The valley was silent.
Too silent.
Tall rock walls rose on both sides, compressing the forest path into a narrow corridor.
Leaves layered the ground.
Light barely touched the floor.
From above—
it looked harmless.
From Raizen's position— it was a weapon.
Akari lay hidden high in the branches of a twisted oak.
Bow steady.
Breath controlled.
Daigo crouched behind a boulder deeper inside the pass.
Banner secured.
Body coiled.
Raizen stood at the front.
Still.
Unmoving.
Inside his mind—
Astra spoke:
"Enemy movement confirmed."
"Two squads approaching."
Raizen gave the smallest nod.
First Entry
Branches shifted.
Six students entered the valley.
They slowed.
"…Something's off," one muttered.
Another shook his head.
"It's just a narrow path."
But their spacing widened slightly.
Instinct.
Not enough.
Astra assessed:
"Threat level: low."
Raizen spoke.
"…Now."
The Trap Springs
Akari fired.
The arrow struck just ahead of the lead student— forcing a halt.
Formation broke instantly.
Daigo moved.
Explosion.
His shoulder drove into the nearest target— sending him crashing sideways.
Raizen stepped.
Silver Step.
Inside the second attacker's guard—
Redirect.
Palm strike.
"Eliminated."
Collapse
The squad tried to regroup—but the terrain betrayed them.
Akari fired again.
Spacing disrupted.
Movement controlled.
Daigo grabbed another— slammed him into stone.
"Eliminated."
The last two turned— too late.
Raizen flicked his wrist.
Senbon struck the ground ahead—freezing their escape.
"Eliminated squad."
Twenty seconds.
Silence returned.
Second Entry
They— movement exploded behind them.
A second squad burst through the trees.
Four this time.
Faster.
Sharper.
"…Ambush!"
Akari fired instantly.
They dodged— but slowed.
That was enough.
Astra updated:
"Threat level: elevated."
Daigo grinned.
"…Better."
Close Combat
One rushed past—
target: banner.
Raizen intercepted.
Panther Entry.
Inside.
Elbow.
"Eliminated."
Daigo held center.
Two attackers.
Two blocks.
Ground held.
Akari disrupted from above—
forcing hesitation.
The formation cracked.
Then broke.
The remaining students pulled back.
They understood.
This wasn't a fight.
This was a controlled zone.
Aftermath
Silence returned again.
Leaves drifted slowly.
Daigo stretched.
"…Yeah."
"That was clean."
Akari dropped from the tree.
"Better than expected."
Raizen didn't answer.
His eyes were already on the forest.
Inside—
Astra spoke:
"Sector control: secured."
Raizen nodded.
But his focus shifted.
Something else was moving.
Faster.
Rei Kurogane
Far beyond the valley—
Rei stood on a rocky outcrop.
Watching.
His teammate spoke:
"You could've stepped in."
Rei shook his head.
"No."
His gaze remained fixed on the valley.
"…That wasn't the moment."
A pause.
A faint smile.
"But now I know."
"…He hunts like I do."