The relentless rain hammered down, mirroring the turmoil brewing on the rooftop. Kaien and Minazuki stood amidst the downpour, the lifeless body of Jin lying nearby, his face disturbingly absent. A grotesque testament to Kaien’s cruelty. Minazuki, shedding his human guise, revealed his true form – a majestic, yet fearsome warrior.

  "Kaien, 10th Jūma of the Kurayami no Enjin," Minazuki's voice resonated with chilling resolve, "you will die here, once and for all." He leveled his sword, its polished surface reflecting the stormy sky, towards Kaien.

  "Let's see you try..." Kaien retorted, his voice laced with a dangerous mix of arrogance and anticipation.

  For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, with a burst of impossible speed, both figures vanished. The air crackled with displaced energy as they reappeared in the center of the rooftop, the impact of their brief exchange already evident. A crimson line bloomed on Kaien's arm where Minazuki's sword had connected, the attack parried at the last possible moment.

  The force of the block reverberated through the structure, spiderwebs of cracks spreading across the rooftop's surface. Dust and debris rained down as the building groaned under the strain.

  "Your speed increased, huh?" Kaien remarked, a hint of genuine surprise in his voice. "Then I wonder if your speed can keep up with this...!"

  With a surge of power, Kaien launched himself into the air, a black streak against the stormy backdrop. Minazuki, not to be outdone, followed in hot pursuit. They clashed in mid-air, a whirlwind of steel and fury. Minazuki pressed his offensive, a relentless barrage of attacks designed to overwhelm. Kaien, with incredible agility, maintained a defensive posture, parrying each blow with precision.

  Minazuki unleashed a flurry of slashes, targeting every vulnerable point on Kaien's body. Kaien blocked with his arms and legs, the force of each impact sending tremors through his frame. Despite his best efforts, Minazuki managed to draw blood, thin red lines appearing on Kaien's skin. Their strikes generated gusts of wind, the air itself seeming to recoil from their power.

  Kaien, realizing he needed to create distance, unleashed a burst of Shin’en, pushing Minazuki back. Two massive black Shin’en hands materialized on either side of Minazuki, hovering menacingly. Kaien spread his hands in a clapping gesture, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

  Minazuki, recognizing the danger, reacted instantly. He raised his sword above his head, bracing for the inevitable. The Shin’en hands slammed together, a thunderous clap that threatened to shatter the very air. Minazuki, using his sword as a shield, managed to prevent the hands from completely crushing him, but the strain was immense.

  Kaien struggled to overcome Minazuki's resistance, the Shin’en hands straining against the unyielding blade. Recognizing the stalemate, Minazuki made a daring decision. He abandoned his sword, launching himself directly at Kaien, his fist cocked back for a devastating punch.

  Kaien, caught off guard, deactivated the Shin’en hands and attempted to block the attack. But Minazuki, with a swift maneuver, transitioned into a kicking pose, using the momentum to propel himself towards his falling sword. He caught the weapon mid-air, preventing it from plummeting to the ground.

  "Smart move," Kaien conceded, a flicker of grudging respect in his eyes. "I've got to say, you've gotten stronger since your final transformation."

  Below, amidst the chaos, Ayaka rallied the remaining students. "This is our chance! Let's run and get some help! While Instructor Minazuki is fighting that Jūma!"

  "But where?" Eiji asked, his voice filled with desperation.

  "Anywhere! We can't just stand here and do nothing!" Ayaka insisted, her eyes blazing with determination.

  Driven by a desperate hope, the students began to flee, scattering in search of aid.

  Kaien, his attention momentarily diverted, saw the students attempting to escape. With a snarl, he grabbed his sword and kicked Minazuki away, sending him crashing to the ground.

  "There's no way I'll let you escape!" Kaien roared, rushing towards the fleeing students with terrifying speed.

  Suddenly, a streak of green energy slammed into Kaien, halting his advance. The attack was so swift that he had no time to dodge, barely managing to cross his arms in defense. The impact sent him hurtling backwards, soaring into the stormy sky.

  It was Minazuki, unleashing a powerful ranged attack. He swung his sword, a torrent of green light erupting from the blade. He leaped into the air, flying towards Kaien, who was still struggling to regain his balance. Minazuki positioned his sword downwards, preparing to deliver a fatal strike.

  Kaien, recovering quickly, pointed his fist towards Minazuki, unleashing a concentrated blast of black Shin’en shaped like a fist. Minazuki, without hesitation, turned his sword upwards, slicing through the Shin’en with practiced ease.

