Toe Kick!
This was Doppo Orochi's meticulously honed technique, using his rigorously trained toes like a blade to pierce through an opponent's muscles, turning any struck area into a critical wound.
Having witnessed Hitomi's formidable healing magic, Doppo held nothing back.
After all, even if he crippled this young woman, she could heal herself, so there was no need for mercy.
But he still underestimated Hitomi.
Her skills weren't limited to just the Jacob's Limbs.
As Doppo charged at her with astonishing speed, Hitomi instinctively cast a protective spell.
A shield composed of hundreds of interlocking hexagons materialized in front of her.
Doppo's kick struck the shield.
A muffled thud echoed.
It felt as though he had kicked a slab of titanium alloy, leaving Hitomi unscathed.
Instead, Doppo staggered back a few steps, wincing in pain.
His toes, devoid of fat for cushioning, were all bone and nerves.
Kicking what felt like titanium was an excruciating experience.
Fortunately, as a seasoned martial artist, Doppo suppressed the pain with a furrowed brow, revealing no weakness.
Hitomi, relieved, patted her chest.
Though she had learned the Jacob's Limbs from Martha, her combat experience was limited, and she had been momentarily rattled by Doppo's overwhelming presence—a mistake she shouldn't have made.
Realizing this, she mentally scolded herself and grew serious.
The next moment, she dispelled her protective magic and charged at Doppo.
Today, she would test her abilities against this "God of War."
And then, Hitomi was thoroughly outclassed.
She hadn't mastered the Jacob's Limbs for long, barely scratching the surface of this ancient martial art.
With this rudimentary skill, she could handle ordinary fighters.
But against the founder of a martial arts style like Doppo Orochi, she struggled.
At first, she managed to trouble Doppo with some of the Jacob's Limbs's techniques.
But as Doppo adapted to her style, Hitomi's shortcomings became glaringly apparent.
And so, Doppo dominated her.
Of course, this was partly because Hitomi refrained from using magic.
Had she employed defensive spells, offensive magic, teleportation, or even the Power of Light, she could have turned the tide.
But, seemingly influenced by Saeko Busujima's recklessness, she fought using only the martial art she had just learned, neglecting her full arsenal.
Pitting her weakness against her opponent's strength.
If she wasn't overwhelmed, who would be?
Morpheus couldn't stand to watch any longer and rapped Saeko on the head.
"Nice example you set."
"???"
Thus, the second match ended with Hitomi's defeat.
"Sorry, sorry, I lost," Hitomi said as she left the arena, grinning ear to ear, showing no sign of being upset.
Morpheus flicked her forehead. "Who do you think you are, fighting with a half-learned martial art? Did you really think you were that good?"
"Next time, use your other abilities too."
"You're here at the Dark Tournament to hone all your skills, including magic, not just your fighting techniques. Understood?"
Seeing Morpheus's exasperated expression, Hitomi clutched her head and nodded.
Under her breath, she muttered words like "tyrant."
Morpheus ignored her and turned to Karna. "Your turn. Crush them."
Karna nodded silently and stepped onto the arena.
In that moment, Doppo Orochi couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, his muscles tensing uncontrollably.
He was reminded of the tiger he had defeated in his youth.
The first time he faced that beast, his body had sensed mortal danger, muscles tightening, every cell trembling.
It was a sensation born from teetering on the edge of life and death.
Now, he felt that same sense of mortality again.
Even more intensely than back then.
Doppo realized the white-haired young man before him, with hair flowing wildly, was no ordinary opponent.
He was a true master.
A master whose limits were unfathomable.
In the stands, countless fighters fell silent, the arena plunging into stillness.
They could tell from his mere stance that this white-haired man was terrifyingly strong.
"Karna. Please, enlighten me," Karna announced his name.
Doppo's eyelids twitched. The Dark Tournament was filled with all sorts of extraordinary beings, but for a figure straight out of Indian mythology to appear was almost too surreal.
Was this man merely a namesake, or… could he truly be the demigod son of the Sun God?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
Whether this was the real Karna or not, he was undeniably formidable, and Doppo had to face him with everything he had.
Taking a deep breath, he cleared his mind of distractions, his focus narrowing to one person.
Karna.
No one else existed.
Not even himself.
A peculiar aura began to rise from Doppo, sensed by many in the crowd.
Baki Hanma frowned. "What is that?"
Yujiro Hanma, with his vast experience, recognized Doppo's state instantly. "That's the State of Selflessness, a realm achieved only through relentless training, absolute focus, and a mind free of distractions."
"In this state, the self becomes nothing. Emptiness is nothingness."
Baki asked, "What's the point?"
Yujiro explained, "Those who reach this state can perfectly control every ounce of their strength, even channeling their entire power into a single explosive burst, elevating their abilities dramatically."
"The Doppo Orochi now could easily defeat his former self before entering this state."
"It's a special realm martial artists pursue. I never expected Doppo to reach it under Karna's pressure. Truly, a worthy opponent."
Baki asked, "Can he win?"
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
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