Shetako slipped past Byukoten's opening strike like a shadow and immediately swung upward, aiming an uppercut straight at his chin.
Byukoten stepped back at the last instant and countered with a sharp kick.
Shetako caught it effortlessly with one hand and hurled Byukoten away.
Byukoten twisted midair, stabilizing himself before landing cleanly on his feet. Without hesitation, he launched himself forward, closing the distance in a blink and driving a punch into Shetako's stomach.
Shetako seized the moment—grabbing Byukoten's arm and delivering a crushing kick.
Byukoten blocked with his forearm and slammed his head forward in a vicious headbutt.
Shetako absorbed it and answered instantly, smashing his elbow into Byukoten's face.
Byukoten retaliated with a kick, but Shetako
intercepted it with one of his own.
Shetako followed up with a punch—only for Byukoten to grab his arm and slam him into the ground.
Byukoten pressed the attack, but Shetako rolled aside and countered with a powerful kick to Byukoten's chin.
Byukoten was sent flying skyward—yet he twisted, landed safely, and braced himself just as Shetako sprinted in and drove a fist into his gut, launching him into a jagged rock face.
Byukoten slid down, flipped his body, and struck with a spinning kick.
Shetako caught his leg—only for Byukoten to yank him forward, knocking him off balance, and smash a punch into his face.
Shetako rose immediately.
The two charged again.
Shetako threw a punch.
Byukoten blocked it with a kick.
Byukoten lunged in with a headbutt, but Shetako slipped past it and attempted to drive his elbow into Byukoten's stomach. Byukoten leapt upward and punched down from above—but Shetako backed away, jumping up to counter.
Byukoten barely touched Shetako midair, using the contact to push himself away before slamming back in with another attack.
Shetako surged forward and struck him hard in the gut.
Byukoten spat blood.
Both fighters were heavily injured now—but neither slowed down.
They continued clashing, blow for blow, shockwaves rippling through the ground. Arin and the others could only watch in silence, completely overwhelmed by the speed and power before them.
Shetako kicked Byukoten.
Byukoten punched Shetako.
Finally, Shetako stepped back, wiping blood from his mouth and laughing softly.
"I had a fun time, humans," he said. "I'll let you off the hook for today—if you wish."
Byukoten exhaled, then nodded.
"Let's have another fight sometime."
Shetako smiled, turned, and vanished into the distance.
Arin stood frozen—shocked, terrified, and painfully aware of how far above them that battle had been.
As night fell, the group set up camp. Hanase immediately rushed to heal Byukoten, whose body bore the scars of a fight between monsters wearing human shapes.