Dusk deepened.
The last trace of sunlight sank beneath the horizon, and twilight draped the Grand Canyon in a dim, crimson veil.
At the canyon floor, the headlights of the NEST convoy cut through the darkness like blades.
"They're here."
Uchiha Mo gazed down at the vehicles entering the kill zone, his voice calm.
"You're really going to duel Optimus first? Feels unnecessary."
Megatron shook his head slightly.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Why is he the one born to lead—respected by all?"
"And I… no matter how much I strive… am never acknowledged?"
His metal fist slammed into the railing with a harsh screech.
"Because he chose mercy? Because he stands with the weak?"
"I'll prove it—power is truth!"
"I will defeat him in front of everyone!"
Mo listened quietly, then replied:
"I don't quite understand this 'born leader' idea…"
"But I respect your choice."
"Just remember—his spark is mine."
"Of course!"
Megatron leapt from the viewpoint, landing heavily below before striding toward the convoy.
"Time to end this war."
As the convoy entered the narrowest section of the canyon—
Shadows moved.
Starscream's aerial squad swept across the sky like phantoms, bombing both ends of the route and sealing every escape path.
Several Decepticons surged from concealment, transforming mid-charge and completing the encirclement.
"Autobots—prepare for battle!"
Optimus Prime transformed instantly, shielding nearby soldiers.
Megatron stepped forward, meeting his gaze.
"Let's finish this."
Arcee and Skids transformed to engage—
But were immediately intercepted.
Above them, Starscream screeched:
"Don't interfere with a leader's duel!"
Megatron struck first.
His massive frame surged forward, fist aimed straight at Optimus's head.
Optimus raised his arm—
BOOM!
Metal collided with deafening force, shockwaves blasting dust several meters into the air.
At the same time—
The entire battlefield erupted.
Arcee dashed aside, firing precisely into a Decepticon's shoulder joint.
Skids clashed head-on with a Constructicon, each impact shaking the ground.
Under William Lennox's command, NEST troops formed defensive lines using vehicles as cover, unleashing suppressive fire.
But Starscream's aerial assaults forced constant repositioning.
"Requesting air support! Heavy fire from canyon south!"
Lennox shouted into the comm.
Above—
Inabi completed his hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball roared downward.
"Incoming!"
"Take cover!"
BOOM!!
Flames engulfed two military vehicles.
Several soldiers were thrown off their feet by the shockwave.
Before the flames faded—
Inabi had already descended.
Like a phantom.
He slipped through gunfire, kunai flashing—
One clean slash across a soldier's throat.
Efficient.
Merciless.
"They're too fast!"
Robert Epps ducked behind a vehicle, panic creeping into his voice.
He raised his rifle—
Then froze.
Crimson filled his vision.
Three tomoe spun slowly.
"Genjutsu: Narakumi no Jutsu."
The world twisted.
Burning vehicles became monstrous machines.
Comrades' screams warped into Decepticon laughter.
Epps fired blindly—
His bullets struck his own ally.
"Epps! Snap out of it!"
Lennox hurled a smoke grenade.
White smoke swallowed the battlefield.
Elsewhere—
Shūjin moved.
He pulled out a small jar wrapped in talisman paper, letting blood drip onto it.
Black insect-like entities burst forth like ink—
Locking onto Arcee.
They landed—
And began devouring.
Her pink-white armor corroded instantly, rust spreading across the surface.
Joints screeched.
Oil mixed with decay dripped to the ground.
"What the hell is this?! Help me!"
Arcee cried out, her movements slowing.
A Decepticon seized the moment—
CRASH!
A heavy blow smashed into her damaged shoulder.
Metal fractured.
"Arcee!"
Skids tried to rush forward—
But was pinned down by a Constructicon.
Megatron saw everything—
And laughed.
"Now you see why I chose my allies!"
Optimus's optics dimmed slightly—
But his blades sharpened.
"Megatron… this is why you will never understand leadership."
"I trust my team."
Megatron roared and charged again—
Punches tearing through the air.
"Arrogant!"
Optimus dodged, his blade slashing toward Megatron's arm joint—
Megatron didn't retreat.
His cannon charged instantly—
Point-blank.
BOOM!!!
The explosion forced both leaders back.
Optimus's chest armor blackened.
Megatron's arm plating split open.
"Is that all you've got?!"
Megatron laughed wildly, charging again—
This time abandoning all defense.
Optimus narrowed his optics.
He deflected each incoming strike—
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Sparks exploded into the darkening canyon.
Every impact shook the air.
"Your rage makes you reckless!"
His blade shifted—
Piercing toward Megatron's core.
Megatron twisted aside—
Grabbing Optimus's arm and hurling him into a rock wall.
CRASH!!
Stone shattered.
But Optimus flipped mid-impact—
Driving both feet into Megatron's chest.
The two titans separated once more.
Both breathing heavily.
The battle—
Had reached a new level of brutality.
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