Humaitá's movements caught young Kura's attention—his arms and legs moved in almost perfect harmony with his body and the nature around him. The strong wind and the mud on the ground didn't hinder his movement; on the contrary, the surrounding environment seemed to aid him. The soldier considered attacking during what looked like a moment of "stalling," but something about it made him hold back. Even though Humaitá's movements looked smooth and calm, they created the illusion that he had multiple arms and legs. His body started to move more from its position, and even his head appeared to multiply.
— What the hell is this?
The boy had this fleeting thought, completely confused by the dance-like movements. But his "pause" didn't last long—his opponent began to advance. The illusion of multiplied limbs persisted even as Humaitá attacked. The surprise hit immediately. The electric-powered boy tried to defend himself, but he had no time. His enemy appeared to multiply before his eyes and attacked from all sides and directions. It even looked like he'd cloned himself.
— What the hell—how did he just clone himself out of nowhere?!
Even in the midst of a storm of punches and kicks, Kura realized this wasn't an actual cloning ability. It was an effect caused by the sheer speed of Humaitá's movements. Once he understood that, he quickly formulated a plan. He didn't hesitate—he sent a jolt of electricity around his body like an electric armor. This made Humaitá back off for a moment, revealing his real position to Kura.
"Shit!"
Now I'm going to beat the crap out of him!
Kura thought this while hearing Humaitá curse. Without wasting a second, he placed his hands on the ground and launched a downward kick with both legs, each charged with one million volts. The kick resembled a technique from an Eastern martial art known for crushing the shoulders of anyone hit directly. Humaitá recognized the incoming attack and its danger. However, even though it came at lightning speed—one-third the speed of light—it didn't faze him. His movement and reaction speed were slightly superior to Kura's, allowing him to dodge while maintaining his deadly rhythm. He delivered a high-speed kick to Kura's back.
— Kid, that could've been dangerous if it hit me! As my brother used to say, "If it hits the eye, it blinds!"
The native said this not only to mock Kura during their deadly fight, but also as a form of respect. The boy didn't go down from the attack, but he felt it and was still recovering from the blow.
— But you know, soldier, I'm impressed a kid your age is such a skilled fighter. I'm really enjoying this!
The terrorist said this as he advanced again with deadly speed, using his illusion technique once more to appear as if he were attacking with multiple clones. Kura held his ground defensively, especially because he sensed something strange in Humaitá's strikes—each punch felt like fire and left small burns on his body. He used the magnetism generated by his electricity, combined with his ability to hear others' heartbeats through his power, to locate Humaitá's real body and create a magnetic shield that repelled his enemy's fists.
This bastard… He's generating heat through air friction… Seriously? I didn't think he'd be this strong!
— Interesting, kid… but even though you gave me one of the best fights of my life…
Humaitá said this as he lifted his leg high, stretching it to the limit. He brought his heel down with enough force to influence the magnetic shield and crush it downward. The move was too fast and unexpected for Kura to cancel the technique in time. He hit the ground, unable to react, only catching a glimpse of Humaitá's feet before he leapt. In midair, Humaitá positioned his other leg up and looked down at Kura, just as the boy looked up at him.
— This fight is over!
In a single, fluid motion, Humaitá took advantage of the falling momentum to strike downward with full force. Kura could feel the aura of death from the attack—he even imagined himself split in half if it connected. On instinct, he dodged backward. The blow only grazed him, but even that graze was devastating. The slight contact left a deep S-shaped gash that started just above his right eye and ended near his groin, slicing through parts of his mouth and chest. A large spray of blood burst from the wound, which was quickly cauterized by the heat generated from the friction of Humaitá's kick with the air. The pain made the soldier hunch over, clutching his face and chest in a desperate attempt to relieve it.
— So, kid—what did you think of my dance? Got you warmed up, didn't it?
Humaitá said this in an ironic and confident tone, assuming the fight was already over. Kura, on the other hand, just breathed deeply and moved his eyes to check if he could still feel his right eyeball. Feeling it move and intact, he relaxed a bit, knowing he wasn't permanently blinded. Slowly removing his hand from his face, he licked his lips, tearing at the melted and fused skin caused by the heat, then smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
— Holy shit, that hurt like hell!
That reaction stunned Humaitá, who burst into laughter, even leaning back a bit as he laughed.
— Wow, I think that hit didn't just melt your skin—it must've fried a few of your neurons too!
