The Running Men team continued to discuss their plan. Making sure their voices were less audible in case of Charming Gold overhearing them through unknown communications. Then the announcer bot appeared out of nowhere and announced the coming round.

"We will now begin the second round of Battle of the Thrones!" Said the announcer, surprising everyone. "Running Men! Please get ready!"

"What?! We're going to fight them so soon?!" Lonky exclaimed before Popo.

"Yeah! We hardly had any time to relax!"

"Under Article 34 on paragraph 29 of the Running Man Tournament Regulations say; In games comprised of sets and/or rounds, the break time with each sets is 10 minutes and can no lon~"

"We meant it as a rhetorical question!!!" Shouted the giraffe and stopped the announcer from continuing his explanation.

"Dang, you weren't kidding when you upgraded this, Liu. But... Isn't the glowing light a bit too much?" Yuu asked from behind them as the rest turned to look at him. They were surprised to see Yuu back to his former clothing style but they were mostly appalled to see light blue lines on the edges of his jacket and bandages.

"Oh, those are the electric Nano Mites. They glow to imply that your bandages are ready to electrocute your opponents" Liu replied to him before the other Running Men took a quick step back away from Yuu. Not wanting to get electrocuted by his suit.

"Well... Is there any way to turn off the Nano Mites for now? Does it respond to voice command or...?"

"Yes there's a way to turn them off. I thought of everything, Yuu. Just lightly press the logo on your jacket" Liu pointed out the green Chameleon logo on the front, right side of his jacket.

Yuu touched the logo and the blue light slowly faded.

"Nice. This will come in handy" Yuu muttered before getting Pat by Gai on his shoulder.

"Looking good, dude" Said the monkey with a friendly voice.

"Please decide your King now! You are running out of time" Said the announcer bot before the others prepared themselves. Kuga tended the bandages to cover his hands, Gai and Miyo stretched themselves while Yuu did nothing but lean his back on the wall.

"Okay, so who'll be the King this time?" Miyo asked and Liu immediately replied.

"I'll be the King. I have another idea and this time... It will surely work because now... We are complete. So trust me" Liu smiled towards them all as all of them nodded with a determined look.

After a few minutes, Pala was seen running across metal floor of the area, where they played the opening games, while restlessly shaking his cane. Liu then arrived next to Pala and talked to him.

"Pala!" Said the bug as he ran next to him. Pala replied by saying Liu's name in delight after meeting him so soon. "Let's find a place to hide first so you can concentrate. I contacted Yuu earlier and he'll watch over us in case we run into trouble"

"Where is he?" Asked Pala.

"He's on the High Ground Arena. He'll catch up to us once he finds a portal. Speaking of which, there's one! Let's go!" Liu pointed at the portal on the other side before both of them rushed towards it and leaped into the portal. Arriving at the Ultimate Tower.

They then slowly walked around the quiet halls of the area, trying to preserve their energy when the time comes for them to use it again.

"Liu, it's Miyo" Said Miyo through his watch. "Have you caught up with Pala?"

"I have. We're trying to look for a good hiding spot in the Ultimate Tower for now" The bug replied.

"Is Yuu with you?" Miyo asked once more.

"Not yet, but he told me he'd find us to watch over us. I should contact him now"

"Okay. Just let me know once you found a safe place. I'm moving out"

"Okay, Goodluck!" Once they ended their communication, Liu bumped into Pala's back. Confused on why he stopped walking. "Pala, what's wrong?"

Pala hesitated on speaking. Only pointing a trembling finger towards someone Infront of them. Liu's eyes widened and his antenna perked up straight when he realized that it was Makhan.

"Why did we have to bump into the most dangerous one..." Liu muttered as Makhan slowly approached them.

Luckily, Gai arrive just in time to save them. He tried to attack the large tiger from behind but Makhan easily evaded his strike as Gai moved towards his allies.

"Go, I'll distract him for now" Said Gai before pulling out a few shurikens on his left hand and a Kunai on his right. Liu nodded and pulled Pala by the hand as they made a run for it. Leaving the monkey and the tiger alone for a duel. "Let's do this!" Shouted Gai as they began their battle.

Meanwhile, Liu and Pala managed to find a portal and arrived at the Heroes Memorial.

"Popo where are you?" Liu spoke to the communication on his watch.

"AHH!! I can't talk now! I'm Running for my life!!!" Popo replied before ending their communication.

"That doesn't sound good..." The bug muttered.

"This looks like a safe place for now" Pala suggested. "Tell Yuu to meet us here"

"I'm on it" Liu replied before speaking to his watch once more. "Yuu, are you there?"

"Yeah... I'm here..."

