Uvogin's interests are physical exercise and fighting.
Regarding exercise, Uvogin is persistent and even obsessive, so his physical fitness is extremely strong, and his strength far surpasses his peers. To him, fighting encompasses many forms, including arm-wrestling, where victory is achieved through pure strength.
Machi and Nobunaga have never seen Uvogin lose a test of strength. Seeing Ryuuji insist on arm-wrestling with Uvogin, they both felt a twinge of pity for Ryuuji. Even Nobunaga, despite his resilience, knew that while his arm wouldn't break, it would certainly be sore for days if he wrestled Uvogin.
"I'll be the referee. The countdown will start after three counts," Nobunaga said, excitement evident in his voice despite believing the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
Seeing Nobunaga even more animated than Uvogin, Machi shook her head slightly and focused on the hands of Uvogin and Ryuuji clasped together.
Arm-wrestling requires not just strength but also skill. However, Uvogin relied solely on his immense strength, which was enough to overwhelm any technique.
"If you don't adapt quickly, this place isn't suitable for you," Machi thought solemnly, glancing at Ryuuji. "Maybe my intuition was wrong."
"Are you ready?" Nobunaga asked, looking at both competitors. Despite not starting yet, he could almost see sparks flying between them.
Ryuuji and Uvogin both gave a slight nod.
"Alright, listen to my count," Nobunaga grinned. "3, 2...1!"
As the echo of '1' faded, Uvogin wasted no time. He exerted his full strength immediately, his protective suit straining under the pressure.
"Quite the Surprise," Uvogin remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice. Even with his aura enhancing his right arm, Ryuuji could feel the immense pressure from Uvogin's strength, causing his arm to tilt outward slightly.
"You've Got Some Fight in You," Uvogin continued, still managing to speak effortlessly while applying continuous force. He had underestimated Ryuuji, expecting to overpower him instantly, but was now intrigued by Ryuuji's resilience.
Ryuuji remained silent, focusing entirely on resisting Uvogin's overwhelming strength. The intensity of the moment was palpable, and anyone observing could see Ryuuji's slight disadvantage as his arm moved outward ever so slightly.
"Not Bad, Kid," Nobunaga observed with a hint of admiration. Like Uvogin, he had expected Ryuuji to be defeated swiftly. Now, he was curious to see how long Ryuuji could hold out against Uvogin's formidable power.
"My Longest Record is 11 Seconds, and Machi's is 10 Seconds. We're at the 4-Second Mark Now, Right?" Nobunaga commented, his eyes fixed on the arms locked in battle, genuinely entertained by the unexpected challenge.
Machi, too, was taken aback. She watched the two arms locked in a fierce struggle, her index finger lightly tapping her chin. Just half a month ago, Ryuuji's strength had seemed far inferior. Now, seeing him endure Uvogin's power for 5 seconds was astonishing. It wasn't just about the technique he used to block Marza's punch on the street; his overall strength had grown significantly.
"How unexpected," Machi muttered to herself, her thoughts racing as she observed the intense struggle between Uvogin and Ryuuji. For a moment, she entertained the notion that Ryuuji might be feigning weakness to surprise his opponent, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Ryuuji's transformation during his time at home was undeniable.
"How could he have gained such strength in just half a month, with nothing but a meager bowl of rice soup for sustenance?" Machi pondered, her brow furrowed in confusion.
As the stalemate between Uvogin and Ryuuji reached the 10-second mark, breaking Machi's own record, she was momentarily stunned. Then, as it reached 11 seconds, matching Nobunaga's record, Machi's surprise only deepened.
"This Kid..." Nobunaga's gaze shifted to Machi, a silent exchange of astonishment passing between them. How could Ryuuji, with his slender frame and seemingly modest strength, withstand Uvogin's power?
The art of arm-wrestling was all about readiness. It required a careful balance of strength and technique, along with strategic timing. In a remote island tribe in the Barossa Islands, arm-wrestling competitions were held monthly to determine the bravest warrior—a testament to the skill's significance in combat and competition alike.
