The moon hung high over the Land of Blaze, casting a silver glow over the training grounds. The once-lively fields were now silent, save for the rhythmic sound of breathing, movement, and steel cutting through the air.
Kaizen Kurogami stood alone.
His body was covered in sweat, his breath heavy, but his eyes burned with raw determination.
"Not enough… It's still not enough."
The weight of his revenge rested heavily on his shoulders. His fists clenched as he replayed the memories over and over—his brother's betrayal, the destruction, the pain.
He couldn't afford to be weak.
He couldn't afford to fail.
Suddenly—
"Still training, huh?"
Kaizen froze, his grip tightening on his kunai.
Kenshiro stepped forward from the shadows, his silver hair reflecting the moonlight, his expression unreadable.
"You should be resting, Kaizen."
Kaizen didn't turn around.
"I don't need rest." he muttered, raising his kunai again.
Kenshiro sighed.
"You're pushing yourself too hard."
Kaizen finally turned, his deep crimson eyes locking onto Kenshiro's.
His Yamigan swirled faintly—first level active in both eyes.
"You don't understand," Kaizen said coldly.
Kenshiro's gaze didn't waver.
"Then make me understand."
Kaizen's eyes darkened.
"Fine. If you really want to know—fight me."
A tense silence followed.
Then—Kenshiro smirked.
"Alright, then. Let's see what you've got."
Kaizen's hands flashed through hand signs.
"Lightning Style: Raijin's Fang Jutsu!"
BOOM!
A massive bolt of blue lightning cracked through the air, shooting straight for Kenshiro.
Kenshiro's feet barely shifted.
Then—
WHOOSH!
He vanished.
Kaizen's Yamigan flared, tracking the movement instantly—Kenshiro had dodged sideways at incredible speed.
"Tch!"
Kaizen immediately pivoted, bringing his kunai up just in time to block Kenshiro's counterattack.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as their blades met.
"You're fast," Kenshiro admitted.
"And you're holding back," Kaizen shot back.
Kenshiro smirked.
"Not for long."
Clash of Techniques – The Power of the Yamigan
Kaizen didn't waste time—he leaped backward, immediately forming another set of hand signs.
"Fire Style: Ash Dragon Jutsu!"
WHOOSH!
A massive serpentine dragon made of black ash surged forward, its charred jaws snapping toward Kenshiro.
Kenshiro's hands blurred in response—
"Water Style: Tidal Break Jutsu!"
CRASH!
A wall of water erupted from the ground, colliding with the ash dragon, creating an explosion of steam.
Kaizen rushed forward through the mist, kunai aimed straight for Kenshiro's throat.
But—
SNAP!
Kenshiro was already behind him.
"Too slow."
Kaizen's Yamigan spun rapidly, his body reacting instinctively.
He twisted at the last second, ducking under Kenshiro's strike before swinging his leg upward—
A brutal kick aimed for Kenshiro's ribs.
But Kenshiro caught it with one hand.
Kaizen's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Kenshiro smirked.
"Good instincts. But you're predictable."
With a single motion, he flipped Kaizen over his shoulder, sending him crashing into the dirt.
THUD!
Kaizen gritted his teeth, pushing himself up.
"Damn it…"
Kenshiro relaxed his stance slightly.
"You rely too much on your hatred, Kaizen."
Kaizen clenched his fists.
"Shut up."
Kenshiro shook his head.
"Hatred won't make you stronger. It'll just consume you."
Kaizen's breathing slowed.
Then—
His Yamigan's glow intensified.
His vision sharpened.
"I don't care."
His voice was cold. Unyielding.
Kenshiro's eyes narrowed.
"So that's how it is, huh?"
Kaizen lifted his kunai.
"I don't need your advice, Kenshiro. I just need power."
The two locked eyes once more.
Then, without warning—
BOOM!
They rushed toward each other—
The past and the future colliding.
And in that moment, under the moonlit training grounds—
Kaizen took one step closer to the darkness.
The training ground was silent except for the soft rustling of leaves in the cool night breeze.
Kaizen stood frozen, his Yamigan still glowing faintly, his breathing heavy. He had put everything into this fight—his speed, his strength, his hatred.
But Kenshiro had stopped him effortlessly.
A single well-timed counter had sent Kaizen's kunai flying out of his grasp, and now—
Kenshiro stood behind him, an open palm hovering just inches from Kaizen's neck.
"If this were a real battle," Kenshiro said calmly, "you'd be dead."
Kaizen gritted his teeth.