  They hovered in mid-air, locked in a tense standoff. "Not bad, Toshima," Kaien said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I guess I have to get more serious than I used to be. Kōkon no Shinzhui"

  A visible change began to overcome Kaien. Small, sharp protrusions emerged from the tips of his fingers, turning them into deadly claws. Armor materialized around his body, plates of black metal encasing his torso and limbs. A mask formed, covering the area around his eyes, leaving his mouth exposed, and a long, menacing horn sprouted from his forehead. His feet sharpened, becoming like talons, and his legs bulged with newfound muscle.

  "I haven't used this form since the war..." Kaien said, his voice taking on a deeper, more menacing tone. "Feels good to be back."

  "War?" Minazuki questioned, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

  "Oh, by the way," Kaien continued, seemingly unconcerned by Minazuki's question, "if I remember correctly, the Tenka Corps has some kind of ranking system. Toshima, what rank are you?"

  "I am a Mei-rank," Minazuki replied, his voice firm, "the second highest rank in the Corps."

  "Oh?" Kaien feigned surprise. "I thought you were a top rank. So, there are people stronger than you? I would love to fight them."

  "I'm afraid you will have no chance against them," Minazuki said, his grip tightening on his sword. "And since you're already fighting me, you will die here."

  "Well, we'll see about that!" Kaien roared, launching himself at Minazuki with renewed ferocity.

  The clash that followed was unlike anything seen before. They exchanged blows with blinding speed, each strike carrying enough force to level a building. The air around them vibrated with raw power, the shockwaves sending debris flying in all directions. Showa Kinen Park, once a place of beauty and tranquility, was transformed into a ravaged battlefield. The flowers were scorched, the trees uprooted, and the nearby buildings suffered extensive damage.

  Minazuki, anticipating Kaien's movements, sidestepped a powerful punch and retaliated with a spinning kick aimed at Kaien's head. Kaien, however, blocked the kick with his armored forearm, the impact sending sparks flying. He then grabbed Minazuki's leg, attempting to throw him off balance.

  Minazuki, using his free leg, stomped down on Kaien's hand, forcing him to release his grip. He then flipped backwards, creating some distance between them. Kaien, not giving him any respite, launched a barrage of black Shin’en projectiles towards Minazuki.

  Minazuki, with incredible agility, dodged and weaved through the projectiles, each one exploding upon impact with the ground, creating small craters in the earth. He closed the distance between them once again, engaging Kaien in close-quarters combat.

  Kaien unleashed a flurry of claw attacks, each strike aimed at a vital point. Minazuki parried the attacks with his sword, the sound of metal against metal echoing through the park. He then countered with a series of swift slashes, forcing Kaien to retreat.

  Kaien, realizing that he was at a disadvantage in close combat, leaped back, creating more distance between them. He then summoned a massive black Shin’en construct, a towering figure with glowing red eyes. The construct roared, its voice shaking the very foundations of the park.

  Minazuki, unfazed by the construct's appearance, charged towards it, his sword glowing with green energy. He leaped into the air, slicing through the construct's legs with a single, powerful strike. The construct crumbled, its body dissolving into black ash.

  "This rain... doesn't it make the fight more exciting?" Kaien mused, his eyes gleaming with manic glee. "But what will make it even more exciting is if your blood is the one raining down."

  "Unless I defeat you first!" Minazuki retorted, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

  As Minazuki spoke, a dark shadow emerged from behind him. It was another black Shin’en hand, but this time it was larger and more menacing than before. Minazuki turned to face the threat, but it was too late. The hand engulfed him, his entire body fitting within its grasp. The hand clenched, crushing Minazuki like a piece of paper. The sickening sound of bones breaking and blood flowing filled the air.

  "Ha! Toshima, what now?! You're all talk!" Kaien laughed, his voice laced with cruel triumph.

  Suddenly, a sword pierced Kaien from behind.

  "Wha...what...?!" Kaien gasped, disbelief and pain etched on his face.

  "You let your guard down after seeing your enemy get defeated," Minazuki's voice echoed from behind Kaien. "What a smart Jūma you are."

  "You bastard...!" Kaien snarled, his voice cracking with rage. "How did you...?"

  "What an idiot you are," Minazuki said, stepping out from the shadows. "Didn't you really see what I did? I guess I was too fast for you to even perceive it."

  "When I sensed that there was a Shin’en about to attack me from behind, I immediately used a technique where I can move as fast as I can and leave an illusion where I came from," Minazuki explained.

  "Lies!" Kaien roared, his voice filled with denial. "Then what were those bones and limbs sounds crushing?!"

