Moments earlier, on the other side of the ring, a different battle was unfolding.
Kyle and Ryan had Hidan cornered from opposite sides. Kyle gripped his lightning-charged hammer, while Ryan brandished a sword. Hidan stood between them as if it were a game, moving nimbly with two gleaming daggers, blocking one attack here, deflecting another there. Lightning flashed… wind howled… and Hidan remained steadfast, unyielding.
Ryan advanced first, his sword slicing powerfully through the air, but Hidan met it with his left dagger. Then Kyle attacked from behind, and Hidan blocked the second attack with his right dagger without even turning around.
As the blows rained down, Kyle shouted, "Get out of the way, Ryan!"
Ryan leaped back, while Hidan remained perfectly balanced, as if he had anticipated Kyle's plan. Kyle raised his hammer high, gathering lightning; sparks swirled around his arms and rose to the horizon. At the front, Ryan surged forward again, flames leaping from his feet with every step. But with deadly agility, Hidan swung his dagger and delivered a pinpoint blow that sent Ryan's sword flying, spinning through the air before plunging into the ground.
Hidan closed in with lightning speed, his daggers poised to sever Ryan's throat. At the last second, Kyle's wind pulled Ryan away, and he unleashed his attack: "Lightning Hammer!"
The hammer slammed into Hidan's weapon, and a deafening explosion, a wave of lightning energy, rippled through the arena. But… Hidan was stronger than he appeared. He pushed Kyle away with his daggers, having blocked an attack. The two retreated, but Ryan seemed not finished. He took a deep breath… then opened his mouth and unleashed Dragon Flame, a dense blue fire that surged forward like a wave. The attack struck Hidan directly, and a thick cloud of smoke rose into the air.
"I… I think we got him," Ryan gasped.
Kyle replied with relief, "Maybe…"
But the smoke dissipated… and Hidan appeared, standing with the familiar smile of a killer. In his hand… was fire. Ryan's own fire, gathered and swirled around his palm. "Thanks for the energy," he said, his voice chillingly calm.
With a single twist, the flame transformed into a small sun that glowed in his hand. Ryan froze.
"Impossible…"
The sun grew… and blazed… then Hidan hurled it at them.
They couldn't escape; gravity was pulling their bodies toward the sun Hidan had formed. On the other side, Void, controlling Saruto's body, held Kaven by the neck. But then he turned, his gaze frozen. He saw Ryan and Kyle being drawn toward Hidan's sun. "Those two idiots…" he said coldly.
Then he hurled Kaven aside and dashed toward the danger. He raised his hand, forming a massive, ever-expanding black hole, then hurled it toward the scorching sun. The black hole began to swallow light… flames… heat… until everything disappeared.
The sun vanished. Void collapsed quietly before saying,
"Saruto… come back."
Saruto regained consciousness, took a deep breath, then walked over to Kyle and Ryan and said sharply,
"You idiots… do you need my help every time?"
Hidan stood firm, brushing dust from his shoulder.
"What are you interfering in? It was fun watching them being pulled toward the sun."
Saruto grinned.
"Don't forget… it's four against two. Which means I can help whenever I want."
But before he could finish, Kaven appeared behind him and kicked him in the neck with tremendous force.
Saruto flew through the air like an arrow.
Below, Kevin stood between Ryan and Kyle, gathering fire in his mouth, then unleashing it upon them. Ryan screamed, trying to meet the flames with his own fire:
"I won't let you!"
He unleashed his own flames, while Kyle summoned a tornado to separate the attack. But… Kevin's attack was too powerful. The flames and tornado pierced through them simultaneously, exploding above them, sending them crashing to the ground, charred, covered in smoke and scars. Above, Saruto was still flying from Kevin's kick. But his rage was now ignited.
He opened his eyes in mid-air… and activated his Consciousness technique.
This time, Saruto was in complete control of his body. In an instant, he halted his flight and plunged back down. His fist collided with Hidan's, who charged at him. The two collided violently, a shockwave that reverberated through the arena's stones.
A deafening crash reverberated… and the ground cracked beneath their feet. They exchanged defiant glances.