The third challenge had ended, and the crowd was beginning to disperse. But one voice called out clearly, halting the movement.
Spiritual King: "Team One. I need you to stay."
Ryju blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Shun tilted his head. "What's going on?"
The Spiritual King smiled faintly. "There's just something I need to do with you all."
Rei nodded. "Okay."
From afar, Azar watched with a puzzled expression. "I wonder why they're staying back."
Misa shrugged. "Spiritual King probably just wants to talk with them."
"Yeah, I guess so..."
The Spiritual King turned to the team. "You've passed the challenge," he said. "But you still have one thing missing."
Ryju grinned. "Thanks to your help."
Goro elbowed Shun playfully. "And we can thank Shun too."
"No kidding," Rei agreed.
The king's tone shifted—serious now. "You all have spiritual force, but no true ability. That's about to change."
Rei's eyes widened. "Wait—what do you mean?"
"I'm going to unlock your abilities."
Ryju's jaw dropped. "You can do that?"
Goro raised an eyebrow. "So why didn't you do it before?"
"You were meant to awaken your abilities through combat... but that path was interrupted. So now, I'll do it myself."
"Cool," Ryju said.
"Finally," Goro smirked.
Rei pumped her fist. "We're going to be so strong!"
The king looked toward Kenshiro. "I think it's time."
Kenshiro stiffened. "Time? For what?"
The Spiritual King gave a knowing look. "Your ability. You've been hiding it all this time."
"What?"
Ryju leaned in. "Now I really want to see it."
"Please show it," Rei begged.
"Now I'm so curious," Goro added.
Kenshiro raised his hands. "Guys, seriously—I don't have one."
The Spiritual King chuckled. "You come from a family of assassins. You unlocked your ability long ago."
Ryju's eyes sparkled. "That's super cool."
"Now you really have to show it," Goro insisted.
Even the Spiritual King grinned. "Me too, me too."
Kenshiro cursed under his breath. "Dang it..."
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. A silent void surrounded him. In his mind, he walked along a dimly lit path toward an ancient, towering door.
"Haven't brought you out in a while..."
He placed his hand on the door.
BOOM.
A burst of spiraling Spiritual Force exploded from Kenshiro's body as the others shielded their eyes.
Ryju's hair blew back. "This power... it's incredible!"
Rei gasped. "No way..."
Goro was stunned. "I'm lost for words."
The king was smiling wide. "So awesome. Now—what's your ability?"
Just outside the building, Uzuki paused. "What was that Spiritual Force... it was overwhelming."
Kenshiro held up his arm, then slid it over the other. A small void opened in the air, growing larger and darker by the second.
"A black hole," he said.
Ryju staggered back. "What the hell?"
Rei stared in disbelief. "I've never seen anything like this..."
"You've been hiding this from us?" Goro asked.
"I couldn't control it," Kenshiro admitted quietly. "Last time... it almost killed my whole family."
The room fell silent.
"Still... that's awesome," Ryju said.
The king clapped his hands. "Goro, you're next."
"Let's go!" Goro said, stepping forward.
With a touch to the forehead, Goro was pulled into the same inner realm. He looked around with awe.
"This is so cool... guess I head to the door."
When he reached it and touched the surface, the door burst open—and power surged through him.
Orange energy swirled around his body as he returned.
"What is it?" Rei asked.
Ryju flinched. "Is it me or is it hot in here?"
"No kidding," Shun muttered, sweating.
Goro looked at his hands. "My ability... it's heat. I can control it."
"Not just control it," the king said. "You may have dominion over all heat. We'll train you to unlock its full potential."
"This is awesome!"
"Rei. Your turn."