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Chapter 23 - Episode 24 - Heart Of Warrior

CHAPTER: WOLF SPIRIT IGNITES

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"WELCOME BACK TO THE G.O.D. TOURNAMENT, YOU HUNGRY FREAKS OF FIGHTING!"

A shockwave of cheers shook the Mishima Arena. Spotlights sliced the morning air, banners flapped like war flags, and fire cannons roared—igniting the sky in a blaze of scarlet and gold.

At center stage stood Mimi Katsura, the announcer-idol in a tiger bomber jacket and combat heels, twin mics gripped like pistols.

"You thought yesterday was brutal? Today will break bones, crush dreams, and baptize the unworthy in PAIN!"

Beside her stood the infamous Double-Paced Sensei—a man dressed in flowing black kimono, one slipper tapping, the other leg unmoving. His eyes were veiled in cloth, and his mouth barely moved as he spoke:

> "When fire faces storm, the air will split. Let the spirits of combat judge their fate."

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MATCH ONE — BLAZE KURONUMA VS ELGOR YULOVICH

"IN THIS CORNER!" Mimi roared.

"THE ICE-BORN FIST! GRIZZLY KING OF THE NORTHERN PIT ARENAS! WITH A BODY THAT'S STOPPED BULLETS—ELGOOOOOOOR YULOVICH!"

The iron gate detonated open.

Elgor strode forward, shirtless and steaming. A black storm tattoo raged across his chest, arms like steel girders. His breath clouded in the summer air. Braided beard. Granite eyes. A titan of pain.

The crowd shivered.

He raised one fist—and the arena fell silent.

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"AND FACING HIM—THE FLAME THAT REFUSES TO DIE! THE WOLF OF SHIDEN STYLE! FIGHTING FOR THE FUTURE OF HIS SISTER—BLAZEEEEEEE KURONUMAAAA!"

The lights turned to fire.

Blaze Kuronuma stepped from the smoke, a burning aura coiling around his body. His black gi was torn at the sleeves, fists wrapped in scorched tape. His hair flickered crimson in the light. Calm eyes. A sharp breath.

He didn't speak.

He was already a spark waiting to ignite.

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DING!

THE MATCH BEGINS.

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Round 1:

Elgor didn't wait.

He charged—a cannonball of raw muscle.

Blaze rolled to dodge—but too late.

Elgor's massive arm snatched him mid-motion—

> "GRIZZLY SLAM!"

CRACK—BOOM!

Blaze's body shattered the floor. Dust spiraled. The impact left a crater. Blood dripped from Blaze's lip. He staggered.

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Up in the stands, Xao Min stood.

"Kuronuma… get up!"

Double-Paced Sensei tapped his left slipper faster.

> "Stand still too long against a grappler, and you become part of the floor."

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Blaze exhaled sharply. His body screamed.

But his mind was clear.

He saw her.

Yuna. His sister. In her wheelchair. Smiling at him like nothing was wrong.

> "Win," she had whispered before he left.

> "Stand, and win."

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Blaze's eyes snapped open—fire surged from his spine.

He lunged.

Step-in elbow. Back twist. Rising heel!

Elgor blocked. Countered.

Steel hands closed around Blaze's ribs.

> "This ends now!"

He threw Blaze skyward like a ragdoll.

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But in the air—Blaze twisted.

Eyes glowing amber. Wind screaming past.

His soul ignited.

> "WOLF SPIRIT — BAEK WON KICK!!"

He dropped like judgment.

CRACK!

A flying spin-kick slammed into Elgor's temple.

Boom.

The grappler's body twisted—knees buckling.

> He never saw the second kick coming.

Blaze flipped mid-air—

> "SECOND FANG!!"

His foot drilled into Elgor's chest.

BOOM—THE GIANT FELL.

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Silence.

Then—

ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!!!

The arena exploded.

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"DOWN! HE'S DOWN!!"

Mimi screamed.

"ELGOR—THE UNDEFEATED ELITE—HAS FALLEN IN THE PRELIMS!!!"

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In the viewing balcony—

Genji stood, stunned. His fists clenched with excitement.

Xao Min screamed in disbelief, leaping over a chair.

Kazuya dropped the scroll he'd been writing on, face pale.

Asumi's eyes lit up like twin stars.

Even Chris with respect nodded once.

> "That boy… has the heart of a warrior."

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Blaze Kuronuma collapsed to one knee. Breathing like a wolf that just outran death.

He looked up, the fire in his veins still raging.

> "Yuna… I did it."

And somewhere far away, in a quiet hospital room, a girl in a wheelchair smiled through tears.

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Above them, the massive digital bracket updated with a scream of static:

WINNER: BLAZE KURONUMA

The screen pulsed.

And at the very bottom, a message began to type in bold crimson:

NEXT MATCH… ASUMI VS KAI FUSHIDA

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The Demon waits.

And the fire has only begun to rise.

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To be continued.

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