The echo of punches landing against hardened flesh reverberated throughout the training area. Battle Beast was a relentless force, towering over the group of young warriors who were pushing themselves beyond their limits to keep up. Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi, Minato, and Kakashi were giving everything they had, but it was clear from the way Battle Beast effortlessly countered their attacks that they were outmatched in raw strength.
Nolan stood at the sidelines, his arms crossed over his chest, eyes focused. He could feel the energy in the room—the tension, the effort, the determination. His sons were growing stronger, but Battle Beast's power was an entirely different level. It was exactly what Nolan had been hoping for: a real test of their abilities.
Naruto was the first to charge, his shadow clones springing to life, surrounding Battle Beast from all angles. Battle Beast's eyes gleamed with excitement as he swung his fists, knocking Naruto's clones to the side like they were nothing more than annoyances. But Naruto didn't back down. He kept the clones coming, relentless, trying to outnumber him.
Sasuke and Itachi worked in tandem, using their Sharingan to try and predict Battle Beast's movements. Sasuke went for a lightning-fast strike, while Itachi used his fire jutsu to try to create an opening. But Battle Beast was too quick, dodging and retaliating with bone-crushing punches.
Minato and Kakashi weren't far behind, their speed and strategy giving them an edge. Minato teleported in flashes, trying to land hits from impossible angles, while Kakashi was using his Sharingan and Lightning Blade to cut through the air, hoping to catch Battle Beast off-guard.
Despite their best efforts, Battle Beast was still dominating. He was a force of nature, the kind of fighter who thrived in chaos, and it showed.
"Alright, Mark," Nolan said, watching his son closely. "You can join in now. Let's see how you stack up."
Mark looked at Nolan, his face lighting up with excitement. He had been watching from the sidelines, waiting for the right moment, and now it was finally time. He shot into the air with incredible speed, landing in the middle of the battle. The group briefly paused, giving Mark room to move in.
"Finally!" Mark grinned, adrenaline rushing through him as he clashed with Battle Beast.
Battle Beast grinned back, a fierce smile tugging at his lips. "This is more like it!" he growled, meeting Mark's attack head-on.
Mark wasted no time, using his enhanced speed to dodge Battle Beast's powerful swings. His punches landed with the force of a freight train, but Battle Beast absorbed them without flinching, retaliating with brutal strikes. The two collided in a series of thunderous blows, each trying to outmatch the other.
Nolan stepped back, watching the battle unfold with an approving nod. His son was strong, but Battle Beast was a different kind of fighter—one who thrived on combat, who fed off the thrill of the fight.
The sound of footsteps approaching broke Nolan's concentration. Cecil appeared beside him, his hands in his pockets, a serious look on his face as he observed the battle below.
"Looks like your boy is really holding his own," Cecil said, his tone casual but with an edge of interest. "So, Nolan, when do you think the first Viltrumite will come?"
Nolan's gaze flickered to Cecil, his face darkening slightly. "Soon. But it'll be a low-tier one—nothing Earth can't handle." He glanced back down at the sparring match, a small sigh escaping his lips. "What we need to worry about is when they start sending mid-tier and high-tier fighters. That's when things get real."
Cecil raised an eyebrow but nodded, already processing the information. "I see," he said quietly. "And you think Mark will be ready by then?"
Nolan looked over at his son, who was exchanging blows with Battle Beast, a fierce grin on his face. "He'll be ready," Nolan said, his voice steady. "He'll need to be."
As the fight continued, Nolan kept his eyes on the battlefield, mentally preparing for what was to come. This was just the beginning. They were building a team, but even that wouldn't be enough if the Viltrumites sent their best fighters. For now, though, he would watch his sons grow stronger, just like he had in the past.
But even he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the real fight was just around the corner.