The Final Clash – Kozuki’s Absolute Power

Chapter 17: The Final Clash – Kozuki's Absolute Power

The strongest teams stood face to face at the final checkpoint.

The Frozen Cliffs stretched endlessly behind them, the icy wind cutting through the battlefield like blades. But the real storm was about to begin—

Because at the center of it all stood Kozuki Renjou.

Kozuki (calmly): "Let's not waste time. You all want to win… but that won't happen."

His voice was quiet, but it commanded the battlefield.

His teammates stood behind him, each of them as terrifying as he was.

Kozuki's Team – The Unstoppable Four

🔹 Kozuki Renjou (The Absolute King) – The strongest individual in the exam, flawless in both strategy and combat. His presence alone felt overwhelming.

🔹 Daigo Shiranui (The Silent Blade) – A swordsman so fast that his strikes seemed invisible. One attack was all he needed.

🔹 Mika Fujiwara (The Tactical Archer) – A long-range nightmare, capable of hitting anything, anywhere, no matter the distance.

🔹 Elias Krow (The Iron Tower) – A tank who could take endless punishment. No one had ever seen him flinch.

As they stood before the other strongest teams, there was an undeniable truth—

Kozuki's team was simply built differently.

Lina Veras (gritting her teeth): "Tch… This is going to be hell."

Kenji Arata (cracking his knuckles): "Yeah… but I love a challenge."

Rei adjusted his glasses, already calculating possibilities.

Rei (thinking): We're outmatched. Even if we work together, Kozuki's team has no obvious weaknesses.

And then—

The battle began.

The First Clash – Speed vs. Speed

Lina Veras, the fastest student in the exam, moved first.

She vanished from sight, reappearing behind Kozuki's team with blinding speed.

Lina (thinking): If I take out their archer first, we can win!

Her target: Mika Fujiwara.

But just as Lina's attack was about to land—

CLANG!

A flash of steel.

Lina's eyes widened.

Daigo Shiranui had blocked her attack… without even looking at her.

Daigo (calmly): "…Too slow."

Lina leapt back, barely dodging his counterattack.

Lina (thinking): I'm the fastest here… but he reacted instantly?

Kozuki's team wasn't just strong—they were untouchable.

Kenji vs. Elias – The Unbreakable Wall

Kenji rushed straight for Elias Krow, aiming a devastating Muay Thai knee to his ribs.

BAM!

The hit landed perfectly.

But Elias… didn't move.

Kenji (blinking): "Oh, hell no."

Kenji followed up with **rapid strikes—knees, elbows, punches—**but none of them did anything.

Elias (calmly): "Are you done?"

WHAM!

Elias swung his fist—Kenji barely blocked, but the sheer force sent him sliding backward.

Kenji (grinning): "Alright. Now I'm excited."

Elias simply rolled his shoulders.

Elias: "You won't be for long."

Mika Fujiwara – The Sniper From Hell

While the chaos unfolded, Mika Fujiwara calmly pulled back her bowstring.

She didn't aim—she didn't need to.

Mika: "Headshot."

FWIP!

A single arrow flew straight toward Rei.

Rei (eyes widening): "Souta, move!"

At the last second, **Souta tackled Rei aside—**but the arrow still grazed Rei's cheek.

Mika's precision was terrifying.

Akari (serious): "We need to take her out. Now."

She vanished into the shadows, attempting to close in on Mika.

But before she could reach, Kozuki finally moved.

Kozuki vs. Everyone – The Difference in Power

In a single instant, Kozuki read the entire battlefield.

Every movement. Every strategy.

And then—

He moved.

Souta (blinking): "Where did he—?"

Before anyone could react, Kozuki appeared right in front of Rei.

Rei's eyes widened.

Rei (thinking): I didn't even see him move?!

BOOM!

Kozuki struck—a perfectly calculated palm strike aimed at Rei's ribs.

Rei (desperate): "Akari—!"

At the last second, Akari intercepted, redirecting the force—but the impact still sent both of them skidding backward.

Akari (wincing): "That was… insane."

Souta and Kenji both charged Kozuki together—but he dodged effortlessly, countering both attacks at once.

In seconds, Kozuki had turned the entire battle in his favor.

Kozuki (calmly): "You're all moving too slow."

And then—he finished it.

The Final Blow – Kozuki's Victory

The battlefield was in ruins.

Kenji was on his knees, panting.Lina was clutching her arm, unable to move.Elias stood tall, untouched.Mika had landed every shot she took.Daigo's sword was still perfectly clean.

Rei's team? Barely standing.

And at the center of it all—Kozuki Renjou, untouched.

Kozuki (calmly): "This exam is over."

He walked to the final checkpoint, unchallenged.

DING!

[Final Checkpoint Secured: Team Kozuki Renjou – 1st Place]

The exam had a winner.

Kozuki looked down at Rei.

Kozuki: "You're smart. Smarter than most. But against overwhelming strength, strategy isn't enough."

Rei clenched his fists but said nothing.

Kozuki (smirking slightly): "Get stronger, Kurogane. Then maybe next time… you won't lose so easily."

And with that, the strongest competitor in the academy walked away.

The entrance exam was over.

But for Rei?

This was just the beginning.