As Ryū backed away from him, he then laughed — a deep, confident, and slightly mocking sound that rolled freely from his broad chest, echoing across the cracked street and damaged buildings around them.

The laughter caused the intricate golden dragons embroidered on his dark triad Chinese emperor-style robe to catch the fading light dramatically, making them appear almost alive as they shimmered with each movement of his muscular frame.

As he walked away, his taller, more imposing body moved with casual power, one hand slipped casually into the pocket of his dark trousers while the flowing robe swayed behind him.

His red-and-gold hair shifted in the coastal breeze as he spoke over his shoulder in a relaxed yet arrogant tone, "I don’t think there’s any human in this world that can stand against me...

My only interest are in monsters. At least I can break a sweat fighting strong ones." His golden eyes glinted with clear dismissal as he continued walking.

"And the only reason I even chose to fight you was because I saw that you was stronger than Bakuteriya, If not, I would have ignored you to fight the monster Bakuteriya instead."

The words carried clearly through the quiet aftermath of their battle, mixing with the faint crackling of residual energy still lingering in the air and the distant hum of the city.

Ryū’s powerful steps were unhurried, boots sounding solidly against the broken pavement as smoke from earlier light attacks continued to curl lazily from a few scorch marks on his robe and skin.

Then he stopped suddenly and tilted his head a little backwards, red-and-gold hair falling slightly across one side of his face.

He said to Ken in a calm, almost instructional tone, "Train your ability, because the moment you become as fast as light it would be very difficult for anyone to defeat you.

Your speed is equivalent to sound but not as fast as light... so work more on yourself."

Ryū then said in his mind, "You’re still young — he’s about Chiyo’s age... seventeen. That shouldn’t be a problem for you."

Ryū then waved one hand casually with the other hand still in his pocket while backing Ken, the dragon-embroidered robe fluttering lightly with the motion. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He said in a carefree voice, "Well, I’m off now."

Then Ken said to him, his voice still deep and monotone despite his heavy breathing and visible exhaustion, "Well it’s clear I wasn’t able to defeat you.... But what about Bakuteriya? Because of you our target escaped."

Then Ryū told him without turning around fully, his golden eyes looking forward as he continued walking slowly,

"No need to worry about Bakuteriya... Him knowing I’m in Tokyo, he won’t make a move here for a while."

Then Ken asked, still standing in his tired but upright fighting stance,

"But what made Bakuteriya come to Tokyo in the first place?"

Then Ryū replied in a knowledgeable, slightly dismissive tone, his muscular back still facing Ken as he spoke,

"Most monsters love playing around, moving from one location to another looking for who to prey on to show how strong they are...

and well there are also monsters like Bakuteriya who sneaks into cities to prey on weaker opponents — like humans and less powerful heroes — but flee when it comes in contact with stronger opponents. Hmm... cowards."

The coastal wind picked up slightly, carrying the faint salt scent from the Sea of Japan across the battle-scarred street as small pieces of debris continued to settle around them.

The shining circular form of mixed elements had long since dissipated, leaving only faint glowing sparks that faded into the air.

Then before Ryū left, he stopped once more and asked Ken over his shoulder in a quieter, more personal tone, his red-and-gold hair shifting as he glanced back slightly, "Does Chiyo get lonely in school?"

The question lingered in the tense silence that followed their intense fight.

Ken remained standing a short distance away, chest still heaving with heavy breaths, sweat glistening on his face and neck, his hollow stare fixed on the retreating Dragon Lord.

Ryū’s taller, muscular figure in the imposing dark imperial attire continued to move away with casual confidence, one hand remaining in his pocket while the other hung loosely at his side after the casual wave.

The golden dragons on his high-collared tunic and flowing robe caught the light one final time as he prepared to depart, the earlier laughter and arrogant declarations still echoing faintly in the air between them.

The damaged street bore clear scars from their battle — cracked pavement, scorched walls, and scattered rubble — while the SCO agents watched cautiously from behind Chris’s purple line in the distance.

Ryū’s powerful frame moved with unconcerned ease, his words about monsters, strength, and Chiyo hanging heavily in the space he left behind.