  "That technique is called 'Living Afterimage'," Minazuki said. "It was not just an ordinary illusion, it was more like a clone. It captured one hundred percent of my human body, and that sound came from that."

  "Curse you!" Kaien screamed, summoning six massive Shin’en hands around them, four on their sides, one above, and one below.

  Seeing the imminent danger, Minazuki immediately pulled his sword from Kaien's chest and leaped away. The hands slammed together, crushing everything within their grasp. But as expected, Kaien was not among the casualties, having managed to escape the crushing force.

  "Oh? Where did all that confidence go? Did it vanish, disappear?" Minazuki mocked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

  "Don't... underestimate!" Kaien roared, his voice growing louder with each word.

  [Tenka Corps Main Building]

  Akihiro, the Saiten-rank Yomu Executioner, was buried in paperwork in his office. "My hands are tired, I want to have some action. These papers are mountains!"

  A knock echoed on his door. "Saiten-san, this is the report from the battle with the B-rank Yomurei from our Sen-rank Yomu Executioner," a worker's voice announced.

  "Come in," Akihiro replied, his voice weary.

  The worker opened the door and entered, handing the report to Akihiro.

  "More work, I guess..." Akihiro sighed.

  "Don't worry, Saiten-san," the worker said, offering a reassuring smile. "We Yomu Executioner are taking care of Yomurei all around the world. It is our job to keep the world peaceful so we don't have to rely on you every time."

  "Thanks, Yoruhara-san," Akihiro said, a hint of gratitude in his voice.

  "You're welcome," Yoruhara replied, smiling before leaving the office.

  Akihiro continued his work, but as he was writing, he sensed a powerful surge of Shin’en. "What is this feeling...? There's a strong Shin’en I sense coming from the southwest..."

  He put his pen down and stood up, walking over to the window. "Southwest... This Shin’en... is a Jūma level?!"

  He threw open the window and leaped out. "Damn it! Why is there a Jūma?! In this rain, I can only fly at a speed of fifty kilometers per hour! Why now?!"

  He pushed himself to fly faster, knowing that every second counted. Flying wasn't his specialty, but he was determined to reach the source of the disturbance as quickly as possible.

  [Showa Kinen Park]

  Kaien and Minazuki continued their battle, neither willing to yield. The air around Kaien began to shimmer with a green energy, swirling around him faster and faster. The energy became increasingly sharp, like a whirlwind of blades. Kaien realized that if he tried to escape, he would be caught in the deadly vortex. But the energy was constantly contracting, becoming smaller and faster.

  "What is this? What did you do, Toshima?" Kaien demanded, his voice laced with a hint of panic.

  "What do you mean? What I'm doing is killing you... isn't there any other thing I'm doing?" Minazuki replied, his voice calm and unwavering.

  "Tch... this is so annoying!" Kaien roared, unleashing a powerful punch towards the swirling energy. He also released a strong aura, attempting to disperse the attack. The green energy dissipated, but Kaien's hands were left bleeding, lacerated by the sharp force.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  As Kaien emerged from the dissipated energy, Minazuki seized the opportunity to strike. He leaped into the air and brought his sword down on Kaien with tremendous force. Kaien managed to block the blow with his forearms, but the impact was devastating. His forearms were cut, the blades sinking deep into his flesh.

  "What's wrong? All you do is block my attacks. I thought you were going for the offensive?" Minazuki taunted, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

  "Shut your mouth!" Kaien roared, ripping his arms away from Minazuki's sword. He threw a swift punch towards Minazuki's face, but Minazuki was ready. He blocked the punch with his sword, but Kaien's fist was so close that Minazuki had to cover his face with the blade. The force of the impact sent him hurtling backwards through the air.

  Kaien, not wanting to waste any time, went below Minazuki's head level while Minazuki was being pushed mid air, which was the stomach level. Minazuki used a Shin’en that creates a shield, since he is more a swordsman than a shielder, it broke but withstand enough force from Kaien's punch.

  Minazuki, staggering from the blow, spat out a mouthful of blood. He gripped his sword tighter, his eyes burning with determination. Kaien, sensing his opponent's resolve, grinned menacingly.

  "It seems you're not giving up yet, Toshima," Kaien said, his voice filled with twisted amusement. "Very well, let's see how much longer you can last."

  Kaien lunged forward, unleashing a rapid series of claw attacks. Minazuki parried each strike with his sword, the sound of metal against metal echoing through the park. He then countered with a swift kick to Kaien's chest, sending him staggering backwards.