Kura ignored the comment and began positioning himself, taking deep breaths as he remembered training with Captain Held at his house.
"Hey, Kura, don't you have any melee attacks?"
Held asked, pausing their short training session.
— Not many. My fighting style's ranged—I don't like getting hurt in combat.
That answer made the captain thoughtful, as if formulating a plan.
"Hmmm… Oh, I got it!"
He ran to a nearby rock, grabbed it with one hand, and dragged it over to where Kura was. The boy looked on, curious.
— Watch closely, I'm gonna teach you something awesome.
Held took a martial arts stance, placing his right arm under his chest and pulling it slightly back. He held the position for over eight seconds, then punched the rock. The strike shattered it with explosive force, turning it to dust. That memory suddenly overlapped with another—Kura's mother doing the same thing when he was eight. He had been amazed by her strength.
— Mom, how did you do that? You're so strong!
She turned to him with a sweet, gentle look and said softly:
— Well, my son, it's only possible because of Mommy's power.
That made him even more fascinated.
— And how does it work, Mom? Tell me!
Her son's excitement encouraged her to keep explaining.
— Well, Mommy's power is to accumulate force and release it all at once—like a burst that destroys from within!
Back in the present, Kura finally understood why the two memories felt connected. He took a deep breath, clapped his hands hard enough to push the air away and create a thunderous sound, opened his left eye, and stared deep into Humaitá's.
— Now I'm going to attack with full force!
The terrorist smiled wide, his eyes glowing with excitement.
— Bring it on! Show me your full strength!
Kura positioned his right arm beneath his chest, concentrating magnetic force in his palm and building strength in his legs.
First… focus all your strength in your hand and legs… then!
He rushed at his opponent at full speed, spinning his body and amplifying the force in his palm, aiming to decapitate Humaitá. The native crossed his arms to shield his head, but the magnetic force still affected his blood flow, hitting him with slightly lessened power. The force of the blow sent Humaitá flying into the trees, knocking them down and silencing the entire battlefield. Kura saw his enemy lying on the ground, jaw dislocated, and thought the fight was over.
— It's finally over…
But then Humaitá stood up with full speed, slapped his jaw back into place, stretched his arms, and spat blood and broken teeth onto the ground.
— Damn, that hit really did a number on me… But now I'm wondering…
He spoke calmly, trying not to stagger from the damage. Though he didn't show it, his head was spinning.
— Why are you fighting on this mission? I doubt it's for something trivial—you're too strong, and even with that injury, you didn't give up or run!
He pointed at Kura, genuinely curious.
— Why am I fighting here? Well…
Kura hesitated. Even he wasn't sure. But after thinking it through, he found his answer.
— I joined the army to help my family—especially my grandfather and father, who are in critical condition in the hospital. But after my time with Captain Held, I realized that our fight doesn't just affect us—it affects the whole country. So…
He lifted his head, eyes serious, and clenched his right fist.
— I'm fighting for all the people of this country, and everyone living in it—for their safety!
Humaitá was surprised by the boy's answer, and a newfound respect formed in his heart. He saw a bit of himself in the young fighter.
— Such determination, my boy… It really inspires me.
Humaitá smiled, lost in thought. He wondered whether to share his own reason for fighting for a group full of terrible people. But then he saw something that gave him certainty—the spirit of his brother behind him, urging him to go all in.
— You know, kid… you're a lot like me when it comes to determination and purpose. I also want to protect some people—the people of my village!
He pierced his palm with his nails, letting his bright red blood drip down—like boiling Urucum. That alone intrigued Kura.
What's he doing now?
Humaitá drank his own blood, as if it were sacred juice—like the Urucum from the legend of the Sun's origin. His body turned red, rose into the air, and after a few seconds, burst into flames in a massive pillar of fire that scorched the battlefield. Kura shielded his eyes from the blinding light. When it faded, Humaitá stood before him, body entirely engulfed in flame.
— And that's why I'm going to start taking you seriously—by using my secret technique. As a sign of respect and admiration. You'll be the first and only person to witness this!
Those words etched into Kura's soul. He felt a connection with the man. Before he could say anything, the terrorist asked him one final question:
— Boy! No… "Kura, the Receptacle"—that's what they call you, isn't it?
As he moved slightly, raising his clenched fist toward the sky, he looked up at the now fully risen night.
— Would you grant me the final dance of the night?
Kura smiled, sensing the start of a great rivalry. He unconsciously mirrored his opponent's movements and replied:
— With pleasure.