A mature Jedi Knight could fight 100 men alone. Surrounded or not, with a lightsaber in hand, they had no reason to fear any attack.
So when Kingpin's men opened fire, Ben and Kailan immediately moved into defensive stances. For Jedi, drawing the lightsaber had to be done with the Force fully enveloping the body—this movement had to become second nature.
Ben and Kailan had been trained mercilessly by Liu A'dou. Every time they drew their lightsabers, they had to activate the Force for defense. They'd practiced this thousands of times, and if they failed, Liu A'dou would hang them upside down with the Force as punishment.
So when dozens of muzzle flashes erupted, Ben and Kailan's minds were as calm as still water. They moved fast, their lightsabers slicing the air and blocking every angle, forming an impenetrable defense. Bullets ricocheted off their blades. They couldn't yet deflect them back precisely, but for beginners, they were already impressive.
"What the hell…?" the killers thought. None of their bullets were landing. Panic started to spread. What they were seeing was beyond anything they'd ever imagined.
And the Jedi's counterattack had only just begun. Ben and Kailan advanced in small, quick steps, charging into the crowd. Their lightsabers flashed, cutting enemies' guns clean in half. The red-hot cuts glowed—if those blades touched flesh, it would mean instant death. In less than a minute, the thugs were left with no usable weapons.
Not bad. Liu A'dou watched with satisfaction. His apprentices had only studied the Force for a short time, yet they'd defeated so many enemies. It was already an outstanding performance.
But Kingpin and Bullseye weren't giving up that easily. Lightsabers? They'd seen weirder things in New York.
"Bullseye, get the car. I'll hit them with a rocket launcher," Kingpin growled, pulling an RPG from the warehouse.
He aimed. Fired.
Whoosh—
A fiery rocket shot closer. Ben and Kailan didn't flinch. They remembered the crazy director and editors from their movie shoot who'd taught them how to stop missiles using the Force.
Their Force alone was still weak, but if they worked together, it wasn't just one plus one. "Kailan."
"I know."
They stood side by side, one extending the right hand, the other the left. Their hands pointed at the incoming rocket. They unleashed the Force. The rocket actually started to slow down mid-air, though it kept moving forward.
Liu A'dou was stunned. He hadn't taught them this. But as he watched, faint blue lightning began to flicker where their Forces overlapped. Force Lightning—a high-level ability usually only mastered by top-tier Sith. He couldn't believe these two beginners could trigger it together.
Boom! The explosion rocked the warehouse, but the Force contained the shockwave and shrapnel completely. Only the flash and the deafening bang reached them.
"This is insane," Kingpin muttered. If even a rocket didn't work, he was out of options. Bullseye pulled up with the car, and they decided to retreat. A proper villain knew when to run.
"Let's go," Bullseye shouted. If it were just Kid, Bullseye might have a chance. But with these two freaks who could knock bullets away, he was totally outmatched. They were his natural enemies.
In the end, only three figures remained in the ruined warehouse. Two lightsabers pointed at Kaitou Kid.
"Now it's your turn," Ben said coldly.
"That was quite a show," Kid replied with a playful grin. "Thanks for letting me watch such an amazing performance. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
"You're not going anywhere." Ben stepped forward with his saber raised, but Kailan blocked him.
"Kailan, what are you doing? We need to finish the mission. Capturing Kid is the test Master gave us!" Ben stared at her in confusion.
"Didn't you feel it?" Kailan slowly lowered her lightsaber.
"Feel what? What are you talking about?" Ben was completely lost.
But Kailan had felt it clearly—that was Liu A'dou's Force, coming from Kid. Which meant Kid was their master.
"Ben, we can't be disrespectful to our master."
Ben stood there stunned. Liu A'dou was just as surprised. Kailan's sensitivity to the Force was incredible, as if she was born for it.
Ben started to get it, but the Kid standing in front of him seemed nothing like their usual laid-back teacher. Kid was like a legend, while his master, even with the Force, had been content making movies instead of using his power as a hero—which had always made Ben look down on him a bit.
"May the Force be with you," Kailan said solemnly.
He'd been exposed. Liu A'dou knew the test was over. "May the Force be with us," he replied.
"It really is you, Master!" Ben's confusion melted into excitement. He had always known his teacher couldn't be an ordinary person—no wonder he was the famous Kaitou Kid! "Master, this outfit suits you best."
"Stop flattering me," Kid said. "Let's go home."
Since the truth was out, Kid let the Archimedes appear, and they all boarded the ship together to head home.
"Kailan, being able to sense my identity through the Force—that was impressive," Liu A'dou said with satisfaction.
"What about me?" Ben asked eagerly, hoping for praise too.
"You did well too. You worked great with Kailan, and your swordsmanship is already stronger than hers," Liu A'dou nodded. "That's enough to make me feel at ease."
Ben and Kailan looked at Liu A'dou. They could tell he had something important to say.
"You are now official Jedi Knights. The two of you need to travel the world together. See all kinds of people and things. Train your bodies and your will."
They realized this was their cue to graduate. They were still just kids, but each carried heavy burdens—Ben with his need for revenge, Kailan with her goal of restoring her kingdom. Only adventure could help them grow quickly.
"But…" After losing his uncle, Ben had relied on Liu A'dou for guidance. He didn't want to let go.
"No buts. You must support each other. Don't forget to practice your swordsmanship and meditation. The Force will guide you," Liu A'dou said firmly.
Ben and Kailan fell silent, eyes brimming with tears as they looked at their master.
"I understand, Master," Kailan said softly, knowing what she had to do.
Ben nodded, too.
When they returned home after traveling the world, Liu A'dou knew they'd look completely different. "I hope you carry the Jedi spirit far and wide, and that you discover your true selves through the Force. No matter what dangers you face, always stay calm."
"Yes, Master," they both answered in unison.
"Before you go, I'll teach you the most profound technique of the Force. I hope this journey helps you master it," Liu A'dou said, explaining the principle behind Force Lightning. Force Lightning was triggered by emotional surges, but Jedi who kept their hearts tranquil almost never used it. Liu A'dou taught his students to meditate but never to suppress themselves. Cry when they needed to cry, laugh when they wanted to laugh, get angry when they felt anger. That way, his Jedi would always have the emotional range needed to unleash Lightning.
With everything arranged, Liu A'dou watched his two apprentices leave. He was certain they'd be fine. The next time they met, they'd return as powerful Jedi Knights.
As for the memory card hidden in Kingpin's Ring of Faith, Liu A'dou had mailed it to Commissioner Stonberg. What happened next was no longer Kaitou Kid's business.