On the ring, Kamui Woods stared grimly at the flames burning in his opponent Bai Ryūka's palms. His heart sank.
A fire-type Quirk—the natural nemesis of his wood-based ability.
He knew what that meant.
This fight would be brutal.
"Preemptive strike…" Kamui took a deep breath, steadying himself. A long fight would only lead to disaster.
He'd have to gamble everything on his next move—one, decisive blow.
"Sumac Lock!"
Branches erupted from his arms, splitting and weaving wildly through the air. In seconds, they spread like a net, sweeping toward Ryūka in a dense wave of wooden tendrils.
His special move — Sumac Lock — worked much like Lock's Water Flow Restraint: capture and immobilize before the opponent can react.
Bai Ryūka, dressed in a red, flame-patterned battle suit, smirked coldly as the branches closed in.
"Fire beats wood," he muttered, extending his burning hands. "You should've thought this through."
Flames flared outward, wrapping around his body as he let the vines encircle him.
Before the wooden cage could even tighten, fire surged from his skin—burning hotter, brighter, and deadlier.
The branches turned black in an instant.
Then came the crackling hiss as fire raced up the vines—straight toward Kamui Woods.
"Kamui, stop! Don't push it—just forfeit!"
Lock's voice cut through the chaos.
He could feel the heat from the stands.
Kamui's Quirk was completely overpowered—continuing would only risk serious burns.
"I abstain!" Kamui shouted, voice tight with pain.
At the same time, Lock raised his hand. A glowing magic circle flashed into existence, and a torrent of shimmering water erupted from it.
Ssshhh!
Steam exploded into the air as the flames died out. Lock's magic had doused the fire just in time.
Kamui's body was safe—but his suit was scorched nearly to tatters.
"Bai Ryūka wins!"
The referee's voice echoed through the hall.
The scoreboard now read 2–2.
Everything came down to the final match.
Sirius would have to fight.
On one side, Mt. Lady and Death Arms supported Kamui Woods, who sat slumped and exhausted.
On the other hand, the opposing team smiled confidently, certain that victory was already in their grasp.
Sirius' Quirk wasn't built for combat—they all knew it.
If they lost this, their team would fall into the Losers' Bracket.
Lock approached Sirius quietly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Sirius," he whispered, leaning close so only she could hear, "listen carefully. Here's what you're going to do…"
For a moment, Sirius forgot how to breathe.
Lock's voice was low and steady, his breath warm against her ear.
Her pulse quickened. She had to fight the heat rising in her cheeks just to nod.
"Got it," she said, forcing herself to focus.
"Sirius!"
"Reili Amamiya!"
The referee's voice announced the final pair.
Reili Amamiya—a short-haired blonde woman in a stylish, cowboy-style battle suit—stepped up onto the stage. Her confidence was palpable.
"Please advise," she said coolly.
"Please advise," Sirius echoed.
Before anyone could blink, Sirius covered her ears with both hands—then charged straight at her opponent.
Amamiya blinked, startled.
"What the—?"
Instinct kicked in. She ducked low, hands crackling with electric current as blue lightning arced between her fingers.
When their team had drawn Lock's group, they hadn't been discouraged—they'd been thrilled.
Fighting the most famous candidate in Japan, under a nationwide broadcast?
It was the perfect chance to become famous overnight.
All they had to do was beat Lock's team.
So they'd studied every possible combination, mapped out every potential matchup, and crafted a strategy specifically to counter them.
Their assumption: Sirius was the weakest link, purely supportive.
And now, with the score tied 2–2, everything was going exactly as planned.
"Could it be…" Reili hesitated, electricity dancing along her fingertips, "…does this girl have a hidden move?"
No. Their calculations had been flawless.
If she stayed cautious, she could win this without even revealing her Quirk.
Two of their teammates had already forfeited earlier, conserving their energy.
Their remaining members' Quirks were still unknown—a huge advantage in later rounds.
As long as she finished Sirius off cleanly, victory was theirs.
"Sorry," Sirius said suddenly. "But you've already lost."
"What—?"
"I forfeit!"
Reili froze.
Lightning flashed uselessly between her hands as the referee raised the flag.
"Amamiya Reili wins!"
Then it clicked.
She'd just exposed her Quirk—on live broadcast—for nothing.
Her jaw tightened. She tricked me…
And so, the first sub-match ended with Lock's team's defeat.
Their opponents had successfully predicted their lineup and taken full advantage.
The second round would begin immediately—with no rest period.
Lock exhaled slowly. Around him, his teammates looked shaken and silent.
Morale was sinking fast.
"Stick to the plan," he said firmly, standing tall. "This next one's mine."
He stepped up onto the stage again, leaving his team behind.
The second sub-match had to be a win, no matter what.
They needed to drag the fight to the team battle round.
A loss here would drop them into the Losers' Bracket, exposing all their Quirks and giving future opponents the advantage.
Lock couldn't allow that.
"Lock!"
"Kuji Ayato!"
Of course.
His opponent was the same man who'd forfeited against him earlier—the arrogant one from before.
Kuji grinned. "Remember me now? You should. After today, the name Kuji Ayato will be burned into your mind. Because you're going to lose—and drag your whole team down into the Losers' Bracket with you."
Lock sighed, eyes half-lidded.
"You talk too much."
Kuji's grin faltered.
Lock tilted his head, voice calm but cutting. "Or maybe this is the only way someone like you can feel seen—a clown screaming for attention before the show starts."
The smile vanished from Kuji's face. His teeth clenched.
Lock's words had hit something raw. A nerve buried deep.
Lock met his eyes coldly. "And for the record… I won't remember your name."
He smiled faintly. "I don't make a habit of remembering losers."
Kuji's fists trembled. The sneer returned, but his face had gone pale.
He hadn't realized it yet—but Lock had already won the psychological battle.
And as the arena lights dimmed and the crowd hushed, fire flickered faintly behind Lock's eyes—
The mark of the Fire Dragon Slayer awakening.
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A/N: New Fanfic Is Out " Naruto: I'm Boruto Uzumaki"
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