CTS TIME: RE250.05.27 – 7:00 AM (Hikarashi Village Local Time)
LOCATION: Hikarashi Village – Training Grounds & Homurakage's Office
The morning air was crisp and fresh, the gentle glow of the sun bathing Hikarashi Village in golden light. Farmers were already tending to their crops, merchants set up their stalls, and shinobi prepared for their daily training routines.
In the training field, Jasper stretched lazily, cracking his knuckles as he prepared for his usual muscle training.
"Man, I really needed a good workout," Jasper muttered, rotating his shoulders.
Next to him, Ryuji Inazuma was full of energy, his eyes burning with determination.
"Today's the day!" Ryuji declared dramatically, pointing at the sky. "I will master Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Jasper raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? You couldn't even make one last time. You sure about this, kid?"
"Hmph!" Ryuji crossed his arms. "That was before! Now I have the motivation of a future Shinobi Blader!"
Jasper chuckled.
"Alright, show me what you got, future champion."
Ryuji stepped forward, focusing his chakra. His hands moved swiftly into a series of hand signs—
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
POOF!
A cloud of white smoke erupted in front of him.
When the smoke cleared—
A second Ryuji stood there, identical to the original.
Jasper blinked.
"Well, damn. You actually did it."
Ryuji grinned proudly.
"See? Told you I'd—"
POOF!
The clone disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Jasper smirked.
"Almost."
"Tch… Just need more chakra control," Ryuji muttered. "Alright, let's try again!"
Jasper was about to return to his own training when Ryuji suddenly smirked.
"But before that… I should show you my ultimate technique!"
Jasper raised an eyebrow.
"Ultimate technique? Since when do you have one of those?"
Ryuji grinned mischievously.
"Since now."
He formed a hand sign, and Jasper instantly felt a chill run down his spine.
"Oi, kid, wait—"
"SEXY JUTSU!"
POOF!
The cloud of smoke burst outward—
And standing there was not Ryuji.
No.
It was a gorgeous, ridiculously curvy woman with long, flowing hair, barely covered by thin wisps of cloth.
Jasper's entire brain short-circuited.
His jaw dropped.
His face burned red.
And then—
A violent nosebleed exploded from his face.
"GAH—!!!" Jasper stumbled back, grabbing his nose, his entire body trembling.
Ryuji laughed in victory.
"Hah! Got you!"
Jasper, still holding his nose, wiped away the blood with a groan.
"What the hell kind of technique is that?!"
Ryuji smirked.
"A special transformation jutsu that distracts even the strongest warriors! Works every time!"
Jasper took a deep breath, composing himself.
"I swear, this village is insane."
At Aiko's house, Serena was helping clean up, wiping dust off the furniture while Aiko swept the floor.
"I don't get why we have to do this," Serena muttered.
Aiko smiled.
"Because it's nice to help out, Serena."
Serena sighed but continued working.
Aiko's grandmother placed a pot of tea on the table.
"Thank you for your help, girls," she said warmly.
Serena waved her off.
"Yeah, yeah, don't mention it."
But even as she cleaned, her thoughts drifted.
"Blaze… If you're out there, I swear, I'll find you."
She tightened her grip on the cloth she was holding.
"You can't run forever."
As Serena helped clean, Sienna walked through the streets of Hikarashi Village.
She wasn't just walking—she was thinking.
Thinking about Jasper.
Thinking about his ridiculous attempt to push her away.
Thinking about how, no matter what, she wasn't giving up.
She greeted villagers as she passed, offering a small smile to a group of kids practicing their shuriken throws.
But her mind remained elsewhere.
"He really thinks I'll just leave him alone."
Her fingers instinctively brushed against the miniature Dragonis necklace.
"Idiot."
She exhaled and focused.
"I have work to do."
When Sienna arrived at Homurakage's office, she was met with serious faces.
Kenshiro, Homurakage, and several high-ranking shinobi were waiting for her.
She straightened her posture, fully professional.
"I assume this is about my research."
Homurakage nodded.
"Yes. But more importantly, we have questions about Jasper Tyros."
Sienna's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Jasper? Why?"
Kenshiro leaned forward.
"His energy… It feels almost identical to Nyxarion's chakra."
Sienna's entire body went rigid.
For a split second, her calculating mind raced through every possible explanation.
Then—she masked her emotions.
"That's… impossible."
Homurakage watched her carefully.
"Are you certain?"
Sienna folded her arms.
"Jasper is a Blader. He doesn't use chakra. His power comes from his resonance with Dragonis. There is no connection to this… Nyxarion."
Kenshiro's eyes narrowed.
"Then why does it feel the same?"
Sienna met his gaze head-on.
"I don't know."
The room was silent.
Then, finally—
Homurakage sighed.
"Very well. But we will continue to observe him. If he truly has no connection to Nyxarion, then there is no problem."
Sienna nodded.
Sienna's silver eyes were focused intensely on the holographic panel flickering above her wristwatch.
Her fingers moved rapidly, typing at incredible speed as she scanned countless mythological records, scientific reports, and historical archives.
10 minutes passed in complete silence.
Finally—
A result.
A file opened, displaying a list of ancient dragons.
Twelve in total.
Each with unique symbols, abilities, and descriptions.
One particular dragon caught her attention.
A massive, serpentine beast with jagged black scales and eerie violet energy emanating from its core.
Sienna's eyes narrowed.
"Nyxarion…" she muttered.
Homurakage stepped forward, his voice firm.
"That dragon. That's the one."
The Jonin around them nodded.
"There is no doubt," Kenshiro added. "Its chakra signature is identical to what we sensed from Jasper."
Sienna, however, remained skeptical.
She crossed her arms, glancing at them.
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes."
Sienna sighed and closed the holographic file.
"Then explain this—" she turned the panel around, showing them another document.
"This dragon has only ever been mentioned in ancient myths. There is no scientific proof that Nyxarion ever existed."
The room fell silent.
The shinobi exchanged glances.
Homurakage's voice was calm but unwavering.
"Nyxarion is not a myth, Sienna."
Sienna clenched her jaw.
"Then why hasn't it been documented properly? Why is there no evidence?"
Homurakage stared at her for a long moment.
"Because those who get too close to the truth… do not live long enough to tell it."
A chill ran down Sienna's spine.
She exhaled sharply.
"Fine. If I'm going to understand this, I need more data. I want to visit the Kasai Clan—" she turned toward Homurakage. "I need to observe their Akarugan, their history, and how their people live."
Homurakage nodded.
"Very well."
He turned to Kenshiro.
"You and your Team 7 will escort them to the Kasai Clan. Their protection is now your responsibility."
Kenshiro bowed slightly.
"Understood, Lord Homurakage."
Sienna stood tall, nodding in satisfaction.
"Good. And while I'm at it—" she smirked slightly. "I'll be having a little chat with Jasper about Nyxarion."
Homurakage folded his arms.
"Then let's hope you get answers."