Akame Ga Kill - Garou

The group moved outside the capital, leaving behind the palace's pristine training grounds. Neither Garou nor Bang was willing to unleash their full power in such a confined space. They needed room to move, to fight, to unleash the full extent of their martial arts without holding back. The designated battlefield was a vast open plain, its surface a mixture of grass and dirt, with jagged rock formations dotting the landscape. It was a place where power could be displayed without restriction.

Honest himself had followed the procession, eager to witness firsthand what kind of monsters these two truly were. The others—Esdeath, the Emperor, the twin and the rest—stood at a cautious distance, heeding the martial artists' warning to stay back. Even the wind seemed to still in anticipation of the coming clash.

Garou and Bang stood facing each other, a silent understanding passing between them. Bang rolled his shoulders, his aged but powerful muscles shifting beneath his robes. His back, once hunched, was now completely restored, and the confidence in his stance was undeniable. Garou, on the other hand, exhaled slowly, his body already settling into a loose but dangerous stance.

The air between them crackled. Then, like a lightning strike, the fight began.

Bang moved first, closing the distance with terrifying speed. His hand shot forward in a thrusting strike aimed directly at Garou's chest. Garou reacted instantly, his own hands flowing like water as he parried the strike, redirecting its force. Bang's footwork shifted, his knee rising for a devastating upward kick, but Garou twisted, weaving around the attack like a serpent.

Their blows came in rapid succession, each countering the other in a seamless exchange of offense and defense. To the untrained eye, they appeared as nothing more than blurred figures, their movements too fast to follow. The ground beneath them cracked and shattered with every impact, the sheer force of their clashes sending shockwaves rippling through the earth.

Garou smirked. "You really got your old bones fixed up, huh?"

Bang's expression remained firm. "Did you think I'd stay broken forever?"

Garou responded with a brutal assault, launching into his Whirlwind Iron Cutting Fist. His arms became a blur, delivering countless strikes from seemingly every angle at once. Bang, unfazed, executed Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, his counterattacks meeting Garou's strikes head-on. Each impact was like thunder rolling across the plains.

A particularly forceful exchange sent both combatants sliding back, their feet digging trenches into the ground. Garou grinned, wiping a stray bead of sweat from his brow. "Not bad, old man."

Bang's stance remained steady. "You are still too reckless and arrogant."

Garou's eyes flashed. He shot forward again, this time weaving unpredictably, his movements mirroring his old monsterized speed. He feinted high before dropping low, sweeping Bang's legs. The old master evaded with an aerial twist, landing gracefully before immediately retaliating with a crushing palm strike aimed at Garou's shoulder.

Garou caught the strike on his forearm but was still sent skidding backward. His smirk deepened. "Alright, let's see how you handle this."

With a deep breath, he transitioned into a devastating technique—Whirlwind Water Stream: Cross Fang Dragon Slayer Fist. His arms moved in circular motions, generating a pressure so immense that the ground itself trembled. Then, in an instant, he unleashed the technique.

A vortex of slashing strikes erupted around him, each carrying the force of a storm. The very earth beneath them was ground into dust, a crater forming beneath Garou's feet. The sheer speed and ferocity of the attack created an aftershock that forced even the distant spectators to brace themselves.

Bang's eyes narrowed. In that instant, he surged forward, weaving through the onslaught with a level of mastery that defied belief. His hands moved with unparalleled precision, deflecting and nullifying each strike that dared to come near him. Then, as Garou's technique reached its peak, Bang struck.

His fist shot forward like a spear, piercing through the storm of attacks. It connected with Garou's chest, sending him hurtling backward with a force that uprooted trees and sent debris flying in all directions.

Garou flipped mid-air, landing in a crouch. He clutched his chest where Bang's strike had landed, feeling the deep ache resonating through his ribs. But rather than frustration, his expression was one of exhilaration.

Bang straightened, his breathing steady, his stance unwavering. "Still think you can win?"

