In the aftermath of a once-vibrant forest, blackened trees gnarled like old men’s fingers poking at the sky, two figures approach from opposite ends of the devastation. The scent of smoke lingers in the air, and the silence is broken only by the crackling of the charred ground beneath their feet. Both Hank J. Wimbleton and Guts survey the ruin with hardened eyes. Each one believes the other bears the responsibility for this destruction. Hank J. Wimbleton, a warrior with the spirit of a tempest, strides forward with confidence. Clad in tactical attire, a pistol rests on his hip, while two SMGs hang at his sides like a pair of vicious pets eager to leap into battle. He knows he’s not easily caught off guard; his reputation as a one-man army looms large. Across the twisted remains of trees stands Guts, the Black Swordsman. His stature is imposing, framed by the remnants of a banner once standing proud. Guts's Dragon Slayer is slung across his back, a monstrous blade that reflects his indomitable will—the weapon of a man forged in the fires of conflict and vengeance. His aura of hostility clings to him like a second skin. “You did this!” Hank bellows, piercing through the eerie silence, frustration fueling his words. “You destroyed this place!” With an icy glare, Guts retorts, “I’ve had my share of bloodshed, but this? This isn’t my doing. You’re the fool who razed this forest!” Neither man lacks the conviction to match their words. Hatred simmers between them, and the air thickens with unspoken tension. It’s plain to see: Talk is done, and it’s time for action. Round One: The Provocation Hank moves, graceful as a shadow. With a swift maneuver, he draws his pistol and fires a round aimed straight at Guts’ chest. But the Black Swordsman is ready; with a quick pivot, he deflects the bullet with the edge of his massive sword, the Dragon Slayer ringing out like a thunderclap in the desolate air. “No more warnings!” Guts bellows as he lunges forward, swinging the Dragon Slayer with a power that could cleave mountains. The force of the swing sends shockwaves through the ground. Hank narrowly dodges, rolling to the side and pulling one of the SMGs from his side, unleashing a hail of bullets in retaliation. The gunfire is relentless, but Guts powers through it, relying on his peak-human conditioning and the instinct honed from years of facing demons and apostles. He shifts his weight, using his monstrous strength to bring the weight of the Dragon Slayer down with an arc so wide that it sends splintered wood flying. Hank flips backward, a smooth ninja-like move that lands him back on his feet. He pivots, his instincts razor-sharp, grabbing a jagged piece of log from the ground. He hurls it like a projectile toward Guts, who simply smashes it to pieces with a casual swipe of his sword, advancing relentlessly. Round Two: The Clash of Titans Realizing the brute force in Guts’ attacks, Hank adapts quickly. He knows that a head-on confrontation isn’t smart; Guts is a master swordsman, and his strength is formidable. The forest may be gone, but the terrain can still work to his advantage. With a deep breath, Hank dives into the underbrush, evading Guts’ next thrust. He circles around, using his tactical awareness to flush his opponent out. Guts swings wildly, trying to locate Hank’s elusive form amid the smoking remains. In a calculated strike, Hank re-emerges from behind a towering tree stump, smacking Guts with a powerful kick to the ribs. The Black Swordsman stumbles back but quickly regains his balance, gritting his teeth. He responds instantly, thrusting his cannon arm in Hank’s direction. A barrage of miniature bombs erupt from it, covering the area in explosions and smoke. Hank swiftly ducks and rolls, his instincts saving him as the blasts pepper the ground around him. He spots fragmentation flying like shrapnel, and the sound reverberates like a thousand drums. Out in the open, he knows he’s a sitting duck, and quick thinking kicks in. Round Three: Unleashing the Fury Guts, using the smoke to his advantage, charges through, his boots stomping the ground as he seeks his quarry. Hank emerges with a SMG and unleashes a torrent of bullets into the thickening smog. Guts hears the gunfire and dodges to the side, keeping close to the ground, using the terrain as cover. However, Hank knows he can’t keep this pace forever. Guts is relentless. With a calculated maneuver, Hank rips off some vines with his sword, creating a makeshift trap. He flings them around a nearby fallen tree, setting up an ambush in the mere seconds before Guts emerges from the smoke. When Guts charges, he slips, ensnared in the trap. Hank capitalizes on this moment, drawing