A young child, no older than six years old, stood in the middle of a burning village.
Flames consumed the houses.
Villagers were being slaughtered.
The child could only watch in terror as the attackers approached.
Then one of the killers slowly walked toward him...
Peter suddenly woke up screaming.
Sweat covered his body.
"Just a nightmare..."
He sat silently for a moment before getting up and pacing around his room.
Afterward, he went to take a shower.
Elsewhere...
Mr. F looked at Mr. P.
"Why did you kill Sherlock? We needed him for our plans."
Mr. P calmly replied:
"He isn't dead."
Mr. F frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't ask too many questions."
Mr. F sighed.
"Fine."
Suddenly, the Crow-Masked Man emerged from the darkness behind them.
"We don't want to fight among ourselves, do we?"
Mr. P looked at him.
"This doesn't concern you."
Then he continued:
"Our numbers aren't enough to challenge a kingdom or even a major clan."
The Crow-Masked Man replied:
"We could destroy the city of Raolak."
Mr. P smiled.
"Fine. We'll go there."
Meanwhile, Ritoro was talking with Ren.
"Are we the strongest people in the kingdom?"
Ren nodded.
"Yes."
Ritoro continued:
"Are we strong because of Gen? Because of your magic? Because of Keith's intelligence? Or because of my swordsmanship?"
Ren thought for a moment.
"Because of all of us."
"What if we were separated?"
Ren shrugged.
"I don't know."
Then he left.
At the academy, Kazuya was talking with Regina.
"How are you today?"
"I'm fine."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Regina's face turned slightly red.
"Thank you."
Kazuya smiled.
"Do you want to train with me today?"
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Gen stood before the ancient seal.
He stared at it silently.
"Why did you do this...?"
"Tell me..."
A moment later, the Crow-Masked Man appeared nearby.
Gen glanced at him.
"So you're here."
The Crow-Masked Man replied:
"Did you think I was somewhere else? Are you stupid?"
Gen laughed.
"I don't want to fight you today. Let's talk for a while."
He looked toward the seal.
"I know there are people precious to you inside."
The Crow-Masked Man sat beside him.
"Then why don't you release them?"
Gen lowered his head.
"Because I can't choose a few people over the entire world."
The Crow-Masked Man remained silent.
After a while, he nodded.
"You're right."
Gen stood up.
"I have to go. Sorry our conversation was short."
Then he left.
The Crow-Masked Man continued staring at the seal.
"Your freedom is getting closer..."
"I promise."
Back at the academy, the students continued training.
Seijun trained with Jermaine.
Garo trained with Enwell.
Shinagawa trained with Hamura.
Kazuya trained with Regina.
Meanwhile, Keith was walking through the markets of the Gold Kingdom.
"It's nice to see peace."
Suddenly, a memory appeared in his mind.
A younger Gen, around eighteen years old, stood before two mysterious figures.
One of them said:
"Gen... join us. Together we can rule the New World."
Gen smiled.
"It's a tempting offer."
"But I refuse."
The memory disappeared.
Keith sighed.
"This all happened because you fought them... and defeated them."
Elsewhere, Watari and Gabi were discussing the Alphabet Organization.
"Should we take action against them?" Watari asked.
Gabi crossed his arms.
"Have they actually done anything significant?"
"Not really."
"Then let things continue as they are."
Watari nodded.
For now... neither kingdom would move
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