"Is something wrong?" Liu asked, referring to his unusual tone.

"I'm afraid your on your own for now guys..."

"What? Why? Where are you?"

"I'm still at the High Ground and... I encountered one of them. It's Hanabi... I'm pretty sure escaping her is impossible. I'll have to defeat her, here and now"

They ended their communication.

"Wow... The game only started and everyone is already on edge..." Said Pala. Feeling nervous.

"This is a battle against time now... Let's hurry with that potion!"

"Okay!"

Meanwhile, in the High Ground Arena, Yuu stood face to face with Hanabi. Breathing heavily underneath her mask as her red eyes clashes in dominance towards Yuu's blue eyes.

"So... You came back... You're not a coward after all..." Hanabi spoke. "But you're as pathetic as those Running Men..."

"It's nice to see you again too, Hanabi" Yuu replied as he braced himself for the battle.

"Things could have gone differently. If only you didn't choose the wrong path... Now... You will die"

"I'm not planning on dying, until I finish what I came here for..."

"And what's that?"

"To remove all of your stupid masks and beat up that Peacock"

"You're beyond pathetic..."

"Maybe. But atleast I feel like I have a purpose for now"

Popo out! Popo Out!

Yuu's eyebrow creased in slight anger to have hear that his teammate had already been eliminated.

"Dang it..." Yuu mumbled.

"And your next" Hanabi said her final words before rushing towards Yuu with an incredible speed. Yuu clenched his fist and covered his front. Preparing to block her in coming strike as their battle commenced.

On the other hand, Miyo gritted her teeth and creased her eyebrows towards Shawn after she eliminated Popo. They were no match for her in terms of fighting or even running away but she has to escape in order to assist the others in their current dilemma. She started by running away while Shawn was busy tossing Popo into the elimination portal, hoping for the best to escape her clothes.

Gai's battle ended immediately after he was tossed onto the wall.

"Don't waste my time..." Said Makhan with a deep voice as he held Gai by the neck.

Gai struggled to break free until Kuga spoke the his watch and caught Makhan's attention.

"Gai, it's Kuga. Tell me your location" Said Kuga as he awaited Gai's response, only to be surprised when Makhan spoke instead of Gai.

"Go to the Super Arena...."

"Makhan...!" Kuga said his name out of shock before anger slowly fueled him.

"I'll be waiting... For you..." After that, their communication ended and Liu spoke from the communications in return.

"Don't let him get to you Kuga, it's not time yet!" Said the bug as Kuga tried to hold in his rage.

"I know... But he has Gai..." Soon her heard multiple footsteps from behind until Rema's voice was heard after a quick laugh.

"I wonder who you could have been talking to just now~~"

"Bet you didn't expect to see us so soon did you?" Spin said after Rema.

Having to lose to his rage, Kuga faced Rema and Spin with a terrifying look in his eyes.

"Geez... This is harder than I thought..." Liu muttered to himself as he sat on the empty floor of the Heroes Memorial. He sulked and thought deeply into what action he will take next, until a bright golden light was emitted from Pala's cane before getting tapped by the Impala on the back.

"It's finished" Pala said to him, surprising Liu as he quickly got up and readied several empty bullet capsules.

Pala carefully poured his newly created potion into the capsules but there was only enough for two capsules. A problem occured as both of them fell into complete silence.

"I guess there's only enough for two..." Pala muttered. "I'll just make more then!"

"No. It's alright" Liu reassured him. "I'll make use of what I've got. We don't have much time. Look for the others, I'll find Miyo. Good luck, Pala!" Liu said his farewell before hopping into the nearest portal, leaving Pala alone as he wandered around the area, in search for other portals.

Meanwhile, Liu arrived at the Zone Arena and manages to find an exhausted Miyo. Leaning her back against the wall as she breathed heavily.

"Miyo! Are you alright?!" Liu asked in concern.

"I'm fine. Just... A bit tired. How did it go with the potion?" Asked the feline before sitting on the ground.

"It's done. I'm going to execute the plan now"

"Execute what plan?"

A voice asked them from behind Liu and was surprised to see Elto and the small penguin already caught up with them.

"Your previous plan already backfired. What's the use of a new one?" Asked the penguin but Liu payed no attention to what they said, only smiling triumphantly with a look of determination.

"Well... This is good enough. I just save time trying to find you two..."

Pala continued to wander into the hallways and found himself a portal. Wanting to search for his friends, he entered the portal and was teleported into the High Ground. He fell from the Sky and landed on the highest ground. He rubbed the back of his head before finally realizing that Hanabi was Infront of him aiming a punch. Pala screamed in a panic but her strike was prevented when Yuu arrived Infront of Pala and blocked it.

