Chapter 23 - Your Kaiju Are Too Small: -Chapter 23: Cosmic Combat Arts

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"You sure you want to spar with me?"

Hearing Raleigh's challenge, Natsuki's interest sparked.

"Come on!"

"Just don't turn into a giant." Raleigh picked up a staff and tossed it over, then moved to the opposite side of the platform.

Hearing Raleigh was about to fight the alien, the observing pilots' eyes lit up. Curiosity peaked.

"Fine."

Natsuki caught the staff, tested its weight, and walked onto the platform in his flip-flops.

Seeing them positioned, Mako turned to Marshal Stacker, expression asking: Why won't you let me go up?

The Marshal shook his head gently, said nothing, then focused on the match.

"He looks thin. Can he really fight?" Sasha—white hair neatly styled, presence striking—crossed her arms, studying Natsuki's lean frame before asking her husband.

"Can't judge by appearances."

"If he saved the Marshal from a Kaiju, he has unimaginable power." Aleksis, full beard, arms crossed, replied. The Russian stood like an iron tower—same style as their Jaeger.

On the platform, Natsuki held his staff one-handed, posture relaxed. No fighting stance.

"You attack first. Land a hit, you win." He raised his hand, taunting.

For him, post-meal exercise.

"Won't hold back." Raleigh knew this wasn't arrogance—genuine skill. Two deep breaths. He attacked.

Gripping the staff with both hands, he stepped forward, swept horizontally like a sword strike.

Force whistled through air.

Crack!

Natsuki raised his hand. Staff lifted, blocked precisely. Two staffs crossed in an X. No matter Raleigh's force, they didn't budge.

Then, as Raleigh tried retreating—

Whoosh!

Natsuki's staff sliced through air, stopped half an inch above Raleigh's head. Wind gust ruffled golden hair.

"One to zero." Natsuki smiled.

Rules: most points in five rounds wins. Points scored by touching vital areas—not striking.

"Hiss..." Raleigh stared at the staff above him, processing.

Too fast.

He hadn't expected such power in human form.

"Again!" He retreated, changed his grip.

Stepped forward, swung.

Crack!

Blocked again. This time, Natsuki's attack stopped at his heart, precise distance.

"Two to zero."

"Again!"

Raleigh refused to accept it. After creating distance, several deep breaths. Adjusting to peak condition.

Focused concentration. Trying to catch Natsuki's movements.

"All right, something different."

Seeing Raleigh serious, Natsuki tossed his staff aside.

"No weapon?" Puzzled.

"Don't need it. My usual weapons are serrated discs—more punch."

"But most times, no weapons."

As he spoke, Natsuki spread his legs slightly, stabilized stance. Right fist at waist, left hand extended forward. Stance looked strange to Raleigh but carried undeniable presence.

"Xia, you attack first."

"Need to see your movements." Raleigh gripped staff, prepared to defend, maximum concentration.

"Watch carefully!"

Natsuki's voice rang out. His figure vanished!

Boom!

Reappeared in front of Raleigh. Right fist extended toward chest in forward thrust. Force erupted from behind Raleigh, swept toward spectators.

Punch hadn't hit Raleigh, but force swept over everyone behind, letting them feel power and technique.

"Hah... hah..." Raleigh came to his senses. Cold sweat. Gasping.

Collapsed to ground.

No injuries, but when that punch came, he'd smelled death—almost reminded him of the neural link sensation when his brother died.

Spectators felt greater shock.

"Did you see that?" Sasha brushed wind-tousled hair, staring in disbelief, asked her husband.

"No." Aleksis shook his head, frowning. "Too fast, and... that punch is beyond human capability."

"Physical strength and technique far exceed human limits."

He wondered—if it had landed, would it punch straight through?

"Probably related to his alien identity." Aleksis stroked beard. "Heard he transforms into a giant over fifty meters."

"Now I'm curious what real combat looks like."

If this effect in human form, couldn't imagine at fifty meters.

"Striking through mountain."

"Incredible!"

Crimson Typhoon pilots, reminded of martial arts legends, applauded first.

Other spectators joined.

Felt like watching martial arts film.

"Three to zero."

"Continue?" Natsuki helped Raleigh up, smiling.

Hearing whether to continue, Raleigh decisively shook his head.

"No more."

"Expected this, but facing you—that's when you understand despair."

Lightning moment still replayed in mind.

He'd remember that punch.

"At least I learned something. What's it called?"

"Cosmic Combat Arts."

"Cosmic Combat Arts... Never thought aliens practiced martial arts." Teasing smile.

"It's normal."

"Any universe, war is inevitable. Those on missions need combat techniques." Casual explanation.

"Makes sense." Thoughtful nod.

Then remembered—partner selection test.

First candidates couldn't keep up. With Natsuki, he couldn't keep up.

Honestly, entire selection felt unsuccessful.

"Curious what you'd be like piloting a Jaeger."

Wanted to know—someone this strong piloting a Jaeger, what would that look like?

What partner could coordinate?

"Pilot a Jaeger?" Natsuki pondered. Jaegers in this base were cool. Actually had interest.

"Any spare Jaegers?"

"Ask the Marshal." Raleigh just arrived, unfamiliar with details. "Yesterday he said four remain, don't know about backups."

Talking, approached platform side.

Looking at Mako's conflicted expression, Raleigh spoke: "Still hesitating?"

"You saw what happened. If you don't spar with me, selection loses meaning."

"Or scared? Afraid to face me?"

Hearing provocation, Marshal and Mako locked eyes.

Neither yielded.

But facing determined daughter, Marshal lost to paternal identity.

"Go ahead." Finally said, resigned.

Mako's eyes brightened. Nodded happily, set aside tablet.

"You'll pay for that taunt." Mysterious smile.

"Oh?"

"Let's try." Showed no weakness.

Just taken down by Natsuki, still had something to prove.

Mako picked up staff, stepped onto platform with Raleigh.

Finally stood on same stage.

"Excessive protection won't help growth." Natsuki stood beside Marshal, watching. "Can't protect her forever."

"I know." Marshal nodded gently.

"I just feel..."

"Ah."

"All right, perhaps now is time."

Wanted to say not time yet, but fact was other candidates only matched on paper—actual testing, no chemistry.

Needed another Gipsy pilot. Could only be Mako.

On platform, momentum evenly matched. Trading victories, meeting moves—completely different from one-sided matches before.

Result obvious.

Could only accept reality.

After selection ended, Marshal led Natsuki from venue.

Walking through corridors filled with steel pipes.

"Lab's ahead."

"Our three doctors will explain detailed plan."

Marshal spoke as they walked.

"We're prepared for final stand."

"Everything to end this apocalypse."

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