Nico’s heart pounded as he stood at the entrance of the underground fighting valley, the dim lights casting long shadows over the grimy walls. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, smoke, and adrenaline. This place wasn’t just any fighting ring—it was the infamous pit of illegal fights, where power bearers and martial artists clashed for money, glory, and, in some cases, survival.

It was a place where the rules were few, and the stakes were high.

He’d been walking aimlessly after his encounter with the 2nd Sacred Commandment. Every word that man had said echoed in Nico’s mind, pushing him to a point of desperation. Four months. That’s all the time he had to get stronger, to be ready for the tournament. And he couldn’t just rely on his power. His body needed to be trained, sharpened, disciplined.

The underground valley was the only place that came to mind where he could push himself beyond his limits. No one asked questions here. You fought, you won—or you lost, sometimes brutally. And in this pit, you had to fight to survive. There was no other way.

Nico had registered under the alias RED X, keeping his identity hidden. The last thing he needed was for people from school to find out that he was down here. He didn’t care about the $10,000 prize money the organizer had promised him for his next match. His mind was solely focused on the challenge, on what he could gain from this brutal training ground.

“Your fight’s next,” a gruff voice called from the shadows. The organizer, a bald, scarred man with sharp eyes, motioned for Nico to step forward. “You’ll be up against one of our most skilled fighters. Don’t hold back, kid. You’ll need every trick you’ve got.”

Nico nodded, pulling the hood of his jacket up over his head as he stepped into the arena. The crowd was already cheering, rowdy and eager for blood.

His opponent stood at the other end of the pit, a mountain of a man with a steely gaze. He was dressed in a loose judo gi, his massive arms folded across his chest. His name echoed through the crowd—Katsuro, the reigning judo champion of the underground valley. The man was known not only for his mastery of judo but for his exceptional agility, a rare and dangerous combination.

Nico’s pulse quickened. He’d heard of Katsuro before. He was a legend in this place, undefeated and feared by anyone who dared to challenge him. Katsuro’s technique was flawless, and his agility made him unpredictable, able to strike at angles no one else could.

This wasn’t going to be a normal fight.

Nico tightened his fists. He had five minutes. Five minutes where he could copy Katsuro’s agility and judo skills. He had to make those five minutes count, or he’d be on the ground, beaten before he even knew what hit him.

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The bell rang, signaling the start of the match.

Katsuro wasted no time. He dashed forward with terrifying speed, aiming to grab Nico with a classic judo move—Ippon Seoi Nage—a shoulder throw that, if executed correctly, would slam Nico to the ground in an instant. Nico barely dodged, feeling the rush of wind as Katsuro’s arm brushed past him.

Nico activated his power, his mind snapping into focus as he copied Katsuro’s agility. His body suddenly felt lighter, faster, like he could move with the same sharp precision his opponent did. He wouldn’t just dodge—he’d counter.

Katsuro spun, coming in low this time, aiming for a Tani Otoshi, a valley drop that would pull Nico down with his own weight. Nico anticipated the move, stepping sideways and grabbing Katsuro’s gi. Using the momentum, he shifted into Harai Goshi, sweeping Katsuro’s leg and sending him crashing to the ground.

The crowd roared in surprise. No one had ever seen Katsuro taken down so quickly.

But Katsuro wasn’t done. He was back on his feet in an instant, eyes burning with a new intensity. “Not bad, kid,” he growled, circling Nico like a predator. “But you’re going to have to do better than that.”

Nico could feel the ticking of the clock in his mind. He had minutes, maybe even less, before his copy ability wore off. He had to end this fast.

Katsuro charged again, this time faster, more aggressive. Nico barely managed to sidestep a Tomoe Nage, a circular throw that would have sent him flying into the air. Katsuro was relentless, his agility allowing him to spin and strike at angles Nico couldn’t predict. The man’s technique was incredible, and with each move, Nico felt himself being pushed closer to the edge.

Nico knew he couldn’t play defense forever. He needed to make his move. He locked eyes with Katsuro, reading his stance, predicting his next attack. When Katsuro moved in for a Kata Guruma, the shoulder wheel technique that would hoist Nico onto Katsuro’s shoulders and slam him down, Nico acted.

He pivoted, using Katsuro’s momentum against him, and executed a flawless Ura Nage—a suplex-style throw that sent Katsuro crashing to the mat with enough force to rattle the arena.

The crowd went wild, their cheers deafening as Katsuro lay stunned on the ground for a split second. But Nico’s body was screaming. His muscles burned, and his vision blurred slightly from the strain of using the power for too long. He was nearing his limit.

Katsuro stood, breathing heavily but grinning, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. “You’ve got fight in you, RED X. But can you keep up?”

Nico clenched his fists, feeling the familiar sensation of time slipping away. His five minutes were almost up. His body was reaching its breaking point. But he couldn’t stop. Not yet.

With one final surge of energy, Nico charged, copying Katsuro’s speed once more as he moved in for the final blow. He couldn’t afford a drawn-out fight. He needed to end it now.

Katsuro lunged at him with another Seoi Nage, but Nico anticipated it. He ducked low, spinning behind Katsuro and hooking his arm around his opponent’s neck. In one fluid motion, Nico executed a textbook Hadaka Jime, a rear-naked choke, locking Katsuro in place.

Katsuro struggled, his massive form thrashing, but Nico held on with everything he had. His muscles screamed in protest, his body on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.

But then, Katsuro’s struggles began to weaken. Nico tightened his grip, refusing to let go until—

The bell rang.

Katsuro slumped, tapping out with a grimace. The match was over.

Nico released him, staggering back, his chest heaving with exhaustion. The crowd erupted in applause, the deafening sound of their cheers washing over him. He had won. Against all odds, he had defeated the most powerful martial master in the underground valley.

As Nico caught his breath, the organizer stepped into the ring, grinning as he handed Nico a wad of cash. “Well done, RED X. $10,000, as promised.”

But Nico wasn’t even thinking about the money. His body ached, his muscles screamed in protest, and his vision swam. But somewhere, deep inside, he felt something else—something powerful.

He had pushed his limits today. He had fought, and he had won. But more than that, he had learned something crucial.

He wasn’t just fighting for the money. He was fighting for himself—to become stronger. To survive the tournament. To stand a chance against the Sacred Commandments.

As Nico walked out of the underground valley, the night air cool against his skin, he knew one thing for certain.

This was only the beginning.