Previously, although Kurogai had struck the Hulk, it was mostly to counterbalance Hulk's brute force and fuel the power of his Fifth Eye Ring.

But this time was different.

Kurogai took the initiative to attack—and still, he felt the same fierce throbbing from his Fifth Eye Ring.

In that moment, realization dawned.

"Force is mutual. Even when I'm the one attacking, I still absorb the recoil. That's the trigger. I don't need to be hit—I just need to engage. Even my own punches against a strong enough opponent are enough to amplify the Fifth Eye Ring."

A flicker of understanding lit Kurogai's sharp gaze. He had just uncovered a critical key to mastering his ability.

From where Hulk lay in the wreckage of a nearby house, Kurogai's eyes burned with intensity.

Not only could he punish Hulk—he could evolve.

"ROAAAR!! Hulk is ANGRY! Hulk will smash you into meat! Hulk will STOMP YOU FLAT!!"

The house Hulk had been thrown into exploded into fragments as a violent force erupted from within. The green giant emerged, more furious than ever. Bloodshot eyes, muscles swollen with rage—it was clear Hulk was nearing a berserker state.

With a deafening roar, Hulk launched forward. The ground beneath him cracked and split from the sheer pressure of his leap.

He charged Kurogai like a freight train of rage and destruction.

"Come on then, Hulk. Let me show you what true power feels like."

Kurogai's expression sharpened. With a flick of his wrist, he drew his pistol—not to aim it at Hulk, but at himself.

"Alef."

In a flash, his body blurred and vanished from sight. The next moment, he reappeared at Hulk's right flank and calmly threw a punch.

Boom!

The punch connected with Hulk's ribs, sending him crashing through yet another house. Debris scattered like shrapnel.

"HULK… WILL NOT FALL!! Hulk will destroy YOU!!"

Staggering back to his feet, Hulk's rage only intensified. He thundered forward once again—and was promptly blasted through a row of homes.

Kurogai's speed under [Aleph] had reached terrifying levels. Hulk, despite his size and latent agility, simply couldn't keep up.

To Kurogai, Hulk now moved like a sluggish toddler—too slow to even touch his clothes.

Again and again, Hulk lashed out, only to be countered, redirected, and flattened. A vicious cycle repeated itself: Hulk attacked, Kurogai retaliated, Hulk flew through buildings.

But the green giant wouldn't stop.

He was pure rage—relentless and stubborn, like a furious child refusing to stay down. The more he was beaten, the more determined he became to land a blow.

This worked perfectly in Kurogai's favor. He needed that force, that resistance. The Fifth Eye Ring fed on it. And so, he welcomed Hulk's aggression like a gift.

Over and over again, their clash echoed through the ruined town. Hulk hurled cars, swung lamp posts, shattered walls—but nothing connected. Kurogai always appeared at just the right moment, striking and vanishing before Hulk could react.

Eventually, the frustration boiled over inside the jade-skinned giant.

Letting out a guttural scream, Hulk's body began to shift. His green hue faded. His swollen muscles shrank. His breathing slowed.

Dr. Bruce Banner returned.

"Wait—seriously?! You're backing out now?" Kurogai blinked in disbelief, lowering his stance. "Hulk! Come back out! I still need you!"

The battle had given Kurogai invaluable insight. The recoil of force—be it from an attack or retaliation—was the catalyst for empowering the Fifth Eye Ring. But that force needed to be legitimate. Punching concrete or the ground yielded nothing.

Only a powerful, resilient opponent like Hulk could provide that return force.

But just as Kurogai was tapping into the secret, Banner vanished on him. The fight was over… too soon.

The realization left him both amused and frustrated.

Meanwhile, the town was a complete wreck. Buildings leveled. Roads torn apart. Smoke lingered in the air like fog after a storm.

All the residents had long since fled—those who hadn't already evacuated at the first signs of battle had sprinted away once the ground started cracking beneath their feet.

The town got turned to something akin to a warzone.

Possibly the only person still lingering was Wade Wilson.

And judging by the way his arms flailed and his muffled groans echoed, he was having the time of his life.

Too bad Kurogai's seal still held him tightly in place.

If he could speak, Wade would probably be yelling, "BEST. DAY. EVER!"

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