The morning came quickly.
Mark stood at the edge of a ruined rooftop, breathing heavily. His suit was scraped, torn, and marked with bruises from a vicious fight. Across from him, standing proud and untouched, was the hulking lion-like warrior known across galaxies — Battle Beast.
Blood dripped from Mark's lip as he held up his fists again. "I'm not done yet."
Battle Beast grinned, spinning his massive mace in one hand. "You have potential, boy. Strength, fire, determination… but you're not what I came for."
Mark blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I seek warriors. True ones. And you… you're still soft." He turned, ready to walk away. "But you said something. Something interesting."
Mark froze.
"You said you have a strong father." Battle Beast glanced back over his shoulder. "Bring me to him."
Mark hesitated. Regret twisted in his gut immediately. "Wait, that's not—"
"Your hesitation means he is strong. I will face him." He stepped forward. "Or are you too afraid to share your bloodline's pride?"
Before Mark could answer, Rex — ever the loudmouth — slid up beside him, bruised and limping.
"He's talking about Omni-Man. Grayson lives over near the suburbs, outside the city."
"Rex, shut up!" Mark snapped.
Battle Beast growled with excitement. "Excellent."
He leapt into the air without another word, disappearing toward the horizon with incredible speed.
Mark stared after him, wide-eyed. "Crap… I just led a war machine to my house."
Back at the Grayson Household
Nolan was in the backyard, overseeing training. Naruto and Sasuke were practicing elemental control, Itachi was sparring with Kakashi, and Minato was quietly studying the scrolls Nolan had given them that morning.
[System Inventory - Unlocked Scrolls]
Wind Release: Gale Palm
Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Jutsu
Water Clone Technique
Lightning Style: Static Grip
Chakra Control Drill
Nolan passed each scroll out according to talent. "Take your time. Master one before moving to another. Focus."
Minato nodded. "Understood."
Naruto was already yelling, "I'M GONNA LEARN 'EM ALL!"
Suddenly, Nolan's phone rang — Debbie's contact.
He answered immediately. "Debbie?"
Her voice was panicked. "Cecil just called me — Mark brought Battle Beast to Earth! He told him about you. You need to get ready. Now."
Nolan's expression turned cold in an instant.
"I'll handle it."
He hung up and turned toward the kids.
"Training's done. Inside. Now."
"But I was about to—" Naruto began.
"Inside, Naruto," Nolan barked.
The sharp tone froze everyone. They obeyed instantly, sensing something serious.
Nolan cracked his neck, rising off the ground, his voice low.
"So… he wants a fight?"
He flew up into the sky, breaking the sound barrier as he raced toward the oncoming threat.
Back with Mark
Mark was already on the phone with Cecil.
"I messed up. Battle Beast is heading straight for my dad."
Cecil's voice came through, sharp and controlled. "We're tracking him. If Nolan doesn't stop him, no one else can. Stay back, Mark. Do not interfere."
"But—"
"Let him handle it. You might be the key to ending this peacefully, but right now, he's Earth's only hope of surviving it."
Mark lowered the phone, watching the horizon as two shapes rocketed toward one another in the sky.
Nolan vs. Battle Beast.
This wasn't just a fight.
This was war.