The sun beats down on the open plain, casting long shadows as two titans prepare for a clash. Dust whirls around their feet, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. The ground trembles beneath them as they size each other up, and with a roar, the fight begins! Round 1: The Opening Salvo Joshua "Frictions Ronin", the lightning-fast anamorphic cheetah, lunges first. His Raikōsen blade glints in the sun, charging with friction energy as he swiftly disappears from sight, leaving only a trail of heat lightning behind him. He appears before Guts, launching a flurry of overwhelming strikes that crackle with energy. “Catch me if you can, Black Swordsman!” Joshua taunts, his voice as sharp as his blade. Guts, clad in indestructible black armor, plants his feet firmly. "You're fast, but speed means nothing if your blade can't pierce this armor!" He raises his giant Dragon Slayer just in time to block the first strike, metal screaming as their weapons clash. Round 2: The Damage Is Done Joshua circles Guts, unleashing successive strikes, creating afterimages that dance around the mercenary. Each swing is imbued with friction, leaving burns on Guts' armor. The heat builds, but Guts, unfazed, nods grimly. “Nice tricks,” Guts growls, his fiery determination igniting. He steps back to regroup, noticing the cracks starting to form on the edges of his armor due to the intense heat. “But let’s see how you handle this!” With a roar, he channels his berserker fury and slams the Dragon Slayer into the ground, causing a shockwave that pushes Joshua back, disrupting his flow and forcing him to regroup. Round 3: The Space Between “I’ll give you credit,” Joshua pants, a calculated grin on his face. “But you’ve only scratched the surface of what I can do.” “Then let’s see if you can last,” Guts grits out. The berserker armor boosts his strength, awakening his inner beast. With bloodlust brimming, he charges, swinging the Dragon Slayer in a vicious arc aimed right at Joshua. Joshua darts aside, using his speed to dodge the strike. "You’re reckless," he says, conjuring electric barriers to absorb the impact of a nearby tree as Guts' sword cleaves through it effortlessly. Round 4: The Overdrive “Friction allows for speed, but sometimes, you need raw power!” Joshua channeling his heat lightning directly into his sword, swings the Raikōsen to create a powerful blast of electricity aimed at Guts. “Not bad!” Guts remarks, dodging back just in time, the heat grazing his cheek. "But I’ve been burned worse." With a ferocious grin, Guts sprints forward again, launching into a series of heavy strikes, forcing Joshua to repeatedly dodge and weave, feeling the rumble of the Dragon Slayer’s might with every failed parry. Round 5: Unyielding Strength The battle intensifies, both fighters pushing their limits. Joshua gains confidence, appearing to have the upper hand — that is until Guts takes a page from the book of tenacity, roaring as he harnesses the full power of his armor. The sheer intensity of his will resonates through the ground. “Let’s end this!” As he swings with reckless abandon, the ground trembles beneath him; the weight of his sword creates shockwaves. Joshua gasps as the blows land closer than before. "You... may just be tougher than I thought." Round 6: The Clash of Titans With both fighters pushing their limits, a singular moment arrives where they clash once again — heat lightning strikes against indestructible steel. Sparks fly, and the air crackles with energy as they engage in a breathtaking display of skill and ferocity. “Back and forth—like a dance in death,” Joshua says with breathless admiration. Guts responds with a guttural laugh, “More like a brutal tango.” Striking hard, he uses all his weight behind his sword to try to push Joshua back. Round 7: An Unexpected Turn Just when it seems Guts has the upper hand, Joshua blinks behind him, using his ability to create afterimages to dodge the most devastating of blows. He retaliates, landing a scorching slash across Guts' shoulder. “Sweet,” Guts winces but doesn’t falter, blood trickling down his bicep, blending with the armor’s dark essence. Round 8: The Breaking Point Joshua seizes the moment, unleashing a barrage of strikes that begin to overwhelm Guts. He feels the heat bend the air around him, attempting to cut deep. “Still standing, huh?” Guts pants, raising his sword to block another. “I respect that.” Round 9: Ultimate Fury In a moment of desperation, Guts utilizes his berserk intensity, charging forward with a primal roar that sends shockwaves through the arena. He gives into the pain, while the armor's healing function kicks in, allowing him to push past his limits. “All or nothing!” he bellows, making a reckless yet powerful swing that sends Joshua skidding back. “You’ve got guts; that’s for sure.” Joshua grins through grit teeth, sweat pouring down his fur. “Let’s finish this.” The Climax: Power Meets Power Both combatants pulse with energy, heat lightning meeting ferocity. Guts swings one last time with everything he's got, while Joshua gathers crackling energy for a final attack. The planes seem to tremble before the clash—a radiant explosion of light and darkness, both fighters screaming in raw determination. Conclusion: The Victor Emerging In a blinding flash of heat and steel, the dust settles. The aftershock induces the ground to shake; when the haze clears, Guts stands, battered but victorious over the now spent Joshua. His indestructible armor bears the marks of the battle, yet he stands tall. Winner: B Guts' indestructible armor allowed him to withstand Joshua's overwhelming speed and friction-based attacks long enough to unleash a full-force assault. His relentless warrior spirit and the berserker armor’s healing capacity turned the tide; he refused to fall, adapting to Joshua’s swift style and ultimately overpowering with raw strength. God gave him strength, but that strength was forged in the fires of countless battles, proving that resilience can endure even against the fastest of foes.