  Kaien, regaining his balance, summoned a wall of black Shin’en in front of him, shielding himself from Minazuki's attacks. He then unleashed a torrent of black Shin’en projectiles from behind the wall, each one aimed at Minazuki's vital points.

  Minazuki, with incredible speed and agility, dodged and weaved through the projectiles, each one exploding upon impact with the ground, creating small craters in the earth. He then charged towards the wall of Shin’en, his sword glowing with green energy.

  With a powerful strike, he shattered the wall of Shin’en, sending shards of black energy flying in all directions. He then leaped through the shattered wall, engaging Kaien in close-quarters combat once again.

  The two warriors clashed, their movements a blur of speed and power. The air around them crackled with energy, the shockwaves from their blows sending debris flying in all directions. The rain continued to fall, washing away the blood and sweat that stained their bodies.

  "The destruction level of this fight is crazy," Rento said, his voice filled with awe and fear.

  "Hey! Are you a Yomu Executioner?!" A voice called out from behind them.

  The students turned to see a group of Yomu Executioner approaching. "Are you here to help us?" Daichi shouted, his voice filled with hope.

  "Yes!" The Yomu Executioner replied. "Hurry up, there are some students from the academy. Bring some aids!"

  The students rushed towards the Yomu Executioner, relieved at the arrival of reinforcements. "Who are you?" I asked.

  "Kisuke, Mei-rank Yomu Executioner. We sensed a strong Shin’en coming from here, and it looks like we're right."

  Another Yomu Executioner squinted his eyes, trying to make out the figures battling in the sky. "Isn't that a Jūma?! And the one fighting him is...? Instructor Minazuki?!"

  "Minazuki? That Toshima Minazuki?!" Another Yomu Executioner exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise.

  "Instructor Minazuki saved us. His team was killed by that Jūma," I said, my voice filled with grief.

  "Damn it! We can't just interfere in their fight. That form... Minazuki's level is now at a Shinrei-Rank," Kisuke said, his voice filled with concern.

  "Shinrei-Rank, you say?! It makes sense. Fighting and injuring a Jūma, only a Shinrei-Rank can do that," another Yomu Executioner said, his voice filled with admiration.

  "That form... it destroys the limbs and organs of a Yomu Executioner. The chances of surviving are low, and fighting a Jūma makes it even lower..." Kisuke said, his voice filled with worry.

  "Instructor Minazuki..." I said, my voice barely a whisper as we watched Minazuki and Kaien continue their battle in the sky.

  Minazuki suddenly threw up some blood. "Is it time out already? Damn it! I haven't beaten Kaien yet!" He said in his mind.

  "Running out of time, Toshima?" Kaien taunted, his voice filled with malice. He was heavily injured from Minazuki's attacks, but he still possessed a dangerous amount of power.

  Minazuki's time was running out. His transformation was starting to take its toll, destroying his organs from the inside out. He knew he had to end this quickly, or he would die.

  He focused all of his remaining Shin’en into his sword, the blade glowing with an even more intense green light. He charged towards Kaien, his movements faster and more precise than ever before.

  Kaien, sensing the danger, prepared to defend himself. He summoned more Shin’en hands, creating a barrier around himself. But Minazuki's attack was too powerful. His sword sliced through the Shin’en hands like they were made of paper.

  Kaien frantically summoned more Shin’en hands, weaving them into a layered barrier, a desperate attempt to shield him. The spectral hands flickered into existence, overlapping and intertwining, forming a shimmering, translucent wall around me. He could feel the strain, my own Shin’en reserves being rapidly depleted.

  But Instructor Minazuki's attack was a tempest, a force of nature unleashed. The green blade of his sword, normally a comforting hue, now glowed with an almost malevolent intensity. It arced through the air with impossible speed, a silent predator closing in for the kill. The moment of impact was deafening. Instructor Minazuki's sword didn't just strike the Shin’en hands; it obliterated them. They disintegrated on contact, dissolving into shimmering motes of light, offering no resistance. The barrier, my last line of defense, was gone in an instant.

  The blade continued its inexorable path, aimed directly at Kaien's chest. I could feel the wind rushing past my face, the pressure building in my lungs. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each fraction of a second stretching into an eternity. I knew, with chilling certainty, that if the blade connected, it would be the end.

  Driven by pure instinct, by the primal urge to survive, Kaien unleashed a desperate counterattack. He focused all his remaining Shin’en, channeling it into a dark, viscous substance that oozed from his pores. It was a Shin’en unlike any I had ever sensed, tainted with desperation, infused with the raw power of his impending demise. The dark Shin’en pulsed with an unnatural energy, a tangible manifestation of his fear and rage.

