Digital Emperor (Naruto X Digimon)

The atmosphere in the arena was electric, the tension palpable in the air as thousands of eyes watched the two tamers step into the massive field, an entire cityscape laid out before them. This wasn't just any ordinary battlefield—it was a reality marble designed to simulate a full urban environment, complete with buildings, streets, and the chaos of an actual city fight. It was the ultimate test for tamers, forcing them to adapt and think on their feet in real-time.

The crowd went wild when Kaiba made his entrance. He didn't need to say a word. His presence alone commanded attention. Tall, sharp-featured, with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, Kaiba was the very definition of confidence. He strode into the arena, his gaze sweeping over the excited spectators who practically screamed his name. A soft smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He was used to this.

He wasn't just any tamer—he was a rival to Atem, a powerhouse in his own right, and the financial genius behind the team. Kaiba wasn't here to make friends. He was here to prove his strength, to show the world that he was just as capable as his leader, if not more. The rivalry with Atem ran deep, but it was more than just about winning. It was about showing Atem that Kaiba was worthy of standing alongside him.

In contrast, Joey was already waving energetically to the crowd. With his bright blonde hair and blue eyes, he had the charm of a popular guy who loved the spotlight. He flashed a wide grin and threw flying kisses, clearly enjoying the attention, unlike Kaiba who barely acknowledged the crowd. Joey was Atem's right hand, ranking third among their team, and while he took Kaiba as a rival, their relationship was a complicated one. Aggressive on the outside, sure—but deep down, there was an undeniable bond. Despite their bickering, Joey would always stand by Kaiba's side, just as Kaiba would stand by him.

The moment Joey's words cut through the noise, the audience leaned in, eager for what was next.

"Since I seem to have fully recovered from my life-threatening coma," Joey began, his Brooklyn accent drawing out every word, "I'm gonna challenge Kaiba (his name deliberately mispronounced as "Koiba") to a game." He smirked.

The crowd reacted with a mix of excitement and laughter. Kaiba's eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed. His voice came out cold and calculated, the signature tone that only he could carry. "My name is not 'Koiba.'"

Behind the scenes, Tristan could be heard through the communicator, trying to make sense of the situation. "Wasn't fighting what put you in a coma in the first place?"

Joey chuckled, shrugging off the question. "Yeah, but like my dad said right before he died of alcohol poisoning: 'What doesn't kill ya only makes ya stronger.'"

Kaiba didn't react, instead focusing on the challenge before him. "You really think you have what it takes to beat me?" His voice dripped with condescension. "I'd be surprised if you could even beat Mokuba."

Just then, Mokuba's voice cut through the air, sharp and full of energy. "I would kick your ass, white boy!"

Kaiba resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His younger brother was always too eager to get involved in these things. "Shut up, Mokuba," Kaiba muttered under his breath, though it was clear he was barely containing his frustration. "Is that really how you're going to handle it?"

Joey didn't let up, as expected. "Duel me! Or are you just a chicken?"

Kaiba shot back, his voice unamused, "You tell me. You're the furry."

There was a brief moment of stunned silence before Joey exploded, his face red with indignation. "Hey, I already told you that I was just cosplaying. I am not a furry, damn it."

"That's what a furry would say," Kaiba quipped, barely containing his smirk.

Joey's face twisted into an exaggerated frown, playing up the drama. "Guys, guys, Kaiba touched me. He hugged me too."

"Wheeler, we talked about this," Kaiba snapped, stepping forward. "I did not touch you."

"Sorry, but it happened, and you can't do anything about it," Joey shot back, his voice filled with mischief.

The crowd was in stitches as the two went back and forth, but the tension was palpable. They were here to fight, and this playful back-and-forth was simply the calm before the storm.

Kaiba's gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Let's duel, then. You take that back once I'm done with you."

With a swift motion, Kaiba held up his digivice, and the air around him seemed to crackle. His partner appeared before him in a flash of light, a towering presence ready for battle. Kaiba's Digimon, like his tamer, was a force to be reckoned with—a creature of incredible power, strong enough to match anything Joey could throw at him.