both SMGs with pinpoint precision and unleashing a double barrage. But Guts, ferocious and indomitable, powers through the confusion, ripping the vines apart with sheer determination and the explosive mindset born from his past. Anger radiates off him as he stares at Hank, “You think this will stop me? You think I’ll fall?” With that, Guts roars with a primal ferocity, channeling his berserker rage. Somehow fueled by the sound of his own growl, he bursts into a powerful charge that catches Hank off guard. The ferocity of Guts’ advancement collides with Hank’s calculated defense—a clash of titans. Round Four: The Turning Point As the combat continues, the tide shifts. Hank, aware of his surroundings, recalls the weapons scattered around him. Guts swings the Dragon Slayer with a cringe-inducing force, narrowly missing Hank as he ducks and moves to grab a nearby rusted axe. With the axe in hand, Hank goes on the offensive for a change, chopping down toward Guts, trying to cut through the armor. Guts parries deftly, counters with a crossbow shot from his arm, the bolt flying ever so accurately—just missing Hank as he rolls aside. Every strike Hank makes is met with resistance; Guts is a fortress of will and muscle. Every dodge Hank executes draws on his ninja-like agility as glimpses of Guts’ past flash through his mind—his drive to eradicate the darkness in his life. The surroundings, once aglow with nature, serve as a battleground where Hank climbs over the broken earth, gaining height, creating the illusion of a vantage. But Guts smirks, his brow furrowing. He lands a powerful blow with the Dragon Slayer down below him, sending shockwaves throughout the ground—like a predator staring at the prey caught in a trap. Final Round: The Resolve Both warriors finally face each other, fists clenched and breaths ragged. The ruins of the forest echo with the energy of their exhaustion. They’ve unleashed everything: intellect, tactics, strength, and sheer will that crumbles the remnants of the world around them. Hank, determined and hell-bent, begins to unleash the full arsenal in that desperate fight. He seamlessly flips, voices of Deimos and Sanford ringing in his ears, a symphony urging him onward. He maneuvers with purpose, loading his pistol once again, and a calculated thrust of bullets aims to catch Guts off guard. But Guts, charged with the ferocity of an ancient beast, answers back. Drawing strength from his memories—each loss, each betrayal—is a roar that reverberates in the depths of the forest. He embraces his Berserker Armor, the rage and pain of a thousand battles manifesting in his movements. With razor-sharp focus, he charges in once more, and an exchange of sword and gunfire culminates in a clatter of fury. The Dragon Slayer meets Hank’s pistol, splintering wood and shattering steel. The collision ignites scattered embers, swirling into the air. “Enough!” Guts yells, burying the Dragon Slayer toward the ground. It trembles as Hank bounces backward, narrowly avoiding disaster. He uses his speed and agility to twist, and for a moment, it seems Hank has the upper hand, landing another blow against Guts’ unyielding form. But Guts rises once more, undeterred, dripping with determination—raw and untamed—as he thrusts forward, using the berserker strength that consumes him. Hank sways, struggling to keep up, his own resolve waning under the unrelenting backdrop of ferocity. In a final surge of will, Guts lets loose a blinding strike, channeling all his energy into one decisive move. The Dragon Slayer glistens in the fading light as it slices through the air, aimed directly at Hank’s beating heart. The Conclusion Hank’s instincts scream at him, and he manages to dodge—just barely. But the force behind Guts’ final slash sends him tumbling backward, the breath expelled from his lungs as he crashes through remnants of ruin. Lying sprawled amidst the wreckage, Hank’s resolve falters, and with a final hard management to rise, he stares into Guts’ relentless gaze. The Black Swordsman steps forward, sword raised high. The battle turns mercifully still. The forest may lay in ruins, just as their wills seem to, but Guts takes a moment of respect—a bowed head as he lowers the Dragon Slayer, acknowledging a worthy adversary. Winner: Guts Guts’ indomitable will and unparalleled strength, forged through countless battles and relentless hardships, ultimately tipped the scales. Hank fought valiantly, showcasing his tactical prowess, but Guts’ raw fury and experience as a master swordsman and fighter proved to be too overwhelming in the heat of battle. In the end, it was Guts’ resilience against adversity that triumphed over Hank’s unyielding bravery.