  He expelled the substance from his body, a torrent of black energy aimed directly at Instructor Minazuki. It moved with surprising speed, defying its viscous nature, snaking through the air like a living thing. It writhed and pulsed, tendrils reaching out, seeking to engulf Instructor Minazuki in its suffocating embrace.

  Instructor Minazuki, caught completely off guard, barely managed to react. He had expected a conventional attack, a blast of energy or another flurry of Shin’en hands. He hadn't anticipated this… this thing. He threw himself sideways, narrowly avoiding the full brunt of the attack. The dark Shin’en brushed against his arm, leaving a trail of burning cold in its wake. He stumbled, momentarily losing his balance, his senses reeling from the unexpected assault.

  I realized, with a growing sense of unease, that Kaien was no longer fighting to win. He was fighting to survive, pulling out every trick, every desperate measure, to prolong his existence. This was not the controlled, calculated aggression of a seasoned warrior; this was the frantic flailing of a cornered animal.

  Kaien, seizing the momentary advantage, pressed his attack. He unleashed a barrage of black Shin’en projectiles, each one a condensed sphere of dark energy. They hurtled towards Instructor Minazuki with incredible speed and force, leaving trails of distorted air in their wake. Each projectile was capable of causing serious damage, of shattering bone and disrupting the flow of Shin’en.

  Instructor Minazuki, despite his momentary stumble, was far from defeated. Years of training, countless battles, had honed his reflexes to a razor's edge. He relied on his enhanced speed and agility, weaving and dodging through the hail of projectiles. He moved like a dancer, graceful and precise, his body a blur of motion.

  But the sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming. A few projectiles managed to graze him, burning through his uniform, leaving angry welts on his skin. He stumbled again, his breath coming in ragged gasps. I could sense the dark Shin’en seeping into his wounds, slowing his movements, clouding his mind. I knew that he couldn't afford to get hit by any more of those attacks. Each graze sapped his strength, brought him closer to the brink of defeat.

  He focused all of his remaining energy, all of his will, into his sword. The green light intensified, growing brighter, hotter, until it was almost blinding. The blade hummed with power, resonating with his own Shin’en, amplifying his strength, his speed, his resolve. He channeled his fear, his pain, his determination, into a single, focused point.

  He charged towards Kaien, his movements a blur of speed and power. He was a green comet streaking across the battlefield, a force of unstoppable momentum. The ground trembled beneath his feet, the air crackled with energy. He was a whirlwind of destruction, and Kaien was directly in his path.

  Kaien, seeing Instructor Minazuki's relentless advance, frantically prepared to defend himself. He summoned more Shin’en hands, weaving them into a thick, reinforced wall in front of him. He poured all his remaining energy into the barrier, strengthening it, reinforcing it, hoping to withstand the force of Instructor Minazuki's attack.

  But it was futile. Instructor Minazuki's attack was too powerful, too focused, too determined. His sword sliced through the wall of Shin’en as if it were made of butter. The spectral hands disintegrated, offering no resistance. The barrier, Kaien's final defense, shattered into a million pieces.

  Kaien, his eyes wide with terror, continued to summon more and more Shin’en hands, a desperate, futile gesture. He was moving backward, stumbling, his voice rising in a panicked litany.

  "Damn it! Damn it! Stay back! Stay back! Stay back! Don't come near me!"

  Instructor Minazuki ignored the pleas, the fear, the desperation. He was a hunter, focused on his prey, driven by his duty. He closed the distance between them, his sword a green blur in the air. When his blade reached Kaien, he unleashed the full force of his attack.

  The sword sliced through the air, a silent, deadly arc. It passed through Kaien's body, severing flesh, bone, and Shin’en. For a moment, there was only silence. Then, a fountain of blood erupted, painting the air crimson. Kaien's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening in a silent scream.

  Instructor Minazuki remained in his last striking position, his body rigid, his sword dripping with blood. He stood there for a long moment, savoring the victory, the culmination of his training, his duty fulfilled.

  But the victory was short-lived. Pain exploded in his right arm, a searing, agonizing sensation. I looked down to see that his hand was gone, severed cleanly at the wrist. The severed hand lay on the ground, twitching, fingers spasming.

  I realized, with a chilling sense of horror, what had happened. Before his final attack, Kaien, in a last act of desperation, had grabbed his arm, sacrificing his own life to inflict a crippling wound. Instructor Minazuki's speed, his power, had been his undoing. He had been too fast, too strong, to react in time.

