Chat group, become my wings!

A line of blood-tears trickled from Izumi Uchiha's eye. Across from her, Esdeath looked equally pale and unsteady. Neither of them had come out ahead at best, they were evenly matched in their suffering.

But both women shared a common trait: they refused to lose.

So long as neither yielded, the fight would never end.

They launched themselves at each other once again.

Yet this time, after just one clash, Esdeath's expression grew noticeably more cautious.

Something felt off.

Each blow exchanged with Izumi now brought an unbearable level of pain. A simple kick or punch felt as if her flesh had been cleaved open. What should have been minor impacts now seemed like mortal wounds. It was no illusion.

Every time they collided, the pain intensified, leaving Esdeath's face contorted. The agony was visceral as if every blow had become a form of brutal torture.

"Is this one of your abilities?" Esdeath finally asked, her voice strained.

"That's right," Izumi replied coolly, one eye closed in concentration. "My eyes hold more than just Tsukuyomi. This is Saegyo Punishment of Years. While Tsukuyomi targets the mind, Saegyo amplifies physical pain and other senses by more than tenfold. The torment it brings is no less cruel than any illusion."

"So that's its name? Saegyo. Quite a convenient power," Esdeath chuckled bitterly. "I once experimented with a plant that heightened human senses. It was useful for interrogation, but totally impractical in combat."

She clenched her fists, expression fierce. "Still, it's just pain. And I'm Esdeath. Pain alone won't make me falter."

Their fierce battle resumed. Both combatants unleashed their full strength, sparing nothing.

In the end-

They collapsed together on the virtual battlefield, completely spent.

Neither had won. Neither had lost.

For the spectators, especially those like Izumi who disliked violence, the scene had been difficult to watch. But others, like Saeko Busujima, were thrilled. She even requested a match with Esdeath afterward after all, no one could die in the virtual arena.

Naturally, Esdeath welcomed the challenge.

While Saeko was strong, she wasn't quite on Esdeath's level. In the end, she lost.

But after defeating Saeko, Esdeath turned her attention to Kevin Cross.

Kevin didn't hesitate. He had already faced Esdeath's replica numerous times. Now it was time for the real thing.

Inside the virtual arena, they stood opposite each other.

Esdeath's eyes sparkled as she looked at Kevin. This was the first time she'd actually seen him even if it was only a virtual projection.

The group had always been framed as a "harem chat group," which gave Esdeath the impression that Kevin must be someone hopeless with women. Maybe he was hideous or painfully average in appearance, and the chat group was created to help him form a harem out of pity.

She had assumed the worst.

But now, seeing Kevin in person for the first time...

He was attractive. Handsome, even.

If she'd known that earlier, she wouldn't have been so resistant to him.

A soft smile played on her lips.

"Group Leader no, Kevin. You actually look pretty good. Definitely my type."

"Uh... thanks," Kevin replied awkwardly. "Shall we begin?"

"Oh? In such a hurry to fight me?" Esdeath teased.

"You've been wanting this fight for a while, haven't you?"

"Fair enough. Then show me what you're capable of."

Her smile faded, replaced by a razor-sharp focus.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Kevin's hands moved rapidly as he summoned over a dozen clones.

Some charged at Esdeath directly, some began weaving hand signs, and others vanished from sight.

Esdeath remained unshaken. She had seen this tactic before Izumi had used it against her in their match.

And Kevin's techniques, for the most part, were inherited from Izumi, Saeko, or Shinobu Kocho. Aside from Shinobu whom she hadn't fought Esdeath was already familiar with their skills.

Of course, the same technique could manifest differently in different hands. She wasn't bored. On the contrary, she was intrigued. She wanted to see how Kevin would wield abilities passed down from others.

And soon enough, she got her answer.

A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

Kevin wasn't weak but he lacked the recklessness and desperation that often drove fighters to push past their limits. Compared to Izumi, he was more calculated, more cautious. And yet, somehow, his fighting style felt... eerily familiar.

It was almost as if he had already studied her moves. Anticipated them.

He was reading her.

This realization startled her. Kevin wasn't just throwing techniques at her randomly. He had prepared for her. He had practiced against her style. Trained for this exact battle.

The thought made her heart race.

Combat was unpredictable. And to meet an opponent who knew everything about you... that was a rare thrill. For Esdeath, it was exhilarating.

She started shifting her strategy changing patterns, altering rhythms.

This sudden change threw Kevin off.

His timing faltered. His counterattacks wavered.

But Esdeath's rhythm was disrupted as well. Her own spontaneity cost her stability.

In the end, though both fighters stumbled, neither could capitalize.

They continued to exchange blows, each move more dazzling than the last.

From the audience, Izumi and the others watched, stunned. Izumi in particular found herself amazed. She knew Kevin's capabilities better than anyone.

Yet the Kevin before her now was different. Sharper. More confident.

The gap between who he was and who he had become was shocking.

She couldn't even begin to understand how he had improved so quickly.

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