Dwargon – Royal Courtyard, Afternoon
The golden sun hung lazily over the mountain peaks of Dwargon, casting a soft glow over the stone-crafted capital. The Kingdom of Dwarves was bustling below, merchants shouting, children laughing, and the scent of grilled meats and fine dwarven brews filling the air.
But up high, within the Royal Citadel, in a private courtyard surrounded by elite guards and generals—there was silence.
Yujiro Hanma sat in a grand chair, legs crossed like a king who owned the world. A glass of the finest Dwargon wine shimmered in his hand, deep crimson like blood. His back leaned casually on the stone seat, one elbow on the armrest, smirk settled comfortably on his face. His presence was calm, yet unnatural—like a volcano resting, waiting for a reason to erupt.
He had been enjoying peaceful days here: no training, no fighting, just food, wine, and silent strolls through the city. Even so, every soul who saw him walk by held their breath—aware of the beast in human form gracing their streets.
Today, however, peace came knocking with a request.
The grand doors opened. Clad in black and gold armor, King Gazel Dwargo stepped in, flanked by his two most trusted generals—General Doran and General Brakkus.
The soldiers guarding the courtyard stepped aside. Yujiro's eyes lazily turned toward them. He took another sip of wine and raised a brow.
Gazel stood tall, his beard neatly braided, his eyes full of purpose. He wasn't here to greet or flatter.
He was here to fight.
"Yujiro Hanma," Gazel began, his voice echoing with firm authority. "I've heard all the stories. Your strength. Your unmatched will. The one who beat Veldora himself."
Yujiro smirked, letting the king speak.
"I'm not a fool. I know how powerful you are. But as a warrior—and as King of Dwargon—I need to understand it for myself."
The courtyard fell still. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Doran leaned in to whisper to the king. "My lord… this is dangerous. This man is not just powerful. He's something else."
Brakkus nodded, whispering with dread. "With all respect, Your Majesty, this could be suicide. Please reconsider—"
Gazel raised a hand, silencing them.
Yujiro stood, slow and deliberate. He placed the wine glass down on a table beside him, hands now resting in his pockets. His smirk widened.
"Very well," Yujiro said. "But let me make one thing clear."
His voice dropped into something ancient and cold—something that wasn't just spoken, but felt.
"If you don't come at me with every ounce of strength you have..."
His eyes locked with Gazel's, his killing intent crashing down like a guillotine.
"...you'll die."
The words were simple. But they hit like thunder. Every soldier flinched. Even the hardened generals felt a chill up their spines.
Gazel narrowed his eyes. That wasn't a bluff. That wasn't pride. That was a truth from the mouth of a monster.
"...Very well."
Gazel took a step back, creating space. The crowd of elite soldiers and generals had already gathered, drawn by the aura of something unimaginable. Whispers passed between them.
"Is the King really doing this?"
"This... this is madness."
"Can anyone even fight that man?"
Gazel unsheathed his sword—a majestic legendary-grade blade forged by the first Dwarf Kings themselves. Its edge shimmered with an otherworldly blue, humming with energy.
Then... he released it.
Hero Haki.
The air vibrated violently. The sky dimmed for a moment. Pressure descended like a storm. Gazel's aura exploded in a ring of force that made dust rise from the stone courtyard.
Every soldier took a step back.
Their king... was serious.
"Activate: Unique Skill—Tyrant."
A golden circle pulsed in his pupils. Tyrant allowed him to read the minds and strategies of his opponents in battle, giving him the edge over even faster foes.
But then... confusion twisted his face.
"What...?"
The void. Nothing.
It was like falling into a bottomless black abyss. Yujiro's mind wasn't just unreadable—it wasn't there. No thoughts. No fear. No hesitation. No strategy.
Just an endless presence. Like staring into the soul of a god that had no interest in being understood.
Gazel gritted his teeth.
"Tch... No matter."
His feet vanished from view. Speed beyond mortal eyes. He dashed at Yujiro with the elegance of a flowing river.
"Hazy Sword Style: Flowing Water Slash!"
The blade sliced through the air, dancing with mana so precise that the wind split apart. Then he followed instantly—
"Thunder of Heaven and Earth!"
A vertical slash infused with both lightning and earth magic. The ground cracked. Sparks lit the air.
Soldiers around them stumbled.
"I can't even see him—what's happening!?"
"He's like a blur—did he land a hit?"
But then…
Yujiro Moves...
Yujiro didn't draw a weapon.
He didn't even change his stance.
He simply took one step forward.
BOOM.
The ground beneath him cratered from the sheer weight of his presence.
His eyes locked onto Gazel, and suddenly—Gazel froze in mid-strike.
Yujiro's aura—his killing intent, his physical will—it became real. It pushed down like a mountain on Gazel's shoulders.
The king's strike was an inch from Yujiro's chest.
Then—
WHIP STRIKE.
Yujiro's arm moved like a whip. His palm slashed through the air—smack—right across Gazel's chest.
It wasn't a punch. It wasn't a slap. It was an attack directly at the nervous system.
A soundless second passed.
Gazel didn't scream.
He didn't move.
He just stood there… eyes wide… shaking violently.
"Wh... what's happening to him?!"
"Is he hurt?!"
"He hasn't even bled—what did Yujiro do?!"
Then—
SCREAMING.
A scream so loud it echoed through every hallway of the citadel. A scream born from pain deeper than anything physical. Like every nerve in Gazel's body was on fire. He fell to his knees, trembling.
Tears poured down his face.
His mouth opened and closed, but words didn't come. He just kept screaming.
Yujiro stood calmly. Hands back in his pockets.
Doran tried to rush forward, but Brakkus held him back. "Don't. If you interfere... we might ALL die."
After what felt like minutes—Yujiro walked up.
He bent down slightly and tapped a single pressure point near Gazel's neck.
Silence.
The pain vanished. Gazel collapsed to his hands, panting, eyes wide with disbelief.
"What... what was that...?"
Yujiro answered, voice low and smug.
"That was just a taste of real pain. Now you understand."
Gazel didn't respond. He just stared at the ground, his body still trembling, sweat soaking his cloak.
He had fought monsters before. Faced dragons, beasts, armies.
But this…
Yujiro Hanma wasn't a man.
He was a living catastrophe. A being so far beyond comprehension that even trying to understand him caused pain.
Gazel rose slowly, using his sword to balance. His generals rushed to his side.
"My lord!"
"Are you alright?!"
He nodded slowly, eyes still fixed on Yujiro.
"...I'm fine. I got my answer."
Yujiro turned, picked up his wine, and sat back down—just like before.
Nothing about him changed.
But now... everyone there understood why even Veldora stayed sealed after crossing this man.
And as Gazel limped away, he whispered to his generals:
"If Yujiro ever says the world is his... let no one argue."