  Instructor Minazuki fell through the air, his severed hand tumbling beside him. The world spun, his vision blurred, his strength failing. He was falling, falling, falling into the darkness.

  But he didn't reach the ground. Strong arms caught him, lifting him gently, cradling him in a protective embrace. He opened his eyes, focusing on the figure above him.

  "Hey is that...?" A Yomu Executioner on the ground exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and disbelief. "Akihiro Saiten-sama?! Why is he here?! Did he know that there was a jūma?!"

  Kisuke, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "It's him alright. The strongest Yomu Executioner in Japan, Akihiro Saiten. But what's he doing here? This is way out of his jurisdiction."

  Akihiro, his face etched with concern, looked down at Instructor Minazuki. "You've done well, Minazuki. I will take care of the job that is left." His voice was calm, reassuring, filled with an authority that brooked no argument.

  Instructor Minazuki, his voice weak and raspy, managed a faint smile. "You're...late, again..." He could now rest assured, knowing that Akihiro was here, that the threat would be eliminated.

  Akihiro gently lowered Instructor Minazuki to the ground, placing him in the care of the waiting rescue team. "Take care of him," he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. "Make sure he survives. He's one of the most important people in the corps."

  "Right away, sir!" A Yomu Executioner responded, snapping to attention.

  Akihiro turned his attention back to the battlefield, his eyes scanning the area, searching for the jūma. I could sense its presence, a dark, malevolent energy that pulsed through the air.

  Kaien, hovering in the air, his body riddled with wounds, stared at Akihiro with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "What is this...?!" he screamed in his mind. "That guy, he's not normal! What kind of Shin’en is this?!" I could feel the power radiating from Akihiro, a force that dwarfed Kaien's own. I knew, with chilling certainty, that he was outmatched.

  I felt outmatched. I was useless. I couldn't do anything but watch as these powerful figures clashed, their power levels so far beyond my own. What was I even doing here?

  "I think I remember that there's a strong Yomu Executioner in the Tenka corps main building that is located in Shinjuku," Kaien thought frantically. "I believe that location is not that far from here. And that name... Akihiro Saiten. Did he...?! Damn it! Toshima let me showed my full power, that guy senses me and went here!" Kaien panicked, his mind racing, searching for a way out.

  Akihiro launched himself into the air, soaring towards Kaien with incredible speed. "Kaien, the 10th jūma," he announced, his voice resonating with righteous fury. "You killed some strong Yomu Executioner and almost killed an important person. You will pay!"

  Akihiro summoned his sword, a weapon unlike any I had ever seen. It was not normal, not like the standard-issue blades wielded by most Yomu Executioner. It glowed with an ethereal blue light, pulsing with power. The shape of the blade was curved in the middle, like a crescent moon, giving it an unsettling, almost alien appearance.

  "Damn it! Hurry up...!" Kaien screamed in his mind, desperately searching for an escape.

  Akihiro rushed towards Kaien, his movements a blur of speed and power. Kaien knew that he couldn't withstand a direct attack. He had to escape, to find a way to survive.

  He made a desperate decision. He focused all his remaining Shin’en, channeling it into a portal, a gateway to another dimension. The portal shimmered into existence, a swirling vortex of dark energy, leading to the Kurayami no Enjin, the realm of eternal darkness. He had used this portal many times before, to escape from difficult situations, to regroup and plan his next move.

  He lunged towards the portal, desperate to escape the wrath of Akihiro. Before he could reach safety, before he could step through the gateway, a flash of blue light erupted beside him.

  Akihiro's sword sliced through the air, severing both of Kaien's legs just above the ankles. Kaien screamed in agony, his body convulsing, his momentum carrying him forward. He tumbled through the portal, disappearing into the darkness, leaving his severed legs behind.

  "Tch," Akihiro clicked his tongue in annoyance. "He got away. I can't believe a mere rain can hold me back. I guess that's added to one of my weaknesses." He sheathed his sword, the blue light fading, the power receding.

  Kisuke, watching from below, was awestruck. "That move he just did...even my eyes didn't see it. His speed is faster than Instructor Minazuki."

  Akihiro descended to the ground, landing gracefully beside the group of students. "Saiten-san! Why are you here?" Kisuke asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

  "I sensed a jūma coming from this direction," Akihiro explained. "I was right, and maybe came a bit late. Rain slows me down."

  "I guess the strongest Yomu Executioner has a weakness," Kisuke quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

  Akihiro smiled faintly. "I'm not different from all of you. I'm also a human after all. Where's Toshima?"

