The training fields were quiet, save for the rustle of wind through the grass.
Ukina stood with her arms folded, her gaze sharp as she looked down at Sorata. He sat cross-legged on the ground, listening intently.
"It's about time we declared war already," Ukina said firmly. "Don't you think?"
Sorata exhaled slowly, expression unreadable.
"You're the leader. You decide. My only job and the rest of the gang's is to follow your instructions."
Ukina's lips curled into a faint smile. "Always loyal, aren't you? Then tell me… are you ready to face Kojin?"
At the mention of the name, Sorata's eyes narrowed.
"Kojin, huh. I've made up my mind. I'll kill him. Even if it costs me my life… as long as I fulfill my goal, nothing else matters."
Ukina's smile faded. Her tone dropped to something more serious.
"Sorata, if you and Kojin were to fight with everything you have… you'd lose."
His head turned up, his eyes narrowed even more with quiet but very dangerous aggression.
"What do you mean I'll lose?! Are you calling me weak?!"
Ukina shook her head calmly. "Not at all. You're strong, stronger than you showcase actually. But there are two things Kojin has that you don't: experience… and the madness of a true battle-crazed beast."
Sorata blinked, confused. "What do you mean? You've lost me."
Ukina crouched down to meet his gaze.
"Listen. If you fought him head-on, your durability and endurance could match him. Your destructive energy is even greater than his. But strength alone isn't enough. The problem is you lack the experience—and the will—to keep standing against him until the end."
"In other words," Sorata muttered, eyes narrowing again, "you're saying I don't have enough hatred to take him down?"
Ukina's eyes sharpened. "No. You've got plenty of hatred in you—I know that for certain. But hatred isn't the same as madness. You're not crazed enough, Sorata. And you don't have the battlefield experience he's bathed in."
Sorata rose to his feet.
"So what you're saying… is that I don't have the thirst for battle?"
"That's right," Ukina replied without hesitation. "Though I've seen you fight. I know how unhinged you can become. But even that won't be enough to take down the Beast of Destruction."
Her expression softened slightly.
"That's why I'll help you. First, I'll summon B-rank shadow puppets for you to fight—to sharpen your combat instincts. And as for building your battle craze… you'll observe Kojin himself."
A devilish grin stretched across Sorata's face.
"Heh… sounds fun enough."
Then, tilting his head, he asked, "Speaking of which… where the hell has Kenji been this whole time?"
Meanwhile, in the Iron Country…
Inside a office, Lord Yamamoto sat at his desk, while Shouya, Rin, and Kazu stood before him.
"How have you been, Kazu?" Yamamoto asked, his voice stern yet tinged with concern. "Ever since you left the hospital."
Kazu straightened his back, answering firmly.
"I'm fine now, sir. You don't need to worry. I've been back in fighting shape for a month since my discharge."
Shouya looked at him with a straight face "You sure, you've been awfully stiff lately.", Rin added "He's right Kazu!". Kazu exclaimed with annoyance "Shut the fuck up!".
A familiar, mocking voice suddenly echoed through the room.
"Is that so? Well, I'm glad my beloved student is doing alright."
Everyone instantly became wary. Their heads snapped toward the source.
There—leaning casually by the window—sat Kenji, smiling as though he owned the place.
"Kenji?!" Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock.
Shouya's arms began to twist, shifting into sharp weapons. Rin's hands pulsed with sound waves, ready to unleash devastation. Kazu's eyes narrowed, he drew his sword in one swift motion, his blade glowing faintly with yellow energy.
"You traitor!" Kazu snarled. "What are you doing here?"
Kenji chuckled, shaking his head. "Traitor? That's a cruel way to greet your dear old teacher. I only came to say hi… and maybe share a few truths."
He stepped down from the window frame, the air around him crackling faintly. His grin sharpened as he turned to Yamamoto.
"You haven't told them yet, have you? The real reason I betrayed the Iron Country. The truth behind why I'm doing all this."
The tension snapped taut.
"Rin," Shouya called out, pushing her back protectively. "Stay behind me!"
"No," Kazu growled, eyes locked on Kenji. "He's mine."
Kenji's devilish smile widened as yellow lightning began to surge around his hand. A sword materialized, cloaked in violent crackling lightning.
"Then let's dance, Kazu. As your sensei… I'd like to see just how strong you've gotten."
In the next instant, an explosion occurred.
BOOM!
The office erupted as Kazu and Kenji clashed at the speed of light, bursting through the walls and out into the streets. Buildings split in half from the sheer shockwave of their first strike, rubble raining down as the city trembled.
CRASH!
Kenji's kick sent Kazu flying through a row of buildings, collapsing entire structures in a chain reaction. Dust and fire consumed the streets. Civilians were running to safety along side soliders trying to protect the citizens and themselves.
But Kazu righted himself midair, his blade glowing brilliantly. With a shout, he unleashed a storm of radiant beams—yellow streaks of destruction that tore across the city, homing in on his former teacher.
Kenji's grin never wavered. He darted between the beams, his movements as quick as light, weaving through the storm.
Suddenly, Kazu appeared above him, his sword raised high. With a roar, he brought it down, releasing a blinding surge of energy. The explosion of light consumed everything, the force obliterating the surrounding district in one catastrophic blast.
When the smoke finally thinned, the two figures emerged—blades locked, eyes burning with intensity.
Kenji smirked. "Well, I'll be damned. Your sword skills have improved. As a sensei, I'm proud."
Kazu glared back, his grip tightening. "That's surprising, coming from a traitor like you."
The clash continued, their blades sparking violently, each strike threatening to tear the city of steel apart.
End of Chapter