"The Art of Arm-Wrestling," Machi muttered under her breath, reflecting on the profound impact it had on the fighting style of the tribe. In combat and hunting alike, direct confrontation was not their strategy. Instead, they relied on defensive maneuvers to secure an advantageous position before striking decisively.
Ryuuji's approach was evident—he aimed to build momentum while Uvogin relied solely on brute force, devoid of any finesse or strategy. Ryuuji's tactic was clear: bide his time, wait for Uvogin to tire, and seize the opportunity.
"20 seconds," Nobunaga murmured, breaking the silence that had settled over the scene. Machi nodded in agreement, noting Uvogin's unwavering focus as he poured all his strength into his arm.
"It's still a significant advantage," Nobunaga observed, eyeing Ryuuji's partially shifted arm. In a typical match, such a position would spell defeat for Ryuuji. To turn the tables, he would need to wait for Uvogin to exhaust himself and then strike back.
But facing Uvogin, the chances of Ryuuji getting that opportunity were slim. Uvogin's endurance matched his strength, and in this grueling stalemate, Ryuuji's arm should be throbbing with pain. Yet, there he was, holding on.
Nobunaga found himself momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Even Machi was looking at him with a hint of surprise. Previously unthinkable, the notion of Ryuuji holding out this long had suddenly become a serious consideration. It was a testament to Ryuuji's determination and resilience.
"Thirty seconds," Machi reminded Nobunaga, her attention fully on the duel unfolding before them.
Nobunaga offered a bitter smile, realizing that even if Ryuuji lost, he couldn't help but admire him. Ryuuji had found a formidable opponent in Uvogin, and that in itself was an achievement.
His gaze shifted upward to Uvogin's face, noting the unprecedented focus etched on his features.
"It's almost time," Uvogin muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on Ryuuji's arm hovering precariously close to the surface of the rock. He exerted more force, surprised by Ryuuji's resilience. This opponent was proving to be tougher than expected.
Ryuuji felt his arm trembling, on the brink of collapse. Uvogin showed no signs of fatigue, leaving Ryuuji at a complete disadvantage.
"Five seconds? No, maybe I won't last another three," Ryuuji thought grimly. Despite activating his nen, he couldn't gain the slightest advantage. Uvogin's strength was overwhelming, and without nen's protection, the pain would render Ryuuji's arm useless in mere seconds.
Was there any way to turn the tables? Could he unleash a burst of nen to overpower Uvogin?
As panic threatened to consume him, Ryuuji forced himself to focus. He closed his eyes, envisioning the surge of nen flowing through his right arm.
"Don't panic, concentrate," Ryuuji reminded himself, his mind racing for a solution. He imagined the nen erupting from his body, channeling it through his arm.
With a determined resolve, Ryuuji unleashed his nen, hoping it would be enough to tip the scales in his favor.
As Ryuuji teetered on the edge of defeat, he resorted to one of the fundamental techniques he had honed in his training: emitting more nen than usual to envelop his upper body, drastically amplifying his physical strength.
This technique, known as emission, involved releasing nen from the body's pores in unison, generating a far greater output than usual.
As Ryuuji unleashed his nen, Uvogin suddenly felt a surge of power emanating from Ryuuji's body. He felt the pressure intensify in an instant, and before he could react, an even stronger force rippled from Ryuuji's arm.
Ryuuji's arm had been in an undeniable disadvantage, yet in less than a second, he managed to crush Uvogin's arm heavily against the surface of the rock.
"Unbelievable!"
Uvogin stood there, stunned, while Nobunaga and Machi were equally astonished.
"Did he lose?" Nobunaga and Machi exchanged incredulous looks. It seemed Ryuuji was on the brink of defeat one moment, only to turn the tables in the next. And to top it off, Uvogin actually lost to Ryuuji?
Ryuuji let out a breath of relief as the pores on his body retracted, and the released nen returned to its usual state.
As Ryuuji withdrew his arm, a distinct cracking sound filled the air, and the rock they had used as a table split into several pieces.
"You lose," Ryuuji said with a slight smile. In that moment of victory over Uvogin, he had a revelation.
There was no need to fret too much. As long as he was strong enough... that was all that mattered!
Indeed, let the world adapt to itself!
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