  "We immediately put him inside an ambulance, and it's going back to Reimei Medical Center," Kisuke replied.

  "Nice work," Akihiro said approvingly. "Put Toshima under Yumi's care. I'm sure he will recover from his injuries, but his right arm may never heal back."

  "When you said Yumi...you mean that Yumi Tsukino?!" Kisuke exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.

  "Who's that?" Rento asked, turning to Kira for an explanation.

  "How do you not know about her?" Kira responded, her voice incredulous. "She's the strongest and fastest healer in the Tenka corps, and not just in Japan, but in the whole world! She's one of the Shinrei-Rank in Japan!"

  "Shinrei-Rank?! So healers can get a high rank as well, huh..." Rento muttered, impressed.

  "Ummm... Saiten-san?" I called out, hesitant to interrupt.

  "What's wrong, Ren?" Akihiro asked, turning his attention to me.

  "I'm sorry..." I said, my voice filled with guilt. "I know you recruited me in the academy, but I couldn't do anything. I can't even join the fight and protect someone..." I lowered my head, ashamed of my own weakness.

  Akihiro placed his hand on the top of my head, gently patting me on the head. "You tried your best, Ren," he said, his voice kind and reassuring. "The reason why I asked you to be a Yomu Executioner and enroll at the academy is to get stronger. No one can get strong in a short time. But I can see you have a bright future ahead. You might even surpass me one day. That's why, Ren, don't lose hope." His words resonated with sincerity, filling me with a renewed sense of determination.

  "Ren will someday surpass the strongest Yomu Executioner in the world?! Saiten-san doesn't make a lie something like this to cheer up a person... Ren, just what are you...?" I heard Ayaka think, her eyes fixed on me, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her gaze.

  "Now, all of you students," Akihiro announced, addressing the group. "You were not physically injured, but maybe you're all mentally injured. I will give you all two days of rest from the academy and the missions. Especially the two of you. One of your precious teammate died right?" Akihiro looked at Rento and Kira, his eyes filled with sympathy.

  Hearing this, Kira's tears came falling. Her best friend Miyu had died before her eyes, it was such an unbearable sight for her. "Yes...thank you Saiten-san" Rento said.

  The car that was provided by the academy was destroyed, so Akihiro called some of the Yomu Executioner to borrow some car and send us back to our dormitories. He gave us two days break and rest, which was enough for us to move on.

  The Yomu Executioner who were in the park patrolled the area and lead the rebuilding Showa Kinen Park. With them, it would not take long to make the park beautiful again. But they left some destroyed buildings for people to remember the dead Yomu Executioner who sacrificed their life fighting a jūma and protecting the students.

  The rain hadn't stopped yet. In the Tenka corps main building, a worker approached Akihiro. "Sir, we haven't seen you in your office, but we saw a window was open so we figured out you went outside, where have you been?"

  "The news will eventually come out later, be sure to watch it if you want to know where I went," Akihiro said. He then went in the elevator and into his office. He sat down thinking "Kaien...why did he came in the park? The timing where Toshima brought his students to their first mission...is it a coincidence? I think it's not, jūma doesn't just randomly shows up. They have a greater reason revealing themselves and fight Yomu Executioner. Maybe he sensed that Toshima is a threat to Yomurei? No, he went many missions and never once a jūma showed up. Ren...maybe he's the one that Kaien wants to fight." Akihiro said in his mind, he tried to relax on his chair. "Some Yomu Executioner died but atleast the students are safe. and also I can't believe Toshima went against a jūma, he not only challenged him but also came close killing it. What a strong man he is" Akihiro continued talking in his mind.

  [Reimei Medical Center]

  The Yomu Executioner who were ordered by Akihiro to put Instructor Minazuki in Reimei Medical Center arrived there. They immediately called out to Yumi Tsukino, the 5th Shinrei-Rank of Japan, and gave Instructor Minazuki to her. She put Instructor Minazuki in her medical room where she treats and heals people.

  [Team Gesshoku Dorm]

  The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind a world washed clean and sparkling. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple. It was sunset, a time of reflection, a time of healing.

  I sat outside in the backyard of the dorm, a small patch of open space where I could escape the confines of the building, where I could connect with nature, where I could be alone with my thoughts. I sat on the grass, my legs drawn up to my chest, my arms wrapped around my knees. I stared out at the distant mountains, lost in contemplation.