"What the heck are you doing here Pala...?" Yuu asked before gripping Hanabi's hand and throwing her away from them, but it wasn't rather effective as she gracefully landed near the edge of the Platform.

"I... I was looking for the others so I can be of help" Said the nervous Impala.

"That sounds nice and all. But I'm afraid you won't be of much help to me. She's really fast..."

"Can't you copy her abilities?"

"I'm afraid that's impossible for now... Because in order for that to work... I have to see her completely... And you can see why I can't" Yuu referred to how Hanabi was moving side to side with a tremendous speed that prevented them from even seeing her whole body. Only a faint afterimage of her current position before moving on to next. Like a ghost in the wind.

"What are we going to do...?"

"Not we... Me. Tell the others I'll join you guys soon"

"What?" Pala asked before Yuu wrapped his bandages around him and whipped Pala upwards, tossing him back into the portal in order to face Hanabi alone without any hindrance.

"Hanabi, snap out of it! I don't want to fight you!" Yuu shouted as Hanabi appeared next to him.

"Too bad..." She whispered into his ears before kicking Yuu on his side, launching him sideways as he stumbled and rolled on the platform. Feeling the waving pain in his left rib cage. "Because I really... Want to kill you" Hana spike before proceeding to quickly move side to side. Due to her terrifying speed, it almost looks like there are 5 Hanabi in the arena.

"I really don't want to fight you..." Yuu coughed out some of the pain before touching the logo on his jacket. Blue light trailed across the edges of his clothing and sparks of electricity were seen on the end of his extended bandages. "I just want to remove your mask... But you're making this a lot harder that it should be..."

On the other hand, Pala arrived back at the Heroes Memorial after fall out of the portal where Yuu threw him. He crashes on the ground but was not harm. He picked himself up before hearing a faint muttering voice from behind.

"Those running men... They look like they're plotting something again... Their previous plan couldn't have worked if it weren't for Number 1's companion. Speaking of which... Number 1 is nowhere to be found and Number 2 went on to fight Kuga alone... Those idiots... And to make matters worse, Yuu is back... I just hope Number 3 can handle him. Or else... I just have to do everything myself..." Dr. Mala muttered to himself before coming across Pala. The moment their eyes Metz they immediately became afraid of one another. Jumping up and quivering in fear until Mala realized that it was only Pala and laughed mockingly at him. "Oh... It's only you"

"Excuse me...?" Pala asked, feeling about offended.

"You're an embarrassment to the Impa tribe and... The weakest player of the Running Men" Said Dr. Mala with a satisfied smile.

"Are you also from... The Impa tribe?" Pala asked once more after noticing his broken horns.

"I was part of Impa Tribe"

"So it is you then!" Pala said out loud with a revealing tone. "The Mad Doctor Mala! You were banished from our tribe for developing and using forbidden potions and concoctions! As part of the punishment, the Elders decided to cut one of your horns to show the world that you have been banished!"

"Show some respect!" Shouted Mala in return. "Remember, boy, I have seniority!"

"I... I'm sorry, sir!" Pala apologized as he straighten his posture. But a few a few seconds, he thought to himself otherwise. "Wait a minute..." Pala placed his cane on his shoulders, puffing out his breath as he picked his nose. "Show some respect for Charming Gold's little servant? Nahhh... No way. Plus, just like me, you're the weakest player of your team. So don't act like your all powerful or whatever. Heh..."

"You.... How dare you!" Mala uttered in anger, spinning around as if he felt like a ninja. "I'm going to teach you a lesson about manners!"

"Heh. Trying to be tough with your broken horn? Well I'm not scared of that. Bring it on, old man!!!" Pala straightened his posture once more and signaled Dr. Mala that he was ready for their battle.

The two weakest players clashed in dominance before Dr. Mala began by revealing a small glass bottle with pink liquid inside.

"You're too cocky boy! You don't have a chance against me! ESPECIALLY because of my Status Enhancement Potion!" Dr. Mala boasted his potion as he continued to reveal it's origin. "I have brewed this beauty using the most powerful and exotic ingredients in the world!" Dr. Mala then drank a small portion of the potion before his body turned bright pink.

"Oh please" Pala exclaimed. "My Invincibility Potion will put your strawberry soda to shame!" Pala pulled out a glass bottle with green liquid inside before drinking and giving out the result as Mala. He glowed in a shimmering bright Golden colors. Having a wide smile across his face as if he was overexcited.

"That green slob is just going to give you a stomachache!" Dr. Mala argued as he drank the potion once more, glowing even brighter in pink.

