Blade, transformed into Senero 3, shattered the entire cell just by releasing his demonic choki. Then he flew outside, where Gerard was already waiting for him.
"Finally, you've shown your true form," stated the leader of the Black Blood group.
In the blink of an eye, Blade appeared next to Gerard and, grabbing him by the face, slammed him into the ground.
"This power is fascinating," Blade said as he released his choki, throwing Gerard away from him.
The leader of Black Blood tried to jump aside. However, Blade was faster he grabbed his arm and, without effort, tore it off, causing Gerard to cry out in pain.
"No one has ever inflicted such serious injuries on me," Gerard thought.
Suddenly, he noticed Blade opening his mouth and beginning to gather an energy sphere, which grew larger with every moment. Seeing this, Gerard raised his remaining hand, causing stones and chunks of earth to levitate. When Blade fired his attack, Gerard covered it with them, trying to minimize the explosion's force. However, when the attack detonated, Gerard was blown deep into the forest by the shockwave, while Blade used that moment to fly away.
"Lord Gerard?" Yarita immediately set out to search for her leader.
"I'm here," Gerard said, leaning against a tree.
"My lord, your arm!" The girl ran up to him.
"It's nothing. I need to focus on a new arm now and on finding the Kinotro crystal."
"And what about that kid, Shonetsu?"
"He's irrelevant for now. I'm sure we'll meet again sooner or later."
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"And that's how it happened. You already know the rest of the story," Blade finished.
"I understand," said Ronibo.
"If this Borner guy is connected to those people, we should head to Kasegi and stop him before he hands it over to the leader," Yashimiro declared.
"And what guarantee do you have that he hasn't already done it?" Blade asked.
"Even if he gathered all the crystal fragments, he still wouldn't be able to do anything with them," Mozalia stated.
"How do you know that, Mom?"
"Because from my grandmother's stories, I know that to use Kinotro's power, you need to speak a special command in the language of demons. As long as Gerard or anyone from his group doesn't know it, we can sleep peacefully."
"So that's why he wanted to keep me there so badly," Blade admitted.
"Even so, we can't leave Kasegi as it is. First, we free it from Borner's rule, and then we deal with the rest," Ronibo stated.
"So we're going to Kasegi?" Nohara asked hopefully.
"That's right. Get ready we leave at dawn tomorrow."
Derivan and Nohara immediately began preparing for the journey. Late in the evening, they stood facing the sunset.
"It's been a long time since we were last there," Derivan admitted.
"You're right. I can't wait to see my sister and family, although we'll probably have to face our old acquaintances first."
"Don't worry we're much stronger now. We'll handle it."
"I hope you're right. Let's go we should get some sleep so we can wake up early."
Yashimiro simply nodded, and everyone went their separate ways. The next day, they were ready, just waiting for Ronibo.
"Mom, Kira and you?" he pointed at Blade.
"Blade and I decided to go with you," Kira announced, surprising her brother.
"What?"
"Be careful. I know you've become strong, but as a mother, I can't help worrying about you."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Derivan said with a smile before they set off.
It took Yashimiro's group several days to reach the kingdom of Kasegi. Before entering the city, Ronibo took several black cloaks out of his backpack.
"Before we go in, put these on and pull up the hoods especially you, Yashimiro and Nohara."
"Why us in particular?"
"Think about it you and I are known in this city. If we want to achieve anything, we'd better stay hidden," Nohara said.
"Hmm, when you put it that way, you're right."
"One more thing here are your IDs. Yashimiro, you'll go by your real name, since they know you as Derivan. Nohara, you'll be known as Karina," Ronibo added.
"Understood."
"Good. Let's go."
Ronibo led the group to the city, but at the entrance, guards blocked their way.
"Who are you, and what do you want here?"
"My name is Ronibo, and these are my students. We're travelers going around the world we just want to stay one night, get something to eat, and rest. Here are our documents," Ronibo said, showing fake IDs.
"Alright, you may enter."
"Wait a moment," added the second guard. "Why are those two wearing hoods?"
Yashimiro and Nohara swallowed nervously, but Ronibo stepped in.
"These two are injured on the face and are simply ashamed to show their scars. Trust me you wouldn't want to see them."
The guards exchanged glances but eventually let them in.
"Phew, that was close," Derivan commented.
"Luckily, the guards are complete idiots," Nohara added.
"Alright, let's split up first to assess the situation in the city. We'll meet here in two hours to discuss a plan," Ronibo said.
"Got it."
Everyone went in their assigned directions. Yashimiro admired how much the city had changed over the past three years.
"Memories are coming back…"
As he walked, he soon noticed a familiar figure Ray. Not wanting to be seen, Derivan quickly hid in a dark alley.
"He's changed. I wouldn't recognize him at first glance," the teenager admitted.
At the same time, Nohara was also admiring her hometown. At one point, she stopped in front of her house.
"I'd love to go in and greet everyone… too bad they've been brainwashed"
"Are you lost? Maybe I can help?"
Nohara froze when she heard a voice it was her older sister.
"No need. I'm just passing through I'm continuing my journey tomorrow," Nohara said, trying to disguise her voice so Alice wouldn't recognize her.
"I see. In that case, have a safe journey."
When Alice walked away, Nohara sighed in relief and continued on.
Meanwhile, Yashimiro, near his former home, decided to visit it. Suddenly, he ran into his sister.
"What are you doing here, Kira?"
"I just finished checking my area and was going to explore the city. What about you?"
"I'm going to visit my old place."
"Can I come with you?" Kira insisted.
"Sure, why not."
They entered Yashimiro's old apartment, which had been vandalized. The walls were covered in graffiti like "Traitor."
"I shouldn't be surprised."
"Seriously? You lived here?" Kira couldn't believe the conditions her brother had lived in.
"It wasn't that bad. They probably destroyed it after I was labeled a traitor."
"Hey what are you doing here?"
"Damn it…"
Yashimiro and Kira had been caught by a guard.
"You take off your hood."
"Sorry, I can't do that. Let's go, Kira," Yashimiro said as they jumped out the window.
"Quick we need to inform Lord Borner!"
Meanwhile, Tomar was sitting in the king's chamber when a guard rushed in.
"Your Highness, I wanted to inform you that Ronibo has arrived in the city with a group. Two of them were hooded. One of them visited Derivan's residence."
Tomar smiled. "So he's finally returned. I suppose it's time to properly welcome our guests."
Ronibo noticed guards running through the city, searching for someone. He immediately guessed who was responsible.
"That idiot…"
As Yashimiro and Kira ran through the city, Alice suddenly appeared in their path.
"It's her…"
"Stop! You remove your hood and show your face."
"Sorry, I'm a bit shy."
"Then I'll force you to," Alice said, creating an ice blade and attacking.
Derivan tried to dodge and avoid the attacks of Nohara's sister, but she managed to slash his hood, revealing his face.