"Tch..."
Kenshiro sighed, releasing his stance and stepping back.
"Enough training. You're done for tonight."
Kaizen clenched his fists, his hatred bubbling beneath the surface.
"I don't need your pity."
Kenshiro turned, walking away.
"It's not pity, Kaizen. It's patience."
Kaizen stayed silent.
Kenshiro glanced over his shoulder.
"Come on. You're coming with me."
Kaizen hesitated but ultimately followed, his mind clouded with frustration.
No matter how strong he became—
It was still not enough.
Back at Ryuji and Aiko's house, the group had settled down inside the warm, cozy dining area.
Aiko's grandmother, a gentle old woman with silver hair tied in a bun, served steaming plates of dumplings, rice, and freshly brewed tea.
The scent of herbs and spices filled the air, making Jasper's stomach growl.
"Damn," Jasper muttered, grabbing his chopsticks. "This looks amazing!"
Aiko's grandmother chuckled.
"Eat well, young travelers. You've had a long day."
Jasper didn't need to be told twice—he immediately dug in.
Serena sat beside him, taking a bite of her dumpling and humming in approval.
"Okay, I'll admit—this is way better than space food."
Sienna, sitting across from them, calmly sipped her tea, observing everyone with her usual composed expression.
Aiko, meanwhile, had her eyes locked onto Jasper.
More specifically—his necklace.
A small, intricately designed miniature version of Dragonis hung from a thin chain around Jasper's neck, reflecting the soft glow of the lanterns above.
Ryuji noticed too.
"Whoa! That's awesome!" he said, pointing at it. "Where'd you get it?"
Jasper glanced down at the necklace before grinning.
"Oh, this? Yeah, I like it too. Sienna made it for me."
Aiko's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Wait… Sienna made it for you?"
Jasper nodded.
"Yeah, she gave it to me a while back."
Aiko leaned forward, a sly smile forming on her lips.
"So… do you two love each other or what?"
Before Sienna could answer—
Serena immediately jumped in.
And the teasing began.
Serena leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand with an exaggerated smirk.
"Ohhh, you wanna know the whole story? Let me tell you, Aiko!"
Sienna sighed, already knowing this was going to be bad.
Jasper glanced at Serena warily.
"Serena—"
Serena ignored him and kept going.
"So, our dear genius Sienna didn't just make that necklace randomly. Oh no—she gave it to Jasper while saying the most romantic line EVER—"
She dramatically clutched her chest, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Jasper, I LOVE YOU! Please accept this gift from my heart! I will cherish you forever!"
Jasper groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"That's NOT how it happened!"
Aiko gasped, turning to Sienna.
"Wait! Did you really say that?!"
Sienna, unfazed, sipped her tea.
"No. I did not."
Serena grinned wider.
"Okay, maybe not in those EXACT words, but the meaning was the same! And guess what? This idiot didn't even say anything back! Not even an 'I love you too, babe' or 'You're my everything'—NOTHING!"
Aiko and Ryuji burst out laughing.
"Wait, wait, wait," Ryuji wheezed, holding his sides. "So Sienna confessed, and Jasper just… what? Stayed silent?"
Serena nodded aggressively.
"Exactly! He just stood there like a dumbass!"
Jasper looked up, exhausted.
"I SAID thank you!"
Serena cackled.
"Oh wow, so romantic! 'Thank you.' Jasper, you absolute master of love!"
Aiko wiped away a tear, still laughing.
"Jasper, you really didn't say 'I love you too'?"
Jasper crossed his arms, frowning.
"I'm not gonna say it just because she said it first. I'll say it when I feel like saying it."
Sienna, still calm, tilted her head slightly.
"That's correct. I never forced him to say anything. When he feels it, he will say it."
Serena grinned deviously.
"Ohhh, I bet he feels it already but is just too much of a coward to say it!"
Jasper deadpanned.
"Serena, shut up."
Serena leaned toward him, whispering loudly to Aiko.
"He's scared, Aiko. He knows if he admits it, he's gonna be head over heels for Sienna and completely whipped."
Jasper threw a dumpling at her.
Serena dodged effortlessly, laughing.
"See? He's so flustered!"
Aiko clapped her hands together.
"This is the best dinner I've ever had."
Ryuji nodded.
"I second that."
Meanwhile, Sienna simply sipped her tea, watching Jasper with an unreadable expression.
Maybe Serena was right.
Maybe Jasper already knew.
But the idiot was too stubborn to admit it