Bully Lord In the Chunin Exam (NarutoVerse)

"That's rude," Nigō murmured, her voice low and languid, as if the near-death attack had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. 

Reika's frown deepened, the faint smirk on Nigō's face stoking her irritation further. "Why aren't you helping them?" she demanded, gesturing sharply toward the remnants of the Cerberus Children and the ongoing battle involving Ichigō and Sangō. Her voice was firm, edged with a challenge meant to provoke. 

Nigō tilted her head slightly, her emerald eyes drifting lazily toward Reika. "I don't like fighting," she replied, her tone devoid of any urgency or concern. "It's messy." 

Reika clenched her fists, crimson energy flickering faintly around her as she fought the urge to lash out. Instead, her lips curled into a taunting smirk. "Then why are you even here?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. "You've recovered their bodies already, so run along now, little girl." 

Her words were deliberate, a calculated attempt to prod at Nigō's pride. Beneath Reika's composed demeanor was the fiery spirit of a devil, much like Rias Gremory's—a force that thrived on challenges and pushing her enemies into action. She wasn't about to let this enigmatic woman remain a passive spectator. 

Nigō, however, seemed unfazed by the jab. She straightened slightly, brushing an invisible speck of dust from her sleeve, her expression calm and detached. "I'm here to observe," she said finally, her tone as cryptic as ever. "Orders are orders, after all." 

Reika's frown deepened further. The woman's cryptic response was maddening, her aloof demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them. Reika could feel the tension in the air, her instincts screaming that Nigō was far more dangerous than she let on. 

Before Reika could press further, the ground trembled beneath her feet. A fresh wave of mechanical wolves surged forward, their glowing red eyes locked onto her. Their snarls filled the air, their claws tearing through the earth as they lunged. 

With a flick of her wrist, Reika summoned another volley of red spheres, their ominous glow casting long shadows across the battlefield. The spheres shot forward with lethal precision, slicing through the wolves like a scythe through grass. Explosions erupted in quick succession, the air filling with smoke and the acrid scent of scorched metal. 

When the dust settled, the remnants of the mechanical beasts lay in shattered heaps, their once-menacing forms reduced to lifeless debris. Reika's gaze snapped back to Nigō, her crimson spheres still hovering around her, ready to strike. 

But Nigō didn't budge. She stayed by the tree, her expression unchanging, as if none of it concerned her. "Impressive," she murmured, a hint of real admiration in her voice. "But I wonder… how long can you keep this up? We can summon these things endlessly. We have plenty more… these 'children,' as we call them, who can perceive the entire world—land and sea."

Reika bristled at the insinuation, her sharp eyes locking onto Nigō with renewed intensity. The woman's calm, cryptic demeanor was as infuriating as it was unnerving. She knew Nigō was baiting her, but the question lingered in the air, a silent challenge that refused to be ignored. 

On the other side of the battlefield, Kuro squared off against Saibogu Ichigō once more. The tension between them was palpable, the air charged with unspoken challenge. Ichigō's newly enhanced mechanical suit gleamed ominously under the fractured light filtering through the forest canopy. The sleek design of his armor hinted at cutting-edge technology, every joint and surface optimized for both offense and defense. 

Ichigō's movements were precise and calculated, his body a symphony of mechanical efficiency. Yet, Kuro met him strike for strike, his Jeet Kune Do an artful blend of fluidity and explosive power. Every dodge, counter, and attack flowed seamlessly, his movements almost hypnotic in their rhythm. 

Ichigō lunged forward with lethal intent, his arm shifting mid-strike into a double-edged blade that sliced through the air with a high-pitched whine. The blade's edge shimmered faintly, charged with energy that could shear through steel with ease. 

Kuro's response was effortless. He sidestepped with a motion so swift it appeared as if he had vanished for a fraction of a second. The blade missed by a hair's breadth, carving a deep gouge into the ground where he had stood. With a sharp pivot, Kuro shifted his weight and drove his palm into Ichigō's shoulder. 

The strike wasn't ordinary—his Thunder Clap skill activated upon contact, sending a jolt of crackling electricity coursing through Ichigō's frame. Sparks erupted from the cyborg's shoulder joint, the circuitry within momentarily overloaded by the attack. 

Ichigō staggered back, the impact leaving a visible dent in his gleaming armor. Wisps of smoke rose from his shoulder, but the damage didn't wipe the smirk from his face. "Impressive," Ichigō admitted, his voice tinged with grudging respect. "You're really worthy of notice. No wonder Fire Fly Corporation placed a bounty on your head." 

Kuro didn't bother with a response. His expression remained unreadable, his sharp eyes analyzing every movement of his opponent. Without wasting a second, he shifted his stance, his feet grounding firmly as he gathered energy. 

With a sudden burst of speed, Kuro closed the distance between them and unleashed his Kangaroo Cut. The uppercut carried with it immense power, a combination of raw strength and perfectly timed momentum. The strike connected with Ichigō's chestplate, the force so great it sent the cyborg hurtling backward. 

Ichigō's body collided with a tree, the impact shattering the trunk with an explosive crack. Splinters flew in every direction as the tree crumbled under the force, leaving Ichigō sprawled amidst the debris. 

Kuro stood his ground, his gaze steady and unwavering. His aura crackled faintly with residual energy, a testament to the precision and control he had honed over countless battles. "You're strong," he said, his tone calm and measured. "But you rely too much on your tech. That's your weakness." 

Ichigō groaned, his mechanical joints whirring as he pushed himself back to his feet. His once-pristine armor was dented and scorched, sparks dancing intermittently along its surface. But his crimson eyes burned with undiminished determination. 

"You'll regret underestimating us," Ichigō growled, his voice a mix of defiance and menace. 

Kuro tilted his head slightly, his expression betraying no fear. "Then stop talking and prove it."