Joey grinned, ready to face his long-time rival. "You think you can beat me, Koiba?"

The arena's vast cityscape was already shifting, the ground quaking slightly as both tamers prepared for the duel. The audience hushed, knowing that what they were about to witness would be more than just a battle of Digimon—it would be a clash of pride, rivalry, and a desire to prove who was the true powerhouse.

With one final glance between them, the battle began, a test of strength, strategy, and the bond between a tamer and their partner. The city within the arena stood ready to see just who would emerge victorious.

The air in the arena buzzed with anticipation as Tyrant and Simba appeared, their forms towering over the cityscape. On one side stood Tyrant, the terrifying Machinedramon, a twisted abomination made from the synthesized remains of various Cyborg Digimons. It was a mechanical monster, its body an unholy combination of Megadramon's helmet, MetalTyrannomon's jaw, MetalGreymon's left claw, and the Psycho Blasters of MetalMamemon, all held together in a nightmarish union. Its cold, mechanical eyes glowed as it let out a low growl, its machinery whirring and clanking in anticipation of the battle.

On the other side, Simba, Joey's partner, emerged—a Leomon like no other, SaberLeomon. This Leomon had undergone a terrifying transformation, its body now shaped like a beast, streamlined and swift. Its overdeveloped fangs gleamed in the artificial light, and its claws were sharper than ever, radiating destructive power. Simba's eyes shone with intelligence and a burning desire to fight. Known as an ultimate-level Digimon, Simba's strength, speed, and reflexes were nothing short of legendary.

The crowd held its breath as the two titans stared each other down.

Joey grinned widely, his hands on his hips as he called out to Kaiba, his voice full of confidence. "Don't go easy on me, Kaiba. Just 'cause I was in a coma and probably suffered extensive brain damage, that doesn't mean I'm not gonna give it my all."

Kaiba's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he retorted, "Trust me, Wheeler. Even if you did have brain damage, I'm sure none of us would treat you any differently."

The crowd erupted in laughter, but Joey didn't miss a beat, his grin widening even more. "Good. Wait, what?"

"Nothing," Kaiba responded dryly, as his hand tightened around his Digivice. Tyrant's towering form shifted, its metallic claws scraping against the ground as it stepped forward, ready to engage.

Joey held up his own Digivice, his voice full of determination. "Simba, let's show him what we've got! Give him everything!"

Simba growled low in its throat, the beast-like Leomon ready to unleash its fury. It crouched low, preparing to spring forward with incredible speed. Kaiba didn't look worried, his eyes focused intently on Tyrant as he gave a single command.

The scene in the VIP lounge was tense as Takato, Rika, Naruto, and the others watched the chaos unfolding in the battle arena. The two tamers, Joey and Kaiba, were locked in their own heated rivalry, the atmosphere thick with animosity. The destruction being wrought in the cityscape seemed almost too intense for the average onlooker, but for these two, it was just another form of catharsis.

Takato, watching with a mixture of concern and bewilderment, muttered under his breath, "Joey and Kaiba's mutual hatred of each other is making this Duel hard to watch."

Rika, leaning back in her seat with a confident grin, didn't seem troubled by the intensity at all. "Don't worry, they're just playing. This is their way of having fun." She found the spectacle almost entertaining, her eyes lighting up as the tension between the two only seemed to escalate.

Naruto, glancing at her but not quite buying her explanation, responded bluntly, "No, I don't think I am doing that." Rika, noticing the lack of enthusiasm in his voice, pouted, not entirely understanding why Naruto didn't find it as amusing as she did.

Meanwhile, in the arena, the battle had already reached its peak intensity. Joey, his voice dripping with passion, shouted, "I summon Simba in Attack Mode, ya sonofabitch!" His voice carried through the arena, full of bravado as his partner, Simba, the beastly Leomon, leaped into the fray.

