Chapter 41: Feral Fury: Taro vs. Kaien

Taro smirked confidently."I hope you're ready."

Kaien met his gaze with calm, focused eyes and gave a slow nod.

Without hesitation, Taro surged forward, launching two lightning-fast punches. Kaien blocked them with effortless precision, then countered with a sharp kick. Taro ducked just in time and swept low—but Kaien flipped over him like a shadow, landing silently behind.

Taro spun on his heel, a fierce grin spreading across his face."Gorilla Arm Mad Punch!"

In an instant, his right arm morphed into a massive, muscular gorilla limb. With a thunderous crack, he slammed it into Kaien's back.

Pain flared sharply. That kinda hurt, Kaien thought, wincing.

Taro laughed, breath heavy with adrenaline. "Strong enough for you?"

Kaien's eyes narrowed. No time for play. Chains burst into existence, coiling and snapping through the air like living weapons.

Chain Swift.

Kaien vanished behind Taro and lashed the chains forward. Taro's eyes snapped wide."Falcon Glide!"

His arms transformed into wide, powerful wings. With a fierce beat, he took flight, rising above the fray."You really thought you could sneak behind me?"

Taro dove down like a hawk, talons aimed to shred. Kaien dropped low, wrapping chains tight around Taro's torso, slamming him hard to the ground. Kaien's fist crashed down, but razor-sharp feathers burst forth, forcing Kaien to backflip away, breath ragged.

Close call, Kaien thought, steadying himself.

"Almost got you there," Taro grinned, eyes glittering.

Almost isn't good enough, Kaien promised silently.

Taro dropped to all fours. Kaien frowned. What was this?

Suddenly, Taro's limbs morphed into sleek, powerful cheetah legs. Without warning, he shot forward—a blur of pure speed.

Kaien barely dodged, heart pounding. So fast…

Taro charged again, but Kaien vanished, teleporting onto one of his chains.I'll have to raise my game.

The two clashed again and again—Taro rushing like a wild beast, Kaien slipping through shadows.

Then, when Taro charged once more, Kaien teleported—but this time, Taro anticipated perfectly. He veered toward the top chain. Kaien appeared there, startled.

"What—!?"

Kaien leapt, but Taro swiped with glinting claws—just missing.

"Quick Change Falcon!" Taro's arms became wings as he slammed Kaien down.

That's the first smart move he's made, Kaien admitted.

Taro followed with a punch, but Kaien twisted away and landed a gut shot. Before Kaien could realise, Taro clawed uppercut almost connected.

"What was that?" Kaien Thought.

"Jaguar!" Taro growled, launching a fierce flurry of slashes.

Kaien dodged with agile grace, yanking chains to grab Taro's arm and slam him aside.

Taro shifted back into cheetah form, claws flashing. He rushed again, but Kaien caught him, lifted, and slammed him onto his back.

Springing back up, Taro's arms morphed into massive bear paws. A crushing punch sent Kaien skidding backwards.

Taro charged once more, met by Kaien's teleportation. Taro shifted to cheetah again and dashed in. Kaien grabbed Taro's head, slamming it hard against his knees.

Taro stumbled, chains snapping tight around him.

Transforming into a falcon, Taro tried to break free—but chains wrapped around his legs, yanking him down with brutal force.

Kaien pulled the chains taut, his fist crashing into Taro's ribs.

Pain exploded through him. Damn, that hurts.

This ends now.

"Octopus Grasp!" Taro's arm twisted into writhing tentacles, coiling tightly around Kaien.

This grip's nasty…

"Rhino Charge!" His shoulder swelled, tipped with a razor-sharp horn.

"I call this the rhino tackle!" Taro bellowed, charging with earth-shaking force.

He slammed Kaien to the ground, raising his gorilla fist to strike—but Kaien teleported to a chain once more.

Not this time.

Kaien surged forward. Taro swung wildly, but Kaien slipped beneath, leaping onto his back and binding him in choking chains.

Taro thrashed, shifting to bear paws, slapping furiously.

Kaien blocked one blow and countered with a solid punch to the stomach. Taro's abs hardened like iron gorilla muscles. He grabbed Kaien and slammed him down hard.

Taro's legs became powerful kangaroo limbs. He stomped the ground, but Kaien rolled away and yanked two chains, snagging Taro's legs.

With a mighty swing, Kaien flung Taro into a chain, then teleported and wrapped him tight, slamming him headfirst into the floor.

It's over.

Yuna stepped forward, raising her voice."Okay, sparring match is over. Kaien wins."

Taro groaned, sprawled on the ground."Can somebody help me…?"

Laughter rippled through the room.

Yuna smiled, turning to Jett."Who do you want to fight?"

"Azar," Jett said firmly. "He needs to be ready to face the leader."

"Okay," Azar replied calmly.

Taro's weak voice croaked again."Can somebody help me out…?"

The laughter grew louder.

To Be Continued.