Zakachi's Dojo — Mishima Outskirts
Mist blanketed the forest, swirling between the ancient wooden pillars of the Maoshinara estate.
The air crackled with anticipation.
Kazuya's shout split the air:
"Training begins! If you want to survive G.O.D — you either evolve, or you die."
Genji, Blaze, and Xao Min stood shoulder to shoulder, each clenching their fists, ready to carve their path forward.
Blaze's Trial — Spirit Ignition
In the east yard, Blaze squared off against Kazuya, sweat dripping from his brow.
"You fight like a thug," Kazuya said, circling him. "Big punches, big kicks. But real martial artists fight with soul."
He rushed forward — a blur.
Blaze barely blocked the brutal elbow aimed for his temple, but the impact rattled his bones.
He gritted his teeth and countered with a spinning back kick — wild, reckless.
Kazuya caught it mid-air and slammed him into the dirt.
"Again!" Kazuya barked. "Until your soul answers!"
Blaze groaned, dragging himself up, blood on his knuckles.
Every blow from Kazuya felt like getting hit by a mountain.
But something inside Blaze — deep, primal — refused to break.
Images flashed in his mind: Yuna, lying pale in the hospital bed, her smile weak but bright.
I can't lose.
Blaze roared and charged again, this time moving without thinking, without hesitation.
Suddenly —
a shimmering wolf form flared around him — howling, silver-white.
Kazuya's eyes widened slightly.
Finally.
Blaze unleashed a brutal high kick, infused with the wolf spirit's energy — the air itself cracked as the kick landed.
Kazuya slid backward across the dirt, grinning fiercely.
"Good. You found your fangs."
Blaze staggered, looking at his hands, now wrapped in faint, glowing blue flames.
He laughed breathlessly.
"I feel... alive."
Xao Min's Training — The Penguin King's Rise
Meanwhile, in the north wing, Asumi stood across from Xao Min, arms folded.
"You have raw talent, but no control," Asumi said bluntly.
Xao Min scowled. "I don't need control. I'm a genius!"
In a flash, Asumi rushed in.
Xao Min barely dodged a jab — but Asumi's foot swept her legs out from under her.
Xao Min landed hard, groaning.
Asumi offered a hand — then yanked her right back into a hip toss.
"Predictable," Asumi said coldly. "You'll be slaughtered in G.O.D."
Xao Min lay on the mat, breathing hard, frustration bubbling up.
No fair... She's so much faster...
Tears of anger burned in her eyes.
But then she remembered Genji's smile.
Blaze's determination.
Their faith in her.
I can't lose. I won't lose.
The world around her slowed.
And then — from deep inside — a strange, soothing chill rose up.
A penguin spirit — sleek, powerful — flickered into existence around her body.
Xao Min snapped up with stunning speed, sliding across the floor like a phantom.
She ducked under Asumi's punch and countered with a rapid, spinning knee to Asumi's ribs.
WHAM!
Asumi stumbled back, coughing.
Xao Min laughed breathlessly, her eyes sparkling.
"Looks like the Penguin Queen just arrived."
Asumi smiled for the first time.
"Not bad. Maybe you're worth something after all."
Genji's Awakening — Red Thunder Reborn
At the heart of the compound, beneath the old maple tree, Genji knelt before Zakachi.
The old master stared at him for a long moment, then spoke:
"Your mother... Naomi. She was no fighter. But her spirit — unbreakable. Like a blade forged in hellfire."
Genji bowed his head, the pendant at his chest pulsing warmly.
"I'll honor her," he said. "I'll become stronger."
Zakachi's gaze hardened.
"Then survive this."
The old man raised his hand —
and an earth-shattering blast of chi exploded outward.
Genji was thrown back, landing hard against the gravel.
He gasped, struggling to breathe — it felt like the air itself was crushing him.
Zakachi's voice boomed:
"Fight! Rise, Genji Takashima! Or be buried here, forgotten like dust!"
Pain surged through every nerve in his body.
The Red Thunder inside him sparked wildly — too wild to control.
He saw visions: Naomi smiling at him as a boy... Naomi bleeding in the rain... Naomi whispering, "Live, Genji."
Tears blurred his vision.
"I won't... let it end here...!"
He slammed his fist into the ground.
Lightning erupted from him — not just red, but pure crimson, alive with swirling dragon shapes.
A dragon spirit roared out of his chest, coiling around him, blazing into the sky.
Zakachi watched, stone-faced.
So the blood of the Maoshinara truly awakens.
Genji rose slowly, his eyes burning neon green, thunder crackling around his fists.
He took a fighting stance — lower, tighter, radiating monstrous energy.
Zakachi gave a rare, grim smile.
"Good."
That Night — Fire Beneath the Stars
The trio — Genji, Blaze, and Xao Min — slumped around a small bonfire behind the dojo, their bodies bruised and battered, but their spirits soaring.
Blaze poked the fire with a stick, a cocky grin on his face.
"Not gonna lie... I'm feeling kinda badass."
Xao Min pouted, her penguin aura flickering.
"I'm still cuter though."
Genji smiled faintly, the dragon spirit curling lazily inside him, waiting.
The flames danced in their eyes.
Suddenly — Asumi appeared, hands on her hips.
"You're all idiots," she said flatly. "But... you made me realize something."
They looked up at her, curious.
Asumi smirked.
"I'm entering G.O.D too."
Blaze whistled. "No way!"
Xao Min grinned. "Bring it on, Ice Queen!"
Genji nodded once, serious.
"Together, then."
They sat there, four of them, under the endless stars —
warriors forged by pain, grief, friendship, and dreams.
End of Chapter