On the opposing side, Kaiba, ever the confident and calculated rival, immediately countered. "I activate Giga Destroyer, you assclown!" He spoke with that usual disdain, and Tyrant, his monstrous Machinedramon, launched rockets from its chest, streaking toward Simba.

Joey's eyes narrowed as Simba, with expert speed, dodged the incoming missiles with ease. The rockets crashed into the buildings surrounding the arena, causing massive explosions that sent shockwaves across the landscape. Miles of land were destroyed in an instant, the city around them turned to rubble, the damage almost too extensive to comprehend.

The sound attack from Simba wasn't child's play either. With a roar that seemed to shake the very air, Simba unleashed its sonic wave. The force of the attack hit Tyrant, but the true destruction came from the impact on the surrounding area. Miles of land were obliterated, the ground torn apart, as the fight between the two Digimons escalated even further.

The arena was in tatters, but the tamers' verbal exchanges were even more brutal. Joey, still hyped up from the fight, taunted Kaiba. "Rich boy!"

Kaiba shot back without missing a beat, his voice cold, "Hecker-wuss!"

The back-and-forth continued, their mutual disdain for each other seeping into every word. "Money-bags!" Joey shouted. "Idiot with blond hair!" Kaiba snapped. Both were breathing heavily, but it wasn't from exhaustion; it was the intensity of the rivalry that was wearing them down.

With a slight grin, Tristan, watching from the sidelines with the rest of the group, commented dryly, "Feel better now, or are you guys gonna fuck next?" His words were meant to break the tension, and they succeeded—somewhat.

Joey wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up at the sky, the smoke from the earlier explosions clouding the view. "Yeah, I feel better." There was a hint of satisfaction in his voice, but also an understanding that this battle had been about more than just the fight—it was about relieving all the stress they had been carrying from previous missions.

Kaiba, who had seemed cold and stoic throughout the whole battle, now seemed more at ease as well. His stance relaxed, but his competitive spirit was still sharp. "Joey, you are the enemy and I am the defender." His voice was steady and firm, though there was an underlying respect for the fight they had just shared. The battles between them had started as intense hatred but had evolved into something more complex—a way to release the built-up stress from their responsibilities.

Joey, however, couldn't help but reflect for a moment on his partner, Simba. This wasn't his first partner, but their bond had grown over time. Simba had been with him through thick and thin, their connection unbreakable, even as they were now in the midst of such an overwhelming battle.

On the other side, Kaiba's thoughts mirrored Joey's. Tyrant wasn't his first partner either, but the bond he shared with his Digimon was built on more than just strategy—it was forged through countless challenges. However, both of their strongest partners had taken a backseat for the moment. They were simply preparing for the next phase.

"Fine, I am ready." Joey snapped, refocusing on the battle. He couldn't afford to let his pride get in the way. In the end, he wasn't suited to be the defender against someone like Kaiba, who was stronger, faster, and more tactical. His role now was to hold back—to keep the destruction in check. But he would give it his all, and Simba would follow his lead.

Defender meant holding back and stopping the enemy from damaging the world around them. This was for the tamers, they needed to know how to handle such things or they would only make the mess worse.

In the initial battles, the tamers had made same level of mess as the enemy. They had innocent blood on their hands.

"Fix the place for us, we are starting," Kaiba commanded. The battle had gotten too out of hand, but the world around them was starting to shift. The buildings, the destruction—everything began to reset itself, the Reality Marble reworking the city back into its pristine state. The fighting would resume, but this time, they would be more mindful.

The city around them returned to normal, and the battle was far from over. The tamers had learned a harsh lesson—how to handle their power, how to control it. In their earlier fights, they had caused as much chaos as their enemies, but now they knew what was at stake.

The tension in the air was thick, the next clash imminent. Kaiba and Joey were about to pick up where they left off. But for now, the real battle was not just physical—it was the understanding of their own limits, the responsibility they carried as Digimon Tamers.