  "You saved me when a Yomurei attacked me," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper. "You controlled my body and killed it. But why didn't you control my body when Instructor Minazuki and his team was fighting the jūma? Why did you control my body when the jūma showed up? Our first conversation..." I paused, my mind replaying our first encounter, the moment when the mysterious being had spoken to me, had offered me a deal. "...you sounded like you were not a bad person, just...what are you...?"

  He never answers, of course. He's just… there. A presence in the back of my mind, silent and watchful. Waiting. I don't even know if he can answer. Maybe he's just a force, an instinct, not a person at all.

  Powers… I hate that word. It makes it sound like something I earned, something I control. This… thing inside me is anything but that. It's a parasite, a puppeteer, a weapon I can't aim.

  "...Saiten-san has a reason to recruit me...and he is the only one who knows about my powers," I muttered.

  I trusted Akihiro. I knew that the strongest Yomu Executioner in Japan wouldn't have recruited me without a good reason. But what was that reason? What did Akihiro see in me? What potential did he possess?

  Ayaka and Tatsuya came to me, their footsteps soft on the grass. They had been searching for me, concerned about my well-being. "Ren!" Ayaka called out.

  They went closer to me, their faces etched with concern. They sat beside me, flanking me on either side, offering me their support, their friendship. "So this is where you've been," Ayaka said. "Are you still worried about what Kira said?"

  "She wasn't wrong..." I admitted, my voice barely audible. I knew that Kira's words had been harsh, but they had also been true. I had been useless in the battle, unable to protect my teammates, unable to contribute in any meaningful way. I had been a burden, a liability.

  I wanted to tell them, I wanted to trust them. I wanted to share the burden of my secret, to confide in my friends, to seek their advice. But I was afraid. Afraid of what they would think, afraid of how they would react, afraid of the power that resided within me. "...Saiten-san has a reason to recruit me...and he is the only one who knows about my powers," I continued.

  "Powers...? Wait, so you have a hidden power?!" Ayaka said, surprised.

  "Uhmm...yes..." I said, my voice hesitant.

  "Tell me about it!" She got close, ready to hear what I was going to say.

  "Ayaka, you'll make Ren nervous. Don't pressure him," Tatsuya said, gently pushing Ayaka back.

  "O-oh, I'm sorry about that..." Ayaka apologized, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "So tell us, your hidden power."

  "I know that we've only known each other for a few days, but I want to trust you guys since we're a team," I said, my eyes searching their faces, seeking reassurance.

  "You can trust us, Ren," Ayaka said, her voice sincere. "We promise not to tell anybody."

  "Thanks..." I said, grateful. I looked up into the skies and told them everything. "There's someone living inside me. I don't know if he was already there when I was born or he was sealed inside me. I don't know how he got inside my body, but four years ago..." I continued, telling them everything that had happened. About my parents' death, my… abilities, the incident four years ago when he controlled me, and what happened earlier in the park when he controlled my hand and killed the Yomurei.

  I told them everything, from the death of my parents to the first manifestation of this… entity, to the incident four years ago when it had taken control of my body, to the events of earlier that day, when it had once again intervened, saving me from the Yomurei. I held nothing back, laying bare my soul, revealing my deepest fears and insecurities.

  Ayaka and Tatsuya listened in silence, their faces etched with a mixture of shock, disbelief, and concern. They exchanged glances, their eyes conveying a silent understanding.

  "So something like that can happen..." Ayaka said, her voice barely a whisper. "I thought that it could only happen in shows, but I was wrong."

  "So... how strong is that guy inside you?" Tatsuya asked.

  I looked at Tatsuya. "He's strong. As I said earlier, he easily killed a B+ Yomurei and healed my arms and legs. That's all I can base his powers on, since that's the first time I met him and the last time he fully controlled my body."

  "I see..." Tatsuya said.

  "Let's just relax these two days. Saiten-san was kind enough to give us some break," Ayaka said, trying to lighten the mood.

  "You're right..." I agreed, a faint smile playing on my lips.

  We stood up and went inside to our room, leaving behind the setting sun, the tranquil landscape, and the weight of our shared secret.

  [Kurayami no Enjin]

  Kaien kneeling before his lord, Guraith, in the Kurayami no Enjin. I could picture the dark, oppressive atmosphere, the sheer malevolence that permeated the realm.

  Kaien sweating profusely, his body trembling, his voice barely a whisper as he recounted the events of the day: his defeat at the hands of Instructor Minazuki, the intervention of Akihiro, his desperate escape through the portal.

  I could almost hear Guraith's response, the low, guttural growl that echoed through the chamber, the cold, malevolent light in his eyes.