he cautiously observed Pickle.

His blows hadn't had the desired effect. With each punch, he felt his muscles giving way. The point would come when his bones and fibers could no longer withstand it, he could see that.

If his guess wasn't wrong, Pickle's next attack would be a charge.

He needed to use that to knock out the beast once and for all.

Stomping firmly on the ground, Katsumi took a deep breath as he let his arms relax.

A strong base was necessary for what he was about to do.

He would have to apologize to Yuji later. After telling him so many times to avoid this at all costs, Katsumi would still be stubborn enough to try.

But he saw no other way to win.

He needed to attack with everything he had all at once. Efforts could not be measured.

If he really wanted to win this battle, he had to pay a price.

This was not a moment to hesitate.

With powerful pressure exploding from his body, Katsumi's face hardened, a determined gleam emanating from his eyes as he prepared.

In front of him, Pickle growled, his muscles tensing as he seemed ready to charge.

'Imagining thousands of joints composing every inch of my arm, and using the Blast Core to increase the rotational power of my torso, I'll attack with everything I've got.' With sweat pouring down his body, even the tension before the attack was enough to make him tremble. 'I'll show you the power of the modern era, Pickle.'

!

Pickle, who disappeared with an explosion shattering the ground where he stood, charged towards Katsumi, his mouth opening to prepare for a bite.

Katsumi smiled as he saw it, his body already lunging forward, the power of his muscles concentrated in his core exploding all at once, rotating his body at a terrifying speed.

'I'll show you, Pickle. I'll show you the most devastating attack of this era!'

Boom!

And launching his fist the moment Pickle reached him, a shockwave strong enough to push everyone in the stands spread out, blood trickling from the ears of some while others fainted from the impact.

The stadium trembled for several seconds, the arena's ground shattering with debris flying everywhere.

The dust cloud obscured everyone's vision, but slowly, the wind blew the dust away.

Finally revealing the result of that incomparable power struggle.

*Sigh.

The perplexed crowd sighed in unison as that vision unfolded before them.

Lying on the ground, with a large imprint of fingers on his face, Pickle appeared to be unconscious.

With blood flowing from his nostrils, it seemed to have been a blow too strong even for him to withstand.

On the other side of the arena, a silent Katsumi remained standing.

But instead of a victorious tone, a somber aura enveloped him, his face impassive as he slowly raised his right hand.

"As he said..." A defeated sigh escaped his lips, a small smile spreading across his face as he felt drops of blood splattering on it. "My arm would never hold up."

With the bones of his forearm completely exposed, blood gushed from the massive wound like water from a waterfall.

Even after learning techniques to reduce recoil on his muscles, delivering such a devastating attack still took its toll.

With a speed that reached Mach 6, it was impossible to resist.

He had gambled with luck.

"Idiot." Yuji said with regret, a sigh escaping his lips. "I warned you... But it doesn't matter."

As his eyes turned to Pickle, Yuji flashed a small smile, Doppo turning to him in question.

"Pickle is unconscious." And declaring, Yuji turned to Doppo. "As a fight between two warriors, Katsumi is the winner.

I can only congratulate him... It's a shame that..."

With the crowd celebrating the karateka's victory, Katsumi raised his head gratefully as he felt the support of everyone reaching him.

Even though he had lost an arm, it didn't matter. He had nothing more to prove to anyone.

Approaching Pickle, Katsumi looked at him with a grateful gaze, his shattered arm rising in celebration, which made the noise from the stands grow even louder.

"...For Pickle, this isn't a fight."

Katsumi, satisfied with the victory, widened his eyes when Pickle suddenly turned, a sign that he wasn't unconscious. 'What?'

The karateka's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to find an explanation for it. 'Was he just napping?!'

As much as Pickle had fainted from the devastating attack, it hadn't lasted long.