"Oh yeah?! Well I bet you'll throw up before me!"

And so the cycle began. Both of the weakest players battled eachother by determining who can drink more of their brewed concoction. After a few minutes or so, both Pala and Mala's stomach were bloated. A similar result anyone would see in a cartoon after eating alot of food. But in their case, drinking too many potions....

Lonky's head then peaked out of the portal and saw Pala before getting confused and surprised after seeing both of their stomachs inflated like a balloon that was about to burst.

"You should... Give up... Right now~~" Mala them let out a loud burp, interrupting him before proceeding to finish his sentence. "Oh... I don't think I can take it anymore..." The Doctor whines as his stomach felt tight.

"Hah! Now way! I still have plenty of room in my stomach. I'm not giving up but maybe you should" Pala tried to laugh after that but burped instead. Feeling the same uncomfortable pain as Dr. Mala as if he was about to vomit.

"Pala! The team needs you where have you been?!" Lonky asked out loud as he approached them. "And are you alright? What's wrong with both of your stomachs? It looks like you swallowed an inflated balloon.

"I'm fine Lonky, don't worry. I was just about to kick this old man's butt" Pala reassured him. "It's under control!"

"Sorry I really can't take you seriously because of your stomach" Lonky apologized before moving closer to Pala to observe his bloated stomach.
"What did you do?"

Lonky then pressed Pala's stomach with his fingers. The Impala couldn't handle it anymore and let out a powerful burp onto Lonky's face which emitted a golden light.

"AHH! DISGUSTING!" Lonky shouted as he covered his mouth, assuming Pala was puking but later realized something had happened to him. The giraffe's skin and clothing had been turned into gold. "Oh wow... I feel so energetic!!!"

Pala let out his one last burp, taking in a deep breath before speaking to Lonky with a triumphant smile.

"That's because... My potion never fails! You've been exposed to my Invincibility Potion. You are now invincible. Though you can still feel pain but only for a second"

"Amazing!" Lonky complimented him. "Okay, I'll start by taking out this old guy"

"No..." Pala spoke. Shifting his head sideways as a gesture of NO. "I wouldn't waste your time with him. Besides... Dr. Mala and I have to finish what we started. It's my destiny. I will prove to him why I was chosen as my people's champion"

"Hmmm... Alright, sure" Lonky shrugged before smiling widely. "Okay, Pala. I'm going to go help the rest of the team! Goodluck, comrade!!!" Lonky bid his farewell and ran towards the nearest portal. Leaving Pala with a bloated Dr. Mala.

Meanwhile, Liu tried to fend off his two opponents while Miyo was still regaining her strength. But, unfortunately, all the bug could do was dodge and evade their attacks.

"I only have two bullets... I need to get a clear shot..." Liu muttered before a loud shout was heard from above.

It was Lonky. Standing on the highest platform and laughing mightily like a king to his loyal army.

"Lonky is Here!!!" The giraffe shouted before jumping off the platform and landing on the hard ground before rushing towards the two Dv8 member but was immediately kicked by Elto in the face and was sent flying towards Miyo and Liu.

"Lonky, are you alright...?" Liu asked in concern before the giraffe perked his head upwards and smiled.

"That's my name! Don't wear it out! INVINCIBLE LONKY!!!!" The golden giraffe kept shouting his name and title before running towards his opponent again. The results were pretty much the same.

Each strike they give him made Lonky fall on the ground, and even launched upwards by the penguin's exploding cards, but Lonky kept rising up. Feeling Jo pain whatsoever. The two Dv8 eventually started to feel tired and exhausted. Using this as an opportunity, Lonky executed a pose and planned to attack but the effect of the portion wore out and took away his strength and energy as the price for Invincibility.

One Lonky fell weak on the ground, Elto and the penguin looked down at him with a small laugh.

"How pathetic. He didn't even managed to land a hit on us" Said Elto.

"That's because..." Liu spoke from behind them and alerted their opponents. "I'm the one getting the shot" Once they turned to face Liu, the bug immediately pulled the trigger and fired two golden capsuled towards them and exploded with green smoke onto their faces before disappearing. Elto and the small penguin closed their eyes as a response to the bullet was underwhelmed when they didn't felt no such pain from Liu's bullet as they expected they would.

"Huh... It was only a sting" Elto muttered.

"It hardly stings at all" Said the penguin before both of them laughed until Elto suddenly felt heavy and met the ground after he collapsed along with the penguin.

"Wait... Why... Why can't I move my body...? Is this... Neurotoxin?" Asked Elto before completely falling into unconsciousness.

Liu twirled his pistol and blew on the muzzle as he smiled at them.

"Finally got my clear shot!"