Garou exhaled, standing up straight. "Damn right I do."

The two warriors charged at each other again, fists clashing with resounding force. Their movements turned into a blur, neither one giving an inch. The earth around them continued to fracture under the sheer magnitude of their battle, dust and debris filling the air.

After several more exchanges, they both leaped back, panting slightly. Garou cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Tch. I hate to say it, but you're still damn tough."

Bang let out a slow breath. "And you're as stubborn as ever."

The fight had reached an impasse. Neither had emerged the clear victor, and yet both stood as if ready to continue indefinitely. A mutual understanding passed between them—the fight was a draw. The two relaxed their stances and smiled at each other.

The spectators stood frozen, wide-eyed and pale. Even the battle-hardened warriors among them couldn't hide their unease. The raw power displayed before them was something beyond their comprehension. It was as if two natural disasters had collided, shaking the world itself.

Honest swallowed hard, his usual smug demeanor absent. "Monsters… both of them."

No one could disagree. The sheer devastation left in their wake told the story for them.

"If that's Garou's current strength, then no wonder the other world is conflicted on calling Garou God-level threat. Imagine when he was dozens of times stronger than now" Wave swallowed hard as he said that. The others had no words to describe what they just witnessed.

"I knew he was holding back against us, but I never expected it was to this degree. He can literally kill us in an instant if he wanted to" Budo said with a helpless look, the sheer gap in strength was no joke. He saw no hope in ever matching the monster named Garou.

"Teacher and grand teacher are both amazing" Ari looked with stars in her eyes. Eren and the little emperor nodded, both looking for the day they could fight like that.

Esdeath despite not saying, her smile and eyes spoke volumes on her behalf, she was looking forward to their future fights.

_______________________

After they finished the duel, the little emperor and his people went back to the royal palace while Garou, Bang and the twin headed to where Garou had been staying.

It didn't take too long to reach it after entering the capital, it was a small orphanage nestled between a few buildings. It was a modest place, with patches of repaired walls and a newly fortified roof. Signs of recent renovations were evident—fresh wood beams, newly installed windows, and the faint scent of paint still lingering in the air. It was clear that someone had taken the time and effort to restore the place.

Bang took in the sight with a quiet hum. He had seen the grand palace and how great it was but Garou had chosen to stay here and protect the helpless children, despite his influence over the most powerful figures in this world, it showed Bang that Garou's morals are still there.

The moment they stepped inside, small footsteps echoed through the halls. Children peeked from behind doorways, wide-eyed and smiling. One particularly bold child ran up and grabbed onto Garou's pant leg. "Big brother! You're back!"

Garou ruffled the kid's hair. "Yeah, yeah."

More children gathered, some staring curiously at Bang. When Himiko heard the noises, she stepped out to check and spoke when she saw the old man "Oh! I didn't know we would have guests today, children please make way for old grandpa" she said.

"Sister Himiko, this is grand master Bang. He is the teacher's master" Eren introduced immediately.

Himiko was surprised then spoke quickly "It is an honor to meet, I am Himiko" she then bowed respectfully while saying "I can't thank you enough for teaching Garou"

Bang raised a brow. "Oh? And why is that?"

Himiko straightened up and gestured toward the orphanage. "Because of him, we have food now. The Emperor himself ordered the repairs for this place, and we're safe because Garou keeps the bad people away. The children have never known peace and safety before Garou came here"

Bang glanced at Garou, who had crossed his arms, looking off to the side with a scoff. The old master recalled what Ari and Eren had told him earlier as they were walking about Garou's actions. He had saved them, protected them, and ensured their survival. And yet, he had never boasted about it.

"Hmph," Bang grunted, a rare smile crossing his face. "Looks like you've changed, after all."

Garou clicked his tongue. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't like seeing brats starving."

Bang chuckled. "Whatever you say."

For the first time in a long while, he felt relief. His student, while rough around the edges, has undeniably changed for the better.