The Clash Begins

The silence hung heavily after Nicklaus's invitation was met with nothing but disdain. His smirk widened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tilted his head in mock disappointment.

"You see why I hate humans?" he said, letting out a soft, almost melodic chuckle. "They're so… predictable. So annoying. Even your silence grates on my ears."

Shenlog stepped forward, his tone sharp. "The only dinner we'll have is the one where Weapon X and Max are returned to where they belong."

Nicklaus laughed, clapping his hands mockingly. "What a dinner you're proposing! But isn't such a feast too expensive for the likes of you?" His sly grin lingered as he spoke, his words oozing with disdain.

Shenlog's patience snapped. His Dragon Eyes ignited, glowing with a fiery intensity that cut through the air like a blade. His body tensed as a faint outline of dragon energy surrounded him, his transformation to Dragon Version 1 complete. Jingwei, standing to the side, whispered in awe, "Father's already in his Dragon Version 1 state…"

Jingwei's gaze shifted to Nicklaus, his brow furrowed as he muttered under his breath, "Who the hell is this guy?"

Nicklaus noticed Shenlog's transformation and chuckled softly. "Your eyes," he said with a playful smirk, "are quite pretty." His voice was calm, almost amused, as if the situation was nothing more than a game.

Above them, Jin's voice rang out, loud and full of fury. "CP0! Where's Rex, you bastard?"

His eyes blazed with anger, his fists clenched tightly. From behind Nicklaus, a red tendril emerged, moving with godlike speed, slashing in a wide arc toward Jin and the others. The tendril's speed was unmatched, cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.

Jin leaped backward, flipping onto a nearby building as the tendril sliced through three structures, reducing them to rubble with a deafening crash. The ground shook beneath them, and dust and debris filled the air.

Seiji, with his usual calm demeanor, grabbed Madagascar just in time, pulling him out of the tendril's path. "Close one," Seiji muttered, his grip firm.

Nicklaus waved his hand nonchalantly. "No noise, please," he said, his tone almost playful. "I'm trying to figure out this dragon boy."

Shenlog's focus shifted to Jingwei. "Let's go," he said, his voice a commanding growl. With a blur of motion, father and son disappeared from their positions, their speed unmatched.

Shenlog was the first to reach Nicklaus, his body a blur of dragon-infused energy. Jingwei followed closely, muttering under his breath, "He's always faster in this form… but I've got to contribute."

As they approached, Shenlog turned to Jingwei briefly. "We need to figure out his ability before we strike at full force. Observe carefully."

Shenlog darted directly in front of Nicklaus, his massive frame looming over the Legion Commander. With a roar, Shenlog unleashed a massive punch, his fist crackling with fiery energy. The force of the punch created a powerful shockwave, sending cracks rippling through the ground. The air around them seemed to warp from the sheer intensity of the strike.

Nicklaus didn't flinch. With a smirk, he raised a single hand, catching the punch mid-air. The ground beneath him shattered, the black stone splintering into jagged fragments. Buildings behind him collapsed from the residual force, their destruction echoing through the city like thunder.

Steam rose from Nicklaus's hand, the heat of Shenlog's attack searing into his skin. Nicklaus let out a soft chuckle, his calm demeanor unbroken. "Not bad," he said. "Not bad at all."

Above, Jingwei raised his hand, summoning his technique. "Toad Creation: Mountain Dew Toad!" he shouted. The sky above them split apart, and a massive toad descended, its enormous body tearing through the air with a deafening roar. The creature landed with a thunderous slam, shaking the entire city.

Shenlog blurred out of the way, narrowly avoiding the impact. Jingwei grinned from a distance. "Good boy," he said, watching the toad pin Nicklaus beneath its massive weight.

But Nicklaus wasn't done. From the rubble, red tendrils burst forth, piercing through the toad's massive body. The creature let out a guttural croak of pain as the tendrils lifted it into the air, suspending it like a macabre trophy. The tendrils tightened, crushing the toad's body until it was nothing but a limp mass.

Nicklaus stepped out of the dust cloud, his smirk now replaced with a cold, calculated expression. "Crucifixion Style: Tendril Rods," he said simply, as if explaining a trivial fact.

Meanwhile, on the rooftops, Jin, Madagascar, and Seiji observed the chaos below. Jin's eyes were locked on CP0, his anger bubbling to the surface.

"I'm going after him," Jin said, his voice steady but filled with rage. "I need to finish what I didn't before. I need to avenge my master and my friends."

Seiji gave him a long look before nodding. "Fine. But Madagascar goes with you. You're not doing this alone."

Madagascar crossed his arms, a sly grin on his face. "So, what's the plan, kid?"

Jin's gaze remained fixed on CP0. "Finishing what I didn't."

CP0 hovered above them, his mechanical voice cold and mocking. "Go ahead, Jin. Transform into that demon of yours. I've been itching to repay it for old times' sake."

Jin's fists clenched, his body tense as the two locked eyes. The tension was palpable, the air between them charged with the promise of a battle unlike any other.

Closing Scene

The chapter ends with Shenlog and Jingwei regrouping as Nicklaus advances, his tendrils writhing like living shadows. Above, Jin and CP0 prepare for their inevitable clash, the city of Blackstone serving as their battlefield.

The ominous hum of energy fills the air as the camera pans out, revealing the destroyed streets of Blackstone and the growing chaos within.