The forest held its breath.
No one moved.
Not fully.
But every stance had shifted.
Every hand was ready.
Kenzaku stood casually.
Too casually.
Like the tension around him didn't exist.
His hand rested on the hilt of his blade—
Not gripping it.
Just… there.
Goro stepped forward slightly.
"…You've been watching us."
Kenzaku shrugged.
"…Only for a bit."
A pause.
Then his eyes flicked toward Hiroto again.
"…Long enough."
Akari tightened her grip on her weapon.
"…If you're not here to fight, then leave."
Kenzaku smiled faintly.
"…That's one option."
"…But I'm curious."
Yui frowned.
"…Curious about what?"
Kenzaku answered without hesitation:
"…Him."
His gaze locked onto Hiroto again.
The air shifted.
Hiroto didn't step back.
Didn't react.
He just watched him.
"…Then say what you want."
Kenzaku's smile widened slightly.
"…Simple."
"…I want to see if you're worth the noise you've been making."
Goro immediately stepped in front of Hiroto.
"…He's not fighting."
Kenzaku tilted his head.
"…Did I ask you?"
The atmosphere sharpened instantly.
The Enforcer let out a quiet laugh.
"…This guy's got guts."
Hiroto Steps Forward
"…Move, Goro."
Goro didn't move.
"…You're not ready."
"…I know."
That answer made Goro pause.
Hiroto stepped forward anyway.
Slow.
But steady.
"…But I'm not running either."
Akari frowned.
"…Hiroto…"
He raised a hand slightly.
"…It's fine."
Then his eyes locked onto Kenzaku.
"…Just one exchange."
Silence.
Kenzaku's expression sharpened slightly.
"…Good."
Both of them stood still.
No dramatic stance.
No wasted motion.
Just focus.
Then Step.
Kenzaku moved first.
Fast.
Clean.
His blade drew in a single smooth motion.
Hiroto reacted instantly.
His own blade met it—
CLANG.
The sound echoed sharply through the forest.
For a moment—
Time froze.
Steel against steel.
Eyes locked.
Kenzaku's smirk faded slightly.
"…Not bad."
Hiroto didn't respond.
But his grip tightened.
Kenzaku shifted his blade slightly.
A subtle movement.
But precise.
Hiroto's balance broke for just a second Just a second But enough.
Kenzaku pulled back.
Not pressing further.
Not attacking again.
He stepped away.
Fight over.
Just like that.
Silence
Everyone watched.
Confused.
"…That's it?" Yui asked quietly.
Kenzaku sheathed his blade.
"…For now."
His eyes stayed on Hiroto.
"…You're injured."
"…And still standing."
A pause.
Then "…I like that."
Kenzaku turned slightly, ready to leave.
"…You're not ready yet."
He said it calmly.
Not as an insult.
Just fact.
Then added—
"…But you will be."
Hiroto exhaled slowly.
"…Next time…"
Kenzaku stopped for a brief second.
"…Yeah."
"…Next time."
Then he disappeared into the forest.
Just like before.
Silence lingered.
Akari looked at Hiroto.
"…You shouldn't have done that."
Hiroto looked down at his blade.
"…I had to."
Goro stepped forward.
"…And now you know."
Hiroto nodded.
"…Yeah…"
"…I'm still not there yet."
But his eyes—
Were sharper now.
More focused.
To be continued…