The night had fallen over Kaizen Valley, and the crimson light of sunset had vanished, leaving only the pale glow of the moon. The valley was eerily silent, save for the distant rustle of wind and the faint dripping of water from jagged cliffs. The battlefield where Naku had faced Kurozane earlier now seemed almost calm, yet the air hummed with tension, as if the valley itself remembered the clash.
Naku stood atop a cliff, Hizakura sheathed at his side. His body ached, muscles screaming from exertion, but his mind remained alert. The fight with Kurozane had tested him like no other, forcing him to recall every lesson from Buddha Mong, every painful memory of his parents' deaths, and every scar earned through years of relentless training.
He let out a slow breath, closing his eyes for a moment. This victory… it is not the end.
Below him, the remnants of Kurozane's shadow tendrils writhed feebly, dissolving into the ground. The Raven of Ruin himself had survived, clutching his wound, and had retreated into the night. Naku knew that his enemy's survival meant danger was far from over.
A faint sound made him tense—a soft rustling from the cliffs above. Naku's eyes narrowed, scanning the darkness. Hidden among the rocks, cloaked figures observed him silently. Their presence was subtle, yet deliberate. Allies or enemies, he could not yet tell.
The valley wind carried whispers of movement, and in that silence, Naku's mind raced. This fight was only the beginning. There are greater threats lurking… waiting for the right moment to strike.
He walked down from the cliff, his steps careful on the uneven rocks. Each movement was deliberate, measured—battle taught him precision as much as speed. As he approached the valley floor, he noticed faint tracks: Kurozane's soldiers, retreating under the cover of night. Their presence was a warning; even in defeat, the shadow of his enemy stretched far beyond the battlefield.
Naku crouched, tracing the tracks with his fingers. They will regroup. They will return. The thought did not bring fear—it brought resolve.
From the distance, a soft glow emerged—a small fire among the rocks. Approaching cautiously, Naku found it was not an enemy encampment, but a lone figure, a traveler cloaked in gray. Their face was hidden under a hood, but the air around them carried a quiet strength.
"You fought Kurozane," the figure said quietly, voice calm but firm. "I've been watching. You have skill… and fire in your heart. But this valley is only the beginning. There are others who will test you far more than him."
Naku straightened, his grip tightening slightly on his sword. "Who are you?" he asked.
The traveler lifted their hood, revealing a sharp, intelligent gaze. "Call me Renshi. I've been tracking the movements of those who seek chaos. Your fight tonight… it has set ripples. Powerful forces have taken notice. Be prepared—the true darkness is yet to come."
Naku's jaw tightened. "Then I will be ready. Whoever they are, I will face them. Just as I faced Kurozane."
Renshi nodded, stepping back into the shadows. "Remember this: victory over one enemy does not end the war. Only those who prepare for the shadows ahead can survive them."
The traveler disappeared into the darkness, leaving Naku alone with the moonlight reflecting off Hizakura. The valley was quiet once more, but the weight of what was coming pressed heavily on him.
Naku looked up at the night sky, eyes burning with resolve. This is only the beginning. The battles ahead will be harder… but I will not falter. I will grow stronger. I will carve my legacy.
And with that, he began to make his way from Kaizen Valley, stepping into the unknown, ready to face whatever darkness awaited.