Raizo stood his ground, staring at Zenmu, who now stood as an impenetrable wall between him and Ryuketsu.

  Zenmu was a legend, a force of nature that could erase even the strongest beings in an instant.

  Yet, for some reason, he protected Ryuketsu.

  Tenzir gritted his teeth. "This isn't good. If Zenmu is really on his side, then Ryuketsu is untouchable."

  Raizo narrowed his eyes. "No. Something is off."

  Even with all his strength, Ryuketsu should be nothing compared to Zenmu. There was no logical reason why someone as powerful as Zenmu would take orders from him.

  Unless…

  Ryuketsu had planned something all along.

  Ryuketsu grinned in the shadows.

  For years, people believed he was using Hell’s power. That his army of demons made him unstoppable.

  But that was never his true goal.

  Hell was just a stepping stone.

  Zenmu was the real prize.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The strongest magician. The man feared even by gods.

  If Ryuketsu wanted to surpass Raizo, he needed Zenmu’s power.

  And now, the time had come.

  As Zenmu stood between Raizo and Ryuketsu, strange markings began to glow beneath his feet.

  A dark red ritual circle formed, wrapping around Zenmu like chains of energy.

  Zenmu’s eyes widened. "What…?"

  Ryuketsu laughed.

  "I never needed your protection, Zenmu."

  The circle expanded, locking Zenmu in place.

  Tenzir gasped. "That’s a Soul Consumption Seal!"

  Raizo’s eyes narrowed. "So that was your plan…"

  Ryuketsu licked his lips. "Zenmu, the most powerful being… I wonder how strong I’ll become after I devour you."

  Zenmu's face twisted in anger. "Cheater, Ryuketsu!"

  The seal tightened.

  The ground shook violently.

  Zenmu’s body began to shrink, his essence being absorbed into Ryuketsu’s form.

  A terrifying aura exploded outward.

  As the last remnants of Zenmu were devoured, Ryuketsu transformed.

  His body became shrouded in unstable energy.

  His eyes glowed with cosmic destruction.

  His voice echoed with the remnants of Zenmu’s power.

  "Now… I am more than just a demon."

  Ryuketsu raised his hand, and space itself distorted around him.

  Even Raizo felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

  A sliver of danger.

  Tenzir’s voice shook. "This… this is bad."

  Raizo smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Nah… This just got interesting."

  With Zenmu gone and Ryuketsu now wielding his god-like abilities, the balance of power had shifted.

  Nagiro was still a threat.

  But now, Ryuketsu had become an even bigger one.

  And for the first time in centuries…

  Raizo knew he had to get serious.